March 23, 2022

It's official—OCEA Hot Dog Season is here! Get away from your workspace and come hang out and have lunch outside with your fellow OCEA members. Get workplace specific updates and the latest union news. OCEA staff will also be available to answer questions you may have.

March 22, 2022

Following HCA’s announcement of their telecommuting policy, we began to hear from OCEA members about issues with policy implementation and inconsistencies across programs. For example, some service areas implemented the policy as early as March 1 and imposed more restrictive limits on the number of telecommuting days available to workers without providing a reason. This arbitrary policy and inconsistent application across the agency created confusion, impacted workplace morale, and was disruptive to HCA employees and their families. We immediately conducted a survey, met with HCA Stewards, and demanded to meet with Dr. Chau and agency representatives to share your concerns.

March 21, 2022

We are often told that we should never talk about three things in polite company: religion, money, or politics. Union people discuss money all the time because OCEA members and staff never stop advocating for working families’ economic security. We don’t discuss religion because that’s not our role and we respect each individual’s religious freedom. However, for unions, discussing politics is essential and unavoidable. As the Greek statesman Pericles said, “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.”

March 17, 2022

We did it! Tuesday night, the Fullerton City Council voted 4-1 to ratify the FMEF contract. This was the final step in our bargaining process and all negotiated contract enhancements will take effect at the start of the next pay period, March 18.

March 17, 2022

The March 31, 2022 AMEA General Membership Meeting will be held in person and via Zoom beginning at 5:30 p.m.

March 15, 2022

Please plan to attend the CFS Caseload Management Forum at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, 2022.

March 14, 2022

Join fellow OCEA members at Honda Center for a fun night of Ducks Hockey—multiple dates available.

March 9, 2022

Your employee representatives on the OCERS Retirement Board, Adele Tagaloa and Chris Prevatt, spent the past few days at ​the California Association of Public Retirement Systems (CALAPRS) Annual General Assembly. ​The General Assembly is an educational conference for retirement system trustees and senior staff to learn from experts and peers, while getting the opportunity to interact with their colleagues face-to-face and network.

March 8, 2022

You can get $27 off the Ticketmaster price to watch the Lakers take on the Denver Nuggets in a regular season game Sunday, April 3, 2022 at Crypto Arena (formerly Staples Center). Ticket quantity is limited so you have to act fast!

March 7, 2022

In late 2021, OCEA submitted a series of demands to SSA and CFS management. The demands concerned a number of longstanding workplace issues that were exasperated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In an attempt to build additional workplace organization, and to identify additional issues facing CFS workers, OCEA Representatives hosted meetings for Social Workers in each CFS program to create a space to discuss program-specific issues and identify program worker leaders. Those meetings concluded last week and were extremely productive.

March 7, 2022

Paying for a college education isn’t easy. That’s why the OCEA Board of Directors awards scholarships each year for dependents of OCEA members.

March 3, 2022

As you all know, HCA management unilaterally amended its telecommuting policy. This amended policy includes completely unnecessary telecommuting restrictions establishing an arbitrary maximum number of hours an employee is allowed to telecommute per pay period. This arbitrary restriction was implemented without any consideration of workers’ needs, workplace morale, or what it might achieve other than disrupting the lives of HCA employees and their families.

March 3, 2022

After many months of negotiations, late night city council meetings, articles in the newspaper, and hot dog lunches WE DID IT! Your FMEF Board is happy to announce membership ratified the contract yesterday. Thank you to everyone who attended one of the ratification meetings. FMEF promptly notified the City and the City will work to get our contract on the March 15 agenda for City Council approval.

February 25, 2022

We are happy to report on Feb. 22, 2022 we submitted our petition and union cards on behalf of the part time workers (classifications below) who wish to have their voices heard and be represented by AMEA.

February 23, 2022

Your FMEF Bargaining Team is pleased to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement for a successor MOU. The road to this contract was not easy. The strength of a union is determined by its members and in Fullerton, FMEF showed up! Thank you to everyone who attended countless City Council meetings and a special thanks to everyone who spoke during public comment.