Vol 67 Issue 1 - OCEA Employee 2014 January February March

OCEAEMPLOYEEVOLUME 67, ISSUE 1 • january–march 2014

County workers stand together against threats in bargainingoCea members refuse offer that fails to reCognize their saCrifiCes. Pg. 9

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OCEA EMPLOYEE

4 OCEA Board election resultsTwo win seats on the OCEA Board of Directors.

6 Working on your taxes?Payroll deductions for your 2013 taxes.

8 Helen Nenadal retiresCosta Mesa union President was a leader in dark era.

9 County workers reject contract offerOCEA responds to County’s threats with resounding “NO!”

15 Veterans + Labor launchLabor’s inaugural veterans celebration is a huge success.

19 Velece: Your insurance agencyLearn how to save money on your auto/homeowners insurance.

2013 Year in ReviewRevisit the most important union moments of last year in photos. Pictured here, OCEA General Manager Nick Berardino and former O.C. Labor Federation Executive Director Tefere Gebre lead a May Day event for workers on the steps of Anaheim City Hall May 1, 2013.

11

2 President’s message 3 General Manager’s message 4 OCEA news briefs 4 OCEA calendar 8 OCEA Member Announcements

20 Meet your OCEA Board members 22 OCEA tickets 22 OCEA e-ticket program 23 OCEA discounts24 OCEAclassifieds

NEws & UPdAtEs

FEAtUREs

VOLUME 67, ISSUE 1 • JANUARY–MARCH 2014

OCEA EMPLOYEE 1

President’s message

Lezlee NeebeOCEA President

I knew from decades of experience on the OCEA Board of Directors about the strength of our union and the power we have to improve the lives of working people simply by standing together for what is right. But I never imagined we would accomplish so much together in just 12 short months! Last year, we forged important new media partnerships, received statewide recognition for honoring our nation’s veterans, and organized and educated members in new ways.

I wanted to take my first President’s Message of 2014 to go over those accomplishments, which you can relive in photos on pg. 11. We must celebrate and reflect on our achievements so they will motivate us as we continue this incredibly-important fight to protect county workers and lift up working people in our communities.

The year started strong: In addition to the honor of being elected your OCEA President in January, we also congratulated fellow OCEA Board member Chris Prevatt as he was sworn in on the OCERS Retirement Board. Chris and Frank Eley, your other OCERS member representative, waged a battle to keep ideologues on the retirement board from artificially inflating the costs of your pensions. It’s hard to believe there are people who would destroy the retirement security of working families just so their friends, like John Moorlach, would have an argument to campaign on, but that’s what’s happening.

We formed an organizing committee in the beginning of spring to protect Information Technology workers whose jobs were in danger of being outsourced in one of the most costly contracts the Board of Supervisors will ever give out. Despite the lobbying and campaign contributions, we successfully protected the jobs of every single IT employee.

In March, OCEA became the first-ever public employee union to be given a guest editorial in the pages of the Orange County Register. It also led us to the unprecedented opportunity in July to offer trainings for reporters in Register newsrooms about what the labor movement is and how to cover it more fairly. In April, OCEA joined with Labor throughout the state to knock on doors and confront our state legislatures on issues impacting our members. We were there to remind them of their responsibility to represent us!

We fought through the summer. We fought for IT workers at Board of Supervisors meetings, and with the County at the bargaining table—even as the FBI was announcing a task force

to investigate public corruption in O.C. We continued fighting in the cities and districts where we represent workers, including in Costa Mesa, where the City Council continued trying to gut our contract. We fought especially hard in Sacramento to restore $73 million in vehicle license fee money the Board of Supervisors and County executives carelessly left vulnerable, and was later stolen by the State. Workers from Superior Court also continued meeting to prepare for what would be a contentious and incredibly successful negotiations.

By fall, the governor and legislature signed a deal to restore at least some of the VLF money we lost, though not nearly enough to keep County politicians from continuing their attacks. Frank Eley ran unopposed for the Retirement Board, where he will serve as Chair this year and continue leading the way to protect pension benefits for our members.

In November, we joined with other unions to learn how to protect our future by reminding the public of how our grandparents’ generation built the middle class brick-by-brick with good union jobs, and how corporations intent on maximizing profits at workers’ expense are destroying what’s left of the middle class.

I could not have been prouder than on Nov. 11, when OCEA organized the biggest Veterans Day event in O.C. history, honoring our nation’s heroes. We finished 2013 with protests outside Central Court. That action helped the Superior Court Bargaining Team reach a contract agreement.

We have so much more to do. County negotiations continue in an almost impossible political climate, and we won’t stop fighting until we are treated fairly! We have the opportunity this year to again make a difference in Costa Mesa. We will continue to build momentum for our veterans’ efforts. We will spend this year growing stronger and better able to protect county workers, and we’ll do that because of the dedication and service of each and every one of you.

In solidarity,

Lezlee Neebe OCEA President

Looking back, marching forward

OCEA EM PLOYE E Take a stand with your co-workers. Become a workplace leader at oceamember.org/getinvolved2

After nearly two years of negotiations, County workers voted overwhelmingly in January to reject the County’s last, best and final offer.

Why? We all saw it for what it was—nothing more than an attempt to bully every one of you into accepting a bad deal and a threat that if you didn’t accept their terms, the politicians on the Board of Supervisors would make it even worse.

The County’s proposal would have locked us in to seven years with no pay raises—the five we’ve already gone, plus two more for the term of the contract. And it would have further reduced take-home pay for many OCEA members because of changes to health care plans.

At the table, the County’s lead negotiator acknowledged all the sacrifices each of you have made: Your pension contributions, reforms to retiree medical and giving up pay raises for so long.

But to him, and to his bosses—the politicians on the Board of Supervisors—none of that matters. What matters to them is their perks and their political careers. What matters to them is that they can continue to spend public money unchecked and receive political contributions from the very people, their friends, who are awarded all the contracts. What matters to them is the power to silence anyone who speaks out against them—just like when they tried to cut the Grand Jury’s pay in retribution for detailing the “Culture of Corruption” in County government.

This Board of Supervisors insists on forcing these changes on your families, but they still do not pay anything towards their own health insurance. And they continue collecting $765/month car allowances—enough to lease two Mercedes—plus other perks. Even worse, they have not stopped their spending spree to campaign contributors, continuing to dole out millions of dollars in contracts.

It has become increasingly clear that unless we stand up to the Board’s bullying, they’ll never stop. Unless we stand alongside the Grand Jury and all the residents of Orange County who have been fighting for fairness and transparency in government, County workers, taxpayers and our communities will never get a fair deal with this Board.

Here are the facts: Allegations of corruption continue to plague the Board of Supervisors. Now the Board is targeting County workers who have stood up to them and exposed their corrupt practices, just like they went after the Grand Jury last year. They’re doing the same to all of you.

And they did it with a threat at the bargaining table that if we didn’t succumb to their threats and intimidation, they’d eliminate PIP, workers comp supplement pay and other important protections. They are absolute bullies.

Neither County workers nor Orange County taxpayers will be treated fairly unless we continue to stand with the Grand Jury and appropriate law enforcement agencies to clean up this County. That’s what you did by voting to reject this contract, and that’s what we’ll continue through the bargaining process.

