AMEA Negotiations Update Aug. 12, 2025
AMEA member,
2025 is a negotiations year. Our last MOU expired June 30, 2025. Negotiations started later than usual due to delays with the City’s Class and Compensation study. We are awaiting the results and will incorporate them into our negotiations discussions. During this extra time, the AMEA Board conducted more research and surveyed members on their negotiation priorities. We also had several meetings with the Mayor and City Council members.
The AMEA negotiations team is comprised of long-serving AMEA leaders supported by professional staff. The team is led by AMEA Executive Board: President Jonnae Barreras, First Vice President Jason Perez, Second Vice President Steve Goodwyn, Secretary Heather Madrick, and Treasurer Rich Sauceda. They are joined at the table by OCEA staff members Veronica Rodarte, Michelle Rubio, and Alyse DeCavallas.
The first negotiations session took place on June 26. At this meeting AMEA provided the City with its opening proposals. Make no mistake about it, AMEA is fighting for raises for all AMEA members, enhanced benefits, and other MOU improvements. We also made it clear to the City that AMEA members will not be making concessions. We work too hard to have our MOU weakened!
Our second negotiations session took place on July 28. At this meeting we learned more about the City’s initial proposal. We most recently met on August 7 where AMEA provided its response to the City’s initial proposal. While it is still early in the process, we are cautiously optimistic. AMEA is prioritizing meaningful wage increases and retention incentives.
The Union and the City are scheduled to meet again on August 14. We intend to build upon the progress achieved in previous meetings and will continue to keep AMEA members informed regarding subsequent developments.
If you have any questions about negotiations, please reach out to a member of the AMEA Executive committee or call the AMEA office at (714) 765-0123.
In Solidarity,
Team AMEA
Publication Date: August 12, 2025