vol 62 issue 4 - ocea employee 2009 october november december

OCEA EMPLOYEEThe official publication of the Orange County Employees Association

It’s been a memorable 2009!

Here’s to a great

2010!

OCTOBER–DECEMBER 2009Volume 62, Issue 4

Remember these great 2009 moments?Clockwise, from left: Wearing green! At an OCEA site visit, Angelica Barrera (a Child Support Officer) and Joann Diaz (an Office Assistant) take a gander at OCEA’s table of information and giveaways. These stellar members each joined OCEA immediately after being hired! SRO! On January 23, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, a public hearing was held concerning Orange County’s economic crisis. The hearing was sponsored and chaired by Assemblyman Jose Solorio (69th Assembly District), and it was the first hearing of its kind during the current crisis. Here OCEA President Robert Gibson addresses the panel. Great smile! Joanna Aguilar, a Board Services Specialist employed in the office of the Clerk of the Board, happily takes possession of a hot dog at an OCEA Hot Dog Day.

state of our unIon!

see oCea PresIdent robert gIbson’s message,

Page 2

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1O C E A E M P L O Y E ECome to our “OCEA Presents” event on January 27, 2010: “OCERS—Pre-Retirement Seminar Presentation”!

FEATURES 2 President’s Message

State of our union!

3 General Manager’s MessageThe real you!

5 OCEA Board Election ResultsMeet the new Board members!

6 SSA Adoptions Kickoff“Come see our beautiful children!”

8 OCEA Retirement CommitteeRenewing the Call to Action!

10 Close-UpsThe faces of OCEA!

18 Special Events & DiscountsOCEA members can save money!

DEPARTMENTS13 OCEA Adopt-A-Pet

17 OCEA New Members

20 OCEA Classifieds

OCEA EMPLOYEEVOLUME 62, ISSUE 4 OCTOBER–DECEMBER 2009

What’s Going On Here?

All smiles! We have always said that OCEA people have the

greatest smiles anywhere on earth, and here is one of the “best of

the best.” This smile belongs to Tim Steed, OCEA Labor Relations

Representative. This photograph was taken at an OCEA Hot Dog Day

during OCEA’s 2009 Hot Dog Wagon season!

2 O C E A E M P L O Y E E Come to our “OCEA Presents” event on January 27, 2010: “OCERS—Pre-Retirement Seminar Presentation”!

I recently had an opportunity to look back upon the last year at OCEA and would like to share my thoughts. As the State budget was beginning to melt-down in December 2008, OCEA was proactive in putting forth budget-saving ideas to the County. We developed a comprehensive plan to implement cost-saving measures and proposed a voluntary furlough program. At the behest of OCEA, State and local elected officials held hearings for stakeholders to air their concerns. During this period the remodeling of the Board of Supervisors lobby was begun, and the fiscal irresponsibility of that action was brought to the attention of our members and the public. We marched on the Board and they certainly understood our point of view. Several County agencies and departments began the new year by laying off and furloughing our members. OCEA stood and fought these actions and attempted to mitigate the impacts on our members. We have continued being the voice for our members throughout the year whenever any entity has attempted to balance their budgets on our backs.

Your union also had the task of negotiating a new contract for our County bargaining units and several of our cities during this

past year. The planning for these negotiations began many months earlier and a comprehensive framework was established. With your support a fair contract with no significant takebacks or giveaways was ratified and approved. This historic contract with the County included a provision for an optional hybrid defined-benefit/defined-contribution retirement plan that has been hailed throughout the state as a common-sense solution for taxpayers and employees. This provision required new legislation which passed quickly, enjoying bipartisan support. Other OCEA bargaining units and affiliates have worked closely with the Court and cities to develop cost-savings to help us get through these economically challenging times.

OCEA joined the AFL-CIO earlier this year as a Direct Local Affiliate. This was done without an increase in dues to our members and will provide us with a more prominent voice in activities at the state and national level on labor issues. This will be very important in the upcoming year as several politicians and fringe groups attempt to use the current economic downturn to vilify public employees and destroy our benefits and financial security.

OCEA approved a grant which was instrumental in creating “The Voice of OC.” The grant is being used to create a progressive and independent investigative-journalism online newspaper which promises to hold local government and elected officials responsible for their actions. Several prominent reporters and community activists have committed themselves to this endeavor. This undertaking will address the vacuum that has been created in Orange County by the absence of television media and as an opposing viewpoint to the ultra-conservative, anti-working-family Orange County Register.

None of the above-listed accomplishments could have been attained without the outstanding work and dedication of the staff leadership team, operations staff, and your elected Board of Directors. During an unprecedented year of challenges your staff leadership team and operations staff never wavered. Their dedication and working countless hours, nights, and weekends led to our success. Your Board of Directors also imposed upon themselves the strictest guidelines, expectations, and training requirements ever by a Board at OCEA. From doubling the regular meetings, with several weekend planning and training sessions, to the many accomplishments of our ad hoc committees, your Board is to be commended for their work.

It has been my honor and privilege to serve OCEA as your President in this last year, and I am certain that we will be able to continue our great work protecting and preserving our members’ benefits and advancing the welfare and security for working people and their families.

Yours faithfully,

Robert Gibson OCEA President [email protected]

OCEA President’s Message

State of Our UnionRobert Gibson

OCEA President

OCEA Board of Directors members John Leos (left) and Robert Gibson, demonstrating for the trash-sorters in Anaheim on October 7, 2009.


You’ve probably heard the old advertisement, “If I have only one life, let me live it as a blonde!”

It’s about as shallow an advertising message as one can imagine, I suppose. This advertising phrase was coined by Shirley Polykoff (1908-1998), an advertising “legend” who also contributed to our culture these gems of superficiality: “The closer he gets, the better you look,” and, “Is it true blondes have more fun?”

I won’t say that one’s appearance is nothing, but it certainly cannot be as significant as most of us make it seem.

After all, your exterior is not your interior. Your possessions are not you.

But we often lose sight of these facts. Isaac Watts, who was born in 1674, never doubted it. In his poem “False Greatness” he wrote:

Were I so tall to reach the pole,Or grasp the ocean with my span,I must be measur’d by my soul:The mind’s the standard of the man.

You may be wondering what all this has to do with labor, and labor unions.

That’s a good question, but it is hard to avoid thinking thoughts like these during difficult eras of layoffs, furloughs, demotions, and involuntary transfers.

Just remember, your job is your job. It may symbolize your role in life. It may be what you are “called to do.” It may be one of the most important things in your life, and in fact it almost certainly is—and for some people, it is the main thing in their lives.

But your job isn’t you. Your character and dignity transcend your job.

I am lucky to work in a profession that in some ways transcends the notion of “job” or even “career.” I am thrilled to be in an endeavor that impacts thousands of people’s lives, for the better, I think. But more than that, I view my job as different

from most jobs, because my job is to protect other jobs.

That doesn’t make my job “better” than yours, and it certainly doesn’t make me better than anyone else. But I do love my job.

And one thing I know for sure: I would not have this job if it were not for you. I appreciate that fact, and actually I am more than a little bit “awed” by it. OCEA’s members not only do their own jobs, but they are part and parcel of me doing my job.

If you are an OCEA member, you have made it possible for me to be who I am and do what I do. I never forget that for a moment. And I know that every member of the OCEA staff here feels the same way.

And if you are a member of OCEA, you are indirectly “doing” all of the good things that OCEA does.

So, yes, these are hard times. And no, your possessions are not you. You are playing a major role in bringing about everything that OCEA accomplishes.

I’m not a blonde, and in fact I don’t have as much hair as I used to, but I can tell you this much: blondes don’t have more fun than me.

And I owe it all to you: OCEA’s members.

In solidarity,

Nick Berardino OCEA General Manager

OCEA General Manager’s Message

The Real You!Nick Berardino

OCEA General Manager

One Hundred Years Apart!You may have studied both of these classic poems in school, but it’s nice to be reminded of them. These echo the sentiments of Isaac Watts elsewhere on this page.Ozymandiasby Percy Bysshe Shelley, published in 1818

I met a traveller from an antique landWho said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stoneStand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,Half sunk, a shatter’d visage lies, whose frownAnd wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold commandTell that its sculptor well those passions readWhich yet survive, stamp’d on these lifeless things,The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.And on the pedestal these words appear:“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”Nothing beside remains. Round the decayOf that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,The lone and level sands stretch far away.

Southern Pacific by Carl Sandburg, published in 1918

Huntington sleeps in a house six feet long. Huntington dreams of railroads he built and owned.Huntington dreams of ten thousand men saying: Yes, sir.

Blithery sleeps in a house six feet long.Blithery dreams of rails and ties he laid.Blithery dreams of saying to Huntington:Yes, sir.

Huntington, Blithery, sleep in houses six feet long.


E M P L O Y E EOrange County Employees Association

OFFICERSRobert Gibson ........................................................President

Lezlee Neebe ...........................................1st Vice President

Arlyn Buck ............................................ 2nd Vice President

Butch Garcia ...........................................................Secretary

Phyllis Oudmayer .................................................Treasurer

Luisa Camino ...........................................Insurance Officer

Frank Eley .....................................................Past President

COMMITTEE CHAIRSJeff Gallagher ......................................................Legislative

Phyllis Oudmayer .................................... Budget/Finance

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sharron Anderson ......................County Executive Office

Dan Beam ....................................................Sheriff-Coroner

Arlyn Buck .....................................Social Services Agency

Luisa Camino ......................................SSA/Adult Services

Alan Dean Clow ....................................... Public Defender

Maria Corona ..................................... Health Care Agency

Oliver Didio ................................................Sheriff-Coroner

Frank Eley ............................... OC Public Works (RDMD)

Debra Fyvie ....................Dept. of Child Support Services

Jeff Gallagher ........................................................Probation

Eusebio “Butch” Garcia ....................Social Services Agency

Robert Gibson .......................................................Probation

Gary Morrison .........................................Assessor’s Office

Lezlee Neebe .....................................Superior Court Clerk

Cheryl Neuenschwander .................Superior Court Clerk

Phyllis Oudmayer .........Dept. of Child Support Services

Bill Stein .......................................................Sheriff-Coroner

Pamela Waters ..........................................................Library

Ray Yarbrough ......................................................Probation

The OCEA Employee magazine (USPS 004-330) is published quarterly (January-March; April-June; July-September; and October-December) by the Orange County Employees Association, 830 N. Ross, P.O. Box 177, Santa Ana, CA 92702; telephone (714) 835-3355. 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 Orange County Employees Association 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 2009 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: Thomas A. Sawyer

Design & Layout: Kevin Rush

830 North Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701(714) 835-3355

November 2009 Retirement Board Election is Cancelled

Russell Baldwin is “On Board” for Three More Years

OCEA’s Russell Baldwin looks forward to three more years of standing up for County employees on the Orange County Employees Retirement System Board of Retirement.

Our vigorous campaign in support of Russell Baldwin for the Retirement Board was pulled up short at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2009, the deadline for would-be candidates to submit petitions to the Registrar of Voters. At the close of the nomination period, only Russell had qualified.

As of that time, our campaign was well underway.

Russell was originally elected to the Retirement Board four years ago, when he was voted in (overwhelmingly) to fill the vacancy left when Sharon Neebe resigned.

At present, two OCEA members are members of the Retirement Board: Russell Baldwin and Frank Eley. (Frank will be up for re-election at the end of 2010.)

Congratulations, Russell!

Russ Baldwin, at an OCEA Hot Dog Day at Hutton Towers.

OCEA Word SearchFind the words below. For the answer key, go to www.oceamember.org and log in to MyOCEA.

Find the words below in the puzzle above. Words may be vertical, horizontal, or diagonal.

AGENCY, ANNUAL LEAVE, ASSOCIATION, BENEFITS, CLASSIFICATION, COUNTY, DEDUCTIONS, DISCIPLINE, EMPLOYEES, EMPLOYER, GRIEVANCE, HOLIDAYS, INSURANCE,

JURY DUTY, MANAGEMENT, MEAL, MEMBER, MILEAGE, NEGOTIATIONS, ORANGE, PROBATION, PROMOTION, RAISE, RETIRE, SAVINGS, SCOPE, SHIFT, VACATION

C Y S N R G A V D E S A V I N G S Y O D O C E V R A N S E K P R G I J R X M V E U D R A E B N U M E M B E R U I A E L D N T U T P E U B P W E S P O R E B A M U T M K V R N A E L O P C E E Y V P L B C Y P P A E E L P O A H O L I D A Y S N T O P O C X F L R Y S N P Y I U N C V N I N R H A V I E D E S P E M N T C E R E O O X A T O T A P R O V R W O Y E B P G N N R D I E S V E R C B I U U K H E L O S P E A O G W E U D I S C I P L I N E T M I R R N N E I J F A S H K L O R E B I A R X O G G B P M H T I G I P O V F D A N A E J B P E K A H I D D R F O N I D T A S S T J A E M P L O Y E E S T H T H I G A G G I S T J O U N C C R E B W S M O E B H I I R M I L E A G E N C Y L O D N M F I A G J E P O N M N G I O F D P E S E P R O M O T I O N R I N S U R A N C E N C L A S S I F I C A T I O N R E B G E T


Our new officers

NEW OCEA BOARD MEMBERS! We welcome these OCEA members who were elected to our Board of Directors and seated at our December 2009 Board meeting!

OCEA Announces Board of Directors Election Results for 2010/2011Our 2009 Board of Directors election results (for 2010/2011) are in! Ten seats (of a total of 19 on the Board) were open. Seventeen OCEA members competed for the seats. Ten of the 17 candidates were incumbents. (Nine seats will be open in late 2010.)

Those chosen by our membership for the two-year term are the following: Sharron Anderson, Dan Beam, Luisa Camino, Oliver Didio, Debra Fyvie, Robert Gibson, Cheryl Neuenschwander, Phyllis Oudmayer, Bill Stein, and Ray Yarbrough.

The ballots in the annual election were counted by the Tustin accounting firm of Donna J. Bernbrock, Certified Public Accountant. All ballots were sent directly to that firm in preaddressed envelopes.

All ten Board of Directors members elected by our members were seated at the Board’s December 15, 2009, meeting at OCEA Headquarters.

Thanks to all of those who ran for the Board of Directors, and all of those who got involved by casting your ballots. You all showed that one of the hallmarks of OCEA is the commitment of its membership!

Our OCEA Executive Committee

At the December 15, 2009, meeting the Board selected the following members as officers (comprising our OCEA Executive Committee): Robert Gibson (President); Lezlee Neebe (First Vice President); Arlyn Buck (Second Vice President); Butch Garcia (Secretary); Phyllis Oudmayer (Treasurer); Luisa Camino (Insurance Officer); and Frank Eley (Past President).

SHARRON ANDERSON

Sharron Anderson is an Office Specialist (County Executive Office/Procurement Office). She has been employed by the County for 28 years, and she has been a member of

OCEA for almost the entire time. Sharron has been an OCEA Steward for a decade, and she was a 2009 OCEA Coalition Bargaining Team member (alternate). She has served on the County Executive Office Labor Management Committee (LMC), and on the Office Services Classification Maintenance Review Committee.

OLIVER DIDIO

Oliver Didio is a Sheriff’s Special Officer II (Sheriff-Coroner Department). He has been a County employee for 18 years and an OCEA member for 16 years. Oliver has been an

OCEA Steward for more than a decade. He has been a member of several OCEA Bargaining Teams, including the 2009 Coalition Bargaining team, and he is presently the Chairman of the SSO/Deputy Coroner Bargaining Unit. He has served in this capacity for 10 years now. Oliver was a recipient of the 2009 OCEA President’s Award for outstanding service to OCEA.

RAY YARBROUGH

Ray Yarbrough is a Deputy Juvenile Correctional Officer II, Juvenile Hall (Probation Department). He has been a County employee for 22 years, and he has been an

OCEA member for 16 years. Ray is an OCEA Steward, and he is a Probation Services Unit Executive Committee member. He was a 2009 OCEA Coalition Bargaining Team member. Ray is a member of the OCEA Steward Advisory Committee, and he is also a member of the OCEA Retirement Committee. He was a recipient of the 2008 OCEA President’s Award for outstanding service to OCEA.

Robert GibsonPresident

Lezlee NeebeFirst Vice President

Arlyn BuckSecond Vice President

Butch GarciaSecretary

Phyllis OudmayerTreasurer

Luisa CaminoInsurance Officer

Frank EleyPast President

FOR 2010/2011OCEA Board of Directors Election!


November is National Adoption Awareness Month. The Orange County Adoption Program held its Fifth Annual “Adoption Awareness” Kickoff Celebration on October 22, 2009. The event was held at the Social Services Agency in Orange. The theme of this year’s Kickoff was “Come See Our Beautiful Children!”

The Kickoff began with the OCEA Hot Dog Wagon providing lunch for the SSA Children and Family Services staff. While the hungry eaters waited in line, adoption workers Diemmy Tran and Senior Social Services Supervisor Maureen Mutch were available to answer any and all adoption questions.