In solidarity,

Nick Berardino OCEA General Manager

General Manager’s message

Nick BerardinoOCEA General Manager

Why we must stand together against the County’s threats

“It has become increasingly clear that unless we stand up to the Board’s bullying, they’ll never stop. Unless we stand alongside the Grand Jury and all the residents of Orange County who have been fighting for fairness and transparency in government, County workers, taxpayers and our communities will never get a fair deal with this Board.”

For more information about what happens next in bargaining, go to pg. 9.

OCEA EMPLOYEETake a stand with your co-workers. Become a workplace leader at oceamember.org/getinvolved 3

Feb. 10 5:30 p.m. Political Action Committee meeting

Feb. 11 Noon-1 p.m.; 5:30-7 p.m. Steward meeting

Feb. 12 Lincoln’s Birthday observed

Feb. 17 President’s Day observed

Feb. 18 3 p.m. Board of Directors meeting

Feb. 27 Noon-1 p.m. OCERS pre-retirement seminar

March 10 5:30 p.m. Political Action Committee meeting

March 11 Noon-1 p.m.; 5:30-7 p.m. Steward meeting

March 18 3 p.m. Board of Directors meeting

April 8 Noon-1 p.m.; 5:30-7 p.m. Steward meeting

April 14 5:30 p.m. Political Action Committee meeting

April 15 3 p.m. Board of Directors meeting

EMPLOYEEOrange County Employees Association

OFFICERSLezlee Neebe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .President

Alan Dean Clow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st Vice President

Gary Morrison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2nd Vice President

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

Chris Prevatt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Treasurer

Maria Corona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Insurance Officer

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

COMMITTEE CHAIRSAlan Dean Clow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Legislative

Chris Prevatt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Budget/Finance

BOARD OF DIRECTORSSharron 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

Frank Eley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Public Works

Ian Foster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Public Works

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

Alicia Hernandez . . . . . . . . . Child Support Services

Gary Morrison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assessor’s office

Paul Nguyen . . . . . . . . . . . . . Social Services Agency

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

Chris Prevatt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Health Care Agency

Ryan Ramos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Health Care Agency

Anjali Sunny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sheriff-Coroner

Pamela Waters. . . . . . . . . OC Community Resources

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 2014 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: Jennifer MuirDesign & Production: Kevin Rush

Content: Niyaz Pirani

830 N. Ross StreetSanta Ana, Ca 92701

(714) 835-3355

OCEA calendar

For a full calendar, including all committee meetings, visit our online calendar at www.oceamember.org.

OCEA news briefs

OCEA members elect two to board

Your OCEA Board of Directors would like to thank all OCEA members who voted in the 2013 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 certified in early December, and

two new OCEA Board members were seated

Dec. 17. Those members are Ian Foster, a senior

land surveyor at Orange County Public

Works, and former OCEA Board member Russell Baldwin, a senior forensic scientist at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. You can read interviews with both new Board members beginning on pg. 20.

OCEA President Lezlee Neebe: “On behalf of OCEA and its Board of Directors, I want to sincerely apologize for an error that resulted in an ineligible candidate’s name appearing on the recent Board of Directors election ballot. The candidate, John Leos, submitted his application after the filing deadline. However, an inadvertent staff mistake resulted in his name appearing on the ballot. OCEA subsequently sent communications to members informing them of the error. We apologize to John, his family, and OCEA members, and assure you steps have been implemented to avoid such an occurrence in the future.”


Donations from OCEA’s member toy drive are delivered to Orangewood Children’s Home. Here, OCEA Labor Relations Representative Josh Boudreaux unloads boxes of toys with OCEA memberLisaBoone,anOrangewoodofficetechnician.

More than 300 new members joined the OCEA family in 2013 and early 2014—the result of longtime organizing efforts. OCEA currently represents employees in 24 cities and special districts within Orange County.

Nineteen City of Orange Water Division employees voted in March to bring the Water Division Employees Association under the OCEA umbrella. Throughout the summer, OCEA staff worked to bring several other groups into the union.

Management Employees Organization—representing 90 civilian management and other professional classifications at the City of Huntington Beach—joined in December, marking the first time Huntington employees have been represented by OCEA since the 1990s. A former Costa Mesa employee who left for the City of Santa Ana referred OCEA to the 32-member Santa Ana Management Association, which represents mid-level and administrative managers there. Their agreement went into effect Jan. 1. Forty-two employee-members of the Confidential Association of Santa Ana also voted to join OCEA that month, through an agreement is being finalized with the City.

January also capped the end of a lengthy campaign by the Anaheim Municipal Employees Association, which successfully organized 130 part-time park and library workers, as well as two police dispatchers.

OCEA news briefs

OCEA Internal Organizer Tim Steed and intern Michael De La Rosa speaktoAnaheimpart-timeworkersaboutthebenefitsofAMEA.

OCEA welcomes more than 300 new members

Donations from OCEA members throughout the 2013 holiday season brightened the lives of local residents in need.

OCEA’s Food Drive, held in November, brought in enough food and canned goods, baby clothes and supplies, and toiletries to fill 18 boxes. Those items were donated to United Labor Agency of Orange County, a Garden Grove organization that provides resources to Orange County labor families.

The following month, OCEA members donated more than 50 toys and special events ticket packages to the boys and girls at Orangewood Children and Family Center in Orange.

Participants of the food and toy drives were entered into a raffle. OCEA members Tawny Crane, a senior social worker, and Lissette Ward, an attorney clerk II, received tickets to local attractions for their philanthropy. Thank you to all who donated!

OCEA members celebrate a season of giving

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 and 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. One trustee seat will be up for election

Now accepting applications for the OCEA Health & Welfare Trust

this spring, so now is your opportunity to get involved in an important and worthwhile OCEA benefit. If you are interested, contact Janice Lee at (714) 835-3355 for eligibility requirements and an opportunity to submit an application to be a candidate for election.


The OCEA Board of Directors, recognizing the value and importance of a college education, has decided to offer three $2,000 scholarships this year, voting to contribute even more to working families while the County of Orange continues to propose take-aways that harm the middle class.

College or university-bound children or stepchildren of OCEA members can now apply for one of three scholarships sponsored by the 2014 OCEA Board of Directors Scholarship program.

A selection committee will review each applicant’s high school transcripts, current GPA and personal recommendations. Applicants must write a 750-word essay describing how they would use their college education to

improve the lives of working families. The essay will be the greatest determining factor in selecting scholarship winners.

Only children or stepchildren of OCEA members—including those applicants whose legal guardian is an OCEA member—are eligible to apply. Students must also be enrolled, or intending to enroll, in an accredited community college, college or university for the Fall 2014 quarter or semester to qualify.

Applications can be downloaded from the “Hot Topics” menu on www.oceamember.org. Submissions must be postmarked by July 25.

Awards will be presented at the OCEA Board of Directors meeting Aug. 19.

Working on your taxes?OCEA payroll deduction amounts for membership dues, voluntary insurance plans, other benefit programs, OCEA POPL, and agency fees for 2013.

