Vol 69 Issue 1 - OCEA Employee 2016 January February March by OCEA Employee magazine

OCEA EMPLOYEE VOLUME 69, ISSUE 1 • January–MArch 2016

Standing together we succeed

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OCEA EMPLOYEE VOLUME 69, ISSUE 1 • January–March 2016

Standing up for each other at a Sept. 16, 2015 rally OCEA members showed how powerful solidarity could be during contract negotiations last year.

FEATURES 8 2015 Year in Review

12 Veterans Day in pictures

A year of transition, controversy and victory.

10 Retirement security on the line Twin pension initiatives shelved—for now.

Images from the third annual event honoring our men and woman who served.

15 Urgent Update—Friedrichs v. CTA Supreme Court case could hurt unions members.

11 We did it! Successful tentative agreements adopted!

16 Get involved: OCEA Board members Get to know OCEA Board members Dea Evans and Dan Beam.

News & Updates

2 3 4 4

President’s Message General Manager’s Message OCEA News Briefs OCEA Calendar

18 18 19 20

OCEA Tickets OCEA E-Ticket Program OCEA Discounts OCEA Classifieds

OCEA EMPLOYEE

President’s message

Lezlee Neebe OCEA President

Facing it all together What a privilege it is to wish all of you a Happy New Year as your OCEA President. Serving on the OCEA Board of Directors has been such an honor and the highlight of my career with the Orange County Superior Court.

OCEA staff organized a new band of workplace leaders called the Contract Action Team. These County workers got fired up at rallies held at OCEA headquarters and signed up to supplement our stewards in quickly mobilizing OCEA members for any eventuality.

Last year we faced a diverse spectrum of changes and challenges. With each one, we made progress, building pathways towards restoration of our members security after many years of economic downturn. Although we were able to get a small increase for our Court employees, we have not stopped to keep the pressure on both our representatives in Sacramento and on the Judicial Council for more Court funding. In our County negotiations, we fared much better, and after months of hard fought negotiations, your OCEA County Bargaining Team was able to bring home the wages, benefits and working conditions that you deserve as dedicated public workers.

By standing together in strength, you won a fair contract that begins to address the sacrifices made by you and your family because you didn’t back down.

I want to commend the Board of Supervisors for having the courage to do what was right by approving our contract. Orange County’s political climate is very chilly for organized labor and the political pressure on them was intense. Not only did the Board approve wage increases and bonuses, they agreed to establish working groups where dedicated County workers can collaborate with management to solve problems and deliver even better services to Orange County residents. How did we get to this point when months earlier, conflict and delays kept us from even getting to the negotiating table with the County? The answer is you! You proved you were ready to stand together and fight for well-deserved wages and benefits! You demonstrated our strength. The members of your Bargaining Team and your OCEA Board of Directors were willing to stand up, and confront the Board of Supervisors during their public meetings. County negotiators heard directly from Bargaining Team members about the toll taken by paycheck erosion and the rising cost of living. Some of the stories were moving, others heartbreaking. Theresa Garcia from HCA spoke of her volunteer work growing fresh fruits and vegetables, delivering food baskets for her church, and finding County workers on her list of needy recipients. Liza Cooper-Butler fought a winning battle against breast cancer in 2012 but had to worry about rising health insurance costs while her paycheck continued to erode. Would she be able to continue paying for the medical plan and doctors she credits with saving her life? Not only did we tell our stories, we let the County know we were prepared to fight if necessary for the raises you and your family deserve. 2

OCEA EMPLOYEE

I can’t tell you how proud I am of you and how humbled I feel to have been allowed to be a part these battles for workplace fairness and dignity. As 2016 begins, we can afford only a brief pause to savor any victories. There are other battles on the horizon including a U.S. Supreme Court case called Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association. Wall Street and big money interests are behind this latest attack on unions. A negative decision in the case could take away the “fair share” fees paid by non-member County workers for OCEA representation. It’s a calculated effort designed to break unions. Please read our update in this edition of OCEA Magazine or visit our web page to learn more. There is a time honored principle at OCEA which holds, “The more we sweat in peace, the less we bleed in war.“ The response to the challenge posed by the Friedrichs case is to recruit as many OCEA union members as possible. Only then will we continue to have the resources needed to organize and successfully negotiate with the County on behalf of you and your families. Finally, I must tell you again how privileged I am to represent you, the dedicated public health nurses, court clerks, court reporters, public safety personnel and everyone else who make sure the wheels of government service keep on turning with efficiency. You keep our families safe, make sure our children have healthy, clean food to eat and you help to ensure justice in our County is administrated fairly and professionally. I look forward to 2016 with confidence and determination. Standing together with each and every one of you, we can and will face any challenge head on! We can take anything they throw at us—and we will win! In solidarity,

Lezlee Neebe OCEA President

Remember to vote in the OCEA Board of Directors election through Dec. 4!

General Manager’s message

Jennifer Muir OCEA General Manager

New year caps victories, highlights challenges What a way to start off the New Year. After years of fighting, we secured a County contract that provides wage increases for all OCEA members in County bargaining units and protects their rights and benefits. The three-year agreements were unanimously adopted by the Board of Supervisors on December 23 and mark a major turning point for the public health nurses, librarians, public safety workers and other OCEA members who stood together to negotiate the MOU. Led by OCEA President Lezlee Neebe, our Board of Directors and Bargaining Team were able to deliver a strong, focused message to the Board of Supervisors: the working men and women providing critical government services to Orange County had sacrificed long enough. It was time for a raise. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, we have been able to face down powerful forces that threaten the rights our grandparent’s generation fought to secure—the right to bargain with employers for decent working conditions and fair wages. Since I joined OCEA in 2010, I have witnessed our members organize, campaign and march to protect their jobs, their rights and their families. The City of Costa Mesa became ground zero when a Council majority attempted to outsource the City. They delivered pink slips to 100s of workers without a single study into the impact of their outsourcing scheme. The aim was clear—break the union. It didn’t work. OCEA’s Board of Directors, then-General Manager Nick Berardino and our members stood together and took the fight to court, to the streets and on the campaign trail. The effort to destroy the rights of City workers failed because working men and women stood together. In another threat to the collective bargaining rights of our members, the previous Board of Supervisors passed a County ordinance called COIN—Civic Openness in Negotiations. COIN narrowly targets labor negotiations for extra scrutiny and delay but does not provide the same level of scrutiny to contracts with private companies and campaign donors who compete for our work. Undermining the bargaining rights won by our parents and grandparents, COIN threatened to metastasize to other local governments.

The County dispatched high-ranking sheriff’s officials and political consultants to the State Capitol to stop SB 331, but standing together, we prevailed. Joined by several labor unions and political allies in Sacramento, we rallied support for the bill on the phone, in committee hearings and in the hallways of the legislature. The bill was signed by Governor Brown in October 2015. As this struggle played out, OCEA’s Bargaining Team faced the threat of bargaining under COIN, which would have greatly politicized and stymied the process, undermining our rights. But we stood strong and eventually got to the bargaining table. Almost six months after we commenced discussions, bargaining concluded in December. 2016 will bring us major opportunities going forward. The agreement reached with the County provides opportunities for OCEA and the County to work together to provide ways to deliver better services to County residents and improved pay and benefits for workers. Our legislative victory gives OCEA members and our labor allies strong momentum in Sacramento, and Orange County Labor Federation Executive Director Julio Perez and I were recently appointed to seats on the California Labor Federation’s Executive Council. 2016 will also continue to bring major challenges. As soon as working people face down one threat, another emerges. Proposed ballot initiatives this year would threaten retirement security for public workers statewide. The Supreme Court is hearing a case (Friedrichs v. CTA) that could significantly undermine the rights of public workers across the country. You can learn more about both of these dangerous threats to labor in this edition of the OCEA Magazine. What I do know is that standing up to the forces that try to knock us down works. Speaking truth to the powerful interests that attempt to destroy us is right. Protecting the jobs, wages and rights of working Americans is good for everyone and it is necessary for the preservation of our democracy. A vibrant middle class drives the economy, educates our children, keeps our neighborhoods safe and livable, and maintains our form of government. Standing together we are unstoppable, and standing together we can and will prevail. Welcome to 2016! In solidarity,

OCEA again took up the fight challenging COIN at the state’s Public Employment Relations Board and prevailed. On the legislative side, OCEA partnered with AFSCME to sponsor a bill carried by State Senator Tony Mendoza. SB 331 requires any local government with a COIN-type ordinance aimed at its public workers to apply the same level of scrutiny to private contracts.