Then at 3:00 p.m., the Kickoff moved from the OCEA Hot Dog Wagon in the parking lot to the lobby of the building. The Adoptions Program invited all Children & Family Services Staff to enjoy free popcorn and soda while viewing the Orange County Heart Gallery’s beautiful, professionally-done portraits of a few of the Orange County children who are available for adoption. The children can also be viewed

on the Heart Gallery website at www.heartgalleryoc.org. In addition to the Heart Gallery portraits, photographs of many other children who have been a part of the Orange County Adoptions program were displayed for viewing.

The main goals of the Adoption Kickoff are to increase the awareness of the need for adoptive families, to provide accurate information on the County’s adoption requirements, and to appeal to County staff to help recruit through their own connections within their community.

It has been the experience of Adoptions Recruiter Patrick Hammond that the general public is either unaware or has inaccurate information about adopting through Orange County Adoptions.

If you are interested in knowing more about Orange County Adoptions and the process, please contact Adoptions Recruiter Patrick Hammond at (714) 704-8946, or email him at [email protected].

SSA Adoptions says: “Come See Our Beautiful Children!”SSA’s Adoptions Program Holds Fifth Annual “Adoptions Awareness” Kickoff

A flurry of activity near the OCEA Hot Dog Wagon.

OCEA Hot Dogs at the Adoptions Kickoff! Most of these people are SSA employees, waiting in line for OCEA hot dogs!

At the kickoff event, four people engage in an intense discussion.


SSA Adoptions says: “Come See Our Beautiful Children!”

Five charming County employees pause for a photograph before picking up a hot dog from the OCEA Hot Dog Wagon.

Gary Taylor, Deputy Director of Children and Family Services, shares a smile.

Adoption Recruiter Pat Hammond.

Maureen Mutch (left) and Diemmy Tran, at the Children and Families Services table, by the OCEA Hot Dog Wagon, on October 22, 2009.

Places to help you get started:

Make the call! To get started, you can contact the SSA Foster & Adoptive Parent Information Line at (888) 871-KIDS (toll-free). They can answer your questions and send you a “welcome packet” of information.

Go to the website! You can also request the adoption information packet via the internet. Go to www.oc4kids.com.

www.oc4kids.comwww.heartgalleryoc.org


Renewing the Call to Action!

The OCEA Retirement Committee— A Meaningful New Opportunity to

Help Protect Your Greatest Benefit!Responsible OCEA Members Needed for the OCEA Retirement Committee

The Carrot: Many of us sit at our desks wondering and worrying about how the state budget will impact the County, whether and when the economy will recover, and whether our jobs will be secure in the future. To cope, some pull out our little sheet of paper and look down the lines to find out when we can retire, and dream that in just so-many-years we will be able to achieve our dream and retire with a measure of security.

The point being, that a considerable, integral portion of our current compensation today is what we contemplate receiving after we retire. Of course, retirement benefits are not the only reason for working hard and staying loyal to the County. But for most of us, retirement benefits are, as they should be, one of our biggest motivators and in many ways our most valuable benefit.

OCERS: Our retirement benefits are administered by the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS). OCERS is not part of the County, but an independent entity established for the primary purpose of holding, investing, administering, and distributing our pension contributions and those contributions that

are made on our behalf by the County.

Under current long-standing California law, our right to our pension benefits is guaranteed. But the contribution rates we pay, the way our contributions are invested, and other important matters concerning our pensions are determined by OCERS. OCEA-represented members of the retirement system and other General Members of the system are entitled to elect two representatives as trustees of OCERS. In order to ensure that OCEA can always provide competent, knowledgeable, and committed candidates for those positions, OCEA is embarking on an exciting new initiative.

OCEA’s Newest Committee: OCEA President Robert Gibson and the OCEA Board of Directors have recently established a new committee—the OCEA Retirement Committee. The purpose of the committee will be to develop OCEA members who have a special interest in and commitment to retirement issues and to groom some of them to be candidates for the OCERS Retirement Board. To that end, it is anticipated that at least some members of the OCEA Retirement Committee will also attend Retirement

Board meetings to start learning about the Retirement Board, the issues it faces, and the ways it addresses those issues.

The OCEA Retirement Committee will hopefully be comprised of a small number of talented OCEA members—whether they are OCEA Stewards, OCEA Board of Directors members, or any other OCEA members—who share the strong commitment, the interest, and the aptitude to eventually handle the workload and responsibility of being a member of the Retirement Board.

You, Make Sure! We are now actively seeking OCEA members to step forward and express their interest in becoming members of the Retirement Committee.

So, to all OCEA members: if you are interested in becoming a member of the OCEA Retirement Committee, and in actively “watching” over your greatest benefit, send me an email at [email protected] letting me know at this time.

Frank EleyOCEA Past PresidentChair, OCEA Retirement Committee

OCEA Calendar

Second Tuesday each month OCEA Steward Meeting 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.; 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Third Tuesday each month OCEA Board of Directors Meeting 3:00 p.m.

Third Thursday each month OCEA PAC Meeting 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Third Thursday each month OCEA Steward Training 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Fourth Thursday each month Court Steward Meeting 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Check out our website (www.oceamember.org) for the latest information on OCEA events!


Remember to check our OCEA website www.oceamember.org

for current LMC Updates!

Our OCEA LMCs are a great way for our members to stay

involved year round!

Working on your taxes?To help make tax time easier for our members, we are providing the following information!

The OCEA Payroll Deduction Amounts for Membership Dues, Voluntary Insurance Plans, Other Benefit Programs, OCEA POPL, and Agency Fees for 2009 Are Listed Below

Dental DHMO—DeltaCare CAM 42 Member Only Member with Member with 1 Dependent 2 or more DependentsHealth & WelfareParticipants (Option 1) $74.88 $104.00 $278.46

Health & WelfareParticipants (Option 2) $74.88 $104.00 $278.46

Health & WelfareParticipants (Option 3) $228.54 $433.42 $638.30

Non-Health & WelfareEnrollee $228.54 $433.42 $638.30

Retiree $228.48 $433.32 $638.28

Delta Dental DPO Plan A+ Member Only Member with Member with 1 Dependent 2 or More DependentsHealth & WelfareParticipants (Option 1) $274.30 $729.56 $1,383.46

Health & WelfareParticipants (Option 2) $274.30 $729.56 $1,383.46

Health & WelfareParticipants (Option 3) $363.74 $836.42 $1,477.84

Non-Health & WelfareEnrollee $584.48 $1,081.08 $1,718.34

OCEA Annual Membership Dues (County & Court)

Full-Time $263.12

Part-Time or Extra-Help $131.56Note: Members of OCEA affiliates or contract associations should contact OCEA Benefits Staff.

Vision Service Plan Insurance Member Only Member with Member with 1 Dependent 2 or More Dependents

Option 1 no charge $49.68 $176.64

Option 2 no charge $49.68 $176.64

Option 3 $61.20 $80.16 $143.76

Non-H & W enrollee $110.64 $160.32 $287.52

Retiree $110.76 $160.44 $287.52

Pre-Paid Legal InsuranceBasic Plan $179.52

Basic Plan with24-hour coverage $191.52

Extended Plan $287.52

Agency Fee payers: Full-Time $200; Part-Time $100

OCEA Peace Officer Protective League members: $264 (in addition to OCEA dues deduction)


Jane Grametbaur, RN, CCHP-A, CLNC, OCEA Member

OCEA Member Elaine Wilkins Combines Three Lives: Social Work, Advanced Education, and Raising Her Children

Jane Grametbaur has been working as a Registered Nurse for the Orange County Health Care Agency for 24 years, nearly half of them as a Senior Comprehensive Care RN, and she has been an OCEA member the entire time. She works in the County’s jails and is responsible for all five facilities as the senior on duty during the night shift.

Recently, Jane stepped-up to help a working group of LVNs and OCEA staff develop work schedules to accommodate

current conditions, as well as a pilot schedule we are all hoping to see implemented this year. The pilot would allow LVNs to work six 12-hour shifts and one 8-hour shift every pay period, to mirror the schedules of the RNs.

During this process, we discovered that Jane is a qualified independent expert who occasionally has to provide testimony on community standards of care, and other issues related to nursing practices in institutions. (Prior to working for HCA,

Jane worked as a surgical nurse and as a charge nurse in hospitals in both Virginia and California.) She’s a published author of several print and online publication articles about nursing in corrections facilities, maintains an extensive number of professional memberships, and was commended for her performance and leadership during a jail riot in 1999.