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

Full-Time: $263.12 Part-Time or Extra-Help: $131.56

Dental DHMO—DeltaCare CAM 42 Health & Welfare Health & Welfare Health & Welfare Non-Health & Retiree Participants (Option 1) Participants (Option 2) Participants (Option 3) Welfare Enrollee

Member only $81.74 $81.74 $249.92 $249.92 $249.84

Member plus 1 dependent $113.76 $113.76 $473.82 $473.82 $473.84

Member plus 2 or more $304.34 $304.34 $697.98 $697.98 $697.96dependents

Delta Dental DPO Plan A+ Health & Welfare Health & Welfare Health & Welfare Non-Health & Participants (Option 1) Participants (Option 2) Participants (Option 3) Welfare Enrollee

Member only $345.02 $345.02 $457.60 $735.02

Member plus 1 dependent $917.54 $917.54 $1,052.22 $1,359.80

Member plus 2 or more $1,740.18 $1,740.18 $1,858.74 $2,161.12dependents

Vision Service Plan Insurance Health & Welfare Health & Welfare Health & Welfare Non-Health & Retiree Participants (Option 1) Participants (Option 2) Participants (Option 3) Welfare Enrollee

Member only no charge no charge $61.20 $110.64 $110.76

Member plus 1 dependent $49.68 $49.68 $110.88 $160.32 $160.44

Member plus 2 or more $176.64 $176.64 $238.08 $287.52 $287.52dependents

Pre-Paid Legal InsuranceBasic Plan: $179.52 Basic Plan with 24-hour coverage: $191.52 Extended Plan: $287.52

Agency Fee payers: Full-Time: $179.89 Part-Time: $90.02

OCEA Peace Officer Protective League members: $353.50 (in addition to OCEA dues deduction)

OCEA news briefs

OCEA board to award three $2,000 scholarships to local students


Santa for a day: OCEA Board member and Social Services Agency employee Paul Nguyen put smiles on the faces of residents at the Garden Grove Convalescent Hospital in December when he dressed up as Santa Claus and visited patients to deliver care packages and sing Christmas carols.

“The Santa suit was hot, but once I got on the beard and the glasses, and I was jingling, I felt like Father Christmas,” said Nguyen, who volunteered through the Vietnamese Catholic Student Association. “It was nice to do something selfless

and meaningful, without any reward or payment, spreading Christmas joy to people who may be forgotten sometimes.”

The Vietnamese Catholic Student Association (Sinh Vien Cong Giao) was established in 1998. Nguyen joined a year ago and has been able to give back to the community while making friends and building fellowship within the group, which consists mostly of local Vietnamese college and high school students.

The group gathers for meetings and leisure, and has previously held fundraisers to buy and package food to feed the homeless in Santa Ana Civic Center and various Orange County parks.

“They’re a small, growing organization that needs a lot of love and support,” Nguyen said. “These young adults are remarkable. Most go to school full time, yet they devote their lives to their faith and helping the less fortunate.”

For more information on the Vietnamese Catholic Student Association, visit www.vcsa-online.com.

CMCEA elects new president

OCEA news briefs

The Costa Mesa City Employees Association has elected Patrick Bauer as their new President following the retirement of Helen Nenadal in December.

Patrick is an associate engineer for the City, where he has worked for eight years. He has been a member of the CMCEA Board of Directors for the past seven years, leading City employees through one of the darkest eras in Costa Mesa’s history following the death of City maintenance worker Huy Pham and the City Council’s unsuccessful attempt to lay off more than half the workforce in 2011.

Since then, Patrick and the rest of the CMCEA Board of Directors have helped support City employees through a challenging era punctuated by political attacks and dangerously-low staffing levels.

He is on the CMCEA Bargaining Team, which is currently negotiating with the City for a new contract.

Acknowledging there may be added pressure and attention in his new role, Patrick is confident the relationships he’s formed during his tenure will help employees navigate these challenging times.

“I am honored that I have been chosen to represent my fellow employees in a leadership role at the City of Costa Mesa,” Patrick wrote in a recent email to employees. “I do not take the responsibility lightly and feel it is an important position, ensuring the proper checks and balances remain in place, not only for my fellow employees but for the community.”

Read about retired CMCEA President Helen Nenadal on pg. 8.

Patrick Bauer

What’s going on in your workplace? Contact OCEA Communications/Social Media Organizer Niyaz Pirani at [email protected] if you would like to submit a workplace story idea for OCEA Employee magazine.

Beginning in this magazine issue, we will highlight the contributions of OCEA members in the community. If you volunteer or perform community service and want to share information about the organization you support, contact OCEA Communications/Social Media Organizer Niyaz Pirani at [email protected].

COMMuNiTy WORKS


Helen Nenadal, who has been a tireless advocate for City workers as President of the Costa Mesa City Employees Association, retired in December after 32 years of service. Helen led workers in their fight to stop the City from outsourcing more than 200 jobs. She was often in the crosshairs of a politically motivated City Council majority, and spoke out for her fellow workers in public meetings and in the media.

“Before 2011, if you told me I was going to be in the media like I had been, I would have said ‘You’re crazy,’” she said. “Being in the New York Times was like nothing I’d ever imagined. I’m just a maintenance worker trying to do my job.”

Nenadal began working for the City of Costa Mesa in 1979 as a part-time softball coach for the City’s “ponytail” league. She ended her career as a full-time Facility Maintenance Technician, responsible for plumbing, painting, carpentry, and electrical and mechanical work at all City-owned buildings.

“I only planned to stay for a year or two, but it was the people and the atmosphere that made me stay,” she said. “It was a very caring group. You enjoyed getting up and going to work.”

She became involved in CMCEA in 1997, joining the Board of Directors because her co-workers convinced her it would be a good idea considering the number of people she knew throughout many departments. She represented employees if they had problems with management and later assumed a roll on the bargaining team.

She said things changed in Costa Mesa after a previous city manager retired and current Mayor Jim Righeimer—who has led multiple attacks against public employees—won a seat on the council in 2010.

Her biggest challenge would come the

following year when, in March 2011, the council voted to issue more than 200 layoff notices to staff. In the wake of the notices being issued, CMCEA member Huy Pham, a fellow maintenance worker, jumped from the roof of City Hall and died.

“In times past, when we had issues and the economy was down, we were able to work together with the City. We went through a period of layoffs in 2010—about 70 people getting moved, bumped or let go—but nothing like what happened in March 2011,” she said. “I do believe their callousness played a significant part in what happened to Huy Pham.”

Pham’s death and the ensuing battle to save hundreds of jobs galvanized CMCEA and encouraged its President, board and members to fight back—first against the pink slips, and later against a proposed city charter that would have allowed the council to rewrite city rules. That charter was defeated by an

overwhelming margin of 20 percent.

After three years of constant turmoil, Nenadal said working at the City was affecting her health and it was time to move on, adding, “I have no regrets with my career, being a woman in a man’s role and learning a lot. Being on the Board, and being President these last three years, I have zero regrets about communicating with management, the council or the press.”

She believes communication and solidarity will get CMCEA members through

their darkest times, and said she leaves with confidence that her

fellow workplace leaders will protect the union members she has viewed as family for so many years.

Meet new CMCEA President Patrick Bauer on pg. 7.

OCEA publishes member announcements for retirements, births, graduations, weddings, etc. If you have good news, please share it with us! Send your announcements with photos to OCEA Communications/Social Media Organizer Niyaz Pirani at [email protected], and they will be printed in the next issue of “OCEA Employee!”

