- IN THIS SECTION
- Benefits of OCEA Membership
- Membership Application
- FAQs
- HOT TOPICS
- OCEA's College Fair
- 2010 OCEA Scholarships
- Budget Updates
- Layoff Updates
- 2010 Census Jobs
- Kids Eat Free
- Foreclosure Prevention Workshop
- President's Message
- 2009 Tax Deductions and Other Information
- Resource List for Financially Troubled
- Brandman University
- Adoptions
- Pacific Health and Wellness Body Scans
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OCEA’s address?830 N. Ross Street How to I get to OCEA?
What are OCEA’s operating hours?8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. OCEA is closed on all County holidays.
What are OCEA’s phone numbers?OCEA 714-835-3355 OCEA general FAX, 714-835-7654 Disability Claim and Supplemental Insurance FAX, 714-543-1107 Where can I park when visiting OCEA?While visiting OCEA, you may park in any marked vacant parking-space underneath OCEA’s building (either in visitor or reserved spaces), or in the dirt lot just north of the OCEA building on Ross Street. How much are OCEA dues?$11.72 biweekly. How do I pay my OCEA dues?Your dues are deducted from your paycheck on a biweekly basis. How do I sign up to be an OCEA member?Just complete the application and submit it to OCEA, 830 North Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Are my dues tax-deductible?Your regular dues are tax deductible. PAC payments are not tax deductible. What are OCEA’s Mission and Vision?Mission—To advance the welfare and security of Orange County local government employees and their families. Vision—To be a recognized leader among labor organizations, playing a vital role in the lives of local government employees and their families, and providing a valuable resource, relevant to their contemporary needs and interests. What is OCEA?OCEA is a labor union. Its members are employees of several public agencies within the County of Orange. One of our primary goals is achieving things through collective action that would be impossible for individuals to achieve acting on their own. Why is OCEA’s independence important?Employees of Orange County (and in many other places) join together because they know they can do more for themselves as a group than alone. Employees in the County have common interests and goals because they work for the same employer, live in the same general area, shop in the same stores, and pay the same taxes. Local employees are all interested in the same issues. Our members don’t need someone else to set their priorities and make decisions. Our members believe in self-reliance and working together. Our members believe in independence! What do County, Court, City, and District employees want from their independent employee association?Basically, they want to improve things for themselves and their families. This may mean different things for different people and may change from time to time. Of course, they all want fair pay, job security, safe and adequate provisions for retirement, job satisfaction, and respect. Employees want to know what’s going on at work, and they want the opportunity to be involved in decisions that affect them. That’s the way it is. That’s the way it should always be. What are OCEA’s Guiding Principles?OCEA’s Guiding Principles are: 1. Our Four Keys to Success
When was the Orange County Employees Association founded?The Orange County Employees Association was founded by County employees in 1937, for the purpose of advancing the welfare of the employees and their families. Who was the first OCEA General Manager?In 1960, OCEA hired a General Manager and became incorporated under California law. The first General Manager, John Hiatt Sawyer, received his law degree from the University of Michigan, and was licensed to practice law in both Michigan and California. He had experience on the management side while working for corporations in the private sector. He was the ideal candidate for the job, and his skills were a tremendous asset as OCEA moved from bargaining informally with the County and began to bargain formally with the County under the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, beginning in 1969. How many seats are on the OCEA Board of Directors?The OCEA Board of Directors is comprised of nineteen OCEA members elected for two-year terms. Elections are conducted each year, with ten seats elected in odd numbered years and nine seats elected in even-numbered years. Whenever a vacancy is created, the remaining directors appoint an OCEA member to fill the remaining term of the vacant seat. When does the OCEA Board of Directors meet?The third Tuesday of each month at 3:00 p.m. at OCEA Headquarters, 830 N. Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701. How many seats are on the OCEA Executive Committee?Of the nineteen members of the OCEA Board of Directors, seven serve as Officers on the OCEA Executive Committee (President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Insurance Officer, and Past President). Who is OCEA’s General Manager?Nick Berardino has been OCEA’s General Manager since early 2004. He has been a standout on OCEA’s staff for a quarter of a century. After two years of distinguished service in the Marine Corps, Nick studied at California State University, Dominguez Hills, where he received his BA in 1974. Nick knows OCEA inside and out, and his familiarity with County operations and personnel has been a key factor in OCEA’s ongoing success. What is the OCEA PAC?The OCEA Political Action Committee consists of 11 employees who work for the County of Orange and are OCEA members. The Committee supports candidates for state and local offices who support public employee interests. The Committee meets once a month on the third Thursday of the month and meets more often during election periods. Who is OCEA’s lobbyist in Sacramento?Our lobbyist in Sacramento is Aaron Read & Associates. Aaron Read & Associates monitors legislative activity that could impact OCEA and aids us in getting our views through to our legislators. Aaron Read & Associates represents many leading labor organizations, and they are one of the most highly respected legislative advocates in the country. How many OCEA Board of Director Scholarships are given each year?The OCEA Board of Directors awards two scholarships each year. The dollar amount of the Scholarships may vary from year to year. Several months before the deadline, the scholarship competition and rules are announced. What types of payments does OCEA accept for the purchase of Special Events tickets?OCEA takes payments by Debit Card or Cash only. What hours is the Special Events office open?8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. May I purchase Special Events tickets by mail?Yes. Call the OCEA Special Events office at 714-835-3355 for details. What is “OCEA Presents”?OCEA wants to provide information and resources to our members regarding important topics of concern in their personal and work lives, such as financial guidance, career development, stress management, funding for continuing education for themselves and their children, and physical fitness. The OCEA Presents events help us do this. All OCEA Presents events are hosted by the OCEA Women’s Forum. Does the County or OCEA administer my medical insurance?The County administers the County's medical insurance program. If you have quesitons call 866-325-2345. How do I get involved as a member of the Women’s Forum Committee?If you would like to get involved and help chart the course of the OCEA Presents events, please contact Cathy Yatch at 714-835-3355 or email her at cyatch@oceamember.org for more information. When do the current Superior Court contracts (MOUs) expire?The current Superior Court contracts last through September 22, 2011. When will the next Superior Court negotiations begin?The next full negotiations will occur in the summer of 2011, prior to the expiration of the current contract. Why does the County negotiate at a different time than the Courts?The Court is not a County agency and therefore is under a separate contract with separate provisions from the County. If I transfer to the County from the Court, what happens to my vacation time, sick leave, and seniority?There are no transfer rights, because the Court is not a County agency. If you go to the County, it is as a new employee. The County has agreed to accept your earned vacation and sick leave. You would not have seniority rights. What if I transfer to the County and I fail probation, do I get my old job back?No. There is no reciprocity between the Court and the County for purposes of the “retreat” of employees. Again, you would be a new-hire in the new position, not a transfer. Therefore ,if you fail probation you do not have the right to return to your former position. When is the next Court cost of living increase and how much is it?Neither the Court nor County has true cost-of-living increases (which are directly tied to the Consumer Price Index or other index). Instead they have general wage increases which must be negotiated. The Court’s negotiated raises for the current contract are as follows: Am I a state employee?County employees are not State employees. Superior Court employees are State Trial Court Employees and are under the Administrative Office of the Courts. Court employees are not State of California employees. As a new employee, how much time do I have to submit a benefits enrollment form?You have 60 days from your hire date to submit your Health & Welfare Benefits Enrollment Form A . You have 30 days from your OCEA membership date to enroll in any upgraded Supplemental Benefits without waiting for the next open enrollment period, or after your evidence of insurability is approved by the insurance provider.