We continue to be astounded at the quality of the people we represent, and Jane is a stellar example!

We often hear about “living the dream.” It means different things to different people, and it tends to mean that your own dream, whatever that is, is coming true. And that certainly seems to be the case with OCEA member Elaine Wilkins, who is a 36-year County employee. Elaine has been an OCEA member for nearly 20 years. Elaine has raised her children, pursued her education, and risen within the County’s ranks in a way that should make all of us proud of her.

When Elaine was hired by the County, the organization was different than now. She started with flood control, which was a group under the Environmental Management Agency. (EMA was a predecessor of OC Public Works.) Elaine worked there as a typist for several years, in a unit of six employees, supporting several hundred engineers and surveyors in flood control.

Subsequently, Elaine went to work as an Eligibility Worker, and she served the public in that capacity for some twelve years. Later, she became a Social Worker Assistant (1988-1998), and after that a Social Worker I and soon after that a Social Worker II.

And as her kids grew older, Elaine felt it

was appropriate to “get in gear” and continue her education. Her achievement of her Associate in Arts degree at Santa Ana College represented the culmination of an extended period of “taking a semester here, and a class there.”

A counselor at Santa Ana College told her that she should go for a bachelor’s degree. She wound up with a bachelor of science in Human Services from Cal State Fullerton.

Elaine’s professors at CSF had told her she should go to graduate school. The result? Elaine applied to the University of Southern California and was accepted. She began her studies there in 2006, and this year she received her master’s degree in social work.

Ultimately, Elaine intends to apply for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, which involves a complex licensing process. This requires not only a master’s degree in social work, but additional coursework and experience requirements as well, plus two written examinations.

Elaine states that she enjoys working for the County. Her father was a career Marine, and for Elaine, working for the

County seemed right. “It’s what you do,” she says. In the course of her work for the County, Elaine has come into contact with employees of other Counties, and based on her experience she believes that overall we have the better County, and that we are happier in our work.

Does Elaine have a way of summing all of this up? Indeed, she does. Elaine says, “It’s been a good ride.”

CLOSE-UPSThe Faces of OCEA

OCEA-member Elaine Wilkins.


Bill Stein Recognized for Ten Years of Service on OCEA Board of Directors

Meet Butch Garcia, OCEA Board of Directors Member, Social Services Agency

Checking-In With OCEA’s Staff!

At the September 8, 2009, meeting of the OCEA Board of Directors, Board member Bill Stein was recognized for his ten years of service on the Board of Directors. In his nineteen years as an OCEA member, Bill has “seen it all.” Bill has been an OCEA Steward since 1993. He has been an active participant on OCEA Coalition Bargaining Teams, and on ratification-election ballot-counting teams. He is also an OCEA Health Fair volunteer, and has served on the Sheriff-Coroner Joint Labor Management Committee. Bill is known for standing up for those whose point of view might not otherwise be heard, and those who know him have called him “a good

man,” which sums it up! Bill, congratulations on your ten years of service on our Board of Directors!

Butch Garcia has been a member of our OCEA Board of Directors since early 2007. He is employed in the Social Services Agency (Community Services Unit) as a Social Worker II. Butch is a 17-year County employee, and he has been a member of OCEA for 7 years.

Butch is an extremely active OCEA member. He stays involved, and he has been a major contributor to OCEA’s success during his time as a member. He has been involved in the SSA Case

Management Forum, the SSA Labor Management Committee, and the ISW Premium Pay Workgroup, and he is also a member of the Executive Board of the OCEA Political Action Committee.

Butch has been an OCEA Steward for six years. He was a member of our 2004, 2007, and 2009 Coalition Bargaining Teams.

Among Butch’s interests are politics and motorcycle riding.

We always say that our OCEA Hot Dog Days are great opportunities for meeting our OCEA staff members, and here is proof! These two photographs were taken earlier this year at OCEA Hot Dog Days!

f Aaron Peardon is one of our OCEA Labor Relations Representatives. He has been an employee of OCEA since 2005. Right now, Aaron is one of the leaders in our OCEA membership recruitment drive in the Superior Court. You won’t find a more dedicated advocate for our members!

f Amy Trinh is one of our OCEA Benefits Administrators. She’s a long-time OCEA employee who enjoys helping members regarding their benefits questions. She is also a frequent participant in our OCEA Hot Dog Day events!

i Frank Flavin seems to be everywhere you turn! Frank is one of our OCEA Labor Relations Representatives. Frank represents County employees with great vigor, and on top of that, he has a well-developed sense of humor.

i Tracie Mills is an OCEA Benefits Administrator. When she is not on the phone helping members and others, she is occupied with other tasks relating to OCEA’s role in administering Health and Welfare benefits.

Bill Stein (left) is congratulated by OCEA President Robert Gibson, for his ten years of service as a member of OCEA’s Board of Directors.

Bill Stein in action! Here Bill is taking part in ballot-counting, after our 2009 ratification election for the new Memorandums of Understanding in our eight County bargaining units.

Butch Garcia during 2009 bargaining.


OCEAOne of Our Fountain Valley Groups in Action!One of our Fountain Valley groups—Fountain Valley Municipal Employees Association—met on October 27, 2009, at the Yard in Fountain Valley. A management representative presented plans for a reorganization, which would involve some shifting of positions. However, the arrangement involves no involuntary loss of jobs and no demotions. The Fountain Valley Municipal Employees Association is one of OCEA’s Chapters.

Another of our Chapters is the Fountain Valley Professional and Technical Employees Association. The employees of these two outstanding associations perform duties that are essential to making Fountain Valley, in the words of the City’s slogan, “a nice place to live.”

Cities and Districts

The City of San Clemente is no different than any other public agency in terms of being seriously impacted financially in this current miserable economy. During our last round of contract negotiations, we raised the possibility of employee participation in cost-savings efforts, and the City took us up on our offer. Three committees were established, to study ideas on cost-savings, program efficiencies, and sources of revenue. SCCEA board members volunteered to participate, and surveys were developed to collect suggestions from all City staff.

When the SCCEA board met in mid-October, there was a concern raised about the possibility that some people may not have been able to participate because they do not have email, or that they may have been skeptical about the City’s intent. The board scheduled a general membership meeting for Wednesday, October 21, 2009, to explain the process in more depth and address any concerns expressed by the members.

City Manager George Scarborough accepted an invitation to address the group of more than sixty employees, and he answered questions in the first part of the meeting. His discussion was candid, but upbeat, and the meeting became increasingly more productive with every idea and question the employees raised after he left. By the time the meeting ended, a

total of between sixty and seventy suggestions were received for the three committees to review, in addition to those that had been submitted online.

Kudos to the SCCEA members for their contributions to this effort!

San Clemente City Employees Association Surveys Cost-Savings Ideas in the City of San Clemente

A recent OCEA Hot Dog Day in San Clemente! This great photograph was taken by SCCEA Vice President Mark Chavez.

Top: Larry Lykins, OCEA Operations Manager (Cities and Districts), addresses the FVMEA members.

Bottom: FVMEA members consider the presentation that was made by a Fountain Valley management representative at the meeting.


Costa Mesa City Employees Association Votes for Agency ShopOn October 14, 2009, our Costa Mesa affiliate, the Costa Mesa City Employees Association, voted to implement an agency shop arrangement. This will require all new Costa Mesa city employees to join CMCEA, or, as an alternative, to pay an “agency fee” to pay for representation services provided by OCEA.

CMCEA is an OCEA affiliate. OCEA affiliates have an arrangement with OCEA, through which OCEA supplies representation services. In this manner, we represent Costa Mesa employees in a wide range of jobs. We represent office services personnel, planners, inspectors, maintenance workers, and mechanics, as well as many supervisory employees in these and other areas.

AMEA Steward TrainingOCEA staff members Loretta van der Pol, Jason Motsick, and Tim Steed provided steward training to seventeen stewards and board members with the Anaheim Municipal Employees Association (AMEA) on Saturday, October 17, 2009.

The training was specific to the collective bargaining agreements and roles of stewards in Anaheim, and included practical work on several real-life scenarios. The trainers, who are accustomed to being met with reluctance and self-consciousness when trainees are asked to participate in “role plays” or providing critiques, were astounded (in a good way) by the enthusiasm in this group. By the third of four exercises, the whole class was howling with laughter.

It was a productive time, wherein the AMEA members provided good cause for us all to be proud of them, and of their role in promoting the interests of public employees!

OCEA Labor Relations Representative Tim Steed addresses AMEA’s Stewards and Board members.

CMCEA members cast their ballots in the agency shop election.

