County Negotiations: We Went to the County’s Budget Hearing

Описание: OCEA members took the message straight to the Orange County Board of Supervisors as the Board prepared to discuss the budget and negotiations on June 9, 2026.

President Leti Guerrero opened on behalf of more than 10,000 county members across over 600 classifications, calling for real progress on four urgent issues: wages, work-life flexibility, position vacancies, and the impacts of AI. She pointed to the county's strong financial position, with reserves projected to land more than $200 million above target this June.

Board Member Thomas Hsiung challenged the county's yearly pattern of crying poverty while its finances only grow stronger. Insurance Officer Angelo Lugo broke down why flexibility now drives recruitment and retention. Secretary Michael Garcia laid out members' concerns about AI and the polling that backs them up. General Manager Charles Barfield closed with the vacancy numbers, showing the real OCEA vacancy rate climbs to nearly 19% once deleted positions are counted.

OCEA members show up for this county every single day. Now it's time for the county to show up for them.