GGCEA: Tentative Agreement Reached- Details and Next Steps

Dear GGCEA Members,

We are pleased to announce that GGCEA has reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) with the City of Garden Grove on a successor MOU, effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027. 

While this agreement does not include everything we wanted, it moves us forward and includes important improvements over the City’s Last, Best, and Final Offer (LBFO) — improvements that were only possible because you had the courage to reject the LBFO and stand united for something better.

As with any negotiation, the process involved tough conversations and real compromise. Throughout it all, your bargaining team stayed focused on the priorities members identified.

We understand that some members may feel disappointed the agreement does not go further in certain areas. That’s valid — and it reflects how much we all care about this work and each other. But it’s also important to recognize what this agreement does deliver: strong economic gains, real improvements in benefits, and meaningful wins that weren’t on the table until you made your voices heard.

We are confident this is the strongest agreement possible at this time, and as such, your bargaining team unanimously recommends a YES vote.

How the TA Improves Upon the City’s LBFO

General Wage Increase: 
As part of the tentative agreement, the City has agreed to eliminate Step B effective the second pay period in June 2027. Additionally, the 3% general wage increase in Year 1 will be retroactive to July 5, 2025 — ensuring members receive the full value of the raise from the beginning of the applicable pay period.

This still includes the previously proposed changes in Year 2:

• The addition of a new 5% Step J the pay period following July 1, 2026.
• The elimination of Step A the pay period following July 1, 2026.

These structural changes will improve long-term earning potential for GGCEA members.

Cafeteria Plan Contributions: 
The tentative agreement secures higher monthly contributions across all coverage tiers in both years, with double-digit increases over the life of the contract. This delivers real financial relief and better support for rising healthcare costs — a key priority identified by members.

• Current Monthly Contributions: 
• Employee Only: $1,055
• Employee + One: $1,620
• Family: $2,000
• TA Increases:
• Effective January 2026:
• Employee Only: $1,125 (↑ 6.6%)
• Employee + One: $1,720 (↑ 6.2%)
• Family: $2,150 (↑ 7.5%)
• Effective January 2027:
• Employee Only: $1,210 (↑ 14.7% from current)
• Employee + One: $1,840 (↑ 13.6% from current)
• Family: $2,320 (↑ 16% from current)

All Other Terms: Same as LBFO

These include:

• Enhancements to evaluation and salary step language
• Expansion of Senior CSO assignments
• 12-month probation for Housing Specialist
• 5% Training Pay for eligible assignments
• Vacation accrual improvements
• MOU language clean-up

General Membership Meeting & Voting Details

We’ll be holding a General Membership Meeting on Thursday, June 26, to review the TA, answer questions, and launch the ratification vote.

• Meeting:
  Thursday, June 26 | 12:00–1:00 p.m.
  CMC Room A | Lunch will be provided.
  
  
• Voting: 
  Voting will be held virtually (same as before) and will open during the meeting. 
  Voting will close on Monday, June 30 at noon.

Only GGCEA members are eligible to vote.

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting and answering your questions. Let’s finish this strong.

In solidarity,

GGCEA Bargaining Team

Publication Date: June 23, 2025