CeCe: female, one year old, black and white, Short Hair Rabbit, ID# A0983889. CeCe is a beauty who will hop right into your heart!

Angel: neutered male, four years old, brown and white, Basset Hound and Pit Bull Mix, ID# A0985363. Angel is as cute as can be and he can’t wait to meet you!

Dudley: male, two years old, white and brown, Cairn Terrier Mix, ID# A0986718. Dudley is a sweetheart and he is looking for his forever family!

Julie: spayed female, two years old, gray, Domestic Short Hair, ID# A0988506. Julie is an affectionate cat who will purr for your attention!

Darla: female, one year old, black and white, Pit Bull, ID# A0986523. Darla’s sweet and loving personality makes her the perfect companion!

Marvin: male, one year old, black and white, Domestic Short Hair, ID# A0988700. Marvin is adorable and he loves to be by your side!

In this issue of the OCEA Employee, in association with the Orange County Animal Care Center, we present six

exciting animals on the prowl for new owners.

These animals are so beautiful that they may not be available when you inquire. Other animals are available!

Please call (714) 935-6848 or go to www.ocpetinfo.com for more information!


Chris Prevatt is a Program Supervisor I (Health Care Agency). He has been employed by the County for twelve years, and he has been an OCEA member for nine years. Chris served on our Board of Directors beginning in 2007, and while on the Board, he served as OCEA Treasurer and also as Chair of the OCEA Budget & Finance Committee. Chris is presently a member of the

OCEA Political Action Committee Executive Board, and he is also an OCEA Steward. He was recipient of the 2006 OCEA President’s Award for outstanding service to OCEA. Chris is active in political campaigns for OCEA-endorsed candidates and causes. Chris has served OCEA and its members in many other ways as well!

John Leos is a Deputy Juvenile Correctional Officer (Probation Department). He has been an OCEA member for 12 years. John served on our Board beginning in 2008. He has been an OCEA Steward since 2004. John was a member of the OCEA Coalition Bargaining Team in 2007. Other activities of John’s include PSU Bargaining Team member; OCEA/Probation Labor Management Committee (LMC)

member; Probation Services Unit negotiations team member, 2007; meet and confers regarding compressed work schedules, new positions, shift bid system, and other subjects; and former Probation Services Unit Executive Committee member. John has shown a great deal of drive and commitment, and he has been active in support of political candidates and propositions endorsed by OCEA.

Al Jabbar is an Office Supervisor (Health Care Agency). He is a three-year OCEA member who has shown himself to be a true leader within OCEA. Al is an OCEA Steward, and he is an OCEA Political Action Committee (PAC) Executive Board member. He was an OCEA Coalition Bargaining Team member in 2007 and 2009. Al was a recipient of the 2008 OCEA President’s Award for

outstanding service to OCEA. He was also a member of the Office Services Classification Maintenance Review Committee. He has been an active participant in other OCEA activities as well, including phone-banking (and precinct-walking) for OCEA causes and candidates.

OCEA says “Thank you!” to these “standouts” for their service on the OCEA Board of Directors!

AL JABBAR

JOHN LEOS

CHRIS PREVATT

These three OCEA members have served us well on the Board of Directors. We bid them “au revoir” as to their Board service, but we will continue to see them serving OCEA and their fellow members in other capacities. These three OCEA members are among OCEA’s most dedicated and active members, and they are deserving of the gratitude of all of us for their continuing service to OCEA.

Al Jabbar

John Leos

Chris Prevatt


OCEA Labor Relations Representative Llesena Ontiveras holds high a sign! To the right is OCEA Labor Relations Representative Frank Flavin.

Respect and Dignity! Supporters were out in force on October 7, 2009, many carrying signs that read “Dignity” and “Respect,” and some carrying huge pro-union banners. In this photograph, the eagle-eyed viewer may see OCEA Labor Relations Representative Jason Motsick (center, partially obscured by a “Dignity” sign), as well as OCEA General Manager Nick Berardino (near the center, wearing an OCEA “Unity” T-shirt). To the far right, the discerning viewer may see OCEA Labor Relations Representative Frank Flavin (wearing a suit and sunglasses). Those who participated in the demonstration had the satisfaction of knowing that they helped spread unionization to employees who were, up until then, not represented by any union.

OCEA Members Rally for the Teamsters and the Waste Recyclers in Anaheim

OCEA Participates in Solidarity AwardsOn October 7, 2009, shortly before a

representation election for certain non-unionized trash-workers in Anaheim, labor-supporters for miles around came out and showed their support. In the election that followed, the workers voted to be represented by a union. This may lead to improved working conditions for the trash-workers, who work under extremely difficult conditions. Among those who turned out to show support at the evening rally were many OCEA members, including OCEA Board members and staff members.

The Orange County Labor Federation held its Ninth Annual Solidarity Leadership Awards Dinner, at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa, on September 26, 2009. Many OCEA Board and staff members attended the event, which honored several outstanding labor advocates. OCEA General Manager Nick Berardino made the presentation of the Phillip Burton Award to Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. Loretta is one of the most committed pro-labor representatives you will ever meet!

OCEA General Manager Nick Berardino presents the Phillip Burton Award to a witty, outspoken, and committed public servant, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez.

Want to run to become a Trustee on the OCEA Health &

Welfare Trust Board of Trustees?

See inside back cover!

You’ll see many familiar faces in these photos--OCEA people demonstrating for

respect for the trash-workers!


Statement of Circulation

* Limit one per person. You must show OCEA membership card to receive discount. All offers exclude special orders and the bridal collection catalogue. Other restrictions may apply.

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VALENTINE’S SPECIALIn appreciation for your patronage throughout the years!

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Diana Acosta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superior Court

Brian Aiken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OCERS

Rosalind Alcantra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superior Court

Stacy Anderson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superior Court

Joseph Arriola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Public Works

Pawan Bagga . . . . . . . . . . . . . County Executive Office

Nickelson Ballon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clerk-Recorder

Heath Barker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Health Care Agency

Lori Birdzell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Social Services Agency

Shebuah Burke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Health Care Agency

Christina Byerley . . . . . . . . . . . .Sheriff’s Department

John Claxton . . . . . Public Administrator/Public Guardian

Edwin Crow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Social Services Agency

Son Dao . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superior Court

Michael DeMatteo . . . . . . . . . Community Resources

Franco Espinosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superior Court

Olga Figueroa . . . . . . . . . . . . . Social Services Agency

Raul Flores. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Treasurer/Tax Collector

Christopher Garcia. . . . . . . . . . .Sheriff’s Department

Hilda Garcia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Social Services Agency

Amir Ghobrial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assessor’s Office

Guillerminia Gordillo. . . . . . Social Services Agency

Justin Grewal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Public Works

Adrianus Gunadi . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Auditor-Controller

Noel Henson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assessor’s Office

Ana Hernandez. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Health Care Agency

Simone Hicks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assessor’s Office

Evangelina Hirakawa . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superior Court

Fei Hoffman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OCERS

Nicole Hollins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Auditor-Controller

Veronica Huerta . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Wayne Airport

Andrew Hull . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Public Works

Shannon Jackson . . . . . . . . . . . . .Health Care Agency

Timothy Jilek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sheriff’s Department

Rocio Juarez. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Probation Department

Dorothy Kimmel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Public Works

Stacey Landon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superior Court

John Le . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Social Services Agency

Bong Lee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Public Works

Joan Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assessor’s Office

Jessica Lopez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sheriff’s Department

Victor Lopez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community Resources

Han Ly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Social Services Agency

Nereida Madrigal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Public Works

Eileen Martinez . . . . . . . . . . .Child Support Services

Brian Maurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Auditor-Controller

Molly McLaren Craig . . . . . . Community Resources

Raquel Mena. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superior Court

Glenda Mendoza . . . . . . . . Public Defender’s Office

Brian Mercado. . . . . . . . . . . Public Defender’s Office

Allan Metz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Public Works

Sheree Miller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Social Services Agency

Armen Minasyan . . . . . . . . . . . . .Health Care Agency

Olga Moreno . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superior Court

Veronica Moreno . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clerk-Recorder

Brando Murillo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Public Works

Amanda Nguyen . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Auditor-Controller

Cindy Nguyen. . . . . . . . . . . . Treasurer/Tax Collector

Jennifer Nguyen. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Health Care Agency

Elena Northroup. . . . . . . . . . . Community Resources

Tammy Olschewske . . . . . . . . .Sheriff’s Department

Uyen Pham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Social Services Agency

Margaret Porter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superior Court

Gerald Ray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Public Works

Rosita Recchia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assessor’s Office