Jennifer Muir OCEA General Manager

Remember to vote in the OCEA Board of Directors election through Dec. 4!

OCEA EMPLOYEE

OCEA news briefs OCEA member Artin Baron becomes a “Master” Sr. Deputy Coroner and workplace leader Artin Baron has earned the title “Master Instructor” after receiving a Certificate of Completion from the California Commission of P.O.S.T.—Peace Officer Standards and Training organization. Artin has been an instructor at the Sheriff’s Department for several years while performing his sworn duties, but the Master Instructor certification demonstrates an exceptionally high level of leadership and training delivery skill. As part of the program, Artin was required to create a course, which includes a minimum of 24 hours of instruction, that meets a law enforcement training need. Artin developed the course: Wound Identification—In Depth Investigation for First Responders. “Making these identifications correctly can really make a difference when gathering evidence,” says Artin.

E M P LOYEE Orange County Employees Association

OFFICERS Lezlee Neebe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President Alan Dean Clow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st Vice President Judy Bowling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2nd Vice President Butch Garcia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Secretary Anjali Essoe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Treasurer Maria Corona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Insurance Officer Frank Eley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Past President

COMMITTEE CHAIRS Alan Dean Clow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Legislative Anjali Essoe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Budget/Finance

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sharron Anderson . . . . . . . . County Executive Office Russell Baldwin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sheriff-Coroner Dan Beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sheriff-Coroner Judy Bowling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Public Defender Rick Burns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superior Court Alan Dean Clow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Public Defender Maria Corona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Health Care Agency

Master Instructor candidates are rated on how their course material and instruction build student learning and understanding. Instructors who reach such a high level of proficiency are an agency’s biggest asset in developing law enforcement talent and professionalism.

Frank Eley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Public Works Dea Evans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Probation Anjali Essoe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sheriff-Coroner Ian Foster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Public Works Eusebio “Butch” Garcia . . . . . . Social Services Agency

“It’s almost 400-hours of classroom instruction and that doesn’t take into account the ‘homework’ that goes into a successful presentation,” says Baron. “There are strict deadlines so in many ways, this was harder to earn than my Masters degree.”

John Leos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Probation Paul Nguyen . . . . . . . . . . . . . Social Services Agency Lezlee Neebe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superior Court Chris Prevatt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Health Care Agency Ryan Ramos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Health Care Agency

Artin went through the process with fellow OCEA member and Supervising Deputy Coroner Mitchell Sigal who also earned a Certificate of Completion.

OCEA calendar Feb. 12

Lincoln’s birthday holiday observed

Feb. 15

President’s Day holiday observed

Feb. 16

3 p.m.

Board of Directors meeting

Feb. 18

Noon-1 p.m.

OCEA Presents: Homebuyer Orientation by the Affordable Housing Clearinghouse

Feb. 23

5:30 p.m.

Legislative Committee

Feb. 24

Noon-1 p.m.

OCEA University: Friedrichs v. CTA

Mar. 8

Noon-1 p.m.; 5:30-7 p.m.

Steward meeting

Mar. 10

Noon-1 p.m.

OCEA University: Navigating the MOU

Mar. 14

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Financial Wellness Seminar by Empower Retirement

Mar. 14

5:30 p.m.

Political Action Committee meeting

Mar. 15

3 p.m.

Board of Directors meeting

Mar. 17

10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Holistic Lifestyle Mini Fair

Mar. 21

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Financial Wellness Seminar by Empower Retirement

Apr. 11

5:30 p.m.

Political Action Committee meeting

Apr. 12

Noon-1 p.m.; 5:30-7 p.m.

Steward meeting

Apr. 19

3 p.m.

Board of Directors meeting

May 19

10 a.m.-1 p.m.

OCEA Free Paper Shred and E-Waste Event

Evelyn Reyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Probation Pamela Waters . . . . . . . . O.C. Community Resources

The OCEA Employee magazine (USPS 004330) is published quarterly (January-March; April-June; July-September; and OctoberDecember) by the Orange County Employees Association, 830 N. Ross St., P.O. Box 177, Santa Ana, CA 92702; telephone (714) 8353355. Periodical postage paid at Santa Ana, California. Subscription prices: members, $3.00 per year; non-members, $6.00 per year. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Orange County Employees Association, P.O. Box 177, Santa Ana, CA 92702-0177. Advertising in the OCEA Employee magazine does not constitute OCEA endorsement of the products or services advertised. The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the OCEA unless specifically so stated. Contributions in the form of articles, photographs, human-interest incidents, retirement news, etc., are welcomed and encouraged. Association office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except public holidays. OCEA reserves the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication. Photographs will be returned only upon request. Copyright 2016 by the Orange County Employees Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion or contents prohibited by law. Printed by Anchor Printing, Tustin, CA.

Editor: Gus Castellanos Design & Production: Kevin Rush 830 N. Ross Street Santa Ana, CA 92701 (714) 835-3355

Unless otherwise stated, all events will occur at OCEA, 830 N. Ross St., in Santa Ana. Visit www.oceamember.org for an updated events listing.

OCEA EMPLOYEE

Remember to vote in the OCEA Board of Directors election through Dec. 4!

OCEA news briefs

Jennifer Muir and OCLF’s Julio Perez join statewide labor board The executive board of the California Labor Federation, which represents more than 2.1 million workers statewide, recently voted to appoint two Orange County labor leaders to its ranks. Jennifer Muir, OCEA’s new General Manager, and Julio Perez, Executive Director for the Orange County Labor Federation were appointed in December during a meeting in Oakland. The California Labor Federation is comprised of more than 1,200 unions, representing workers in manufacturing, retail, construction, hospitality, public sector, health care, entertainment and other industries. OCEA represents 18,000 municipal workers throughout Orange County, including public health nurses, safety officers, social workers and others who keep our communities safe and healthy. It’s the largest public sector union in Orange County. As many

of you know, Jennifer writes a regular editorial column about issues affecting workers in the Orange County Register. At the Orange County Labor Federation, Perez oversees a coalition of Orange County labor unions, working to strengthen the voices of workers and issues such as income inequality, access to affordable housing and education, and wage theft in Orange County. “Orange County has unfortunately long been the birthplace of hostile political initiatives aimed at undermining the rights and security of workers everywhere,” Muir said. “But today, standing together with workers across the state, Orange County’s unions are working to protect and expand the middle class way of life our grandparents’ generation built brick by brick, and to ensure that every working woman and man has access to a family supporting job, adequate housing, and quality affordable education for themselves and their children.”

Remember to vote in the OCEA Board of Directors election through Dec. 4!

OCEA EMPLOYEE

OCEA news briefs

California probation officers tap Raahauge OCEA member and nine-year Probation Department veteran Chris Raahauge has been selected to serve on the executive committee of the State Coalition of Probation Organizations (SCOPO). Raahauge, a Correctional Officer at Juvenile Hall, was appointed by President Brian Ronan at a conference in Huntington Beach in December. “This is an opportunity to give Orange County a leading role in an organization that influences statewide probation policy,” said Raahauge, who will serve as the organization’s secretary. “We want to make sure we are weighing in on the issues that affect our members.” In the wake of AB 109, probation officers continue to face more dangerous offenders in their day to day work.

