Volume 61, No. 2 OCEA Employee Orange County, California March/April 2008

OCEA EmployeeThe official publication of the Orange County Employees Association

The Postman Always Rings Twice

Frank Eley is back as our OCEA President! Check out his OCEA President’s Message for this issue!

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OCEA Welcomes John Leos as New Board Member

At its March 18, 2008, Board of Directors meeting, our OCEA Board of Directors chose eleven-year OCEA member John Leos to fill a vacancy on the Board. John is a Deputy Juvenile Correctional Officer employed in the Probation Services Unit. John has been an OCEA Steward for four years. He was a member of our 2007 Coalition Bargaining Team,

and he was also on our PSU Bargaining Team.

John has been an active supporter of OCEA programs, including service as an OCEA Labor Management Committee member. He has also worked hard to support political candidates and propositions endorsed by OCEA.

John, welcome to our Board of Directors!

Old Dogs, Children, and . . . (You know the rest!) OCEA General Manager Nick Berardino teaches some lessons based on Tom T. Hall’s classic song “Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine.” It's just a couple of pages away.

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A war is being waged . . . . . . against the middle class. Learn more by looking at our center spread.

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OCEA Member Recruitment Drive Coming!

Watch our website for details!

www.oceamember.org

Working on your taxes?

Check out the OCEA “tax guide” for help on your taxes.

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Special Events and Discounts

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OCEA CALENDAR

OCEA PAC Meeting Third Thursday each month

OCEA Board of Directors Meeting Third Tuesday each month

OCEA Women’s Forum April 23: “Manage Your Money”

OCEA Steward Meeting Second Tuesday each month

OCEA is a classic example of democracy in action. You, the member, are the most important person in our “hierarchy.” You elect our leaders, who in turn develop a philosophy or strategy based on what our members want. We often say that OCEA can be just about whatever our members want us to be!

Viewed from another standpoint, OCEA IS our members, and our members ARE OCEA. We get things done, because we do it ourselves! We don’t depend on outsiders! That philosophy has kept OCEA a leading labor organization for decades!

But some of our members may wonder exactly how they can take a more active part in carrying out OCEA’s mission! Take a look at the pyramid below! There is a place for you there. You may take part on one of OCEA’s Labor Management Committees. You might join the OCEA Women’s Forum Committee, or take part on our OCEA Political Action Committee. You might be interested in becoming an OCEA Steward, or running for our Board of Directors. You might even become OCEA President!

It all starts with a phone call to your OCEA Labor Relations Representative:

(714) 835-3355

OCEA President Chosen by OCEA’s Board of Directors

OCEA Board of Directors Elected by OCEA’s membership

OCEA Stewards Trained members who support OCEA

Informal OCEA Leaders Not necessarily stewards . . .

At a recent OCEA Steward meeting, OCEA Labor Relations Representative Tim Steed shared insights on how to locate potential Stewards and help them get going! Tim made it seem easy!

OCEA: We’re on a roll!

OCEA Stewards are listening avidly to presentations at our March 11, 2008, Steward meeting in OCEA’s Assembly Room.

John Leos

Page 2 – March/April 2008 OCEA is your union! Get involved!

E M P L O Y E EOrange County Employees Association

OFFICERSFrank Eley ....................................... PresidentRobert Gibson ....................1st Vice PresidentArlyn Buck ....................... 2nd Vice PresidentLezlee Neebe .....................................SecretaryRon Cooper ..................................... TreasurerCheryl Neuenschwander ..... Insurance OfficerSara Ruckle-Harms ................... Past President

COMMITTEE CHAIRSArlyn Buck ........................................CourtesyArlyn Buck ................................Special EventsRon Cooper ......................................... BylawsFrank Eley ......................................RetirementFrank Flavin ................................... LegislativeLezlee Neebe ........ Newspaper/Communications

Editor: Thomas A. SawyerDesign & Layout: Kevin Rush

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

BOARD OF DIRECTORSRussell Baldwin ....................... Forensic ScienceArlyn Buck ................................ Social ServicesLuisa Camino ......................SSA/Adult ServicesAlan Dean Clow .....................Public DefenderRon Cooper .............................Assessor’s OfficeBecki Daher .............................Sheriff-CoronerFrank Eley ...........................................RDMDJeff Gallagher ...................................ProbationEusebio “Butch” Garcia ..... Social Services AgencyRobert Gibson .................................ProbationSteven Johnson .................. Health Care AgencyJohn Leos .........................................ProbationLezlee Neebe ................... Superior Court ClerkCheryl Neuenschwander .. Superior Court ClerkPhyllis Oudmayer.......... Child Support ServicesChris Prevatt .......HCA/Tobacco Use PreventionSara Ruckle-Harms ................District AttorneyBill Stein ..................................Sheriff-CoronerPamela Waters ......................................Library

The OCEA Employee newspaper (USPS 004-330) is published six times annually; bimonthly for January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, and November/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 newspaper 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. Articles for publication must be received by OCEA no later than the first of each month. 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 pub-lication. Photographs will be returned only upon request. Copyright 2008 by the Orange County Employees Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion or contents prohibited by law. Printed by Anchor Printing, Tustin, CA.

They say “the postman always rings twice.” I’m not exactly the postman, but I’m back anyway, “ringing” again. Some of you who have been around a while will remember that I had the honor of serving you as OCEA President from 1993 through the year 2000—from before the County’s 1994 bankruptcy and extending several years after that.

And now, here I am again!

I want to begin by saying “thank you” to our Board of Directors, which has skillfully guided us through difficult times over the past few years, for their commitment and for the sacrifices they have made for the good of our OCEA membership. I especially want to single-out Sara Ruckle-Harms for her friendship and leadership during the past year, during which she served as OCEA President. Sara is planning to retire this summer, and it will be difficult to say goodbye to her!

It has now been a little over fifteen years since I wrote my first OCEA President’s message, in January 1993. Looking at it again now, I see that the big picture hasn’t changed much. At that time, I wrote: “Lastly, in looking to the New Year ahead, it’s no secret that this will be the most challenging year for OCEA in a long time.” But then, as now, I expressed optimism that our team would get through it all—as, of course, we did.

