COVID-19 article focuses on County workers

Dear OCEA member,

An article posted today by Norberto Santana, Voice of OC publisher, included an interview with OCEA General Manager Charles Barfield.

"We expect the County to not only comply with its obligations under all Cal/OSHA standards and guidelines but to ensure that workers are able to observe visible, verifiable actions commensurate with the rate of positive COVID-19 cases at each worksite,” said OCEA General Manager Charles Barfield. You can read the entire article here.

The article reports that, while the majority of current COVID outbreaks are at the County Jail, there’s also a surprisingly large number at several county buildings. The most notable outbreaks are coming from the Social Services Agency – spread out across nine different divisions at six different addresses - according to an OCEA Cal/OSHA Compliance Letter asking county officials about mitigation.

Despite directives from the state, safety in the workplace still requires committed action by the union and its members. If you see unsafe working conditions, notify your immediate supervisor, manager, or Human Resources representative. You can also notify your OCEA Steward or staff representative if you feel unsafe or observe any unsafe conditions.

With your help, OCEA leadership and staff will continue to demand compliance with the Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard and safe working conditions at every worksite.

In Solidarity,

Charles Barfield
OCEA General Manager

Publication Date: January 4, 2021