OCEA News
Information is power, and OCEA members receive regular email, text and social media updates about workplace issues and news. Many of those emails are archived below.
Sanitation District Members Decline HRA Benefit
December 3, 2021
On Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, a ratification vote was held on a proposed Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA). The result: A majority of the voting membership declined to ratify the benefit.
SSO Frank Martinez Passes Away
December 3, 2021
It with a heavy heart that we report the passing of SSO Frank Martinez. His career with the Sheriff's Department began in 1993 with his first assignment at the Central Men's Jail.
CFS Social Worker Update - December 2, 2021
December 2, 2021
CFS members attended a virtual briefing Tuesday night to develop action plans to deal with long-standing issues impacting Social Workers and Senior Social Workers in particular. Across the board, a lack of sufficient resources has pushed workers to leave County service and has degraded the work culture. The ER program and several other programs are facing severely excessive caseload rates, scheduling demands that impact work-life balance, and feckless management unable to provide needed resources. The problems brought forward on the call came directly from Social Workers’ responses to a recent survey. Tuesday night's briefing focused on solutions to these entrenched problems.
YLEA members ratify tentative agreement
December 1, 2021
Today YLEA members voted to accept and ratify the tentative agreement with the City.
YLEA: Tentative Agreement reached, voting on Dec. 1
November 29, 2021
Your YLEA bargaining team submitted our sixth proposal to the City on 11/5/2021 and it was reviewed by the City Council on 11/16/2021. On 11/17/2021, the City responded with its latest proposal. Your bargaining team evaluated all possible responses and ultimately decided to tentatively agree to the City’s proposal today, 11/29/2021.
OC Sanitiation District: Voting now open on HRA benefit ratification
November 29, 2021
Your OCEA Bargaining Team has reached a tentative agreement with the District concerning a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) benefit. HRAs are designed to help workers pay for qualified medical expenses incurred during retirement. A typical program has workers and employers making tax-free contributions to an HRA account.
CFS social work briefing Nov. 30, 2021
November 24, 2021
Please plan on attending our next CFS Social Worker Briefing taking place virtually from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 30.
Sanitation District workers—Contract Reopener Vote Dec. 1
November 24, 2021
Statewide legislation can have a profound impact on working people, whether in the form of attacks, such as efforts to dismantle retirement security for working Americans, or opportunities to advance issues of fairness, such as requiring employers to pay overtime.
On Black Friday - Check your paycheck
November 24, 2021
We want to remind you of some good news that will be reflected in your paycheck this month. On November 5, 2021, a negotiated 2% pay increase became effective. You will see this pay increase on your November 26, 2021, paycheck.
Important Court worker meeting November 30, 2021
November 23, 2021
Join your co-workers, Court Stewards and OCEA staff on Nov. 30, 2021, from Noon to 1 p.m. for a general membership meeting. It will be great to see everyone in person at OCEA, 830 N. Ross Street, Santa Ana.
AMEA: Emergency Paid Sick Leave Program Extension
November 22, 2021
As many of you know, The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) required employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.
Update: Nov. 18, 2021 meeting with Treasurer-Tax Collector Freidenrich
November 22, 2021
Last week, OCEA Staff members Michelle Rubio and Adam Ribota participated in a meeting to discuss the County of Orange Performance Audit of the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s (TTC) office. Attendees included Treasurer-Tax Collector Shari Freidenrich, Assistant Treasurer-Tax Collector James Kim, County Chief Financial Officer Michelle Aguirre, and County Chief Human Resources Officer Colette Farnes.
Congratulations Thanksgiving Sweepstakes Winners!
November 17, 2021
Due to the ongoing public health crisis created by COVID-19, Thanksgiving may look a bit different for many of us again this year. To show our gratitude for OCEA members’ public service during the pandemic, we partnered with Orange County's Credit Union (OCCU) to hold an opportunity drawing for four (4) Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaways.
Tomorrow! Treasurer/Tax Collector membership meeting
November 15, 2021
Please plan to attend tomorrow’s membership meeting at County Administration South, 601 N. Ross Street in Multipurpose Room 105.
CFS Social Worker Update - Nov. 15, 2021
November 15, 2021
Two weeks ago, we sent Social Workers in CFS a communication regarding the status of workplace issues in the Agency. As mentioned, having worked with many of you on longstanding issues, like excessive caseloads and worker retention, it became abundantly clear the County of Orange needed political leadership to affect positive change.