Building on Our Strength for 2026: Virtual Membership Meeting Recap

Dear OCEA member,

Thank you to the hundreds of OCEA members who joined our virtual membership meetings last Tuesday, May 28, 2025. For those unable to attend, you can watch the full video by clicking the play button above.

Below are the key takeaways from the meeting as we prepare for 2026 County negotiations.

YOUR 4% WAGE INCREASE WILL GO INTO EFFECT JUNE 27

The final wage increase of our current MOU will take effect June 27, 2025—completing our historic three-year agreement that delivered 13% in total general wage increases (4.75% in 2023, 4.25% in 2024, 4% in 2025). This was the highest wage package among Southern California counties at the time and was achieved while also concluding the negotiations process prior to contract expiration for the first time in recent history.

Some Key Contract Wins from the 2023-25 MOU:

• Restoration of Two-Step Merit Increases (benefiting 1,733 members)
• Zero Takeaways—we protected all existing benefits
• Supervisor Salary Differential (benefitting 220 members with increases up to 23%)

THE CURRENT BUDGET OUTLOOK

The County's recommended budget for FY 2025-26 is $10.8 billion, up $1.3 billion from last year. Despite talk of budget constraints:

• Your 4% raise is secure and fully budgeted.
• No furloughs or layoffs are planned.
• The County maintains strong reserves despite fire mitigation costs and is working to settle cases related to the Airport Fire.

COUNTY BUDGET HEARING TUESDAY, JUNE 10

The Board of Supervisors will hold their budget hearing Tuesday, June 10. Your OCEA Board of Directors, stewards, and staff will be there to speak on behalf of County workers. We encourage you to join us in solidarity and show the Board that OCEA members are watching and engaged. We'll address the need for continued investment in a workforce that delivers essential services and highlight how chronic understaffing and high vacancy rates impact both workers and the community we serve.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026 COUNTY NEGOTIATIONS

While LA County workers face 0% wage proposals and LA City faces a $1 billion shortfall, OCEA members will receive a 4% wage increase this month thanks to the work of OCEA members who stood together at the negotiations table to fight for you.

Orange County's financial position remains stable. However, we must prepare for possible challenges, including state budget uncertainties and potential federal funding changes.

YOUR ROLE IN BUILDING OUR STRENGTH FOR 2026

• Take the Negotiations Survey It will arrive in late August 2025!
• Stay Informed - Sign up for emails at ocea.org if you haven't already and encourage your co-workers to do the same.
• Get Involved - Join our Union Action Team or come to an OCEA Steward meeting to help us build solidarity as we prepare for negotiations.

In our last contract we built a strong foundation together. NOW IT'S TIME TO BUILD ON OUR STRENGTH FOR 2026—because when we stand united, we create the power that drives our success at the negotiations table.

In Solidarity,

OCEA

Publication Date: June 4, 2025