OCEA members,
The County has unilaterally placed the Retirement Assistance Program (RAP) and the Part-Time Plus Program (PTP) on hold for the foreseeable future. The County notified all labor organizations this morning.
The County has not said yet whether it will send its own notice to employees, so we are telling you directly. If the County revives either program, it has committed to contact OCEA first, and we will update you right away.
What this means for you:
- No RAP incentive is being offered. There is no $20,000 (or other amount) HRA deposit and no waiver to sign.
- No PTP conversions are being offered. Departments cannot move full-time positions to part-time under this program.
- Your retirement and scheduling decisions are yours to make on your own timeline, with no program deadline to consider.
Our position on both programs has not changed. Since June, we have told the County that we would not support any program that cuts public services and increases your workload without a guarantee that vacant OCEA-represented positions get filled. Our members already carry a 19% functional vacancy rate after the County deleted 887 OCEA-represented positions during our last contract term. Frontline workers need relief, not more position cuts. That is the conversation we will keep having with the County.
If you have questions about your retirement options, contact your Labor Relations Representative at 714-835-3355.
In Solidarity,
Your OCEA Team
