OCEA Assistant General Manager Tim Steed walks the Union Action Team through where negotiations stand ahead of the 2026 contract campaign — what the team covered in their first internal meeting, what the County’s financial picture actually looks like, and what’s coming next.
In this session:
- NEGOTIATIONS AS A CAMPAIGN: Why negotiations should be understood as a campaign with distinct phases — from survey to ratification
- TEAM STRUCTURE: What happened at the April 1st internal team meeting (24 primary members, 17 alternates) and how the team is structured
- THE LANDSCAPE: The political and financial backdrop heading into negotiations — four of five supervisors in election transitions, an outgoing CEO, and the County’s budget concern claims
- THE COUNTY’S FINANCES: Why OCEA’s financial data tells a different story — County reserves above policy levels and a pattern of underestimating revenue
- PROPOSAL CONCEPTS: What the team reviewed, including wages, AI and job security, premium pay enhancements, and worker rights
- NEXT STEPS: Finalizing proposals on April 14th, direct outreach to board members, and a literature blitz on the first day of negotiations
- DAYS OF ACTION: April 25th, May 16th, and May 30th — and why political mobilization matters at the table