OCEA MEMBER ANNOuNCEMENTS

Costa Mesa union President Helen Nenadal retires


County workers reject Orange County’s last, best andfinalofferThe County delivered its last, best and final offer to OCEA in January with a threat: Either you accept this bad deal, or face even worse in mediation. The County’s offer included no wage increases and cuts to health care that would reduce paychecks for many OCEA members.

Your OCEA Bargaining Team and OCEA Board of Directors unanimously recommended rejecting the County’s offer because it failed to recognize the sacrifices made by County workers. County members stood with their workplace leaders and every bargaining unit voted overwhelmingly to reject the bad offer.

Those sacrifices have included significant pension reforms, no general wage increases, reforms to retiree medical, and increased contributions to health care and retirement—saving the County more than a billion dollars.

The County’s proposal can only be viewed as retribution for OCEA members standing up to expose the Board of Supervisors’ excessive perks and backroom political deals, opposing their contracting out of our jobs in return for political cash, and cooperating with law enforcement agencies in their investigations regarding some members of the Board. The Board did the same thing to the Grand Jury, threatening to cut their pay after the Grand Jury wrote reports detailing the culture of corruption in County government.

Our next step is voluntary mediation with a third-party mediator from the State, and we will attempt to reach an agreement through the mediation process. We plan to initiate a statutory fact-finding procedure if no agreement can be reached during mediation.

Under fact-finding, a three-member panel is chosen—one member by the County, one member by OCEA, and a chairperson designated by the Public Employees Relations Board. The panel will receive evidence and hear testimony regarding issues in dispute. The panel will then issue an advisory recommendation to the County. The County may accept the fact-finding panel’s recommendation, or in the alternative may impose the last, best and final offer it made during negotiations. The fact-finding process has taken between 30 and 90 days to complete in jurisdictions that have used the process under a law that went into affect in early 2012.

A number of different scenarios could still play out. We are committed to fighting to ensure you are rewarded for your sacrifices, that you receive a contract you have earned, and that you are treated fairly and with respect. Nothing less will be acceptable.

Continue reading your emails for further updates. If you do not receive OCEA emails at home, register for “MyOCEA” at www.oceamember.org.

OCEA General Manager Nick Berardino discusses the County’s last, best andfinalofferwithOCEAstewardsatthefirststewardmeetingof2014.

OCEA EMPLOYEE 9

OCEA stewards celebrate 2013 achievementsOCEA stewards, your member-representatives and workplace leaders, capped another year of standing together for working families with the annual Steward Awards in December. Stewards were lauded for their contributions at the various agencies, cities and special districts represented by OCEA. Congratulations to all who received an award. We thank you for your service!

OCEA President’s Award winners were lauded for their dedication to advancing the interests of working people by OCEA President Lezlee Neebe (far right). Winners included (from left to right): Dea Evans, Probation Department; Henry Leber, Sheriff-Coroner; Bea De La Torre, John Wayne Airport; Dave Henry, Orange County Water District; and Rosemarie Jacot, City of Garden Grove.

Art Mitchell, a Newport Beach Employees League member, accepts an OCEA Impact Award for helping save the jobs of his co-workers as the City of Newport Beach outsourced trash services.

OCEA Perfect Attendance award winners made it an entire year without missing a steward meeting!

The OCEA IT Organizing Committee was honored with an OCEA Impact Award for their work protecting member jobs. From left toright:OCEAOperationsManagerCharlesBarfield,ITworkersAngelo Lugo and Michael Bolden, OCEA Senior Labor Relations Representative Llesena Ontiveras and OCEA Past President and IT worker Frank Eley.


Jan. 15: Lezlee Neebe, a superior court clerk III and longtime OCEA Board of Directors member, is selected as the new OCEA President.

Jan. 22: OCEA Treasurer and Board of Directors member Chris Prevatt, a program supervisor I at Health Care Agency, begins his first term as an elected member of the OCERS Board of Retirement.

Feb. 21: OCEA member Al Jabbar, a program supervisor II at Health Care Agency, becomes a trustee of the Anaheim Union High School District.

Lezlee Neebe Chris Prevatt Al Jabbar

Feb. 26: OCEA holds an iT Town Hall to brief members on upcoming votes by the Board of Supervisors to outsource County IT work to campaign contributors. More than 200 County iT professionals attend, led by the newly-formed OCEA IT Organizing Committee.

May 1: Orange County’s labor family celebrates International Workers Day with a march from the steps of Anaheim City Hall to La Palma Park.

“Last year, we forged important new media partnerships, received statewide recognition for honoring our nation’s veterans, and organized and educated members in new ways. Here’s a look

back at OCEA’s successful 2013. Let’s continue that momentum in 2014!”

– OCEA President Lezlee Neebe


July 25: Voice of OC reports that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is spearheading a task force to probe political corruption in Orange County.

July 26: OCEA General Manager Nick Berardino and OCEA Assistant General Manager Jennifer Muir are invited to the OC Register to talk to reporters about how to strengthen the relationship between the local press and the local labor movement.

July 30: OCEA members and staff attend the Board of Supervisors meeting to talk about cost overruns regarding an IT outsourcing contract with Xerox worth more than $130 million. They ask the Board to “Let Us Help.” The Board voted to outsource the work, though OCEA’s IT Organizing Committee was able to secure job protections for employees.

Aug. 5: OCEA’s Court Bargaining Action Team, comprised of a diverse array of Court employees, meets for the first time to execute job actions related to Court negotiations.

Aug. 17: OCEA stewards attend the 2013 OCEA Leadership Conference—a day of team building, training and leadership development.

Aug. 21: Members of OCEA’s Court Bargaining Action Team begin distributing bargaining updates to fellow members.


Sept. 10: After months of community outreach, City of Newport Beach refuse workers and OCEA secure job protections for workers whose jobs were outsourced by the City Council.

Sept. 23: County workers sign petitions reminding the Board of Supervisors of the many contributions OCEA members have made to the County family in dire times.

Sept. 28: Gov. Jerry Brown signs a deal that restores future VLF funding to Orange County—a deal that OCEA worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help bring about between the County and the State.

Oct. 1: OCEA revamps the 2013 Health Fair with the OCEA “Zucchini Wagon” and the addition of the first-ever Farmers Market where OCEA members receive free bags of fresh produce.

Oct. 24: OCEA Past President Frank Eley runs unopposed for a seat on the OCERS Board of Retirement, securing yet another term protecting the retirement benefits of OCEA members.

Oct. 30: union staff members from across the state meet in Buena Park for communications training from the California Labor Federation.

Nov. 6: Protests begin outside of Central Court to restore health care benefits and urge the Court to treat its employees fairly. The actions ultimately are successful in helping Court members reach an agreement in bargaining.

Nov. 11: OCEA and other local unions join together to hold the first annual Veterans + Labor event at the OC Fair & Event Center to connect veterans to good jobs and celebrate the men and women who have served our country.

Dec. 31: By the end of 2013, OCEA celebrates bringing new members into the family including workers from the City of Orange Water Department, and managers from Huntington Beach and Santa Ana.


Too many of the veterans who proudly served our country still don’t receive the support they’ve earned or the services they need when returning home. OCEA and labor unions from across the state are taking the lead to change that.

We adopted Veterans Day as a time for the labor movement to come together and make a difference in the lives of local servicemen and women.

Together we launched Veterans + Labor: Partners in Service, bringing together a team of dedicated partners including: the California and Orange County labor federations; the Orange County Register; PBS SoCal; OC Fair & Event Center; Orange County Market Place; OC Veterans Advisory Council; and various other community groups.

