Your sacrifices will not be forgotten
As we begin negotiations for our County bargaining units, I am reminded of the sacrifices that have been made by our members over the last several years. In the most severe economic downturn our country has experienced since the great depression, OCEA members have remained committed to public service. Our members have responded to ever-increasing demands with ever-decreasing resources in a truly dramatic way. We have done MUCH more with MUCH less. Your sacrifices and hard work have not gone unnoticed by your Board of Directors, the leadership team and professional staff of OCEA. We will not allow the County to let your sacrifices go unnoticed either.
Through our Lean Government initiative, OCEA is committed to demonstrating to the County the great things we have and can still accomplish when we work together collaboratively. The County will be reminded of the great many challenges OCEA has addressed head on and the great solutions we have achieved. From the optional hybrid retirement plan to the reconfiguration of the retiree medical benefit, we will remind the County of your role in achieving those successes and the blueprint they have become in revolutionizing reform in other parts of the state and country. OCEA has also found other revolutionary ideas and programs that others have pioneered, and we will bring those to the County.
Know as we move forward we are negotiating in a politically-charged atmosphere that presents many challenges. Other OCEA members that work for cities in Orange County are currently battling against political ideologues and old-fashioned political cronyism and corruption. We must battle those forces that seek to demonize public servants and their attempts to outsource jobs for the sake of enriching their campaign contributors and connected insiders. We cannot allow the good work of our members to be thrown aside for financial or political gain.
As we move forward with negotiations, please remain involved and engaged in our progress. OCEA is committed to keeping you informed and protecting your interests. If you have not already done so, please sign up to receive updates from OCEA through your private email by signing up for MyOCEA at www.oceamember.org. Also, please join our Facebook community at www.facebook.com/oceamember.
As always, feel free to contact me for more information, to voice concerns or with any comments you may have. As you serve the public, OCEA’s Board of Directors, leadership team and professional staff are here to serve you.