“That’s why SCOPO is working hard to get our probation officers armed,” says Raahauge. “We want to make sure that our people are as safe as they can be when they are in the field.” Taking a leadership role is nothing new to Raahauge. He is a Probation Department Steward, a member of the PSU Committee, and served on the OCEA Bargaining Team. “The two things I like best about my job are working with young people at Juvenile Hall and helping out my colleagues by being active in the union,” Raahauge said. Now, as part of SCOPO’s five-member Executive Board, he is taking on new challenges on a much wider stage. “I am looking forward to working with the probation officers from the 37 California counties that comprise SCOPO membership.” Congratulations Chris!

Working on your taxes? OCEA payroll deduction amounts for membership dues, voluntary insurance plans, other benefit programs, OCEA POPL, and agency fees for 2015. OCEA Annual Membership Dues Full-Time: $284.99

(County & Court) Note: Members of OCEA affiliates or contract associations should contact OCEA benefits staff.

Part-Time or Extra-Help: $142.62

Dental DHMO—DeltaCare CAM 42

Health & Welfare Participants (Option 1)

Health & Welfare Participants (Option 2)

Health & Welfare Participants (Option 3)

Non-Health & Welfare Enrollee

Retiree

Member only

$87.90

$268.59

$258.47

Member plus 1 dependent

$122.28

$509.34

$490.15

Member plus 2 or more dependents

$327.06

$750.33

$722.06

Health & Welfare Participants (Option 1)

Health & Welfare Participants (Option 2)

Health & Welfare Participants (Option 3)

Non-Health & Welfare Enrollee

Member only

$358.29

$490.05

$756

Member plus 1 dependent

$952.83

$1,084.59

$1,350.54

$1,807.11

$1,939.14

$2,204.82

Health & Welfare Participants (Option 1)

Health & Welfare Participants (Option 2)

Health & Welfare Participants (Option 3)

Non-Health & Welfare Enrollee

Retiree

Delta Dental DPO Plan A+

Member plus 2 or more dependents

Vision Service Plan Insurance

Member only

no charge

$61.20

$110.64

$110.76

Member plus 1 dependent

$49.68

$110.88

$160.32

$160.44

Member plus 2 or more dependents

$176.64

$238.08

$287.52

Pre-Paid Legal Insurance: Basic Plan: $179.52 Fairshare fee payers: Full-Time: $180.36 OCEA Peace Officer Protective League members: 6

OCEA EMPLOYEE

Basic Plan with 24-hour coverage: $191.52 Part-Time: $90.18 $396 (in addition to OCEA dues deduction)

Extended Plan: $287.52

OCEA news briefs In Memoriam OCEA conveys its sincere condolences to the family of Dr. Stephen H. Wells, who passed away last September after a long illness. Before his retirement from the County in 2006, Dr. Wells consulted at the Office of the Public Guardian as the Chief of Forensic Mental Health Consultation Service at HCA’s Mental Health Services. Stephen brought a range of skills and experiences to his public service that made him a great asset to the people of Orange County. Along with his duties at the County, Stephen served as an Adjunct Clinical Professor and a Lecturer at the University of California, Irvine. His education included a B.A. from Brooklyn College, and a J.D. from Columbia Law School. Stephen earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in the Clinical Psychology Program at Fordham University in 1976. He published frequently in his field with a special emphasis on the issues he was passionate about including elder abuse, child sexual abuse and forensic practice. Stephen’s expertise in Forensic and Clinical Psychology led to calls to serve as an expert witness in criminal and civil trials. Although he retired almost ten years ago, the large volume of scholarly work he produced will continue to inform and guide those who came after him at HCA. He is survived by his wife Sharon and a host of colleagues and friends too numerous to name.

All ten OCEA Board members re-elected Your OCEA Board of Directors would like to thank all OCEA members who voted in the 2015 OCEA Board of Directors election. Voting is one of your most important rights as an OCEA member, and we appreciate every person who cast a ballot. Results were independently tallied and certified by an outside CPA firm in early December, and all ten incumbents were re-elected. Results were announced at the December Board meeting.

Thank you for voting Now accepting applications for the OCEA Health & Welfare Trust Want to increase your involvement at OCEA in a way that impacts every one of your co-workers? Consider running for election as a trustee of the OCEA Health & Welfare Trust. Trustees are responsible for the administration of the trust, which oversees OCEA Basic and Supplemental Benefits, including dental, vision, disability and life insurance programs. Two trustee seats will be up for election this spring, so now is your opportunity to get involved in an important and worthwhile OCEA benefit. If you are interested, go to www. oceamember.org/trustapp for eligibility requirements and an opportunity to submit an application to become a candidate for election. Applications are due by March 1, 2016.

What’s going on in your workplace? Contact OCEA Internal Organizer Tim Steed at tsteed@oceamember.org if you would like to submit a workplace story idea for OCEA Employee magazine. Remember to vote in the OCEA Board of Directors election through Dec. 4!

OCEA EMPLOYEE

2015 Year in Review “We capped the year with successful contract negotiations. We fought back against efforts to strip away our collective bargaining rights taking the battle all the way to Sacramento; and we made great strides in organizing and mobilizing our members. Here’s a look back at a successful 2015!” - OCEA President Lezlee Neebe March 12: OCEA hosts its first Holistic Health Fair. Hundreds of County workers peruse dozens of booths offering health lifestyle suggestions, food, products and activities. April 29: The Santa Margarita Water District Employees Association votes to be represented by OCEA.

Jan. 6: The OCEA hotdog wagon serves hundreds of hot dogs on the lawn of the State Capitol to celebrate the reelection of Governor Jerry Brown. Unions across the state join us in hosting “The People’s Inauguration.” Jan. 27: OCEA members turn out to vote to fill Orange County’s 1st District Supervisorial seat. April 13: OCEA Board members and staff attend the California Labor Federation’s 2015 Legislative Conference. OCEA joined dozens of other unions in Sacramento to advocate for pro-worker legislation in 2015, including SB 331.

Feb. 23: Sen. Tony Mendoza introduces SB 331, which would require any jurisdiction that adopts an anti-worker COIN ordinance to apply the same transparency requirements to contracts awarded to private firms and campaign contributors. 8

OCEA EMPLOYEE

June 3: OCEA’s Court Bargaining Action Team meets for the first time to prepare for upcoming negotiations. More than 300 attend mobilization meeting.

Remember to vote in the OCEA Board of Directors election through Dec. 4!

June 17: California’s Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) rules the County’s COIN ordinance violates the collective bargaining rights of OCEA members.

Aug 1: Legendary OCEA General Manager Nick Berardino retires after a more than 40-year career in Labor. OCEA’s Board of Directors unanimously appoint Jennifer Muir OCEA’s new General Manager. Aug. 12: Workers at the South Orange County Wastewater Authority unanimously vote to join OCEA. Aug. 25: Members of OCEA’s Board of Directors and Bargaining Team speak out for members at a Board of Supervisors meeting.

Sept. 3: Labor Day celebration at the OC Fair & Event Center includes the debut of Orange County’s first monument to working men and women, the Table of Dignity. Sept. 16: State Senator Tony Mendoza, author of OCEA-sponsored legislation SB 331, addresses hundreds of members at an OCEA rally. The Contract Action Team commences with huge support.

Sept. 22: Board of Supervisors unanimously suspends COIN. Oct. 9: Governor Jerry Brown signs SB 331 in a major victory for Labor statewide.