I little suspected at the beginning of 1993 that less than two years later the County would be filing for bankruptcy. But we got through that, too, and those of you who were members then

will remember that OCEA played a key role in opposing layoffs, and in getting us all through the bankruptcy and its aftermath.

In any event, this year the challenges we face are clear cut. We are continuing to withstand attacks on our pensions and medical benefits, and we are striking back at those people who want to balance state and local budgets on the backs of our members. In coming months, you’ll be hearing more and more from OCEA about the diminishing (and disappearing) middle class, and about OCEA’s role in helping to preserve the middle class.

We talk about the disappearing middle class, but does that apply to us in “affluent” Orange County? You better believe it! Consider the following, from a 2006 article in the Orange County Register:

Victor Becerra, director of UCI’s Community Outreach Partnership Center, said the latest data on incomes “exacerbates the claim by many, which I think is true, that Orange County is economically bifurcated. You have the wealthy and then you have the poor. And increasingly shrinking, very rapidly, is the middle class.

“The long-term implications in terms of a bifurcation can’t be healthy,” and will hurt the county’s image with people who might otherwise want to move or travel here, Becerra said.

Overall, people in Orange County tend to earn more money than elsewhere (even though we

have a poverty level of around 9%). But in spite of these higher earnings, it is hard for many of us—perhaps most of us—to make ends meet. Car expenses, including gasoline, are a nightmare in our car-based culture. How about housing? If you are renting, forget it! You are paying sky-high rents and there is little room for any tax-deductions to decrease that burden.

It’s even harder for those of us with children. A lot of us have childcare or preschool expenses that can easily run $4,000 per year—for one child. Typical childcare expenses in families with two children are often in the $12,000 range, depending largely on the ages of the children. If you are choosy about which schools your kids are going to attend—well, so is everybody else! The result is even higher housing costs.

So, our work is cut out for us. Let’s keep informed, and let’s stay focused on our goals as OCEA members during the coming year.

In conclusion, remember: I’m “ringing twice.” And if you’ll give me the same kind of support which you offered the fist time I rang, we’ll do fine.

Here’s to a great 2008!

Frank EleyOCEA President

The Postman Always Rings Twice

OCEA President’s Message

Frank EleyOCEA President

Attention OCEAMembers!

OCEA is pleased to announce that applications for the 2008 OCEA Board of Directors Scholarship

are now being accepted!

Here’s another great benefit of OCEA membership! OCEA is sponsoring two $2,000 scholarships for children or stepchildren of OCEA members (or whose legal guardian or financially responsible grandparent is an OCEA member). Eligibility for consideration is contingent on enrollment (or acceptance with intent to enroll) in an accredited college, university, or community college. Further eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and applications are available at OCEA or on the OCEA website. Applications must be received at OCEA on or before July 18, 2008, and the awards will be announced at the August meeting of the OCEA Board of Directors.

For scholarship application and rules,call OCEA at (714) 835-3355,

or visit www.oceamember.org.

March/April 2008 – 3OCEA is your union! Get involved!

Back in the old days of the 60s, 70s, and even 80s, one of the top songwriters in the nation was a man named Tom T. Hall. Even if you don’t know the name, you’ve heard his songs. He’s known as “The Storyteller,” because so many of his songs tell a story. His song “Harper Valley PTA” was a colossal hit for Jeannie C. Riley, back in 1968. Of the countless songs Tom has written, 11 have reached number 1 on the country charts, and 26 others have been in the Top 10. As a recording artist, Tom has been terrifically successful, and he has had such hits as “I Love,” and the number-1 hit, “Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine.”

If you’ve heard “Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine,” you probably remember it. It was the story of Tom’s meeting up with an elderly man, who told Tom that he’d “tried it all,” but the only things in the world worth anything were “old dogs, and children, and watermelon wine.” Tom’s picturesque language and haunting melody were definitely the makings of a great song.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a little about the closing words of the song:

That night I dreamed in peaceful sleep of shady summertime—Of old dogs, and children, and

watermelon wine.

There is something strangely evocative, even eerie, about these lines. This song was based on a real occurrence in Tom’s life, and it seems that Tom, the successful songwriter, saw this other man’s philosophy as symbolic of some real truth—and that he caught a glimpse of that real truth as he slept that night. And note, it was peaceful sleep! What’s better than that?

And, you know, life’s real, basic truths are apt to be this simple. I don’t have any dogs. My kids are

growing up. I’ve never tasted watermelon wine (and I don’t have any reputation as a drinker). But to me, this song is a reminder that life is only complicated because we make it that way.

But things are rarely black and white. At OCEA, and in our actions with the County and Court, and with many cities and districts, things are unavoidably complicated, and getting more so all the time. Whether we are preparing for bargaining, studying legislation, handling grievances, or dealing with any of a thousand other OCEA matters, things are complex. They require close study, and they mean occasional sleepless nights.

Can we turn back the clock? No, we can’t. And I don’t know that I would want to. In many ways, America is better now than it has been at any time in the past. The problem is, being better off comes at a price, in cold dollars and cents. We have better medical care available than in the past, but its costs border on prohibitive. Our houses and apartments are better built, and many even have fire sprinklers, but this, too, comes at a cost. We are living longer, and our compensation has to pay, directly or indirectly, for our expenses (including medical expenses) during significantly longer lives.

In terms of pure “money coming in,” hardly any of us are better off than our parents—and in many cases, our parents had it pretty rough! Household incomes are somewhat higher, but that’s mainly because in many cases there are now two people (or more) in a household providing income to help the family scratch toward the dream. The middle class is vanishing, but it might be clearer if we said that the American dream is fading.

In some ways, we are indeed better off than we were in the past. But the bottom-line, irrefutable point is this: we are not as well off as we would

be if it were not for things such as an unfair system of taxes, breaks given to corporations, exploitative employers, anti-union businesses, unfair pay and benefits, junking of pensions by major corporations, and so on. The little guy, the person who often has no voice, is suffering so the fatcats can have more money than they know what to do with.