Pearl Rief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superior Court

Amanda Rincon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superior Court

Alma Romo . . . . . . . . . . . . . District Attorney’s Office

Juan Saldivar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Public Works

Maria Sanchez. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superior Court

Marco Sandoval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superior Court

Mark Shugarman . . . . . . . . . . Social Services Agency

Cynthia Solares. . . . . . . . . . District Attorney’s Office

Kristin Stewart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superior Court

Erick Strege . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sheriff’s Department

Adele Tagaloa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Registrar of Voters

Wendy Tatreau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superior Court

William Tran. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assessor’s Office

Aja Tucker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clerk-Recorder

Russell Turnquist. . . . . . . . . . . .Sheriff’s Department

Blanca Villa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Public Works

Maria Villavicencio . . . . . . . . Social Services Agency

Corrie Vincent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Public Works

Du Vu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Probation Department

Warren Webb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superior Court

Renee Williams. . . . . . . . . . . . Social Services Agency

OCEA CITIES and DISTRICTS

Garden Grove Employees League

Jason Fertal

Laguna Niguel City Employees Association

Brett Woodhull

Irvine City Employees Association

Jordan Kehrer

Garden Grove City Employees Association

Frana Cassidy

Danny Sosebee

Sergio Vidal

Cynthia Wessels

Orange County Fire Authority

Jason DeLanoy Mary Johansen

RECRUITING OCEA STEWARDS

RECRUITING OCEA MEMBERS

Anthony BeltranEva Burdett

Jorge Corona

Marci DambertRobert Gomez

Robert Hendricks

Cheryl NeuenschwanderLinda RomoJavier Soto

Raylina AvilaLorena BarreraCarla Crawford

Elena GarciaDorson Ishino

Mary Jack

Marie LeMegan Leasure

Della LopezCandice McIntyre

Emma NoorAngela Romo

Cheryl Sannebeck

Douglas ScottSean Shea

Debby SteinmanTommie Tallabas

Chanh TangMayra Vazquez

OCEA NEW-MEMBER ROSTER

Costa Mesa City Employees Association

Franklin Frazier

Yorba Linda City Employees Association

Susan Lamp

OCEA is growing stronger every day. . .

We often say that new members are OCEA’s “lifeblood.” We need new members to keep OCEA strong. And we need the ideas that new members share with us, so that we can continue to evolve as an organization.

Thank you to all OCEA members who have recruited new members!


Special Savings for OCEA Members! Check OCEA’s website, www.oceamember.org, for full details!

OCEA Discounts

Automotive & Car RentalsThe Red Book: New cars at fleet prices! Call (800) 422-4561 or logon to www.RedBook4Autos.com for details.

Avis: Save up to 15% off regular rates through Tickets-At-Work Corporate Program. Corporate code: D472600. Call (800) 698-5685.

Budget: Up to 25% savings on selected cars through Tickets-At-Work Corporate Program. Corporate code: X989202. Call (800) 455-2848.

Dollar Rent-A-Car: New!!! 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

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: New!!! Great savings through Tickets-At-Work Corporate Program! Visit our website for more details. Call (800) 847-4389.

Wheeler’s Auto Service: 10% off all parts and labor. Walking distance from downtown Santa Ana. Call (714) 543-4689 and ask for William.

Candies, Flowers, & moreProFlowers.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

See’s Candy: Gift certificates good for 1 lb. at any See’s store! OCEA-members price $12.50 (Reg. $15.40); Certificates are available at the OCEA Special Events office by cash or ATM/Debit card.

Chiropractic & Dental ServicesDiversiCare Medical & Therapy Center: Suitably located close to Civic Center. Great discounts on body massages and chiro treatments. Call (800) 717-0766 for more details.

Orthodontic Office of Mark J. Weisenberg, DDS, MS: Excellent discounts on Invisalign treatments and orthodontic braces. Delta Dental provider. Located in Villa Park. Call (714) 974-9000 to schedule your appointment!

Restore Health Chiropractic: Savings of over $200 exclusively for all OCEA members! Call Dr. Laura Hazen at (714) 505-1901.

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BeautiControl: 15% off a variety of quality skin-care, spa, and makeup products. Visit www.beautipage.com/jessicagon

Mary Kay: 10% off all skin care and cosmetics for men, women, and children! Call Jo Padore at (949) 559-8022.

ElectronicsApple Computers: 17% off selected Apple products. Please visit www.apple.com/r/store/government/state/epp.html.

AT&T: So Cal Govt 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 call Larry Lafferty at (562) 618-1221. Or visit So Cal Govt Employees’ website www.att.com/wireless/socalgovt .

Big Ear, Inc.: 15% off all hearing protection, headphones, adaptors, iPods and more! Please contact Ariel, a Big Ear certified technician, at (949) 378-2599 or visit his website at www.1404.bigearinc.com.

T-Mobile: 15% discount on all qualifying monthly recurring charges for the OCEA members and their families! Free standard shipping! Activation fees waived! Up to 5 free phones on Family Share Plans! You also receive 15% off on your @Home Solution – replace your home phone for $15 a month! For more details call Kimberly Heaphy at (714) 850-6684 or contact her by email at kimberly.heaphy@t-mobile .com

Verizon Wireless: 15% off calling plans and accessories! Contact Shari West at (714) 290-5706.

Entertainment & TravelTickets-At-Work: Up to 40% off a variety of nationwide shows such as Cirque du Soleil, Broadway, Las Vegas, and more! Please log on to the OCEA website (www.oceamember.org) for full list of attractions! Great savings! You must be registered on OCEA’s website to receive discounts.

Family EntertainmentIrvine Lanes: Go bowling! Various discounts are now available to OCEA members at the Irvine Lanes! Visit our website www.oceamember.org for more information and applicable coupons. Irvine Lanes is located at 3415 Michelson Drive, Irvine, CA 92612. For more details please call (949) 786-9625.

JewelryCookie Lee: Complementary catalog plus 10% off & free shipping on all OCEA members’ orders! For more information contact Eva McNamee at (562) 879-4911.

Teresa’s Jewelers: Great deals on a variety of contemporary jewelry styles! Call the Jewelers at (714) 834-9277.

Party RentalsOC Fun Party Rentals: Looking for a jumper rental company that offers safe, clean, affordable, and great-looking jumpers? OCEA members receive 15% discount! For more information call (714) 917-7159, email [email protected], or visit their website www.OCFunRentals.com.

Ride N Glide Rentals: Silly Racers – Slide and Glide bumper cars to rent for children’s party! Guaranteed to entertain children for hours! Best for entertainment for 3-10-year-olds. 30% off your party rental to OCEA members! For more information call Carlos Flores at (562) 665-4474 or email him at [email protected] (please put “silly racers” in the subject area).

PhotographyArtistic Bridals & Portraits Photography: 10% off wedding photography & event plans from their already low prices. OCEA members-only plan is also available! Call Mike Nemeth at (949) 496-4559 today!

Main Photo & Imaging Services: 20% off all your photo and digital needs! Visit www.mainphoto.com for more details.

OC Image Services & Tip Wynn Photography: Log on to www.ocimageservices.com and www.tipwynn.com to view their professional images. Up to 25% off on selected plans!

30 Minute Photos Etc.: Online boutique photo service offers 40% off for all OCEA members’ orders. Corporate code: IRVINE

RestaurantsPasta Bravo (at the Block): 20% off catering for all your personal and corporate occasions. Call Store Manager at (714) 769-4031 for more information. OCEA membership card required at the time of delivery.

ScrapbookingClose to My Heart: 10% off all essential material to make your memories last for generations! Contact Andrea Lewis at (714) 777-1170 or visit www.alewis.myctmh.com.

Digital Personal Publishing: Great savings on story-booking to cherish for years to come! Professional consultation offered by Melodie Jones at (714) 401-0926 or [email protected].

Special OccasionsCustom Made Gift Baskets: Celebrate your loved ones’ special occasions with a very personal touch! Call Lisa Sipprell at (949) 235-1144 for more information.

The Pampered Chef: Colleen Holland, Independent Consultant, (714) 496-9814. Shop on Colleen’s website: www.pamperedchef.biz/gramaskitchen. Quality tools for food preparation and entertaining! Free shipping and delivery for all OCEA Members! You must call Colleen directly for this offer.

PartyLite: Light a candle and reclaim the magic of everyday life! 20% discount on all purchases! Please contact Adrienne Ponce at (562) 333-8025 or visit her website www.PartyLite.biz/ButterflyDelyte.

Wagstaff Music: 25% off DJ services! For more details call Bryan Wagstaff at (714) 437-7712.