We hosted volunteer projects, cleaning up the USS Iowa battleship stationed in San Pedro, and refurbishing a VFW Hall in Anaheim in the week before Veterans Day. Next, we went to Sacramento and unveiled Labor’s plans to connect veterans to good jobs that utilize their unique skills and training.

Then, in the biggest Veterans Day event in Orange County, our nation’s heroes joined workers and members of the community at the O.C. fairgrounds for a day of dancing, food and stewardship. More than 3,500 people showed up, many just to say “thank you” to our heroes. Service providers connected veterans to jobs and basic services they need. Children wrote

thank you cards and sent care packages. Together, we spent a day honoring the sacrifices that keep us free.

OCEA and the California labor movement are committed to standing with veterans, not just on Veterans Day, but throughout the year. We will continue hosting service projects, and next year’s Veterans Day event will be even bigger and better than the first.

If you would like to get involved, please contact OCEA’s Cathy Yatch at (714) 835-3355.

VETERANS + LABOR HONORING AND STANDING WITH OuR HEROES

The unites States Postal Service Medal of Honor stamps were unveiled in a ceremony at the Veterans + Labor: Partners in Service event. Representatives included (left to right): Nick Berardino, OCEA General Manager; Bob Lockovich, u.S. Postal Service Special Events Manager; Cathy Metcalf, daughter of Medal of Honor recipient Walter Ehlers; Bobby McDonald, Orange County Veterans Advisory Council Chair and Orange County Black Chamber of Commerce President; u.S. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez and California Senator Lou Correa.

Scores of motorcycle riders participated in a run from the O.C. Labor Federation in Orange to the fairgrounds in Costa Mesa.


Children wrote thank you cards and drew pictures for service members at the AFSCME and OC Register booths.

Swing-dancing to the sounds of the Swing Cats Big Band kicked off the event.

OCEA member Doreen Novotny, left, a courtroom operations supervisor with the Superior Court, performs with Bob Seger tribute band “Turn the Page.”

Various booths throughout the fairgrounds provided veterans with resources, services and gift items.


Local Veterans + Labor efforts included volunteer cleanup of the USS Iowa battleship, stationed in San Pedro, and the refurbishment of a VFW Hall in Anaheim in the week before Veterans Day.

In San Pedro, more than 100 volunteers navigated the small corridors and tiny rooms of the famed warship, dusting and cleaning sleeping quarters, the mess hall, and other areas of the ship in preparation for its conversion to a museum.

“It was a lot of filthy work. Our room had been wired shut for 25 years before it was opened for us to clean,” OCEA Administrative Manager Cathy Yatch said. “Participating was a great sense of accomplishment.”

In Anaheim, painters, electricians, cement workers and laborers from more than 10 Southern California unions volunteered to spruce up VFW Post 3173 (pictured above). Volunteers power-washed and painted the front of the building, leveled uneven cement on sidewalks, cleaned out office rooms and fixed electrical outlets inside of the building.

“It was overdue—that’s how needed this was. It’s just fantastic that all of the trades have come out and adopted this post this year for this project,” said Gary Mason, commander of the Anaheim VFW. “I’m so grateful—we’re all so thankful it happened. Most of us are up in age now. Like I’ve said, we’ve joined the ‘cane brigade,’ so we can’t get around like we used to.”

The volunteers were happy to lend their skills to help our nation’s heroes.

“People hear a lot of negative things about unions in newspapers and on TV, but we’re just people like everyone else,” said Doug Mangione, business representative at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 441 in Orange. “We’re workers, we fight for workers—that’s our job. When the community sees us out here doing this and we’re not getting a dime for it, I think they look at us in a different light.”

If you would like to get involved, please contact OCEA’s Cathy Yatch at 714-835-3355.

OCEA steward and IT Organizing Committee member Angelo Lugo, a Health Care Agency worker, cleans the u.S.S. Iowa with his children Gabby and Dominic.

Labor groups spruce up a battleship, VFW hall


Velece Insurance: A member-driven, client-focused subsidiary of OCEAIf you or someone you know is searching for better insurance rates for the new year, check out Velece Insurance. OCEA’s wholly-owned insurance agency is an agent of several insurance companies including Mercury, Pacific Specialty, Access, King, Foremost and JC Taylor.

If you’re already a Velece client and you refer a friend, you will get two free movie tickets if they sign a new policy!

Velece provides insurance for automobiles, including classic cars, plus home owners and renters insurance, and more. Our agents work for you, our client, not a commission.

It has been Velece’s mission since 1965 to be a client-focused insurance agency of integrity, offering quality products and added service for the benefit of OCEA’s members, their family and friends. We also insure non-members.

Velece employs a small staff of caring, experienced insurance agents who receive no commission or broker fees, ensuring Velece customers truly have an insurance experience with their best interests at heart.

What does Velece insure?

We insure automobiles—including classic cars, motorcycles, watercrafts and recreational vehicles. We also provide coverage including home owner’s insurance, condo/townhouse insurance, renters insurance and earthquake insurance.

We also offer Mexican insurance to protect your belongings and freedom while traveling in Mexico.

Contact Velece today!

Get a quote at Velece.com or call us today at 714-558-1034 to speak to Doug, Jenny or Sonja.

We also accept walk-in visits from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Velece (upstairs, inside OCEA Headquarters), 830 N. Ross St., Santa Ana.

Save money on your insurance with Velece!


At work with: OCEA Board member ian Foster

Q: Why did you go into public service?

A: I grew up in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, learning to serve the community and work together as a unified troop on every task and endeavor.

Q: When did you start at the County of Orange, and what has been your career path?

A: I started at the County EMA Survey Division in July 1989 as a “Rodman & Chainman”—one member of a three-person survey crew. Within two years, I moved into the office to learn computer-aided drafting and mapping for the field survey unit.

I continued my surveying education to obtain my Land Surveying In Training Certificate in 1992. I needed to establish time as an apprentice in surveying to meet the State requirement to pass the bar of License Land Surveyor.

When the County bankruptcy unfolded I needed to stay the course to obtain my land surveyors license, so I accepted a project manager job in Pennsylvania in 1997. I returned to California in 1998 to work with Caltrans and RBF Inc. before returning to the County in February 1999 as a surveyor II in the Topographic & Boundary sections of O.C. Survey.

I was promoted in 2008 to survey party chief. Today I am working at the public counter as a senior land surveyor.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

A: Working for the general public as a civil servant on County, City, State and Federal projects is the most rewarding part. It’s a great feeling to see your contributions succeed. I have been responsible for supervising million-dollar County projects including topographic surveys; channel construction; new road construction; improvements to roads, bridges, sidewalks and bike trails; and more.

Q: What are the challenges you face working in your field, and how do you overcome them?

A: There are numerous challenges I face: When our operation budget is reduced; when we lose staff due to attrition; when work schedules change; and when department efficiency and opportunities to cross-train are minimal.

Our next major hurdle is to convince upper management to keep a strong and competent civil-servant workforce active in county government. Outsourcing survey would be a great loss to the quality and quantity of work produced by the skilled professionals of the County’s survey division.

Q: What advice do you have for employees who want to be active at OCEA but don’t know how to get started?

A: Show up and volunteer your ideas to keep the labor movement alive in Orange County. UNITED WE STAND!

