Celebrating Progress, Preparing for the Future
As the year comes to an end, it’s a natural time to reflect on what we’ve achieved together and consider what lies ahead. For SLOCEA, 2024 was a year of progress and collaboration, thanks to the commitment and engagement of our members.
Highlights from 2024
Collective Bargaining:
SLOCEA successfully negotiated a successor MOU for the Los Osos CSD unit earlier this year. The agreement included a total of 7% in COLAs over the next two years and a restructuring of health plan benefits with the CSD covering the full cost of employee’s health plan and a 50/50 split for dependent costs.
SLOCEA also negotiated a one-year side letter extension for the Superior Court Supervisors (BU 19) which included increases in leave accrual, implementation of a Post Employment Health Plan, increases to health care contributions, and a permanent 3% reduction in employee pension contributions, resulting in in a 3+% increase in take home pay, depending on the employee’s tier and pension rate.
The SLOCEA Board of Directors also updated the SLOCEA Bylaws, including revisions to strengthen the process of building Negotiating Teams to ensure our presence at the bargaining table is engaged, balanced and well-prepared.
Strengthening Member Engagement:
As of December 1, SLOCEA staff conducted a total of 13 site visits in 2024 with almost 170 members attending throughout the year.
Site visits are a great opportunity for members to meet the SLOCEA labor reps and office staff, to learn about the many benefits of membership, current events and upcoming contract negotiations. Staff bring lunch (or breakfast) and members have the opportunity to win prizes at the end of the Site Visit along with being entered into the quarterly smart-tv raffle!
2024 General Membership Meeting
We also held a General Membership meeting in October, with record post-pandemic attendance. Getting to see members face to face and discuss their real world concerns is always a top priority for SLOCEA.
Expanding Resources and Support:
This year, SLOCEA issued nearly $15k in financial assistance though the Personal Crisis Grant to SLOCEA members experiencing an unforeseen personal crisis who have exhausted all other available options.
The Academic Scholarship program awarded $10k in scholarships to SLOCEA members and their families pursuing continuing education.
In 2024, SLOCEA established the Strike Fund and allotted an initial $10k to the fund, which will be utilized to issue payments to SLOCEA members who participate in picketing activities, in the event of a future strike.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we move into 2025, there’s more work to do. Some of our key goals include:
Collective Bargaining:
The MOUs for the Trades and Big Units will expire in June 2025, and SLOCEA anticipates negotiations with the County will begin next Spring. SLOCEA has already begun preparing for negotiations, conducting research and putting together the Negotiating Teams.
A survey will be sent to members of the impacted bargaining units in early January, so please keep an eye out for those and be sure to complete the survey! This is your Association and your employment contract, and SLOCEA needs to hear from you going into negotiations!
Updating the Member Portal:
To continue to build member engagement and access, SLOCEA will be updating our Member Portal software to a mobile-friendly interface that will allow members to access the information they need, wherever they are. The software program will allow us to streamline communications with SLOCEA members, improving engagement and increasing efficiency.
Expanding Member Programs:
Looking to the 2025 budget, the SLOCEA Board of Directors approved an additional $20k to the Strike Fund during the 2025 fiscal year, with a goal to continue growing this fund over time.
The Board also approved an increase to the Personal Crisis Grant from $15k to $20k, recognizing the impact high inflation and rising costs have had on our members. This program has had a dramatic impact on SLOCEA members experiencing extreme hardship including homelessness, death in the family, and debilitating medical conditions. This increase in the budget will allow SLOCEA to aid more members in 2025, should the need arise.
Thank You
As we close out the year, I want to express my gratitude to each of you. Your hard work and dedication to our county do not go unnoticed, and it’s an honor to work alongside you to advocate for the rights and well-being of all SLOCEA members.
Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season and a bright start to the new year.
With Gratitude,
Emily Landis
Executive Director, SLOCEA