RECAP: CFS MEMBERSHIP MEETING - Negotiations & Next Steps

Dear OCEA member,

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Aug. 5 CFS Membership Meeting. Your participation is crucial as we prepare for the upcoming negotiations that will shape working conditions for CFS social workers.

At the meeting, we reviewed key wins from our 2023 negotiations, including:

• 13% in total wage enhancements (13.57% cumulative)
• Restoration of 2-step merit increases for employees meeting expectations
• Supervisor salary differential and special assignment pay for ER in the MOU
• Clinical supervision pay
• Most importantly—NO TAKEAWAYS

We also discussed the fundamentals of collective bargaining under the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, which protects your right to organize and negotiate over wages, hours, and working conditions.

Given the County’s budget challenges, such as hiring freezes and cuts to non-essential spending, it's more important than ever we remain unified. While County leadership has proposed cutting from frontline workers, they continue to preserve executive perks like car allowances and the Board of Supervisors recently approved a 25% raise for themselves. We must be ready to fight for what we deserve.

New this year, we are forming a Social Worker Proposal Committee. This will be a team of 10 members dedicated to developing targeted proposals addressing both economic and non-economic issues specific to CFS social workers. This committee will play a vital role in shaping proposals and staying informed throughout negotiations.

NEXT STEP—OPEN HOUSE

We will host an Open “Office Hour” on Thursday, Aug. 14 from Noon to 1 p.m. at 800 Eckhoff, 1st Floor, Conference Room 1304.

Lunch will be provided.

This is your opportunity to:

• Ask questions about our upcoming negotiations
• Express interest in joining the Proposal Committee
• Share ideas for potential proposals

To RSVP, please email OCEA Organizing Specialist Michelle Truong at mtruong@ocea.org.

Thank you for staying engaged. Together, we will be prepared to advocate for real improvements to our workplace.

In Solidarity,

Orange County Employees Association

Publication Date: August 6, 2025