Senior land surveyorOrange County Public Works

County employee and OCEA member in: 1989-97, 1999-Current

OCEA Board member since: 2013


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.

At work with: OCEA Board member Russell Baldwin

Q: Why did you go into public service?

A: Twenty-three years ago, it wasn’t so much about public service as it was about employment where I could utilize my biology degree. It was later that I realized and appreciated my contribution as a public servant.

Q: When did you start at the County of Orange, and what has been your career path?

A: I started at the end of 1990 and have been with the same agency for the entire time. I was first assigned to the fledgling DNA section and spent a year assisting to develop the program.

I was transferred after a year to the ante-mortem toxicology section where I tested blood samples for drug abuse. My next move was to forensic alcohol. There, I tested blood for its alcohol level and installed a new breath analysis system. I also trained officers on the use of breath instruments.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

A: The most rewarding part of my job is when I can successfully test a sample to provide critical case information to a police agency.

Q: What are the challenges you face working in your field, and how do you overcome them?

A: Every case sample has separate challenges. Usually I can draw on my years of experience to address them.

The Orange County Crime Laboratory has an abundance of very experienced, knowledgeable forensic scientists who are great resources of information if there is a complex issue I can’t solve on my own.

Q: What advice do you have for employees who want to be active at OCEA but don’t know how to get started?

A: I would advise all employees to check out the OCEA website, www.oceamember.org, to start. There is a lot of information available there.

I would also recommend attending a Board meeting. That way you can get a glimpse inside OCEA and talk directly to the Board members and employees.

Senior forensic scientistOrange County Sheriff’s Department

County employee since: 1990OCEA member since: 1990

OCEA Board member in: 1997-2007; 2013-Present


AMuSEMENT PARKS

CAStlE PArk: $12.99/person 36” and above (Reg. $25.99). All-day unlimited rides, unlimited miniature golf and Buccaneer Cove (when in season). No blackouts; tickets expire Dec. 31. Tickets only available online.

DiSnEylAnD: One-day One-park admission: $88.32/adult; $82.56/ages 3-9 (Reg. $92 & $86). No blackouts; tickets expire Dec. 31. Park Hoppers and annual passes are also available. Prices are subject to change without notice. Tickets only available online.

knOtt’S BErry FArm: $35/adult; $27/ages 3-11 and seniors 62 and up (Reg. $62 & $33). No blackouts; tickets expire Dec. 31. Tickets also available online.

lEGOlAnD: 1-Day lEGOlAnD-only admission: $67/adult; $62/ages 3-12, plus 2nd day FREE within 90 days of first visit. (Reg. $83-$73). No blackouts. lEGOlAnD resort Hopper admission: (lEGOlAnD, SEAliFE Aquarium and lEGOlAnD Water Park): $72/adult; $67/ages 3-12, plus 2nd day FREE; 2nd day must be used anytime between first visit and the expiration date (Reg. $107-$97). 5-Day lEGOlAnD resort Hopper admission: (lEGOlAnD, SEAliFE Aquarium and lEGOlAnD Water Park): $107/adult; $97/ages 3-12. All visits must occur within 5 days of first visit. *Water Park is seasonal and requires same-day use as LEGOLAND visit. All tickets expire Dec. 31. Tickets only available online.

SAn DiEGO ZOO: $35/adult; $27/ages 3-11 (Reg. $46 & $36). No blackouts; tickets expire Sept. 2014. Tickets also available online.

SAn DiEGO ZOO SAFAri PArk: $35/adult; $27/ages 3-11 (Reg. $46 & $36). No blackouts; tickets expire Sept. 2014. Tickets also available online.

SEAWOrlD SAn DiEGO: Single-day admission: $64/ages 3 & up (Reg. $84/adult; $78/ages 3-9). Tickets expire Dec. 31. Single-day, plus 2nd day free: $64/ages 3 & up (Reg. $84/adult; $78/ages 3-9). Tickets will be available for purchase May 1 thru Sept. 30 only. Tickets expire Dec. 24. Fun Card: $73/ages 3 & up (Reg. 84/adult; $78/ages 3-9). Blackouts: May 25; July 4-5 and 19; Aug. 2, 9 and 31; Sept. 1; Fund Cards available for purchase now through Oct. 31. Fun Cards expire Dec. 31. Tickets also available online.

Six FlAGS mAGiC mOuntAin: $41/ages 3 and up (Reg. $66.99). No blackouts; tickets expire Sept. 28. Tickets also available online.

univErSAl StuDiOS HOllyWOOD: 3-day admission: $75/ages 3 & up (Reg. $95). Blackouts apply for revisits! Annual Pass w/blackouts Annual Pass w/out blackouts and Premium Star Pass are also available. Prices 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 Sept. 30.

PirAtE’S DinnEr ADvEnturE: $36/adult; $28/ages 3-11 (Reg. $59 & $40). Reservation required. Tickets expire Nov. 30.

MOVIE THEATERS

AmC tHEAtrES (lOEWS & CinEPlEx): unrestricted admission: $8/person (Reg. $12.50). Subject to surcharge for large format, IMAX or 3-D. restricted admission (discontinued in 2014; tickets available at the OCEA Special Events office while supplies last): $6.50/ages 2 and up (Reg. $12.50). Not valid during first 12 days of release or for special engagements. New-release upgrade for $1.50; subject to surcharge for large format, IMAX or 3-D. NO EXPIRATION.

CEntury CinEmA: $7.50/person (Reg. $12). Unrestricted admissions. Valid nationwide.

krikOriAn PrEmiErE tHEAtrES: $7.50/person (Reg. $12). Unrestricted admission.

rEGAl EntErtAinmEnt GrOuP: unrestricted admission: $8/person (Reg. $12.50). Subject to surcharge for large format, IMAX or 3-D. restricted admission: $7/person (Reg. $12). Not valid during first 12 days of release or for special engagements. New-release upgrade for $1.50; subject to surcharge for large format, IMAX or 3-D. .

ONE-TIME EVENTS

rEnAiSSAnCE FAirE: Apr. 5-May 18 at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, Irwindale, Ca. $18/ages 5 and up (Reg. $28/adult; $15/ages 5-12). Tickets coming soon!

SEGErStrOm CEntEr FOr tHE ArtS: Check www.oceamember.org for current details. Offer only available online.

SO CAL ATTRACTIONS

AQuArium OF tHE PACiFiC: $19/adult; $12/ ages 3-11 (Reg. $28.95 & $14.95). No blackouts; tickets expire Nov. 30. Tickets also available online.

BAttlESHiP uSS iOWA: $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; for more information visit website www.pacificbattleship.com. Tickets only available online.

BOOmErS! (FAmily Fun CEntErS): $15/ages 3 & up (Reg. $29.95). All-day unlimited rides and unlimited miniature golf passes, excluding arcade games, batting cages and food. No blackouts; tickets expire July 11.

CAtAlinA FlyEr: $54/adult; $40/ages 3-12 (Reg. $70 & $53). Reservation required. Tickets expire Dec. 31.

CAtAlinA ExPrESS: $62/adult; $53/ages 3-11 (Reg. $74.50 & $59). Reservation required. Blackouts: May 24-26, July 4-6, Aug. 30-Sept. 1. Tickets expire Dec. 31.

