HomeMy WebLinkAboutOCEA Letter to the Steering Committee 6.2022R NGE C U TY E PL YEES ASS Cl Tl N
830 N. ROSS ST., SANTA ANA. CA 92701 • (714) 835-3355 • (714) 835-7654 FAX • OCEA.ORG
June 22, 2022
Orange County Sanitation District Steering Committee
10844 Ellis Avenue
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Orange County Sanitation District Steering Committee Member,
SENT VIA EMAIL
The Orange County Employees Association (OCEA) is comprised of administrative, technical, and engineering
workers who proudly serve the Orange County Sanitation District with professionalism and pride. Over the past
three years workers have faced unprecedented challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted every resident and
business in our County, and Sanitation District workers experienced the same uncertainty and fear as the rest of
the community and more. Lack of safety, economic turmoil, and overall uncertainty were all rampant, yet
throughout the pandemic, frontline workers provided essential services to the residents and businesses of
Orange County.
The Orange County Sanitation District has the highest of standards and provides world class services. These
services are a result of the collaborative team effort taken by every person that is part of the organization. OCEA
members at OC San love working for the agency, but frontline workers continue to face unprecedented
challenges. Currently the cost of living in Orange County has grown beyond anything we have seen in decades. In
order for the Orange County Sanitation District to continue to recruit and retain the best public sector
professionals, the District needs to collaborate with OCEA to address this challenge.
The cost of everyday living has increased almost 100/4 since last year. Items such gas, food, and everyday staples
have increased dramatically. It costs more and more for our members to come to work. OC San can specifically
address these issues by: Providing higher increases in the first year of the agreement; committing to permanent
telework arrangements; and providing fair wage growth each year of the agreement. On June 22 nd, the OC San
Bargaining Team and OCEA agreed on the framework of a tentative agreement. This framework balances the
unique challenges facing the workers and the OC San. We know this important investment in the workers will
contribute to the long-term health of OC San now and in the future.
We hope the Orange County Sanitation District Steering Committee will support this tentative agreement.
Sincerely,
OCEA Bargaining Team
LEZLEE NEEBE, PRESIDENT • JUDY BOWLING, F VICE PR[SIDENT • CHRIS PREVATT, zi: VICE PRESIDENT
ADELE TAGALOA, SECRETARY • ANJALI ESSOE, TREASURER • MARIA CORONA, INSURANCE OFFICER
PR,N,E:D IN·HOUSI: