Read the SLOCEA blog for news and updates on what’s happening with your local, independent labor union.
Member Letters to County Leadership
As negotiations with the County for a successor MOU slowed to a crawl, SLOCEA held a letter writing campaign, giving our members the opportunity to speak up in a collective effort to make their voices heard!
SLOCEA’s Response to the County’s “Bargaining Update”
On August 13, the County released a public-facing “bargaining update” while negotiations with SLOCEA are still underway. Although it is not unusual for employers to communicate with the public about labor relations, the timing and framing of this update is concerning. By sharing selective details about proposals still on the table and oversimplifying SLOCEA’s concerns, the County’s post presents a one-sided story. We believe it is important to offer additional context …
Standing Strong Together: The Importance of Solidarity in Negotiations
As we move further into contract negotiations, one truth remains clear: our greatest strength is our unity. The County and the Courts come to the bargaining table with a well-defined strategy, an abundance of resources, and a clear set of goals. The only way we can match that strength and ensure that the priorities of our members are respected is by presenting a unified front…
Contract Negotiations: How County and Court Workers Keep SLO County Moving Forward
Every day, the employees of San Luis Obispo County and the Superior Court show up to do the work that keeps our community running. From public health to public safety, airports to roads, social services to environmental protection—our members provide the backbone of government services that touch every single resident of San Luis Obispo County and the Court system. Yet they rarely see the mounting challenges County and Court employees face behind the scenes…
What Happens When Bargaining Reaches Impasse?
While SLOCEA and the County are still actively engaged in good-faith bargaining, given the County’s recent economic proposal at the table, there have been many questions from members regarding what happens next, if we don’t reach an agreement…
SLOCEA Contract Negotiations Update
As you are all aware, SLOCEA is in the midst of contract negotiations for successor agreements for the following County bargaining units (BU): Public Services BU 01, Supervisory BU 05, and Clerical BU 13, which make up the Big Unit, and Trades, Crafts and Services (BU 02). The contracts expired June 30, 2025…
SLOCEA Reaches Tentative Side Letter Agreements with the County
In addition to our core contract negotiations, SLOCEA regularly engages with the County, the Courts, and the CSD to address workplace issues that fall outside the terms of our main agreements. SLOCEA recently reached tentative agreements for two side letters with the County…
The Importance of Being Informed During Negotiations
As we reported last month, SLOCEA is in contract negotiations with the County for successor agreements as the contracts for the County bargaining units that SLOCEA represents expire on June 30, 2025… learn more about negotiation terms and procedures in this article from Senior Labor Rep, Theresa Schultz.
The Collective Bargaining Cycle Has Begun!
The contracts or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the County bargaining units that SLOCEA represents expire on June 30, 2025. On Monday, April 21, SLOCEA’s Negotiating Team participated with the County’s team in negotiations session #1 for successor agreements (MOUs)…
Survey Results & Bargaining News
SLOCEA recently conducted Negotiation Surveys for both the Big Unit and the Trades, Crafts, and Services Unit, gathering critical feedback from members on their priorities for the upcoming contract negotiations. The results reveal a strong consensus on…
More Preparations for MOU Negotiations
The contracts for the County’s Public Services, Supervisory, Clerical and Trades units will be expiring on June 30, 2025. In preparation for the upcoming negotiations for successor agreements, SLOCEA is seeking assistance from our members who are in one of the benchmark classifications…
How to Be Involved and Stay Informed During Contract Negotiations
Staying involved and informed about what’s going on with your labor union is always important, but it is especially vital during contract negotiations. As many of you know, SLOCEA will be entering into contract negotiations for our County-represented units this spring. During negotiations, our members’ active engagement…
New Year, New Contracts: Preparing for the Next Round of Negotiations
As the new year unfolds, so does an opportunity to prepare for what lies ahead in 2025: the next round of collective bargaining. In the coming year, SLOCEA will be at the bargaining table for the Trades and Big Units at the County, as well as Unit 19 at the Superior Court...
2025 Negotiating Teams Appointed by the Board of Directors
The SLOCEA Board of Directors has officially appointed the 2025 Negotiating Teams! Review the selection process and meet the Teams…
New Option for Negotiating Team Candidates
The Board of Directors has passed a resolution to allow candidates for the Negotiating Team who cannot attend the October General Membership meeting to present their nomination candidacy via Zoom on an alternative date.
Side Letter Ratified for Unit 19 at San Luis Obispo Superior Court
SLOCEA is pleased to announce that a one year extension side-letter has been ratified by Unit 19, Supervisors at the San Luis Obispo Superior Court of California...
Nominations OPEN for 2025 Negotiating Teams
Interested in serving on SLOCEA's Negotiating Teams for the County bargaining units? The nomination period for the 2025 Negotiating Teams is now open! Check out the article for more information and the nomination form.
Collective Bargaining Update: LOCSD
After five negotiation sessions and numerous proposals and email exchanges, a tentative agreement was reached between SLOCEA and the Los Osos Community Services District on March 11, 2024, signaling a significant milestone in the negotiation process.
Job Specification Revisions: Legal Clerks
On July 10, 2023, County Human Resources (HR) notified SLOCEA that HR and the departments with Legal Clerks identified the need to revise the Legal Clerk and Supervising Legal Clerk (SLC) job specifications. The primary intent was to …
County Negotiations are Concluded!
On August 29, 2022, the SLOCEA Negotiating Teams and SLO County reached tentative agreements for successor Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) for the Trades, Crafts and Services Unit (bargaining unit 02) and the Big Unit. …