OMEA Members Ratify Tentative Agreement

Dear OMEA member,

Voting has concluded, and OMEA members have overwhelmingly ratified the Tentative Agreement reached earlier this week with the City of Orange.

This agreement is a testament to what we can achieve when we speak with one voice. In the face of financial strain and uncertainty, OMEA members stood together and secured meaningful wins. The one-year agreement includes a 2% wage increase (with retro pay), the addition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a paid holiday, increased medical contributions, a no-layoff/no-furlough guarantee, and a parity clause.

These gains are real—and they happened because of you. From completing bargaining surveys to attending membership meetings, and from showing up to City Council meetings to speaking out publicly, your actions made the difference. You reminded City leadership that OMEA members are engaged, united, and unwilling to be overlooked once again.

That solidarity made this agreement possible. And it will be just as essential in the months ahead. The City’s financial challenges remain unresolved, and its leadership has yet to show a willingness to confront deeper structural issues. With another round of negotiations right around the corner, we must stay connected, informed, and ready to mobilize. Our unity is our strength—and our strength is what drives progress.

You can review the full Tentative Agreement below. We expect the City Council to adopt the agreement at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

If you have any questions, contact OCEA Labor Relations Representative Julie Bott at jbott@ocea.org.

In Solidarity,

Your OMEA Board & Bargaining Team

Publication Date: July 25, 2025