Wire-Wrapped Silverware: Unique and Brilliant! Contact Barbara Newber at (714) 393-9518 to purchase her inexpensive pieces of art!.

VacationsClub Med Vacations and Cruises: 30% to 50% off on last-minute vacation packages! Contact LaVonne Campbell at (714) 991-7222 to schedule your trip.

Grand Canyon Railway: 20% off train travel & stays or 10% off already discounted packages! Call (866) 422-9724 or visit www.thetrain.com/corporate. Corporate code: OCEA.

WellnessJoann’s Office Chair Massage: At your office during your lunch hour! Very affordable rates! For more details, or to schedule an appointment, please call Joann Romo at (714) 726-1317.

Lindora: Look great and feel great in just 10 weeks! Free Consultation and Assessment! 10% off Lindora’s Nutritional Products and Support Tools; 20% off Booster Injections; 25% off Personalized Weight Loss Clinic Programs as well as 24/7 Online Support System; 50% off Lab Work. To receive a discount you need to provide your OCEA membership card and photo ID. For more details please visit www.lindora.com/partners/ocea or call (800) LINDORA.


So Cal AttractionsAQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC: OCEA Price: $17/Adult; $10/Child ages 3-11 (Reg. $23.95 & $11.95). Open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Black-Out Dates: Dec. 25. Parking fee $7/vehicle paid at the entrance. Tickets expire NOVEMBER 30, 2010!

*PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS ONLINE AT WWW.OCEAMEMBER.ORG.

BOOMERS! FAMILY FUN CENTERS: OCEA Price: $15/Person (Reg. $29.99). Arcade games and batting cages not included; NO EXPIRATION!

CATALINA FLYER (Newport Beach at the Balboa Pavilion): OCEA Price: $54/Adult; $40/Child ages 3-12 (Reg. $68 & $63), round-trip fare. No Black-Out Dates. Reservation required. (800) 830-7744. For more information please logon to www.catalina-flyer.com. Tickets expire SEPTEMBER 15, 2010!

CATALINA EXPRESS (Long Beach, San Pedro, or Dana Point**): OCEA Price: $56/Adult; $46/Child ages 2-11 (Reg. $66.50 & $51); Black-Out Dates: July 4-6 & Aug. 30-Sept. 1. Reservation required. (800) 891-5652. For more information on departure schedule please logon to: www.catalinaexpress.com/scheduleFares.php. Tickets expire DECEMBER 31, 2010!

**Dana Point departures will be an additional $2 per person payable at time of check-in.

DISCOVERY SCIENCE CENTER: OCEA Price: $11/Adult; $8/Child ages 3-17 (Reg. $12.95 & $9.95). Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Black-Out Days: Thanksgiving & Christmas. Parking fee $3/vehicle paid at the entrance. NO EXPIRATION!


K1 SPEED: OCEA Price: 1-Race $15/Person (Reg. $29.95), 3-Race $41/Person (Reg. $50). No Black-Out Dates. Standard race(s) good anytime at any K1 locations; includes one-year K1 Speed license for new drivers. Drivers must be at least 4’11” to drive. NO EXPIRATION!

MEDIEVAL TIMES DINNER & TOURNAMENT: OCEA Price: $42/Adult; $32/Child ages 12 & under (Reg. $54.65 & $37.40). Reservation required: (714) 521-4740. No restrictions. Tickets expire SEPTEMBER 30, 2010!

PIRATE’S DINNER ADVENTURE: OCEA Price: $42/Adult; $32/Child ages 3-11 (Reg. $56.95 & $37.95). Reservations required: (866) 439-2469. Tickets expire NOVEMBER 30, 2010!

Movie TheatersAMC THEATRES (LOEWS & CINEPLEX): OCEA Price: $6/person. (Reg. $12.50.) Special engagements excluded during the first two weeks on new releases. Valid 7 days a week. NO EXPIRATION DATE!

CENTURY CINEMA: OCEA Price: $6.50/person. (Reg. $10.50.) Special engagements excluded during the first two weeks on new releases. Valid 7 days a week. NO EXPIRATION DATE!

KRIKORIAN PREMIERE THEATRES: OCEA Price: $7/person. (Reg. $10.50.) No restrictions. Valid 7 days a week. NO EXPIRATION DATE!

REGAL ENTERTAINMENT GROUP: OCEA Price: $6.50/person. (Reg. $11.50.) Special engagements excluded during the first two weeks on new releases. Valid 7 days a week. NO EXPIRATION DATE!

Amusement ParksCASTLE PARK, RIVERSIDE: OCEA Online Price: $15.99/Adult; $11.99/Child under 48” and Seniors (Reg. $21.99 & $14.99). Children under 36” are FREE! Tickets expire NOVEMBER 23, 2010!

*NOW AVAILABLE ON THE OCEA WEBSITE (ETICKETS)! Please note: Castle Park tickets are not available at the OCEA Special Events office!

DISNEYLAND & DISNEY’S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE:

*ALL DISNEY TICKETS MAY BE PURCHASED ONLINE AT WWW.OCEAMEMBER.ORG.

For Disney’s new 2010 admission ticket and annual pass prices, please visit OCEA’s website at www.oceamember.org or call the OCEA Special Events office at (714) 835-3355, ext. 214. Please note there is no discount offered by Disneyland Resort during the Holiday Season (December 18, 2009 – January 5, 2010).

KNOTT’S BERRY FARM: OCEA Price: $27/Adult; $20/Child under 48” (Reg. $52.99 & $22.99). No Black-Out Dates. Not valid for Special Ticket Events Packages. For park hours please logon to www.knotts.com. Parking fee $6/vehicle paid at the park. Tickets expire MARCH 31, 2010!


LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA: OCEA Price: $48/Person ages 3 & up. (Reg. $67/Adult & $57/Child). Second-visit-free promotion!!! Second visit must occur within 90 days from the first. Parking fee $10/vehicle paid at the park. For park hours please call (760) 918-5346 or log on to www.legoland.com/plan-your-visit.hours.htm. Tickets expire JANUARY 31, 2011!

*E-TICKET PROGRAM COMING SOON!

SAN DIEGO WILD ANIMAL PARK: OCEA Price: $28/Adult; $21/Child ages 3-11 (Reg. $35 & $26). Includes use of Wgasa Bushline Railway (parking excluded). For park hours please logon to www.sandiegozoo.com. Tickets expire AUGUST 4, 2010!


SAN DIEGO ZOO: OCEA Price: $28/Adult; $21/Child ages 3-11 (Reg.: $35 & $26). Unlimited use of Guided Bus Tours, Express Bus, and Skyfari Aerial Tram. For park hours please log on to www.sandiegozoo.com. Tickets expire AUGUST 4, 2010!


SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO: OCEA Price: $54/Adult; $49/Child ages 3-9 (Reg. $69 & $59). 2 Days of Fun Admission!!! For park hours please logon to www.seaworld.com. Parking fee $10/vehicle paid at the park. Tickets expire DECEMBER 31, 2010!


SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN: OCEA Price: $24/Adult; $15/Child under 48 inches (Reg. $59.99 & $29.99). Parking fee $15/vehicle paid at the park. Tickets expire DECEMBER 31, 2010!


UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD: OCEA Price: $55/Person ages 3 & up (Reg. $69/Adult; $54/Child under 48”). No Black-Out Dates. Parking fee $12/vehicle paid at the park. Tickets expire DECEMBER 31, 2010!


Winter FunSNOW SUMMIT/BIG BEAR RESORT: OCEA Price: $42/Adult; $34/Student ages 13-21 (Reg. varies depending on the day of the week). Black-Out Dates: Dec. 19-31; Jan. 16-18; Feb. 13-15; as well as ALL peak weekends (Sat.-Sun.) starting Jan. 9 thru Mar. 14, 2010. Tickets expire on the end of 2009 ski season; no later than APRIL 15, 2010.

AmtrakAMTRAK: FREE COMPANION FARE COUPONS are now available at the OCEA Special Events office. Valid for travel in coach seating on the Pacific Surfliner, San Joaquin, and Capitol Corridor trains and associated thruways, with the exception of 7000-8999 series. Black-Out Dates: Dec. 17-23; Dec. 26-30; Jan. 3-4; Feb. 12; Feb. 15; Apr. 2; Apr. 4-5. Discounts are not combinable with any other offer. Routes, fares, and schedules are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions apply. Coupons expire JUNE 15, 2010.

