Laguna Niguel Negotiations Update & Membership Meetings

Dear OCEA member,

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend the OCEA ratification meeting on Tuesday, May 2. At the meeting members of each bargaining unit represented by OCEA (the Maintenance, Clerical and Technical, and the Middle Management Professional and Supervisory) voted whether to approve or reject the tentative agreement reached during negotiations.

On May 2, members of the Maintenance Clerical and Technical Bargaining Unit voted to approve the terms and conditions of the Tentative Agreement. The Management MP Bargaining Unit voted to reject the terms and conditions of the Tentative Agreement. The OCEA leadership committee and staff recognize that this is a unique situation that is causing anxiety and uncertainty. The leadership team and OCEA staff, including OCEA’s attorneys, have evaluated the possible impacts.

The leadership team and OCEA have scheduled two meetings next week, one for members of the Middle Management, Professional and Supervisory Unit and one for members of the Maintenance, Clerical and Technical Unit.

Middle Management, Professional and Supervisory Unit members will meet at 12 p.m. Monday, May 8, at the Community Center to discuss the current circumstances, possible outcomes, and based on that new information again VOTE whether to approve or reject the tentative agreement. The meeting will be led by OCEA General Counsel Don Drozd. Deputy City Manager Justin Martin will be present during the first portion of the meeting to answer questions and clarify the City’s position.

Maintenance, Clerical and Technical Unit members will meet at 12 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, at the Community Center. This meeting will also be led by OCEA General Counsel Don Drozd and attended by Deputy City Manager Justin Martin. The sole purpose of this meeting will be to discuss and answer any questions regarding what happens now that bargaining unit members have voted to approve the tentative agreement. Among other things, the Maintenance, Clerical and Technical Unit ratified agreement is scheduled to be on the May, 16, 2023, City Council agenda for adoption by the Council.

In Solidarity,

Edgar Abrenica
Steve Antisdel
Katie Crockett
Tina Dittmar
Kelli Fitzgerald
John Pham

Publication Date: May 5, 2023