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.
OCEA to host Blood Donation Drive in association with the American Red Cross—June 22
May 18, 2017
OCEA members are standing together with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive at OCEA Headquarters on June 22. OCEA members give each day to the communities we serve, and this is another way we give back to those in need through our union.
Honoring peace officers this week
May 17, 2017
Across the country this week and throughout the month of May, communities are observing National Police Week. It’s a time of reflection as we remember the peace officers who lost their lives protecting the residents of the jurisdictions in which they served.
Governor’s revised budget provides relief from potential county service cuts
May 12, 2017
A program to provide in-home care for elderly and disabled Californians is at the center of a budget issue that nearly threatened to reduce health and law enforcement services across the state, including here in Orange County.
Putting partisanship aside for the good of Orange County
April 28, 2017
Orange County is a donor county. This means that collectively we send far more in revenue to the state than we receive back. Not surprisingly, this impacts almost every aspect of our lives. It would be difficult to identify a public service that wouldn’t be in a better position to serve the public if we just received back approximately the amount of revenue we send to Sacramento.
Court executives arrogance continues
April 20, 2017
Court executives continue to show by their actions that they have little respect for Court workers. The latest insult occurred last Friday in the offices of the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB).
Unfair Labor Charge Against Probation Resolved
April 20, 2017
Within the next few days, you and your coworkers should see a Notice to Employees posted on your work area bulletin boards. This notice is part of the settlement and resolution of the Complaint issued by the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) in connection with the Probation Department’s failure to meet and confer with us on the impacts of off-duty carry of Department-issued weapons.
Impacting thousands of lives—one hot dog at a time
April 14, 2017
A hot dog wagon may not sound high-brow enough for the opinion section of a major metropolitan daily newspaper. But you’d be surprised at how the simple act of cooking a free lunch can impact lives — and has, in fact, impacted thousands of lives. You also might be surprised to hear about how all of those people who have been touched by the hot dog wagon responded when it was stolen last week, along with a freezer full of 2,000 frozen all-beef dogs.
OCEA Leadership Conference—May 6—RSVP today!
April 5, 2017
Each year your OCEA Stewards and workplace leaders come together on a Saturday for an all-day training and workshop. This year we are opening participation to a limited number of OCEA members. Join us for what we believe will be an amazing opportunity to learn more about being an active OCEA member standing shoulder-to-shoulder with your co-workers to build a better workplace.
Hot Dog Wagon theft update
April 4, 2017
Thieves broke into OCEA’s secure garage over the weekend making off with OCEA’s cargo van, a refrigerator, a freezer full of hot dogs, and worst of all, OCEA’s famous hot dog wagon.
Someone stole the OCEA hot dog wagon
April 3, 2017
I am writing this morning with disappointing news. Over the weekend, the secured parking area under the OCEA building was vandalized and breached, and the OCEA van, hot dog wagon and freezer containing 2,000 frozen OCEA hot dogs were stolen.
The labor movement loses a giant in Mike Garcia
March 31, 2017
The labor movement is mourning a giant following the death last weekend of Mike Garcia, the longtime president of SEIU 1877 and United Service Workers West who spent his life standing with workers for social and economic justice, particularly low-wage and immigrant workers most vulnerable to exploitation.
OCEA members honored at Medal of Valor event
March 28, 2017
Last week, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department held its Medal of Valor Luncheon to recognize the efforts of its workers to keep our community safe.
Recognize efforts of social workers this month
March 17, 2017
Men, women and children end up living on the streets for many reasons. Good-paying jobs can be hard to come by in expensive Orange County. A disability or mental illness blocks opportunities. Drug and alcohol addiction captures lives.
A secure retirement preserves the American dream
March 3, 2017
Americans are deeply divided on many issues, but one issue that continues to unite us is a deep concern about economic security in retirement.
Puzder withdrawal is a victory for American workers
February 17, 2017
In the face of intense pressure from workers across the country and mounting concerns from Republican lawmakers, President Trump’s nominee for labor secretary, Andrew Puzder, withdrew himself from consideration this past week.