Oct. 26: Court bargaining units ratify Tentative Agreement after weeks of negotiations including demonstrations at the Central Justice Center. Nov. 11: OCEA and several unions host third annual Veterans + Labor: Partners in Service event honoring veterans and connecting them with resources for jobs and housing. Nov. 17: OCEA Board of Directors member Chris Prevatt, a Program Supervisor I at HCA, runs unopposed for a seat on the OCERS Board of Retirement and is confirmed for a second threeyear term.

Dec. 23: After almost six months of negotiations, the OCEA bargaining team reaches a tentative agreement with the County that is adopted by the Board of Supervisors. 2016 will bring challenges and opportunities. Turn to Pg. 10 and 15 to learn more.

Remember to vote in the OCEA Board of Directors election through Dec. 4!

OCEA EMPLOYEE

Pension initiatives attacking your retirement are shelved—for now Former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio and former San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed have failed yet again to launch ballot initiatives aimed at destroying retirement security for you and your families.

The second initiative is the Government Pension Act, which would dramatically increase pension contributions by limiting employer contributions for new hires to 13% of base pay for public safety and 11% for everyone else.

In a terse statement issued on January 18, DeMaio and Reed say they are going to wait for 2018 when “an even better environment” exists for their so-called reform. Translation: 2018 is a non-presidential election year where lower turnout offers the best chance to trick voters into eliminating retirement security for all municipal workers who have pensions.

These are blatant attempts to circumvent collective bargaining rights and destroy our pensions. If passed, they would create billions of dollars in costs for the state’s pension systems, jeopardize the ability to attract and retain workers, and jeopardize your retirement security.

Another reason for the delay, say Reed and DeMaio is the pending Supreme Court decision in the Friedrichs v. CTA case. As many of you know, this case could determine if “fair share” fees paid by nonmembers for representation are Constitutional. If the Court decides they aren’t, as Reed and DeMaio hope, unions will be hurt financially and less able to fight off attacks on retirement security. The Court could rule on Friedrichs by June of this year. Reed and DeMaio made an attempt over the summer to qualify a ballot measure, but they backed off in the face of low support. They replaced the failed initiative with two measures they now plan to resurrect in 2018. Both are very bad for retirement security. The first is misleadingly titled the “Voter Empowerment Initiative.” It requires any pension benefit for new government employees and some benefit enhancements for existing workers be placed on the ballot for approval by voters. This initiative raises a host of legal questions, threatens the health of our existing pension programs, and virtually ensures the eventual elimination of pensions for public workers. 10

OCEA EMPLOYEE

So it’s no surprise that Reed and DeMaio backers include the Reason Foundation, which is bankrolled by the Koch brothers. The so-called “reformers” want to increase the profits and power of Wall Street by turning the retirement security of millions of people over to banks and investment firms. OCEA will continue to be on the front lines ensuring we beat back these attacks, and we’ll keep you informed as this situation develops. Our parents and grandparents stood together to build the American middle class brick by brick. They fought to establish our right to bargain in good faith with employers. It’s up to us to defend those rights for ourselves and for our children And if you would like to get more involved in fighting to protect your retirement, please sign up to protect your retirement security by getting more involved at www.oceamember.org/getinvolved.

We Did It! OCEA and County contract includes raises and no takeaways

After months of productive and challenging negotiations, the OCEA Bargaining team hammered out an agreement with the County that provided meaningful wage increases and no takeaways. Standing together, OCEA members united in their commitment to a fair contract, organizing in the workplace, attending meetings and showing support for the bargaining team’s efforts at the table. The solidarity paid off. In December, the Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a three-year contract that includes:

• A 4.5% raise followed by a 2.5% increase in July 2016 and a 2.5% increase in July 2017; • $500 ($250 for part-time employees) each year of the contract: County workers already received the first payment. Another $500 ($250 for part-time employees) will be received the first pay period in December 2016 and again in December 2017; • Working groups to look into health care and how to provide incentives to County workers for performance and identifying efficiencies. • A commitment from the County to systematically address market issues • Free access to County Parks

For all of us, it was equally critical to protect the rights and benefits we have secured. “We weren’t going to back down on that,” said OCEA President Lezlee Neebe. “A fair deal is one that doesn’t go backwards and helps make up for the years OCEA members sacrificed while delivering great service to the public.” As 2016 commences, we are in a great position to continue this momentum forward, to continue working with the County to promote and support the important work OCEA members do. Standing together, we reached an agreement in the face of significant obstacles, and standing together is how we will continue to ensure that all OCEA members are treated with respect and dignity in the workplace for years to come.

Remember to vote in the OCEA Board of Directors election through Dec. 4!

OCEA EMPLOYEE

Lots of fun for kids at annual Veterans + Laborâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Partners in Service event at OC Fair & Event Center.

Live music filled the air at the Veterans Day event.

Patriotism was on full disp ages.

V eterans D ay b

Food donated: two

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Unions and Lo funds and in-kind Community

Veterans Servic

3rd Annual Veterans Day Ce Veterans Day food drive netted more than two tons of food headed for Vets who can really use it.

Jim Torres, Sr. Vice Commander with California Disabled American Veterans receives recognition. 12

OCEA EMPLOYEE

Dignitaries help unveil a US Postal Service commemorative stamp honoring Vietnam War Veterans.

Remember to vote in the OCEA Board of Directors election through Dec. 4!

play by attendees of all

Marine Corp. Veteran of three wars, Robert “Buck” Rogers attended the event.

KTLA’s Gail Anderson and OCEA General Manger Jennifer Muir promote the event on the air waves.

b y the numbers

o tons (or 4,000 lbs.)

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elebrations a huge success. Former OCEA General Manager Nick Berardino (left) and Orange County Veterans Advisory Council Chair Bobby MacDonald, both Vietnam War Veterans helped organize the event.

Rolling Thunder. Veterans on motorcycles participated in the third annual run.

The Pinup Patriettes of Los Angeles joined the day of fun in Costa Mesa.

Remember to vote in the OCEA Board of Directors election through Dec. 4!

OCEA EMPLOYEE

OCEA’s 2015 President’s Award honorees (left to right: Kyle Werner, OCEA President Lezlee Neebe, Kim Coates, Lubna Debbini, Dea Evans, Michael Williams, Angelo Lugo and Jose Gomez.

OCEA stewards celebrate 2015 achievements OCEA stewards—your member-representatives and workplace leaders—were honored in December for their commitment to standing together and making OCEA strong. Congratulations to all stewards who received an award. We thank you for your dedicated service! President’s Award (left to right): Kim Coates; Angelo Lugo; Michael Williams; Kyle Werner; Jose Gomez; Dea Evans; Lubna Debbini Distinguished OCEA Board of Directors Service Award: Judy Bowling

2015 Perfect Attendance Award honorees 14

OCEA EMPLOYEE

Perfect Attendance Award (left to right): Butch Garcia; Ian Foster; Sheryl Woodhouse; Frank Eley; Dea Evans; Angelo Lugo; Jose Gomez; Sharron Anderson; Teresa Garcia; Chris Prevatt; Michael Williams; Scott Priegel; Robin Fiddler. Photographed with OCEA First Vice President Alan Dean Clow. Not pictured: Felicia Burkeman; Rene Scharfe;

Distinguished Board member Award honoree Judy Bowling with OCEA President Lezlee Neebe. Remember to vote in the OCEA Board of Directors election through Dec. 4!

Urgent Update—Friedrichs v. CTA For generations, dedicated Americans who teach our children, look after the elderly, maintain our roads and protect our neighborhoods have stood together to make sure our public services are the very best. Firefighters, public safety officers and librarians voted to establish unions in their places of work to collectively bargain for decent wages and benefits that would ensure a quality work force could be recruited and retained to deliver vital services. Now those rights are under attack at the Supreme Court in Friedrichs v. CTA. Across our country today, corporate interests have been on the offensive pushing wages down and eliminating jobs. Those same interests are behind the Friedrichs v. CTA case, backing a group of California teachers who are trying to get all the benefits of union membership without having to pay for it, forcing other workers to pick up the tab. At risk is what’s called “fair share” fees paid by non-members for representation. Since unions are required by law to represent all members of a bargaining unit, whether they are members or not, the U.S. Supreme Court for decades has upheld a law that requires non-members to pay their fair share of dues. If the court overturns its decision this year, non-members would get a free ride, forcing dues paying members to shoulder the cost of their representation.

