Update: CST/CSA Meet and Confer

Dear OCEA member,

On Tuesday, April 6, 2021, we met and conferred on the impacts of the Sheriff’s Department’s decision to merge the CST, Sr. CST, and CSA classifications. This is a continuation of discussions that began before the COVID-19 pandemic and we will report out as further details develop.

Representing you at the meeting was your OCEA Board Member Sr. CST Julio Robles, and SSO Andrew Rodriguez, CST Tony Salazar, CSA Ryan Blakely, and OCEA Labor Relations Representatives Aaron Peardon, Danielle Chau, and Kate Wolf. The group met with Assistant Sheriff Briggs, Assistant Sheriff Balicki, Assistant Sheriff Park, and Sheriff's Executive Aide Captain McCulloch.

It was clear from this meeting that the merger is moving forward. However, implementation will not take place until next fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2021. A specific implementation date has not been determined and requires the Board of Supervisors’ approval in advance.

The following issues were discussed on Tuesday:

CSTs will have the choice to become a CSA or remain as a CST. This will be completely voluntary and will not require a CST to resign from their position in order to take a new CSA position. The Department does not intend to hire any more CSTs, thus decommissioning the classification title by attrition.

CSTs who choose to become a CSA will go through a four-week non-stress transition course, that will include a CSA facilitator, as well as on-the-job training. In order to balance training with meeting operational needs, the transition course will be offered by division over a period of approximately six months, each course accommodating an estimated 25 workers. Pay increases would become effective after completion of the transition course. The Department has committed to provide training to ensure success and safety on the job.

There may be some cross-training for current CSAs in advance of the official merger transition. After merging, the vacation selection occurring in November 2021 will be based on seniority in the classification held before the merger. Subsequent years of vacation selection will be combined and based on total County seniority, in line with the Department’s past practice on seniority.

There is still much more to discuss and finalize. As always, we will do everything we can to ensure that the merger will result in positive career and/or economic opportunities for OCEA members.

In Solidarity,

Aaron Peardon
Senior Labor Relations Representative

Danielle Chau
Labor Relations Representative

Kate Wolf
Labor Relations Representative

Publication Date: April 13, 2021