County Negotiations—Building on our Strength for 2026!
NEGOTIATIONS ARE ON THE HORIZON—2026 IS A COUNTY NEGOTIATIONS YEAR. Our union will soon be in negotiations for successor agreements to our current Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs).
The political landscape may be uncertain, but we are confident in our resolve. By strengthening our workplace relationships and expanding our active membership, we will create a powerful voice that can’t be ignored at the negotiations table.
VIDEO: May 28, 2025 Virtual Membership Meeting (60-minutes) PDF: COMPARISON BY COUNTY VIDEO: Negotiations 101 (6-minutes) VIDEO: Understanding the MOU (35-minutes) PDF: OCEA Negotiations FAQs PDF: MEYERS-MILIAS BROWN ACT — AT A GLANCE
Stay informed: Union negotiations news that affects you!
County Negotiations Update: Tentative Agreement Approved!
June 27, 2023
We are happy to report that the Board of Supervisors adopted our agreement by a 5-0 vote! This vote is the culmination of so much hard work and planning by OCEA members and leaders. For the first time in decades, we will not go past expiration on our MOU, and we are confident this is the start of a new day in OC.
VOTING ENDS TODAY: 1 P.M. Deadline to Vote on County Tentative Agreement
June 22, 2023
After hard-fought negotiations, your OCEA negotiations team has reached a tentative agreement with the County. This three-year agreement provides you, every other OCEA-represented worker, and your families the fair wage increases you deserve: 4.75% effective the first full pay period after adoption by the Board of Supervisors, 4.25% effective June 28, 2024, and 4.0% effective June 27, 2025—a total of 13% over three years!
REMINDER: Membership Meetings TODAY, MOU Details & Voting Info!
June 19, 2023
Special OCEA member meetings to discuss the specifics of the tentative agreement will take place at Noon and 5:15 p.m. today, Monday, June 19, at OCEA.
Tentative Agreement Reached: MOU Details, Membership Meetings & Voting Info!
June 15, 2023
After hard-fought negotiations, your OCEA negotiations team has reached a tentative agreement with the County. This three-year agreement provides you, every other OCEA-represented worker, and your families the fair wage increases you deserve: 4.75% effective the first full pay period after adoption by the Board of Supervisors, 4.25% effective June 28, 2024, and 4.0% effective June 27, 2025—a total of 13% over three years!
County Negotiations Update: June 13, 2023
June 13, 2023
We hoped for a productive day with multiple exchanges and robust dialogue. Instead of a productive day we were met with disappointment when the County only made a single incremental move on wages!
County Negotiations Update: June 8, 2023
June 8, 2023
OCEA and the County exchanged multiple proposals during our all-day session. During proposal exchanges the County made positive movement on wages, however there is still work to do.
OCEA NEGOTIATIONS TEAM
If you would like to get involved, visit ocea.org/get-involved
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IMPORTANT DATES
THURSDAY, SEPT. 11, 2025
Launch of the OCEA 2026 Negotiations Survey at the OCEA Health Fair
FALL 2025
Workplace Visits and “Negotiations 101” Training Sessions
JANUARY 2026
Negotiations Team Selection and Training
SPRING 2026
Negotiations Begins