Not only is this unfair, it would weaken our collective strength as we fight for fair pay, benefits and rights. We have seen the damage this process can cause in socalled Right-to-Work states, where fair share fees are already outlawed and where workers now earn 15 percent less than their counterparts in other states. The attack on public workers in Right-to-Work states has resulted in tax cuts that only benefit Wall Street interests and their big money clients. We are monitoring the case closely and are part of a statewide coalition working to protect our rights—rights our grandparents generation fought and sometimes died to protect. A decision is expected by the end of the Supreme Court’s current term in June, 2016. Click on Friedrichs v. CTA on the OCEA website to learn how you can join the millions of dedicated workers across the country who are speaking out on this issue. Standing together, we can beat back these attacks. And standing together, we can confront any challenge. That’s why it’s more critical now than ever for all OCEA members to recommit to our union, to stand united, to know and promote all the benefits membership brings. If you would like to join the effort, contact OCEA Internal Organizer Tim Steed to learn how you can become a workplace leader or steward. His email is tsteed@oceamember.org.

Remember to vote in the OCEA Board of Directors election through Dec. 4!

OCEA EMPLOYEE

Get involved: OCEA Board Member Dea Evans

County employee since 1998 OCEA member since 1998 OCEA Board member since 2015

Dea Evans Information Processing Technician Probation Department

Why did you get involved with OCEA? There were some issues in my workplace that just didn’t seem right to me—things that I didn’t believe were correct. I decided to take a look at the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) and sure enough, I found out the way we were going about certain things wasn’t correct at all. It was one of those “this isn’t right” moments and I knew I wanted to be involved in making things right. What do you get by being more involved in workplace issues? I come from a generation very close to the one that fought in World War II. There was a certain feeling in the country then—a sense of satisfaction in being a part of something much larger than you. My parents instilled a sense of honor in me and that can lead you to a place where you cannot accept a situation that isn’t right without speaking up. If you don’t, you deserve what you get. Once you set the example, the results become self-evident. Co-workers who never said “boo” are now coming together, calling things into question and working to correct situations. Watching the process is an incredibly rewarding experience. What did you learn after being involved in contract negotiations for the first time? This was my first “rodeo” in terms of a labor negotiation with the County. It was great to learn what a strong, dedicated and focused team we could be. Strength in numbers—that’s what unions have and we really have it here at OCEA. The 16

OCEA EMPLOYEE

Bargaining Team stood together and stood firm on issues that are really important to our members. We were not going to relinquish those things that previous bargaining teams fought for. We were able to bring in what I believe is the best contract possible, but I also learned that we did that standing on the shoulders of all of the other bargaining teams that came before us. We were able to forcefully remind the County that during the recession, employees made sacrifices to help keep the doors of local government open and running smoothly. What are you looking forward to now that OCEA has reached an agreement with the County? Of course I am looking forward to the salary increases, the cash payments and I appreciate the fact that we didn’t have to give anything up. Just as important, this new contract has mechanisms for working groups that present management and workers with some great opportunities for working together. We were able to remind the County that their own workers have some amazing insight into cost-cutting and other efficiencies that will benefit the people we serve. I also look forward to working with workplace leaders like OCEA President Lezlee Neebe and Insurance Officer Maria Carona to name just two. They are my “go-to” mentors on the Board and have really helped with my new role. After coming onto the Board, I realized that there is a lot more responsibility than I thought. There are expectations about participation. I don’t object to it at all. The friends and contacts that you make in different County departments and state-wide make it all worth it. It really is a step into the wider world of organized labor. The future for OCEA is bright and I am proud to be a part of it.

Remember to vote in the OCEA Board of Directors election through Dec. 4!

Get involved: OCEA Board Member Dan Beam

Dan Beam Sheriff’s Special Officer II Sheriff-Coroner Department

What got you involved with Labor/OCEA? You know how it is when people at work get together and right away you start hearing complaints about how things are done, how they are not being done and what needs to change. Things were never going to be different unless someone stepped up, so that’s what I decided to do. I spent almost ten-years working with my colleagues on the SSO Executive Board, eventually becoming the Vice-chair. I became a Steward in 2002 and served on the Bargaining Team. The experience came in handy when the recession hit. We fought against the layoffs using reclassifications and different things to keep people employed. We were also successful in getting people their jobs back after all the smoke had cleared.

County employee since 1988 OCEA member since 1990 OCEA Board member since 2008

What has your experience on the Bargaining Team meant to you? Being on the Bargaining Team during negotiations was an eye-opening experience for sure. There was so much conflict at the beginning of the process. We had the controversy over COIN (the County’s so-called transparency ordinance), and it almost seemed like we were never going to get to the table. You look at where we ended up, and it’s almost unbelievable. I think we came with a really good contract for County workers, including a 4.5% raise in the first year of a three-year deal. We got there because we stood together as a team. We weren’t willing to give away things past Bargaining Teams worked so hard to get for our members.

What do you get by being more involved in workplace issues?

How can people get more involved in what’s going on in their workplace and their union?

One of the benefits of being involved is getting first-hand information. The things that you pick up, the knowledge that you gain can really help clear up a lot of the rumors that impact staff. There is also a tremendous amount of satisfaction in being part of something that does a lot of good. For example, the fight against Prop. 32—a statewide initiative that would have really hurt unions. The measure lost by more than 10 points. It sounds like a cliché, but being involved in the Labor movement is all about helping people—middle class, working families.

That’s always the big question. I think the best way to get people involved is make sure we are communicating and educating our co-workers. That’s really what it comes down to. It’s up to every Board member, steward and bargaining unit member to help others learn how important it is to be involved. It’s not a good idea to wait around for a crisis to get people interested in workplace issues. If we do that we run the risk of giving up our rights to bargain for the fair wages we have earned and our families need. Without unions, we won’t have a middle class, just haves and have-nots.”

Want to read more from your OCEA Board of Directors? Visit the bottom left corner of OCEA’s homepage at www.oceamember.org and select “Meet Your Board” for bios and links to interviews and articles about your dedicated Board members. Remember to vote in the OCEA Board of Directors election through Dec. 4!