Contact the County/Courts for time limits relating to medical insurance at 866-325-2345. What dental plan do I have?Please contact OCEA at (714) 835-3355 for details. Delta Care (HMO) 800-801-7105, ext 7480; Delta Dental PPO 888-335-8227. Do I have vision coverage?If a full-time employee submits a Health & Welfare enrollment form within 60 days of hire or during open enrollment, he or she should have vision coverage. The benefit is provided through Vision Service Plan (VSP). VSP phone number: 800-877-7195. Ord, you may contact an OCEA Benefits Administrator at 714-835-3355. Am I covered for any life insurance?OCEA provides a basic $25,000 term life insurance policy for all employees in each of our represented bargaining units. In addition, OCEA members have the option to purchase additional life insurance. How do I change the beneficiary on my life insurance?You may change the beneficiary on your life insurance at any time throughout the year. The change must be made in writing, therefore please contact the OCEA office for the appropriate form. The effective date of the change is immediately upon receipt at the OCEA office. Do I have disability insurance, since I don’t pay into State disability?Yes, OCEA provides a basic disability benefits for employees in each of our represented bargaining units. In addition, OCEA members have the option to purchase supplemental disability benefits. What is the difference between a service fee payer and an OCEA member?Any employee hired in one of the County bargaining units OCEA represents on or after 1/11/02, are part of a modified agency shop. Those individuals pay the required current fee of $7.72 each payday for full-time employees and $3.86 for part-time employees each payday. An OCEA member pays a current fee of $11.72 for full-time employees and $5.86for part-time employees. In addition to other benefits, an OCEA member has the ability to vote on proposed bargaining agreements, vote for Board of Directors, are able to be an OCEA Steward, has the option to purchase supplemental benefits, and is able to purchase Special Events tickets at a discounted rate. When can I change my dental benefits?OCEA holds an open enrollment period each year, usually during the month of October. When can I change my supplemental life insurance plan benefits?Within 30 days of your OCEA membership date. Otherwise, evidence of insurability from the insurance carrier is required. When can I enroll in the supplemental disability plan?Within 30 days of your OCEA membership date or during the annual OCEA open enrollment period. Otherwise, evidence of insurability from the insurance carrier is required. When can I purchase the Vision Service Plan coverage (VSP)?Vision coverage may be purchased at any time throughout the year for the either the employee, if not already covered under the Health & Welfare plan, or the employee’s dependents. This applies to both full-time employees and part-time employees. Can I add a dependent to my benefits outside of open enrollment?Certain events, such as a divorce, marriage, birth of a child, or change of employment status, may allow you to make changes within 30 days of the event (with official written documentation). I am a part-time employee. What are my basic benefits with OCEA?Part-time employees are defaulted into a limited-benefits package offering Delta Dental DPO plan, with a basic disability plan and a life/AD&D insurance plan with minimum benefits. If the individual is an OCEA member, he or she has the option to purchase all supplemental benefits offered to full-time employees, at a slightly higher cost. Can I enroll in my supplemental insurances by phone or online?No, not at this time. All requests must be submitted in writing to OCEA. Contact an OCEA Benefits Administrator at 714-835-3355. Does my OCEA membership (along with OCEA supplemental benefits I am enrolled in) automatically terminate if I transfer or promote into a bargaining unit that is not represented by OCEA?No. If you transfer or promote into such a bargaining unit, your OCEA membership (and, if applicable, all supplemental benefits currently enrolled in) remains in effect, and you remain eligible to purchase supplemental benefits (and special events tickets) through OCEA, unless and until OCEA receives a written request to cancel your OCEA membership. The request must include your signature. (Emails are not accepted.) To ensure correct processing of your request, please also print your name and include your Social Security number. (Mail your request to OCEA, P.O. Box 177, Santa ana, CA 92702.) Does OCEA use the County interoffice “pony” mail System?No, OCEA is not a department within the County and therefore is not a part of that mail system. The OCEA Headquarters mailing address is: P.O. Box 177, Santa Ana, CA 92702.
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