And, please, the canard that the rich are being bled to death by taxes is ridiculous. The rich people are—well, RICH! The people who are being bled are the lower-class and middle-class.

What’s the solution? I don’t have all the answers, but I am confident that all of us must play an active role in OCEA if we are to reverse the current trend. Unions are playing a key role, and will continue to do so, in this struggle.

Look at these words, found toward the beginning of Tom T. Hall’s song, “Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine”:

I was sittin’ in Miami, pouring blended whiskey down, . . .

See the contrast portrayed in this song? What he drank was blended whisky; what he dreamed about (“That night I dreamed in peaceful sleep...”) was watermelon wine.

Our lives are one thing. Our dreams are another. For most of us, the disappearing middle class will only place our dreams that much farther away.

Nick BerardinoOCEA General Manager

“Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine”:Is Our Dream Fading?

OCEA General Manager’s Message

Nick BerardinoOCEA General Manager

In Orange County, in part due to the nature of the primary occupations, work-related tragedies seldom become big news. However, to the families of those who have been killed or seriously injured here, the results can be catastrophic. They live with the horrible results long after most people have forgotten about the tragic events.

For various reasons, we tend to think of coal-mining as one of the most dangerous occupations, but as a matter of fact, in the year 2000, timber cutters, fishermen, and pilots were engaged in substantially more dangerous jobs (based on fatalities). Nonetheless, “extractive occupations,” which include coal mining, were more than ten times as dangerous as all occupations on average.

One of the astonishing things about workplace disasters is the shocking numbers of people who have been killed in them. The worst coal-mining disaster was a gas and coal-dust explosion in the Benxihu Colliery (China), in 1942. The death toll was an unbelievable 1,549. For those who say, “it can’t happen here,” it should be noted that the United States has suffered at least four mining catastrophes which claimed 200 or more lives, including one as recent as 1937. Less destructive disasters have also been calamitous. One of the most remarkable of these was the Farmington Mine Disaster, in 1968, in West Virginia, which took 78 lives.

Our current administration in Washington has an extremely poor reputation regarding workplace safety. As recently as January of this year, President George Bush was threatening to veto a mine-safety bill. It’s been that way for a long time. Here’s a quotation from 2006, from the “Democracy Now!” website (typifying the views of pro-labor activists):

Critics contend that the Bush administration is beholden to the mining industry and has gutted safety and health regulations in the mines. They point to figures from the Center for Responsive Politics which show that over the last 6 years, coal companies gave $9 million to mostly republican federal candidates.

If you read closely the November-December issue of the OCEA Employee newspaper, you probably noticed the little 1910 photo of men and boys employed at the Bessie Mine, in Alabama. The only boy whose full name was given was Shorpy Higginbotham. It turns out that a number of researchers have been intrigued by this boy Shorpy. See, for example:

www.morningsonmaplestreet.com/henryhigginbotham1.html

Shorpy was born on November 23, 1896, so he was fourteen when the photo was taken. Tragically, he died January 25, 1928, after 10 days in the hospital. He had sustained a crushed pelvis and ruptured

bladder from “falling rock” in a mine. Sadly, one of his brothers, Jack, had been killed by a mining mishap a few years earlier. n

Shorpy Higginbotham and Workplace Safety

Shorpy Higginbotham, who was pictured in a 1910 “group shot” in our November-December issue. Shorpy was a “greaser,” evi-dently responsible for greasing the axels of the coal cars at the “tipple” at Bessie Mine, in Alabama.

Page 4 – March/April 2008 OCEA is your union! Get involved!

Assessor Department LMC

Aaron Peardon, OCEA Labor Relations Representative

The Orange County Assessor’s Department Labor Management Committee meeting was held on January 9, 2008. This is the second meeting in which OCEA participated. The meeting was attended by several employees, including OCEA members Bonnie Forsythe and Jerry Nava. OCEA Labor Relations Representative Aaron Peardon introduced the Department to their new OCEA representative, OCEA Senior Labor Relations Representative Loretta van der Pol. Loretta is returning to OCEA following a year off for medical reasons.

Over the past two years, OCEA and the Assessor’s Department have worked diligently on establishing a strong working relationship between management and employees. With the help of members of management such as Shaw Lin, Steve Harness, and County Assessor Webster Guillory, we have formulated a relationship that mutually benefits both sides. We continue to work on resolving employee issues at the earliest possible point, and strive to improve the lives of Assessor Department employees. Loretta brings many years of experience into this endeavor and will continue this important process.

Items discussed during the meeting included the security of Department computer systems, earthquake safety, and cell-phone usage. The Department is attempting to implement a computer system that will simplify the security protocol for the computer technology systems. On the issue of earthquakes, Bonnie Forsythe suggested the idea of providing earthquake safety kits to every employee. The idea is that these kits could be kept under an employee’s desk and would help survival in the event of a catastrophic earthquake. The Department is going to investigate the possibility of providing these kits and will follow-up during the next meeting. Lastly, Bill Price asked Webster Guillory to define the Department’s policy on cell-phone usage. Webster stated that employees need to use their own judgment and common sense. The use of cell phones in occasional personal emergencies is acceptable. The simple point is, do not be on the phone throughout the day, or sending and receiving text messages when you are supposed to be working. We all will have issues that we sometimes need to address, and as long as the use of cell phones is not abused, it should not be a problem.

OCEA is happy to be a part of the Assessor Department LMC, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Department in resolving workplace issues through this process.

Health Care Agency LMC

Loretta van der Pol, OCEA Senior Labor Relations Representative

Report for Meeting of January 9, 2008

The Workplace Enhancement, Communications/Project Development, Recruitment, and Best Practices subcommittees all met prior to the full meeting. Those meetings were very productive.

The Team Leaders reported that the work put into the Christmas Luncheon meeting was discussed and considered very successful.

The HCA co-sponsor David Thiessen provided an update on the unknown state of the impact of the Governor’s budget announcement on County operations.

The new OCEA co-sponsor, Loretta van der Pol, introduced OCEA’s Jason Motsick as the other new OCEA co-sponsor.