OCEA EMPLOYEE

OCEA tickets

Special savings for OCEA members! Check OCEA’s website, www.oceamember.org, for full details. Prices subject to change without notice. Amusement Parks Castle Park: $12.99/person 36” and above (Reg. $19.99). All-day unlimited rides, unlimited miniature golf and Buccaneer Cove (when in season). No blackouts. Tickets expire Dec. 31. Tickets only available online. Disneyland: 1-day 1-park: $95.04/adult; $89.28/ ages 3-9 (Reg. $99 & $93). 1-day Park Hopper: $142.60/adult; $137.08/ages 3-9 (Reg. $155 & $149). 2-day 1-park per day: $168.35/adult; $156.52/ages 3-9 (Reg. 185 & $172). No blockouts. Tickets expire Dec. 31. More ticket options available online. Tickets only available online. Knott’s Berry Farm: $39/adult, $34/ages 3-11 and seniors 62 ($67 & $37). No blackouts. Tickets expire Dec. 31. Tickets also available online. LEGOLAND: Single-day admission with 2nd day FREE: $74/adult; $68/ages 3-12 (Reg. $93 & $87). LEGOLAND Resort (LEGOLAND, SEA LIFE Aquarium & Water Park admission with 2nd day FREE): $82/ adult; $76/ages 3-12 (Reg. $117 & $111). No blackouts. Tickets expire Dec. 31. Tickets only available online. San Diego Zoo: $41/adult; $33/ages 3-11 (Reg. $48 & $38). No blackouts. Tickets expire July 3. Tickets also available online. San Diego Zoo Safari Park: $41/adult; $33/ages 3-11 (Reg. $48 & $38). No blackouts. Tickets expire July 3. Tickets also available online. SeaWorld San Diego: Single-day admission: $60/ages 3 & up (Reg. $89/adult; $86/ages 3-9). No blackouts. Tickets expire Dec. 31. Fun Card: $81/ages 3 & up (Reg. $89/adult; $86/ages 3-9). Blackouts: May 30; Dec. 31; Fun Cards expire Dec. 31. Tickets also available online. Six Flags Magic Mountain: $45/ages 3 & up (Reg. $79.99/adult & $51.99/under 48”). No blackouts. Tickets expire Sept. 30. Tickets also available online. Universal Studios Hollywood: 3-day admission: $84/ages 3 & up (Reg. $95). Blackouts apply for revisits. All visits must be completed by Feb. 11. Ticket expires Feb. 11. Additional Premium Products available are Front of Line and VIP. Prices and Products are subject to change without notice. Tickets only available online.

Dinner entertainment Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament: $42/adult; $32/ages 12 & under (Reg. $57.95 & $35.95). Reservation required. Tickets expire Dec. 30. Pirate’s Dinner Adventure: $36/adult; $28/ages 3-11 (Reg. $65.15 & $41.15). Reservation required. Tickets expire Nov. 30.

Movie Theaters AMC Theatres (Loews & Cineplex): $9/person (Reg. $14.50). Tickets valid for one admission to any movie except for those distributed by The Walt Disney Company, including but not limited to Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm, Ltd. titles. Tickets exclude ALL Disney movies. Subject to surcharge for large format, IMAX or 3-D. Valid nationwide. Century Cinema: $8.50/person (Reg. $14). Unrestricted admissions. Subject to surcharge for large format, IMAX or 3-D. Valid nationwide. Krikorian Premiere Theatres: $7.50/person (Reg. $12.50). Unrestricted admission. Subject to surcharge for large format, IMAX or 3-D. Valid nationwide. Regal Entertainment Group: $8.50/person (Reg. $14.50). Unrestricted admission. Subject to surcharge for large format, IMAX or 3-D. Valid nationwide.

ONE-TIME EVENTS RENAISSANCE FAIRE: Tickets coming soon! SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS: Cinderella: 7:30 p.m. April 22 and 2 p.m. April 30; offer expires March 4. Disney’s Newsies: 2 p.m. May 21 and 7:30 p.m. May 27; offer expires April 1. The Sound of Music: 7:30 p.m. July 22 and 2 p.m. July 30; offer expires June 3. Cabaret: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 12 and 2 p.m. Aug. 20; offer expires June 24, 2016. For available tickets at discounted prices, please visit www.scfta.org. Offers are available for a limited time and expire upon due date or if ticket quantities are sold out. Note: You must enter the 5-digit promo code 24988 before you look at the seating chart. Once the promo code has been entered, the available discounted seats will appear within the seating map. Tickets only available online. SHEN YUN: Save on processing and facility fees! April 12-17 at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa. 7:30 p.m. Tue. April 12; 7:30 p.m. Wed. April 13; 2 p.m. Thurs. April 14; 7:30 p.m. Fri. April 15; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sat. April 16; 1 p.m. Sun. April 17. To purchase tickets please visit www.shenyun.com/LA or call (800) 880-0188. Tickets start at $60. OCEA promotional code: OCEA.

OUT OF AREA ORLANDO VACATION: Save up to 35% off your next family vacation to Orlando! Discount offers include admissions to Disney World; Universal Studios Orlando; Sea World and Aquatica; as well as vacation homes and Orlando hotels close to or on theme park property, at very affordable rates. Exclusive discounts available online only. Check for more information on www.oceamember.org. Tickets at Work: Take advantage of exclusive discounts and special offers on entertainment and travel nationwide! Offers only available online include 25% off regular car rental rates; hotels; Las Vegas shows and attractions; New York and Broadway specials; South Florida attractions; ski resorts tickets; Six Flags theme parks; and more. Check for more information on www.oceamember.org.

So Cal Attractions Aquarium of the Pacific: $19/adult; $13/child ages 3-11 (Reg. $28.95 & $14.95). Blackouts: April 15-17; Dec. 25. Tickets expire Nov. 30. Tickets also available online. BATTLESHIP USS IOWA: BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE admission vouchers are now available at the OCEA Special Events office (until supplies last). Otherwise online prices are: $13.50/ adult; $7.50/ages 6-17; $11.50/senior 62 and up (Reg. $18-$10-$15). No blackouts. Tickets expire one year from the day of purchase. USS Iowa is located at the Pacific Battleship Center at 250 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro, CA 90731. Visit www.pacificbattleship.com for details. Tickets only available online. BOOMERS! (Family Fun Centers): $17/ages 3 & up (Reg. $39.95). All-day unlimited rides and unlimited miniature golf passes, excluding arcade games, batting cages and food. No blackouts. Tickets expire Dec. 31. Tickets also available online. Catalina Flyer: $54/adult; $40/ages 3-12 (Reg. $68 & $51). Reservation required. Tickets expire Dec. 31. Catalina Express: $62/adult; $53/child ages 3-12 (Reg. $74.50 & $59). Reservation required. Black-out dates: May 28-30; July 2-4; Sept. 3-5. Tickets expire Dec. 31. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Hollywood: Please visit www.oceamember.org for most current ticket information. Tickets only available online.

SUNSET CRUISES: $13/adult; $10/ages 2-12 (Reg. 25). Unlimited Drink Package: $13/person (Reg. $25). Offer based on availability. Reservations by phone (949) 675-0551 or online www.cruisenewportbeach. com. Tickets are not available at the OCEA Special Events office. Promo code: OCEA. Offer expires Dec. 31. Newport Landing Whale Watching: $15/adult; $10/junior ages 3-12 (Reg. $30 & $25). Tickets are not available at the OCEA Special Events office. Visit www. oceamember.org for more information.

Sports K1 Speed: $15/person (Reg. $25.95). Price includes one standard 14-lap race and 1-year K1 Speedway license for new drivers. Junior drivers must be at least 48”; adult drivers must be at least 4’10” to drive. No blackout dates. NASCAR-UNION TRIBUTE DAY, SUNDAY, MARCH 20: $46/person (Reg. $94). Price includes: Auto Club 400 reserved seating, pre-race pit pass and complementary parking. Pre-race Pit starts at 8 a.m.; race starts at 12:30 p.m. To purchase tickets call (800) 944-7223 or visit their website www. AutoClubSpeedway.com/Union. Offer expires March 10. NEWPORT LANDING SPORTFISHING: ½-day trip: $ 1/2-day trip: $26.50/adult; $21/ages 2-12 (Reg. $41.50-$34); ¾-day trip: $45/adult; $40/ages 2-12 (Reg. $71$61). Offer based on availability. Rod and tackle packs available at the additional charge. Reservations by phone (949) 6750551 or online www.NewportLanding. com. Tickets are not available at the OCEA Special Events office. Promo code: OCEA. Offer expires Dec. 31.

Winter fun MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN RESORT: 2 out of 4 days: $157/ages 23-64 (Reg. $94/person per day). Blackouts: Feb. 13-15; tickets expire at the end of ski season. Mammoth Mountain offers also a 20% discount on lodging. Call (800) MAMMOTH and mention corporate rate discount. SNOW VALLEY MOUNTAIN RESORT: Anytime: $44/adult; $33/ages 13-21; Midweek: $27/ages 13 & up. Tickets expire at the end of ski season. SNOW SUMMIT BIG BEAR MOUNTAIN RESORT: $59/adult; $49/ages 13-21 (Reg. up to $80/person depending on the day of use). No blackouts; tickets expire at the end of ski season.