DiSCOvEry SCiEnCE CEntEr: $12/adult; $10/ages 3-15 (Reg. $15.95 & $12.95). Tickets expire Mar. 31.

mADAmE tuSSAuDS WAx muSEum, HOllyWOOD: $15/ages 4 and up (Reg. $26.95). Tickets expire Jan. 31, 2015. Tickets only available online.

nEWPOrt lAnDinG CruiSE: $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. Promo code: OCEA. Offer expires Dec. 31.

nEWPOrt lAnDinG WHAlE WAtCHinG: $15/adult; $10/ages 3-12 (Reg. $25). Based on availability. Reservations by phone (949) 675-0551 or online www.NewportLanding.com. Promo code: OCEA. Offer expires Dec. 31.

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.

nEWPOrt lAnDinG SPOrtFiSHinG: ½-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) 675-0551 or online www.NewportLanding.com. Promo code: OCEA. Offer expires Dec. 31.

WINTER FuN

SnOW vAllEy mOuntAin rESOrt: Weekdays only: $22/ages 3 and older (Reg. $50); Weekends: $37/adult; $27/ages 13-19 (Reg. $69-$59). No blackouts; 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.

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.

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

Prices subject to change without notice.

OCEA tickets

OCEA e-ticket programs

For up-to-date listings on all available tickets, go to www.oceamember.org/etickets.


AuTOMOTIVE & CAR RENTALS

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

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.

Promax Auto Service: Do you need quality automotive service? With ASE Certified Technicians who have experience with both foreign and domestic automobiles, Promax Auto Service has consistently been voted #1 by the Reader’s Choice for Best Automotive Repair Shop in South Orange County. OCEA members save 20% off the total bill. Contact us at (949) 495-5156. We are located at 20742 Lake Forest Dr. #C2, Lake Forest, CA 92630.

thrifty Car rental: Great savings through Tickets-At-Work Corporate Program! Call (800) 847-4389. Corporate code 0010229234.

BANKING

Citibank: Citibank now offers the Citi @ Work Program, designed to make local government employees’ lives easier and their banking experience better. The benefits include, but are not limited to, no monthly service fees with direct deposit, rewards points for eligible linked products and services, rate discounts on Personal Loans, Custom Credit Line and Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit, free financial education seminars on topics such as home buying, preparing for retirement and more! For more information please visit www.oceamember.org.

Orange County’s Credit union: Auto loan rates as low as 1.99% APR. *APR is Annual Percentage Rate. The approximate payment per $1,000 on a new and used auto 60-month term loan at 1.99% is $17.52. Rate shown is for premium credit and includes a .25% discount for automatic payments. Loans without automatic payments will be .25% higher. Rate good for up to 100% financing on new and used cars. Longer terms of up to 84 months on new autos are also available. Call for rates. For used autos with mileage in excess of 100,000, there may be a small rate differential. Call for details. Minimum loan amount is $5,000. Certain restrictions apply. Rates and terms subject to change without notice. Normal approval standards apply. Membership in Orange County’s Credit Union is available to anyone who lives or works in Orange County. The Lifetime Membership fee is $5. (888) 354-6228 www.orangecountyscu.org.

CANDIES, FLOWERS & MORE

Cherry moon Farms: 15% discount on hundreds of orchard-fresh gifts that make every occasion special. For more information call (800) 210-2279. Corporate code: OCEA.

Personal Creations: 15% discount on a variety of personalized gifts, perfect for any occasion. For more information call (800) 210-2279. Corporate code: OCEA.

ProFlowers.com: 15% 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: 15% discount on a unique and wide-ranging collection of thoughtful gifts for every occasion. To order over the phone, call (800) 210-2279. Corporate code: OCEA.

Shari’s Berries: 15% discount on high-quality hand-dipped 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 store! OCEA-members price $14 (Reg. $16.10). Certificates are available at the OCEA Special Events office by cash or ATM/debit card.

COSMETICS & SKIN CARE

Avon: 10% off plus free shipping & gift for all online orders. Visit www.youravon.com/leticialopez.

mark.: 15% discount (before tax and shipping) on any order placed. Please sign up on www.mymarkstore.com/ibarriga. Purchases over $50 receive free shipping to your home with checkout code MARKFS50. If your order is under $30, simply contact Iriss at (714) 235-5925 by phone or text. She can place the order and still give you free shipping to your home. Please use “contact me” on website or send email to [email protected] and mention OCEA so your 15% discount check can be processed at that time. Iriss will also send you a free Juice Gem lip-gloss valued at $6.50 with every $30+ order.

mary kay: 10% discount on all products. Contact www.marykay.com/jpadore or (949) 466-3496 for a brochure and details for an extra 10% discount on “Last Chance” items.

Skin Fitness, llC: 20% off regular prices for all OCEA members on all services except medical. For more information please contact Petra Golding at (714) 832-4001 or by email [email protected].

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

ENTERTAINMENT & TRAVEL

Club 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: OCEA members receive a discount on one of the following trip options: 20% off on train only, 20% off on RV Park only or 20% off on hotel only. For more information or to make a trip reservation call (866) 422-9724. Promo code: CDOCEA.

Palm Springs Aerial tramway: As an OCEA member you can enjoy all the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s attractions at up to 25% discount. The Alpine Club cards are available at the OCEA Special Events office free of charge. Card is valid for up to 6 persons. Discount contact (760) 325-1391.

SCAt travel: Offers substantial discounts on a variety of exciting cruises exclusively for OCEA members. Contact Sandy Cuny at (714) 669-9019 or by email [email protected].

ORTHODONTIST

Orthodontic Office of mark J. Weisenberg, DDS, mS: Excellent discounts on Invisalign treatments and orthodontic braces. Delta Dental provider. Located in Villa Park. To schedule your appointment, call (714) 974-9000.

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 [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).

PHOTOGRAPHY & ART

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

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

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

SCRAPBOOKING

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].

SERVICES

ADt: Burglary, Fire, Carbon Monoxide and Medical Alert monitoring requires installation and/or activation of an ADT Security System with monitored Burglary, Fire, Carbon Monoxide and Medical Alert devices. Fire, Carbon Monoxide and Medical Alert services are an additional installation charge. 24-month monitoring contract required from $39.99 per month, including P-QSP (24-month total from $959.76). 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. Local permit fees may be required. Satisfactory credit history required. Additional monitoring fees required for some services. Offer subject to change. CA ACO7155. Please contact Jeff Spatz at (714) 907-2995 or by email [email protected].

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 [email protected] for details.

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 [email protected].

Sprint: Save 18% off select regularly priced monthly service plans. Plus, activation fee waived for new activations (up to $36 value; requires a new two-year 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: 1-866-639-8354; 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 866-639-8354.

t-mobile: 15% discount on qualifying monthly recurring phone charges. Promotion code: 13302TMOFAV. Discount contact: Daniel Chacon, (310) 651-0603 or T-Mobile Government Program, (866) 464-8662.

verizon: Save 15% on select monthly plans. Apply online using Government Employee Program E-Code EMD70.Discount Contact: www.verizonwireless.com/getdiscount.

