OMA Negotiations Update: Meet Your Lead Negotiator & more!
Dear OMA member,
My name is Michelle Rubio and I am a Senior Labor Relations Representative at OCEA. As a result of a recent revamp of assignments, going forward I will replace Danielle Chau as OMA’s lead negotiator and labor representative. I join Labor Relations Specialist Louie Gurrola, who continues to be assigned to OMA. I joined OCEA in 2018 and I work with a variety of County agencies, the Superior Court, and various cities and districts to represent members in negotiations, grievances, disciplinary appeals and more. Louie, who joined OCEA’s team in Aug. 2022, has experience as a supervisor at the County of Orange and as an OCEA workplace leader.
Your OMA Negotiations Team also includes your OMA Board:
President Stephen Mann (Building Inspections)
Vice President Lisa Tamburelli (Community Services)
Treasurer Lisa Aduna (Finance)
Secretary Joey Bitto (Water)
Member at Large Dwight Gish (Public Works)
Most of your Board members are longtime City employees, and some have prior experience negotiating. They come from multiple City departments, ensuring a broad set of collective interests will be represented at the negotiations table.
Recently, on Sept. 20, 2023, your OCEA team met with your OMA Board to begin developing proposals based on your recent survey results. We’ll meet again this Wednesday, Sept. 27, to finalize proposals before our first meeting with the City on Thursday, Sept. 28.
We want to take a moment to thank all OMA members who participated in the negotiations survey. Based on those responses, your priorities include wage increases, healthcare and costs, retirement security, and work-life balance. The first three were your top priorities, and those areas will be addressed during upcoming negotiations.
Please continue to stay informed by monitoring upcoming negotiations updates. Getting involved and staying informed helps make OMA stronger.
In Solidarity,
Michelle Rubio
OCEA Senior Labor Relations Representative
Publication Date: September 26, 2023