HCA’s Human Resources team member, Karen Hodel, discussed the status of the upcoming graduation of 30+ participants in the HCA Leadership Training. She also provided a description of a newer, more user-friendly “Learning Management System” that tracks the County courses taken by employees.

Subcommittee Reports:

Workplace Enhancement: The FTP server issue has still not been resolved and is still being researched. Conflicting responses have been provided by the County Data Center as to whether or not it’s feasible or allowable to have this link to the State, primarily for the purpose of uploading large files directly to it, rather than continue to send hardcopies by Federal Express.

The caseload issue submitted by an employee in Adult Behavioral Health appears to have been resolved and the employee is satisfied. This LMC issue was closed.

A new issue involving the parking lot at the 17th Street facility was submitted and research is to begin.

Communications/Project Development: The new subcommittee chair discussed being approached by a couple of new members about LMC handbooks; the location of guidelines for the Team Excellence Award; and archived information for past “What’s Up” and OCEA newsletter articles. These issues were addressed after brief discussion.

Recruitment: Public Health (and specifically the Public Health/Regulatory Health combination) is short one representative on the LMC, as is Correctional Medical Services. The subcommittee will work with management to try and identify potential candidates.

Best Practices: This subcommittee has had to revamp its work twice and is attempting to resume meeting.

New Business: There has been discussion in the recent past about reducing the LMC meeting frequency to every other month, with the subcommittees continuing to meet monthly. The issue was tabled until next month, after the subcommittees check on the viability of meeting on this basis, but with flexibility on the dates and times. Reports would be submitted to the LMC members after those meetings. There were also opinions expressed about the benefits of both monthly and bi-monthly meetings. The majority of the LMC members also participate in one of the four standing subcommittees.

Report for Meeting of February 13, 2008

Questions were asked about Leadership Development Training, training in general, and the timeliness of reimbursements. The Human Resources representative on the LMC gave some information on the training team, and on where the most current reimbursement forms can be located, but asked to be able to provide more detailed information in the next meeting.

The committee voted to accept a new member, Gregory Fuller, who works at one of the Drug and Alcohol Clinics.

In the January meeting, there had been discussion about changing the larger committee’s meeting frequency to every other month, while keeping the subcommittees on a monthly schedule. It was determined that the status quo was working and should be maintained.

Subcommittee Reports:

Communications/Project Development: The Team Excellence Awards project is beginning for the current year. There was discussion about the process that’s been used in the past and how the HCA Executive Committee sets the deadline for the announcement in the “What’s Up” newsletter.

Recruitment: The subcommittee is still functioning without a chairperson. The LMC Co-Leaders will work with the members to try to resolve the issue.

Representation appears to be equitable except in Animal Care Services, so an e-mail was sent to the division manager requesting some candidates.

There was also discussion about the target number of LMC representatives being 30 to 35, while the core group is around 15. (The issue of non-attendance may need to be addressed by the Co-Leaders.)

Workplace Enhancement: Progress is being made on the storage of County records.

The issue of parking on 17th Street is progressing also, with RDMD scheduled to conduct a traffic survey.

On the issue of file transfers, examples of the business need for certain types of emails and files to have the size restrictions lifted will be taken to the Executive Committee for presentation to IT.

The issue of AMHS caseloads was closed and moved to the Best Practices committee.

Report for Meeting of March 12, 2008

Two guests from the area in Human Resources responsible for the processing of Educational and Professional Reimbursements, as well as those for mileage, gave a good presentation on the program. They walked the members through the steps, and explained how and where delays can occur.

There were concerns raised about identity theft and the need to put Social Security numbers on the forms, which are usually ponied to Human Resources for processing, then ponied again to the Auditor-Controller’s office for the issuance of checks. The Auditor-Controller’s office is trying to address this problem by looking at ways to switch to a process or programming that will allow the use of employee numbers, instead. At present, Social Security numbers are needed because the reimbursements need to be loaded into the W-2 program.

There was discussion about the unknown impact of the state’s budget.

Subcommittee Reports:

Communications/Project Development: The application process for the Team Excellence Awards are ready for publicizing. The HCA Executive Management group will discuss the project for approval at its next meeting, and it will be on the LMC agenda in May. The applications will be made available in June, which will keep it on track for presentation at HCA’s Employee Appreciation event in August. Articles and contact information will be placed in both the Agency’s “What’s Up” newsletter and OCEA’s newspaper.

Recruitment: The subcommittee is still functioning without a chairperson. The LMC Co-Leaders encouraged the members to think about volunteering before the next meeting. If there is no volunteer at that time, one will be appointed.

Representation is adequate in terms of having every area represented, but the large areas may be under-represented. A request will go out for candidates from CMS and Disease Control.

Workplace Enhancement: County Records are in the process of being scanned and the problem of storage should be diminishing very soon.

On the issue of parking on 17th Street, RDMD performed a traffic study and will be taking the following actions: speed bumps will be installed, “Stop” lines will be added in several lanes, a pedestrian walkway will be striped in the primary lane, and signage, including directional signs, will be repainted.

On the issue of file transfers, three examples of the business need for certain types of emails and files to have the size restrictions lifted were received. Another attempt to collect examples will be made before going to the Executive Committee for presentation to IT.

Public Defender LMC

Aaron Peardon, OCEA Labor Relations Representative

Report for Meeting of November 29, 2007

The Orange County Public Defender’s Labor Management Committee meeting was held on November 29, 2007. With the departure of Marisol Daniels from OCEA, Labor Relations Representative Aaron Peardon is once again the OCEA representative for the Public Defender after nearly a year away from the Department. The meeting was attended by over twelve employes of the Department. Topics of discussion included healthy recipes, healthy speakers, the staff Christmas party, and the possibility of a Public Defender picnic.

OCEA member Maribel Franquez has taken the lead in compiling healthy recipes from Public Defender employees and posting them on the Department’s intranet for everyone to share. Some of the recipes collected include roasted turkey, garlic mashed potatoes, pasta fagioli, and sour cream-apple muffins, all of which are healthy low-calorie choices. Continuing with the theme of healthy employees, the Department is discussing the idea of having speakers from health-related organizations and companies come to lunch meetings to discuss different topics of interest such as heart health and early detection of cancer. OCEA Labor Relations Representative Aaron Peardon is working with OCEA member Nancy Jewell to provide names of possible contacts.

