Read the SLOCEA blog for news and updates on what’s happening with your local, independent labor union.
Standing With Our Members During County Layoffs
As many of you know, the County of San Luis Obispo is facing a budget shortfall for the next fiscal year, resulting in plans to eliminate programs and lay off employees across various departments. While this is an extraordinarily difficult time for affected employees and their families, SLOCEA remains committed to standing by our members…
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)…
Pension Promises are Stronger Than the Headlines
If you read the recent San Luis Obispo Tribune or Cal Coast News article about SLOCPT’s “$1 billion debt,” you might’ve felt a jolt of concern, especially if you’re nearing retirement. But as with many things related to pensions and public finance, context matters…
Public Service Spotlight: Kitti Van Dahlen
Public Service Spotlight is a monthly series featuring SLOCEA members who have reached milestone anniversaries in their careers! Join us this month in celebrating Kitti Van Dahlen’s 27 years of service!
Prioritizing Your Mental Health Amid Uncertain Times
When the future seems unclear, daily challenges can take a toll on our mental and emotional well-being. As we recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s a powerful reminder to pause, reflect, and prioritize our mental health…
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…
WE HEAR YOU! Healthcare Benefits: Advocating for Fair Coverage
During our recent pre-negotiations survey, an overwhelming number of SLOCEA members expressed significant concerns regarding the health benefits for SLO County employees, particularly regarding affordability and coverage…
Summer Childcare Program Returns!
Balancing work and childcare during the summer can be challenging but SLOCEA’s Summer Childcare Program can help! The program provides financial assistance to eligible employees…
César Chávez, California Labor Leader: A Legacy of Justice and Relevance in Today’s Labor Movement
César Chávez remains one of the most influential figures in the American labor movement. Born on March 31, 1927, Chávez dedicated his life to fighting for the rights and dignity of farmworkers who faced oppressive working conditions…
SLOCEA Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
As a member-governed Association, SLOCEA is only as strong as our volunteer leadership. We were thrilled to reinstate our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, an event that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, was an annual celebration of our dedicated and passionate member volunteers…
Honoring Women in the Workplace on International Women’s Day
This March, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, we recognize the invaluable contributions of women in every industry, workplace, and union across the country…
Burnout Prevention & Recovery: Recognizing the Signs and Taking Action
In today’s fast-paced work environment, burnout is an increasing concern among employees in every industry. The demands of long hours, high workloads due to understaffing, and sometimes stressful working conditions can take a toll on you mentally and physically. Recognizing the signs of burnout and taking steps to prevent and recover from it is crucial for maintaining overall well-being…
Understanding Your Retiree COLA
One of the great benefits of your SLOCPT pension benefit is the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), an annual increase designed to help your pension keep up with rising prices while in retirement. We all know that a dollar today doesn’t stretch as far as it did a few years ago…
SLOCEA Members Step Into New Leadership Roles
The full benefit of union membership can only be realized through active involvement. Three SLOCEA members stepped forward to get more involved and at the February 19th SLOCEA Board of Directors meeting they were appointed to serve in leadership positions. We are pleased to introduce you to Vincent, Crystal and Ben!
California Advances Worker Protections with AB 2123 and SB 1090
California has long been a leader in progressive labor policies, and the recent enactment of Assembly Bill 2123 (AB 2123) and Senate Bill 1090 (SB 1090) further cements its commitment to supporting workers during critical moments in their lives…
Public Service Spotlight: Cara Taylor
Public Service Spotlight is a monthly series featuring SLOCEA members who have reached milestone anniversaries in their careers! Join us this month in celebrating Cara Taylor’s 25 years of service!
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...
Finding a Remedy through the Grievance Process
A grievance is a formalized, written complaint lodged by an employee against their employer if the employee has been negatively affected and has not been successful in remedying the problem through informal measures...