OCEA e-ticket programs For up-to-date listings on all available tickets, go to www.oceamember.org/etickets. 18

OCEA EMPLOYEE

Remember to vote in the OCEA Board of Directors election through Dec. 4!

OCEA discounts

Special savings for OCEA members! Check OCEA’s website, www.oceamember.org, for full details. Automotive & Car Rentals

Candies, Flowers & More

The Red Book: New cars at fleet prices! For details, go to www.redbook4autos.com or call (800) 422-4561.

Cherry Moon Farms: 20% discount on hundreds of orchardfresh gifts that make every occasion special. For more information call (800) 210-2279. Corporate code: OCEA.

Avis: Up to 25% savings on selected cars through corporate program. OCEA corporate code T815000. (800) 331-1212. Budget: Up to 25% savings on selected cars through corporate program. OCEA corporate code X627900. (800) 455-2848 Dollar Rent-A-Car: Call (800) 800-3665 to find out more! Corporate code: CH0415. Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 10% off regular price! Call (800) 736-8222. Corporate code: 32E8228. EZ Auto Test Only: Smog all vehicles including motor homes, change of title, out of state, and gross polluters! We are located at 2208 N. Main Street #B, Santa Ana, CA 92706 (at the corner of Main and Buffalo Street; near School First Credit Union). For details please call (714) 542-9400. Hertz: 5% off daily and weekly rentals! Join Hertz #1 Gold Club online and save more! Corporate code: 1335448. Call (800) 654-8216. Thrifty Car Rental: Great savings through Tickets-At-Work Corporate Program! Call (800) 847-4389. Corporate code 0010229234.

Banking Orange County’s Credit Union: Receive a $100 bonus with a new checking account. Present this offer at the Ross Branch of Orange County’s Credit Union by April 30, 2016 to receive the offer. Normal approval standards apply. Offer is available to “new” Members only. Must open a personal checking account, enroll in e-Statements, sign up and qualify for a Debit MasterCard, and either set up and receive Direct Deposit or make 5 Debit Card purchases within 60 days. Bonus typically paid within 90 days. Bonus represents dividends deposited into your account and may be reported to the IRS. Any taxes are your responsibility. The new checking account must remain open for 90 days or bonus may be reversed. Min. opening deposit is $25 for all accounts except Better Than Free which has no minimum. Membership in Orange County’s Credit Union is available to anyone who lives or works in Orange County. Membership fee is $5. Federally insured by NCUA. Promo code OCEA100 (888) 354-6228 www.orangecountyscu.org

Education University of Phoenix delivers rigorous coursework in a flexible format to allow students to balance work and home life while earning their degrees. OCEA members are eligible to receive a 10% savings on the cost of tuition among other benefits such as access to innovative technologies including electronic textbooks and course materials, online library and more. For more details visit www.oceamember.org

GiftBloom.com: 15% discount on all gifts and products for local, same day and international deliveries. To place your order contacts Preferred Rate Coordinator, Ujwal Patel, (224) 999-0089. Personal Creations: 20% discount on a variety of personalized gifts, perfect for any occasion. For more information call (800) 210-2279. Corporate code: OCEA. ProFlowers.com: 20% discount on a variety of gifts for all your personal and corporate occasions! Same-day delivery available! Call (800) 210-2279 to place your order. Corporate code: OCEA. Red Envelope: 20% discount on a unique and wide-ranging collection of thoughtful gifts for every occasion. To order by phone, call (800) 210-2279. Corporate code: OCEA. Shari’s Berries: 20% discount on high-quality handdipped berries, luxurious cheesecakes and gourmet baked goods. Call (800) 210-2279. Corporate code: OCEA. See’s Candy: Gift certificates good for 1 lb. at any See’s Candy store! OCEA members price is $15 (Reg. $18.50). Certificates are available at the OCEA Special Events office by cash or ATM/debit card.

Holistic Essential Oils: Free 15-minute holistic consultation or 10% off Raindrop treatment. Restore your energy with the highest quality natural plant oils. Improve mood, sleep, skin issues, mental focus, immunity and shed discomfort naturally. To schedule your appointment call (310) 9202177 or email carlasgreatoils@gmail.com. www.carlacohen.com; www.carlasgreatoils.com

Outdoors Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: OCEA members save 15% on regular adult and child Tram admissions and 10% at gift stores and restaurants. Restrictions apply. The Alpine Club cards are available at the OCEA Special Events office free of charge. Card valid through Dec. 2016.

Party Rentals OC Fun Party Rentals: Looking for a jumper rental company that offers safe, clean, affordable and great-looking jumpers? OCEA members receive $10 off per hour of entertainment, per rental item booked! This offer excludes additional concessions servings and all helium tank rentals. For more information call (714) 914-7159, email ocfunpartyrentals@ gmail.com or visit their website www.ocfunrentals.com.

Photography & Art Artistic Bridals & Portraits Studio: 15% off wedding photography and event plans from their already low prices. OCEA member-only plan is also available plan is also available. Visit www.nemo4u.com to view samples of work. Call Mike Nemeth at (949) 496-4559 today!

S8ved Photography: For your next Kodak-moment call George Reyes at (714) 609-0039 or email him s8vedpic@yahoo.com. Save 20% on any order. Visit www.s8vedphotography.com.

Integrative Nutrition: Free discovery consultation, 20% off Health Needs & Goal Assessment, free e-book “The Working Woman’s Secrets to Healthy Eating.” Discover your blueprint for food, weight issues, cravings and more! To schedule your online, phone, or in person appointment call (949) 735-9173 or email kat@behealthybydesign.com. www.Katmaeda.com

ADT Security Services: Residential and Business Security that include Burglary, Fire, Carbon Monoxide, Online Access, Video, and Home Automation Features. 24 Month monitoring agree required, Additional charges may apply in areas that require guard response service for municipal alarm verification. Prices subject to change. Some insurance companies offer discounts on homeowner’s insurance. Please consult your insurance company. Offer subject to change. CA ACO7155. Please contact Jeff Spatz at (714) 907-2995 or by email jspatz@adt.com

Intuitive Healing Therapy (Massage or Energetized Crystals): 25% off your first session, plus additional 15 minutes added to your 60 or 90 minute follow up massages FREE! Call (714) 658-7127 or email mobilehealingartsmassage@gmail.com for more information. Located inside EvolMotion in Irvine at 17915 Skypark Circle Ste. D Irvine, CA 92614. www.thehiddengem.center

92701. Checks for over $500 not accepted. Ticket sales are final. Sorry, no refunds or exchanges. Please allow sufficient time! Mailed ticket orders are generally processed within five business days of receiving the order. OCEA makes no guarantees on mailed orders. Shipping and

Wireless Please note: Wireless discounts are applicable to all Orange County and City employees. Proof of employment is required. AT&T: County of Orange Employees receive up to 15% discount off their monthly service fee for rate plans with minutes or data usage included. Existing and new users qualify for the discount! For more information please contact Jeannie Acosta, (310) 990-1262 or ja0590@ att.com. Sprint: Save 18% off select regularly priced monthly service plans. Plus, activation fee waived for new activations (up to $36 value; requires a new twoyear agreement). This discount is available to all employees working at the state or local level within the State of California. Mention this code to claim 18% discount: GLSCA_COO_ZZZ; To order by phone: (866) 639-8354; To order online: www.sprint.com/ californialocalgovernment; To add 18% discount for existing Sprint customers: www.sprint.com/verify and click on the “Existing Customers” tab or call (866) 6398354. T-Mobile: 15% discount on qualifying monthly recurring phone charges. Promotion code: 13302TMOFAV. Discount Contact: Betty Chacon at (714) 850-6633 or Beatriz.Chacon@T-Mobile.com. Verizon: Save 15% on select monthly plans. Apply online using Government Employee Program E-Code EMD70. Discount Contact: Brian Sulton; (888) 457-6294 or brian@evpdiscount.com.