OCEA LMC Updates

The OCEA/HCA LMC in action! Here we see several of the members of this large and effective Labor Management Committee. The photo was taken at OCEA on February 13, 2008. Left to right: OCEA Board member Chris Prevatt; Larry Pritchett; Co-Chair Greg Manning; Co-Chair Elizabeth Bausman; and Karen Hadel.

(Continued on page 7)

March/April 2008 – 5OCEA is your union! Get involved!

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

The OCEA Payroll Deduction Amounts for Membership Dues, Voluntary Insurance Plans, and Other Benefit Programs for 2007 Are Listed Below

Dental DHMO—DeltaCare CAM 42 Member Only Member with Member with 1 Dependent 2 or More Dependents

Health & WelfareParticipants (Option 1) $71.28 $104.72 $265.26

Health & WelfareParticipants (Option 2) $71.28 $104.72 $265.26

Health & WelfareParticipants (Option 3) $217.74 $413.02 $608.06

Non-Health & WelfareEnrollee $217.74 $413.02 $608.06

Retiree $217.81 $413.08 $608.36

Delta Dental DPO Plan A+ Member Only Member with Member with 1 Dependent 2 or More Dependents

Health & WelfareParticipants (Option 1) $248.82 $661.70 $1,255.02

Health & WelfareParticipants (Option 2) $248.82 $661.70 $1,255.02

Health & WelfareParticipants (Option 3) $329.94 $758.68 $1,340.30

Non-Health & WelfareEnrollee $530.14 $980.46 $1,558.44

OCEA Annual Membership Dues (County & Court)Full-Time $261.56

Part-Time or Extra-Help $130.78

Note: For members of OCEA affiliates, the tax-deductible amounts are $261.56 for full-time, full-year employees and $130.78 for part time or extra help full-year employees. The foregoing does not apply to members of contract associations.

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

Option 1 no charge $45.03 $160.98

Option 2 no charge $45.03 $160.98

Option 3 $55.68 $73.02 $131.08

Non-H & W enrollee $100.96 $146.04 $261.96

Retiree $100.86 $146.05 $261.85

Pre-Paid Legal InsuranceBasic Plan $179.52

Basic Plan with

24-hour coverage $191.52

Extended Plan $287.52

Nine times out of ten, when you call OCEA on the telephone, or pay us a visit, the first voice you hear, or the first face you see, is that of Jini Childress, our OCEA receptionist. Jini answers the phones, greets visitors, and performs many other duties, including answering as many questions as possible that do not involve benefits or employee relations. (It is Jini who prepares the list of new OCEA members you see in each issue of this newspaper.)

Jini was born in Yonkers, New York, a city famous for the Yonkers Raceway (and fourth largest city in the state). After three years in New York, her family took a seven-year

“vacation” in Miami, Florida, and in 1953 moved to Hollywood, California.

Jini is married (and now has five grandchildren), and loves cats, Sean Connery, and Mel Gibson! She’s an avid reader and says “Barnes and Noble will call if I've not made a purchase in a week!” Her lifelong dream is to go to England!

A perfect day for Jini? Spending all day at the three-story Barnes and Noble at the Grove in Hollywood with Starbucks on the first floor!

OCEA Staff Close-UpJini Childress

OCEA Receptionist

Jini Childress at a recent OCEA Health Fair.

Who can do it?

How can I do it?

Find the answers!

When: Friday, May 23, or July 18, 20086:30 – 8:00 PM

Where: Anaheim Community Center250 E. Center St., Anaheim

FOR INFORMATION & TO REGISTER CALL:

(714) 704-8946(Does not replace SSA Orientation Meeting.)

Adoption!

Page 6 – March/April 2008 OCEA is your union! Get involved!

In Memoriam

Jim Nowlin Comprehensive Care Nurse, Correctional Mental Health

County of Orange

Longtime OCEA member . . .

January 14, 1954 – January 31, 2008

Devoted husband, father, friend . . . Friendly, wise, caring, smiling, outgoing,helpful, loving—Jim was all these things.

But words will never fully expressall that Jim was to those

who knew and loved him.

On the death of a friend, we should consider that the fates through confidence have devolved on us the task of a double living, that we have henceforth to ful-

fill the promise of our friend’s life also, in our own, to the world.

—Henry David Thoreau

HCA/OCEA Team Excellence Award for 2008

Beginning in April, the Orange County Health Care Agency/OCEA Labor Management Committee will be seeking nominations for the 2008 Steve Ambriz Team Excellence Award. The award is expected to be presented in August.

For those who may be unfamiliar with the award and its criteria, it’s intended to recognize the most effective work teams – those who exemplify the principles of Enlightened Leadership and Team Excellence through creative collaboration.

Nominees are evaluated through a points system that rates the following:

1. A description of the nominee’s program and its accomplishments;2. A description of how the nominee’s team shines in the areas of its talents,

strengths, going above and beyond, problem solving, self evaluation, and creativity; and

3. The submission of any other information that would support the application.

When the open period for the submission of nominations begins in April, information and applications will be available on the HCA website at http://balsam/intranet/lmc/default.asp.

Once completed, they may be returned via e-mail to lmcteamexcellence@ochca.com, or in a sealed envelope addressed to: HCA/OCEA LMC Team Excellence Awards, HCA Human Resources, Bldg. 38-AE.

The deadline for the submission of nominations is May 1, 2008.

—Loretta van der Pol, OCEA Senior Labor Relations Representative

Know Your RIGHTS!

In the present discussion, references to Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) refer to agreements entered into between OCEA and the County of Orange, or between OCEA and the Court.

Before imposing discipline, an employer—such as the County, the Court, a city, or a special district—may call an employee in for an investigatory meeting.

What is an investigatory meeting?

In most employment contexts, an investigatory meeting (or investigatory interview) is a meeting attended by an employee and one or more management representatives, where the employee is asked questions about a subject and where the employee reasonably believes that discipline may be imposed on the employee as a result of the employee’s answers.