Special Events

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 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. Sorry, OCEA makes no guarantees on mailed orders. Shipping and handling charges cover costs of certifying and insuring mailed tickets. For further information, contact Joanna Nachurski at (714) 835-3355 or via email at [email protected]. Ticket hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Now you can purchase certain tickets online at

www.oceamember.org


Our OCEA website is a great resource for OCEA members! This is available to help you keep up to date with whatever is going on that might impact you, your job, and your family. Staying in touch during these difficult times is more crucial than ever before.

We need to be able to keep in touch with you with special members-only email updates on the budget, layoffs, and furloughs. So please, register today!NOTE: You can now view the MOUs for all County agencies and departments, and you can also buy tickets online for Disneyland, SeaWorld, the Aquarium of the Pacific, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm, and the Discovery Science Center, with more to come!

HOW TO REGISTER (OCEA MEMBERS ONLY):The “MyOCEA” feature of the website allows you to obtain information specific to you. It will tell you which MOU applies to you, and which OCEA Labor Relations Representative is assigned to serve you. You can sign up for email updates. You can order various tickets online. BUT YOU NEED TO REGISTER. Here is how you do that:

1. Go to the far upper-right corner of just about any page of the OCEA website. You’ll find the word “REGISTER.” Click on that word, and you will see a form that you need to fill out. Items marked with an asterisk (*) are “required” items.

2. In filling out the form, please pay special attention to the “Username.” Your username does not have to be your real name. NOTE: If you use a name that is already in the system, and you click the “Submit” button, you will be returned to the form. Above the “Username” field, you will see this message: “Someone else has already chosen this login name. Please try another.”

3. If all of the fields have been filled out properly, and you click the “Submit” button, you will see a welcoming note with a brief explanation.

4. Then, 72 hours following your registration, you will be able to enter the “MyOCEA” area of the site to view information that is specific to you.

In order to access “MyOCEA” you need to complete the registration process.

Check it out, surf the site, and register at “MyOCEA”!

OCEA Classifieds

Classified ads are a free service to all members. Only members may submit ads. Ads may be edited or rejected by OCEA. Notify Sunny Hermosillo if you wish to cancel your ad, or regarding corrections or other changes. Mail your classified ads to Sunny Hermosillo at OCEA Headquarters, or fax them to her at (714) 835-7654, or email them to her at [email protected].

REAOC: Join the Retired Employees Association. Participate for only $1.00 a month. P.O. Box 1496, Brea, CA 92822-1496. Call 714-840-3995; FAX 714-840-7189. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.reaoc.org.

ORANGE COUNTY OFFICE ON AGING: Free information on services for older adults. (800) 510-2020.

CARPOOLERS NEEDED: Go to www.ridematch.info to request a carpool matchlist from the regional rideshare agency. Learn more about alternate commute options through www.CommuteSmart.info.

FOR RENT: Cabin in Big Bear Lake area. Two bedrooms, dining room, living room, full kitchen, TV/VCR/DVD, fireplace. Linens/towels included. Near ski slopes. $110/night. Please contact: Sly at (714) 686-9790 or email [email protected]. 11/09

FOR RENT: Large 2 bedroom/2 bathroom apartment located behind Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove. $1,100/month. Please contact: Bill (714) 971-0263 11/09

FOR RENT: Clean and cozy condominium in Hawaiian Gardens close to freeways. Laundry room in unit, 1-bedroom, ample space, 2-car garage. Asking $975/month. Please contact: Delia (714) 588-0299. 11/09

FOR SALE: Pool Table 8’ x 4’; whitewash color. In great condition, includes ball set, 5 new chalks, 3 sticks with wall mounting kit. Must sell due to relocation. Asking $750 (does not include assembly or moving). Please contact: David (951) 415-9151. 10/09

FOR SALE: Two women’s jean jackets, with Disney logo and Mickey Mouse. One dark-jean color, large. One light jean color, large. Like new! $35 each. Please contact: Eleanor at (949) 230-7773. 09/09

Stay informed! Please REGISTER and sign up for email updates at

www.oceamember.org

OCEA MEMBER INCOME TAX NOTICE

Much like 2009, 2010 promises to be a year of economic challenge for working men and women. Here in California, attacks on working people continue unabated, and several ballot measures that would significantly impact OCEA members and their families could be on the ballot next November.

In order to be prepared to address these issues, the OCEA Board of Directors has established an OCEA Issues Political Action Committee to focus specifically on issues rather than candidates for office. The Board has also elected to temporarily allocate all PAC portions of your dues to the OCEA General Fund (from which the funding for the Issues PAC is derived) for the calendar year 2010.

There is NO impact to your dues – no additional dues are payable, and nothing on your paycheck will change.

However, the effect of this allocation will be that for calendar year 2010, you will be able to deduct the entire amount of your dues on your personal income tax return. In most years, you can deduct your dues less any PAC contributions, but in 2010 you won’t have to subtract your PAC contributions.

If you want to be able to deduct your entire dues amount, you don’t have to take any action at this time – your eligibility is automatic.

If you prefer to contribute to OCEA’s candidate PACs rather than the Issues PAC – which will result in paying the same amount of dues but would require you to deduct a lesser amount of dues on your income tax return - you may opt to do so by e-mailing your request to [email protected] on or before January 31, 2010.

January 27, 2010OCERS—Pre-Retirement

Seminar PresentationNoon to 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

February 24, 2010County 457 Deferred Comp ProgramThis seminar discusses personal financial challenges, how to establish a financial plan, and understanding risk, return, and types of investments.

Noon to 1:00 p.m.

These “OCEA Presents” functions will be held in OCEA’s Assembly Room, 830 N. Ross St., Santa Ana, CA 92701.

Two Trustees to be Elected to Board of OCEA Health and Welfare Trust

The OCEA Health and Welfare Trust administers health and welfare benefit plans (dental, salary continuance, vision, and life) for employees in OCEA-represented bargaining units and upgrades to those plans available only to OCEA members.

Two members will be elected to your OCEA Health and Welfare Board of Trustees in the spring of 2010. Take part in helping OCEA members maintain the best possible benefits program by casting your vote for the candidate of your choice.

If you are interested in running for the position of Trustee, call OCEA and request an application, or go to www.oceamember.org and complete an online application. (Go to the Health & Welfare tab, click on “Trustees of the OCEA Health and Welfare Trust,” and then click on “H&W Trustee Application.”)

Results of the election will be announced at a subsequent Board of Trustees meeting and will be posted at www.oceamember.org immediately thereafter.

Orange County Employees Association830 North Ross StreetSanta Ana, CA 92701

You’ve probably seen the nutshell description of the labor movement: “the folks who brought you the weekend.”

That’s true enough, as you know if you have studied labor history.

But OCEA has played its part. We were founded in 1937. We’ve been representing County and Court employees for 72 years, since long before any other organization began representing County employees.

In Volume 1, Number 1 of this publication—61 years ago, when we had a longer name!—we said:

“The Orange County Employees Mutual Benefit Association was organized in 1937 for the purpose of initiating and supporting measures for the improvement of the conditions of County employment. Activities may consist of appearance on behalf of employees before the Board of Supervisors on such matters as salaries, sick leave, vacations and the like; or they may, through the League of County Employees Associations, consist of support for certain measures before the State Legislature.”

In the next isusue, we noted that our “method has been to work with the Board of Supervisors and officials,” and we listed the following goals that we had reached:

• More uniform opening hours

• General advances in salaries

• Protective clause in salary ordinance giving job security

• Obtained retirement through an ordinance voted in 1944 general election

• Organized the credit union

• Purchased various insurances through salary deduction

That was back in the 1940s, 20 years before the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act. In later years, the list of benefits OCEA achieved grew longer.

By the time of our 50th anniversary back in 1987, the list of OCEA’s accomplishments for County employees was extensive. We achieved, among many other benefits:

• Biweekly pay

• Disability leave of absence

• Unlimited accrual of sick leave

• Increases in retirement allowances

• Additional paid holidays

• Grievance and disciplinary appeal procedures

• Accrual of up to 40 days vacation time

• Equal opportunities for overtime work

• Vast improvements in medical coverage

• 80 hours of vacation for one to three years of service

• Four weeks of vacation annually for 10 years of service

The list of our successes goes on and continues to grow.

But these kinds of accomplishments are only possible if YOU are a member! That is why you need to join OCEA now. Talk with your OCEA Steward about joining today! Or call OCEA at (714) 835-3355 and we’ll send you an application. But you need that application. The cost is little, but the benefits are great.

We brought you more than just the weekend . . .

Join OCEA today!Call (714) 835-3355

vol 62 issue 4 - ocea employee 2009 october november december

Documents

departments13 ocea

ocea building

ocea people

ocea hot dog day

ocea site visit

o y e ecome

new board members

hot dog wagon season