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

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 at [email protected]. Ticket hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

You can now purchase certain tickets online at

www.oceamember.org/etickets

OCEA discounts

CALL NOW TO RECEIVE

$200 OFF AN ADT SECuRITY INSTALLATION

ADVANCED SECuRITY TECHNOLOGY:

ADT Pulse Interactive Solutions for remote home security, lighting and climate control, and secure real-time video *Monitoring of intrusion, fire, smoke, flood, high levels of carbon monoxide and temperatures *Advanced network of customer monitoring facilities

PROFESSIONAL CuSTOMER SERVICE:

Dedicated Customer Service Reps available 24/7 *Special customer toll-free number and email access to ADT *Fast Alarm Response, Preferred Gold Monitoring Services and ADT Guarantees

For more details, see ADT ad under “Services.”


OCEA classifieds

AuTO

2009 toyota Camry Hybrid. Grey Camry with leather interior, in good condition. 112,000 miles. $11,900 or best offer. Information: Luis, (714) 469-4011. 1/14

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

Whirlpool extra large capacity washer and dryer. Heavy duty top load washer and dryer in white; gas connections. Features quick wash, delicate and extra rinse cycles; can handle various load sizes. Must be picked up by purchaser. $350. Information: Lee, 714-681-6588. 01/14

rogers drum set. 1972 modified Rogers kit with a new Pearl Masters 14x6.5” maple snare drum. Sabian and Paiste cymbals, SKB hard cases, Pearl and Tama hardware. All in good to excellent sound and condition. Selling as a complete kit; pictures available upon request. $3,200. Information: Tom, [email protected]. 11/13

xbox 360 package. Console is 10 months old; includes 2 wireless controllers, 5 games, wireless racing wheel with force feedback, power and audio/video cables. Pictures available upon request. $225. Information: Tom, [email protected]. 11/13

Jazzy 1113 Power Chair. New battery with onboard battery charger; drives up to 4 mph. Tight turning radius, standard seat. Up to 25 miles range. Maximum weight is 300 lbs. Power chair features a joystick, footrest and anti-tip wheels. In good condition with slight tears on the back of the seat upholstery. Information: Cheryl or Maurice, (714) 662-1106. 8/13

RENTALS

1 bedroom, 1 bath condo in Orange Hills. Serene location; includes new carpeting, paint, blinds, fireplace, and central heating and air. Unit has skylight and ceiling fans, washer and dryer, and 1-car garage. 768 sq. ft. $1,365/month, plus $1,200 deposit. Small pet allowed, $20/month. Renter must pass background check. Information: Mariah, (714) 414-7788. 1/14

1 bedroom in Westminster, near Beach Boulevard and Hazard Avenue. Four-bedroom home is close to shopping destinations and restaurants. Renter would share bathroom and kitchen. No pets. $625/month, includes basic cable and utilities; $625 deposit. Information: Lisa, (714) 328-8973.

2 bedroom, 1 bath condo in Corona, near Chalgrove/Border at the lake at Corona). Available Sept. 14. Features an upgraded granite counters in kitchen and bathroom. Central AC/heater, dining area, washing machine/dryer hookup. One carport and one assigned guest parking. HOA tennis court, swimming pool, lake access, BBQ area. $1,160/month.; $1,160 deposit. No pets. Renter must sign a minimum 1-year lease. Information: Lily, (949) 302-6827. 9/13

3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home in riverside, near van Buren Boulevard and the 91 Freeway. Features a spacious 1,412 sq. ft. floor plan with large bonus room, central air conditioning and heating. $1,625/month; $1,500 deposit. Must sign 1-3 year lease agreement. Move-in-ready by Aug. 15. Information: David, (951) 415-9151. 8/13

RETIREE SERVICES

retired Employees Association. Join the Retired Employees Association. Participate for only $3 a month. Information: (714) 840-3995, fax (714) 840-7189, email [email protected] or www.reaoc.org.

Orange County Office on Aging. Free information on services for older adults, (800) 510-2020.

SERVICES

House or dog sitter. Reliable, trustworthy County employee with excellent references will house/dog sit throughout Orange County at reasonable rates; rates slightly higher during the holiday season. Information: Michelle, (714) 293-1665.

House or dog sitter. Loyal, trustworthy individual ready to take care of your home or pet’s needs for an affordable price while you are away. Able to work Friday-Sunday in various Orange County locations; please call to see if your city is one of them. References upon request. Information: Gabriella, (714) 335-3811.

Phone repair. iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S cracked screen replacement ($50); Samsung Galaxy glass/LCD replacement (prices vary). Information: Young, (714) 643-2399 or [email protected].

VACATIONS/VACATION RENTALS

Howard’s time Share resort Weeks: Prime summer weeks are available now on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. Contact Howard Snitowsky at (714) 313-1290 or [email protected] about renting or purchasing timeshares around the globe. These prime beach front, world class resorts are in high demand, so please request peak demand weeks well in advance. OCEA MEMBERS RECEIVE A 5 PERCENT DISCOUNT OFF THE LIST PRICES, which can be downloaded here. Howard’s Time Share Resort Weeks destinations include: Pueblo Bonito Rose Resort & Spa; Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos Resort & Spa; Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Resort & Spa; Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa; ME Cabo by Melia; Marina Fiesta Resort & Spa; Sands of Kahana; Imperial Waikiki Vacation Club; Royal Aloha Vacation Club Waikiki; Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Front Villas North; Kuleana Resort; Tahiti Village Las Vegas; Grandview Las Vegas.

timeshare for sale (kauai, Hi). $7,999. Wyndham Kauai Beach Villas is located just a few footsteps from a beautiful Kauai beach and only minutes from some of the world’s best golf courses. Additional activities nearby include nightclubs, four-star dining, friendly pubs, shopping and more. As an owner of a property, you will be allowed to enjoy the amenities of any of the PAHIO resorts. For resort information, visit www.wyndhamvacationresorts.com. To view the timeshare online, visit http://bit.ly/TEtcG9 and for more information from the seller, call Melissa at (714) 454-7808.

WANTED

Home for cat. One year old female cat named Rainbow needs a new home. Owners have two other cats who bully her. Information: Pam, (949) 529-8094.

Apartment/home for rent/share. Looking for an apartment or home near bus line to rent or share. Laundry/kitchen privileges required. Very clean, non-smoker; 20+ year County employee. Please contact Debra, [email protected].

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 Specialist Niyaz Pirani if you wish to submit an ad, make changes to a current ad or cancel an ad. E-mail your ads to [email protected]; send them to OCEA, 830 N. Ross St., Santa Ana, Ca, 92701; or fax them to (714) 835-7654.


Orange County Employees Association830 N. Ross St., Santa Ana, CA 92701 • (714) 835-3355 • (714) 835-7654 Fax • www.oceamember.org

Please RSVP if possible by emailing Joanna Nachurski at [email protected] parking is available in the Diamond Parking lot in front of OCEA.

OCERS—Pre-Retirement SeminarPresented by the Orange County Employees Retirement System

Noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 27, 2014OCEA Assembly Room, 830 N. Ross St., Santa Ana, Ca 92701

Topics include:

• Retirement basics

• Plan types and formulas

• Eligibility for retirement

• Options and beneficiaries

• Disability retirement

• Application process

• Life as a retiree

• OCERS website

• Questions and answers

Orange COunty emplOyees assOCiatiOn830 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!

Sign up at www.oceamember.org/getinvolved

Vol 67 Issue 1 - OCEA Employee 2014 January February March

Documents

Transcript of Vol 67 Issue 1 - OCEA Employee 2014 January February March