It is possible that management will call the meeting while believing that the employee will not be disciplined. The purpose from management’s standpoint might be the investigation of an employee other than the one attending the meeting. The employee, however, may have reason to believe that “if management knew what I knew,” the employee might well be disciplined.

So, the two elements that are present are:

1. A meeting on a subject; and2. A reasonable belief on the part of the employee

that he or she might be disciplined (as examples: reprimanded orally or in writing; suspended; reduced; discharged).

What are the employee’s rights relating to the meeting?

Boiled down, the employee’s rights are as follows:

1. The right to be informed of the subject matter of the meeting.

2. The right to be informed that discipline might result.3. The right to be informed that he or she has the right

to have a representative present.4. The right to have a representative present.5. The right against self-incrimination.

For County and Court employees, the information specified in items 1, 2, and 3 must be in writing.

There are a number of rights that flow from the above rights. For example, the meeting must be scheduled at a reasonable time. The schedule of the employee’s representative must also be considered. The representative must be allowed to take notes, object to questions, clarify answers, and so on.

Here it is in a nutshell:

Know Your Weingarten Rights!You have the right to have your OCEA Representative present at any investigatory meeting which you reasonably believe may lead to discipline. If you are questioned by your supervisor or other management representative for alleged misconduct at work respectfully request that you be allowed to contact your OCEA Steward. Do not answer any questions until you have talked to your representative. If you cannot contact your OCEA Steward or OCEA Staff Labor Relations Representative, ask to have your meeting rescheduled until you have had an opportunity to consult with an OCEA Representative or Staff Representative.

Frank Flavin Leaves OCEA Board of

Directors and Joins OCEA Staff

Frank Flavin has joined the OCEA staff after several years of service on our OCEA Board of Directors. Frank recently retired from County service, where he had worked as a Deputy Juvenile Correctional Officer II in the Probation Department. In connection with his retirement, Frank recently resigned from our Board of Directors and PAC board. During the time he was a County employee, Frank was one of our all-time great Stewards and received the President’s Award (OCEA’s highest accolade) multiple times. We are lucky to have him aboard as an OCEA Labor Relations Representative!

– InvestIgatory MeetIngs –

Frank Flavin, left, receives a plaque from OCEA President Frank Eley.

March/April 2008 – 7OCEA is your union! Get involved!

Loretta van der Pol is a Senior Labor Relations Representative who joined OCEA in May, 2002. Formerly, Loretta worked as an analyst, supervisor, and middle-manager in the federal government, the California State University, and cities and special districts for over eighteen years after leaving the private sector. That experience included developing and administering large budgets, and supervising or managing in facilities management, human resources, communications, safety, training, risk management, industrial engineering, information systems, and program development. Every position had a large component of labor relations and human resources responsibilities, including

conducting investigations, hearing and deciding grievances, conducting negotiations, advocating in arbitrations, developing job classifications, and recruiting.

Loretta is one of OCEA’s most experienced labor relations people. She has played a major role in OCEA’s progress during her time here. In addition, Loretta is generous, kind, and friendly, and is always thinking about “the other guy.” Loretta is active in the political aspects of OCEA’s activities, and she played a major role in our defeat of Proposition 75 (“paycheck deception”).

Loretta lives in Fullerton, and between her

and her husband, they have four children ranging in age from twenty-seven to twenty. Two of the girls are professional actors, and the one in the middle is an artist. The youngest attends college and works part-time.

Loretta has a BA in Social Sciences, with an emphasis in Political Science, and works sporadically on a master’s degree. Her interests include movies, cooking, family events, and political activism.

OCEA Staff Close-Up

Loretta van der Pol

Ever heard Brad Paisley’s song “Ain’t Nothin’ Like”? Paisley says:

“Ain’t nothin’ like finding twenty dollars in the pocket of the britches that you wore last week.”

OCEA Steward Steve Otting has felt like that pretty often during the last couple of years as he has spent hundreds of hours of his own time tracking down money in the “britches that the County wore last week”—money which belongs to the County, but which the County has not claimed. These are funds that escheated to the state for “safekeeping.” Steve estimates that he has located about $150,000 in money owed to the County, which typically the County has not taken action to recover.

One glowing exception: the Department of Child Support Services, which claimed $7,975 due to Steve’s work.

Steve has been an OCEA member for about a decade now, and an OCEA Steward for about a year. Steve became a Steward after speaking with OCEA Labor Relations Representative Aaron Peardon, who told him that we needed him as a Steward because of his concern for others.

Steve has been enjoying his experience as an OCEA Steward. He says he is proud of being a Steward, and helping watch out for those he works with, but that the whole process is also a learning experience, as he takes part in Steward activities. He also believes that his

work is contributing to the good of the agency.

Steve is employed by the County in the County Executive Office, as an Accounting Assistant II. He has a master’s degree in organizational management, and says he gets excited when he sees the dollar amounts that the County is owed. Steve went through the County bankruptcy and was one of those who was laid off (but was ultimately called back).

Steve enjoys working for the County, and has been employed by the County for seventeen years. He says, “I enjoy helping people.”

OCEA Steward Close-UpSteve OttingOCEA Steward

Steve Otting at a recent OCEA Steward Meeting.

OCEA Steward Locates “Lost” MoneySteve Otting, in the CEO’s Office, Aids in the Recovery of $8,000 by the Department of Child Support Services

OCEA was happy to donate ten movie tickets to the Public Defender Christmas party. We also look forward to participating in the Public Defender picnic if this event is held. The idea of a picnic is a popular one and will be discussed at the next LMC meeting.

Report for Meeting of February 28, 2008

The Orange County Public Defender’s LMC was held on February 28, 2008. Attendees included Diana Hantsche and Tom Havlena of Public Defender management as well as OCEA members Leticia Baez, Maribel Franquez, Sandra Hanson, and Charlene Marshall. Maribel Franquez is leading the ongoing project of collecting healthy recipes for the Public Defender’s online cookbook. OCEA Labor Relations Representative Aaron Peardon is continuing to work with OCEA member Nancy Jewell in contacting speakers from health organizations to speak with employees about health-related issues.

