Orangewood Safety Update: July 17, 2023

Dear OCEA member,

Thank you to all OCEA members from SSA and HCA who attended our virtual meetings and signed our petition for management changes to ensure the safety of Orangewood’s staff and clients. We had over 120 OCEA members stand together against often dangerous and sometimes life-threatening working conditions to demand action at this critical time.

Last week OCEA staff—including Operations Manager Veronica Rodarte, and labor relations representatives and organizers on our teams for SSA and HCA—met with County staff regarding a list of issues and proposed solutions we compiled with your input. One of our major requests is to reconvene the High-Risk Youth Meeting, which was an outcome of a prior safety grievance filed against Orangewood several years ago.

The following County executives and managers attended this week’s meeting: CFS Division Director Jyothi Alturi; Deputy Director Scott Burdick; Deputy Director Kristi Fiskum; Orangewood Manager Mo Sapiga; SSA-HR Deputy Director Hilda Juarez; SSA-HR Manager Alina Coman; and SSA-HR Manager Peggy McCormick. The tone of this meeting was mostly positive and productive, with County management acknowledging the need for improved safety measures at Orangewood. We still have work ahead to successfully navigate the interplay between conditions at Orangewood, current County practices, and State law. However, you can be assured that your OCEA representatives remain committed to continue to ensure your voices are heard and that the County makes your safety in the workplace a critical priority.

Please stay tuned for more updates as we continue our efforts on behalf of you and your co-workers.

In Solidarity,

OCEA

Publication Date: July 17, 2023