Sketches and Clay Molding: Local artist draws realistic sketches from photos creates statues and figures out of clay. References and work samples are available upon request. View my portfolio at http://bit.ly/XnBC8V. Christine, (714) 653-5172; http://bit.ly/XnBC8V

Feng Shui your office or home: Free 15 minute phone consultation and 25% off your appointment! Enhance or transform the energy of your environment with the ancient art of Feng Shui Space Clearing. Lift energy and health and increase prosperity, balance, ease and flow in your areas. To schedule your free phone consultation and your onsite appointment call or text Master Dawn Lane at (714) 476-2245. www.Fengshuimyhome.org

Mindfulness Yoga Therapy: Receive 20% off a one-on-one session, or 30% off a group session. Free your mind and body, and prevent mental, emotional, and intellectual energy loss, negative situations, & unhealthy interactions. Develop skills to listen to your body and use it as a messenger to heal yourself mentally and physically. To schedule an appointment call Amy at (949) 282-8822 or email yogagarage@gmail.com. www.amyharpercoaching.com

Purchase tickets: To order by mail, please include: 1) name and phone number, 2) letter stating your ticket order, and 3) check payable to OCEA for the full amount of the ticket order plus $6.40 for shipping and handling. Send orders to: Special Events, OCEA, 830 N. Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA

Tobin Acupuncture & Holistic Medicine: Attend either “Healthy Body Shape” or “Truth About Cancer” free class and receive a consultation and mini evaluation FREE ($225 Value). Information on stress, hormones, auto immune, cancer, and body shape. Call Diane or Dr. Mary Tobin at (714) 256-2287 to schedule. 710 N. Brea Blvd. Brea, CA 92821. www.Tobinwellness.com

Services

Wellness Between the Ropes Boxing: Discover personal fitness through boxing, calisthenics and nutritional guidance. Let Orange County boxing legend Raul Franco help whip you into shape! OCEA members receive a discount: Individual sessions are $35 per hour and group classes are $20 per person! Additional charges may apply. Contact Raul at (714) 333-7405 or raulfranco1220@yahoo.com for details. CKO Kickboxing: Free trial class or 25% off yearly membership for OCEA members! Gym is located at 2201 N. Tustin Ave., Suite 120, Santa Ana, Ca 92705. For details call Alissa Abbey at (949) 467-4979.

handling charges cover costs of certifying and insuring mailed tickets. For further information, contact Joanna Nachurski at (714) 835-3355 or at joanna@oceamember.org. Ticket hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Remember to vote in the OCEA Board of Directors election through Dec. 4!

You can now purchase certain tickets online at www.oceamember.org/etickets OCEA EMPLOYEE

OCEA classifieds

Classified ads are a free service to all OCEA members. Only members may submit ads and ads may be edited or rejected by OCEA. Transactions are not OCEA’s responsibility, as all sales or exchanges are done at the responsibility of the seller and buyer. Notify OCEA Communications Production Manager Kevin Rush if you wish to submit an ad, make changes to a current ad or cancel an ad. E-mail your ads to krush@oceamember.org; send them to OCEA, 830 N. Ross St., Santa Ana, CA, 92701; or fax them to (714) 835-7654. CARPOOLERS NEEDED Visit www.ridematch.info to request a carpool matchlist from the regional rideshare agency. Learn more about alternative commute options at www.commutesmart.info. FOR SALE Oak furniture for sale. 6’ high book shelf ($75); 4’ tall glass display case ($100); coffee table with two end tables ($100); rocking chair ($50). Pictures available upon request. Please text Tracy 714-3236020. 12/15 Woman’s Fuji Road Bike. Size 51, white, asking $400. The bike has been kept in excellent condition and is two years old. Has Carbon Forks and Aluminum frame. Also, a set of Speed Play Clips, asking $40. Contact Joanne at (714) 925-5229, call or text. 11/15 Cherrywood coffee table, settee, and entertainment center. All three pieces have Queen Anne legs, settee is covered in an antique print and all are in good condition. $350.00 for all three pieces. Pictures available upon request. Please call (951) 314-6256. 11/15 Bedspread and shams. BEAUTIFUL RASPBERRY custom made California-King-sized bedspread with two king size pillow shams. Gently used. Call for photo to be sent email or text. New over $350. Must sell. $50. Contact Trudy at 714-633-6013 or email to trudy.hoyle@gmail.com. 11/15 REntals Room for rent in a beautiful, peaceful hillside, family home in Orange Hills area. Home in culde sac. Cross streets are Chapman and Crawford Canyon Road. $550 each, utilities included. Kitchen and cooking privileges. Looking for safe, quiet, female, non-smoking, no drugs, this is a quiet family home. Home near Santiago Canyon community college, Chapman University, Cal State Fullerton $100 deposit, month to month lease. Safety and peace is most important. Co-tenant is female trustworthy, safe and professional- looking for the same. Call (714) 925-4545. 11/15

OCEA EMPLOYEE

Upgraded Condo located at 360 West Ocean Boulevard #603, Long Beach, CA. 1 bath and approximately 472 square feet. The Sovereign was built in 1922 and is considered a Historical Building. Located just two blocks from Downtown Long Beach, The Pike, Queen Mary and The Shore Line, you will always have the ocean breeze coming through your windows. Stove, Refrigerator, Microwave and ALL Utilities included. $975 per month, $975 security deposit. Please contact Victor Guerra @ 310-325-3762 11/15 Room for rent at a quiet Westminster neighborhood. Comes with private bathroom, adjacent to the bedroom. Location is close to the 22 /405 freeway, and comes with utilities, access to kitchen, wifi/internet ready. $500 for single renter, $600 for 2 people. Sorry, no pets and must be a non smoker. Contact Michelle Reynoso at 714.347.8442 / michelle.reynoso@da.ocgov.com. 9/15 RETIREE SERVICES Retired Employees Association. Join the Retired Employees Association. Participate for only $3 a month. Information: (714) 8403995, fax (714) 840-7189, email reaoc@reaoc.org or www.reaoc.org. Orange County Office on Aging. Free information on services for older adults, (800) 510-2020. VACATIONS/VACATION RENTALS Howard’s Time Share Resort Weeks: Contact Howard at (714) 3131290 or hsnitowsky@hotmail.com if you would like to confirm a timeshare resort week in Cabo San Lucas, Hawaii, and other resort destinations in Mexico. These prime, beach front, world-class resorts, with a good variety of dates and suite types, are in high demand, all at very attractive prices—so please request your peak demand weeks early. OCEA MEMBERS RECEIVE A 5 PERCENT DISCOUNT.

Remember to vote in the OCEA Board of Directors election through Dec. 4!

HOLISTIC LIFESTYLE Mini fair Sponsored by One Source Wellness and The Holistic Chamber of Commerce

Come see, taste, touch, hear and smell what natural holistic lifestyle solutions are all about!

Please RSVP if possible by emailing Joanna Nachurski at joanna@oceamember.org. Lunch will be provided. Complementary parking available in the Diamond Parking lot in front of OCEA.

Orange County Employees Association 830 N. Ross St., Santa Ana, CA 92701 • (714) 835-3355 • (714) 835-7654 Fax • www.oceamember.org

Orange County Employees Association 830 North Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Want to be part of something bigger than yourself?

Become a workplace leader! There are many ways to help: • Become a workplace leader or an OCEA steward • Join OCEA’s Political Action Committee or Health and Welfare Trust • Represent your co-workers on an OCEA bargaining team and more!