In discussing issues from last meeting, the Department is unable to provide Bluetooth or global positioning satellite technology to field investigators. The County policy for taking phone calls while driving is to pull over to a safe location and then proceed with the phone call. With current budget restraints, the Department cannot afford to purchase GPS systems at this time, but may revisit the issue in the future. Currently the Department provides other means for investigators to find locations while in the field. The Public Defender’s office is still discussing the possibility of a staff picnic in the summer and may also include an Angels game as part of the festivities. OCEA has offered to provide the OCEA Hot Dog Wagon for this event.

New business discussed included suggestions from employees. One such suggestion was to keep employees

assigned to locations that are closest to their homes. Diana Hantsche explained that while this would be nice to do for employees, it does not follow with the goals of the Department. The Public Defender’s Office practice of rotating among locations is designed to give employees exposure to different courts and a broader knowledge of the overall process of the work that is done. Therefore, the practice of rotating will continue. The second request made was for the addition of an investigative assistant at the 901 building. Diana Hantsche is going to look into this request and report back to the committee at the next meeting. The final suggestion was to give investigators access to MySpace

without having to go through their supervisors. The reason for this request is that it is a valuable tool in conducting investigations, as witnesses often have MySpace accounts and the investigator can conduct research including seeing pictures of what witnesses look like. Again, Diana will be looking into this issue and report back at the next meeting.

This LMC has been very proactive on every issue brought forward. Our next meeting will be in late June and I look forward to continuing to work with this group to continue to improve the workplace of Public Defender employees.

OCEA LMC UpdAtEs - continued from page 4

Loretta van der PolOCEA Senior Labor Relations Representative

OCEA Labor Relations Representative Aaron Peardon (foreground) met on March 6, 2008, with a number of our Law Library members, regarding upcoming Law Library negotiations.

Page 8 – March/April 2008 OCEA is your union! Get involved!

What memorable events took place in 1968? Every year has many events which distinguish it, but 1968 truly was special. It was in 1968 that:

•NorthKoreaseizedtheUSspyshipUSS Pueblo

•TheTetoffensivebegan(andended)•MartinLutherKing,Jr.,wasassassinated•Riotingbrokeoutintheaftermathofthe

assassination•RobertF.Kennedywasassassinated•RiotssurroundedtheDemocraticNational

Convention•Francebecametheworld’sfifthnuclear

power•RichardNixonwaselectedPresident

Newsweekmagazinehascalled1968“theyearthat changed everything.”

Tous,asunionmembers,ourmainlineofthinking has got to be: how have things changed for the worker? Are we better off now than we were in 1968?

Toputitinanutshell,theansweris“No!”

ProgressivecommentatorJosephA.Palermo,indiscussing the recent History Channel program “1968withTomBrokaw,”says:

Brokaw accepts the premise that America is more “conservative” today, but one could just as easily argue that the workforce is simply more insecure and scared today; the cold hand of the market has disciplined their wayward children far more severely and effectively than their parents ever could. Compared to 1968, the U.S. economy is a shell of its former self, and the new status quo that Brokaw lauds limits opportunity even while the government has grown more authoritarian and nakedly imperialistic.

Our kids today have it a lot harder than we had it—we had far more support from the government in the form of educational and economic opportunities.

Whether you agree or disagree with the foregoing,thepointisthatthedifferences(andsimilarities)between1968and2008havetodowith ideology, attitudes, and ways of thinking. And these matters have in turn impacted our ways of life, and our incomes.

Okay, then. Is the middle class shrinking—or perhapsdisappearingaltogether?Therehavebeen some shocking economic happenings during the period of 1968 to 2008. A mid-2006 analysisofTheBrookingsInstitution,anon-

The moral: stay with OCEA! In this war, you need your union membership, and we all need the union! Check out these photos to see some of the activities we are working on!

Steward Training!OCEA Steward training is provided during two all-day sessions. Here we see attendees at a recent session.

Catastrophic Leave BargainingThis photograph was taken on March 5, 2008, during bargaining on catastrophic leave provisions in the OCEA Assembly Room.

From our vantage point here in the year 2008, it is instructive to look back forty years to the year 1968, and make some comparisons. Many of today’s public employees in Orange County were not even born as of 1968, but a good many of us were not only born, we were old enough to have lived through, and remember, that time.

No matter how you slice it, the year 1968 was an iconic year. For instance, it was the year of the classic Steve McQueen movie Bullitt. Who can forget the car chase in that movie? And now the Ford Motor Company has come up with a 40th-anniversary salute to the film and McQueen’s car. As Ford’s website says: “AN ORIGINAL COMES TO LIFE — THE 2008 MUSTANG BULLITT. SEE IT. HEAR IT. GET INTO THE CHASE.” And indeed you can get into the chase—starting at $31,075. If only!

March/April 2008 – 9OCEA is your union! Get involved!

Brokaw accepts the premise that America is more “conservative” today, but one could just as easily argue that the workforce is simply more insecure and scared today; the cold hand of the market has disciplined their wayward children far more severely and effectively than their parents ever could. Compared to 1968, the U.S. economy is a shell of its former self, and the new status quo that Brokaw lauds limits opportunity even while the government has grown more authoritarian and nakedly imperialistic.

Our kids today have it a lot harder than we had it—we had far more support from the government in the form of educational and economic opportunities.

Whether you agree or disagree with the foregoing,thepointisthatthedifferences(andsimilarities)between1968and2008havetodowith ideology, attitudes, and ways of thinking. And these matters have in turn impacted our ways of life, and our incomes.

Okay, then. Is the middle class shrinking—or perhapsdisappearingaltogether?Therehavebeen some shocking economic happenings during the period of 1968 to 2008. A mid-2006 analysisofTheBrookingsInstitution,anon-

partisan think-tank, shows that, in 1970, 58% ofmetropolitanneighborhoodswere“middle-income.” In 2000, that was down to 41%. And the percentage of families earning middle incomes also dropped.

Get this, from the website of Fight Crime: InvestinKidsCalifornia(a“bipartisan,anti-crimeorganizationledbymorethan350sheriffs, police chiefs, district attorneys, and victimsofviolence”):

The hardest hit are middle-income families, earning between $30,000 and $60,000 per year, who are generally not eligible for publicly-funded preschool. In Orange County, higher-income families are 61 percent more likely to enroll their children in preschool than middle-income families. The report calculated the expenses of a family currently earning $50,000. Housing, utilities, car, groceries, medical bills, clothing and taxes add up to $51,180, leaving nothing to pay for preschool.

Wemaybemakingmoremoney,butwe’regetting sucked into a whirlpool of expenses: housing prices, childcare costs, vehicle expenses, and medical costs.

Our OCEA Steward Program: A Key Program for Our LeadersIn future months, you are apt to hear more and more about what the labor movement is doing to help rebuild the middle class. If OCEA—our union—is to do its share, we need as much partici-pation by our members as possible! Our OCEA Steward program is a crucial part of the process!

The moral: stay with OCEA! In this war, you need your union membership, and we all need the union! Check out these photos to see some of the activities we are working on! OCEA Labor Relations Managers Bo Gutierrez and Aaron Peardon chat

with two charming Public Defender staff members.

Catastrophic Leave BargainingThis photograph was taken on March 5, 2008, during bargaining on catastrophic leave provisions in the OCEA Assembly Room.

OCEA Board member Alan Dean Clow at the Public Defender site visit on February 5, 2008.

In the hallway at the Public Defender’s Office: OCEA staff members Jerry Martel, Bo Gutierrez, and Aaron Peardon, with OCEA Steward Esther Fonseca.

Page 10 – March/April 2008 OCEA is your union! Get involved!

OCEA Hot Dog DaysAre Right Around the Corner!

We are unveiling the legendary OCEA Hot Dog Wagon for the 2008 season! We will once again be serving hot dogs and chips. Come on out for a dog or two, and meet OCEA staff members, OCEA Board members, and OCEA Stewards!

Note: Schedule is subject to change! Check www.oceamember.org for the curent list!All events below start at 11:30 a.m.

In view of the fact that March is Social Worker Month, it is fitting that our Board of Directors profile this issue is of Social Worker Luisa Camino!

In the entire history of OCEA, it is unlikely that there has ever been a more enthusiastic and cheerful supporter of OCEA than Luisa Camino. Over the years, Luisa has made countless memorable statements in support of OCEA. One typical comment: “There is no union in the world that can top OCEA!” Another: “For me, OCEA is the best: the alpha and the omega of the County workforce!”

Luisa is a 28-year veteran of County employment, and she has been an OCEA member for a quarter of a century! Many people come to Luisa for help, not only on work-related issues, but on personal problems, and she has always been willing to lend a hand.

For many years, Luisa has been a member of our OCEA bargaining teams. When she speaks, people

listen, because she speaks with personal wisdom and with the experience of a long-time County employee. She knows what is right and what is wrong, and she knows what will work, and what will not work.

In addition to being an OCEA Board member (since 1998), Luisa is a longtime OCEA Steward. In 2001, she received the OCEA President’s Award, for her key role in supporting OCEA’s organizational security during raids in the year 2000. The OCEA President’s Award is the highest accolade that OCEA bestows.

Luisa is a native of Cuba, and she moved to Orange County in 1976. When time allows, she enjoys reading, travelling, and watching movies.

Outspoken and faithful, Luisa supports OCEA with her actions as well as her words. We are proud of her and her contributions to our welfare!

OCEA Board Close-UpLuisa CaminoSocial Services Agency/Adult Services

Above: Here we see Luisa at our 2005 OCEA Health Fair, with then-Assemblyman Tom Umberg.

Left: Luisa Camino during OCEA's 2007 coalition bargaining.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 RDMD / Sheriff (Hutton Towers)

Thursday, April 17, 2008 “The Pit,” Civic Center

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 SSA Eckoff

Thursday, April 24, 2008 District Attorney

Tuesday, April 29, 2008 Central Court / Law Library

Wednesday, April 30, 2008 Anaheim

Thursday, May 01, 2008 CSS / SAO

Monday, May 5, 2008 OCERS

Wednesday, May 07, 2008 HCA

Thursday, May 08, 2008 888 / 1200 N. Main, Santa Ana

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 West Court / PHN / Probation (Westminster)

Thursday, May 15, 2008 HCA—405 5th Street and Sycamore Locations

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 HCA—1241 E. Dyer, Santa Ana

Thursday, May 22, 2008 HCA—1725 17th Street, Santa Ana

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 Central Jail (Flower Street)

Thursday, May 29, 2008 Library Headquarters / CEO, 1501 E. St. Andrews Place

March is Social Worker month!We are saluting our Social Worker members by making a contribution to Orangewood Children’s Home.

In order to help support Orangewood Children’s Home, and to recognize our Social Worker members and the work they do, our OCEA Board of Directors has authorized a gift from OCEA to Orangewood Children’s Home in the amount of $2,500.

March/April 2008 – 11OCEA is your union! Get involved!

Last year, OCEA played a key role in the establishing of the Orange County Voter Information Project. It’s a non-partisan effort designed to increase the “say” that working people have, regardless of their party affiliation. It’s a huge project, sending representatives out to the front lines to encourage them to register. It’s also expensive, but many unions have chipped in, and the program has met with great success.

Recently (March 8, 2008), the Orange County Register carried an extensive article on the OC VIP. The article stated:

Nick Berardino, general manager of the county’s most politically active union—the 17,000-member Orange County Employees Association—leads the nonpartisan registration project. And without naming names, he acknowledges that the drive is the result of years of frustration with the voting records of many traditionally friendly elected officials.

“We appreciate the efforts of the elected officials,” he said. “But we feel that to ensure progress and security for working families, labor cannot depend on them, because their support has often waxed and waned with the political atmosphere.”. . .

Apparently, the message is already being received. And the voter registration project has lots of invitations once it finishes its work in central Orange County by next month.

“Numerous elected officials have demonstrated interest in moving this program into their respective districts,” said Berardino, declining to name which officials want the project in their back yards. “There is such an untapped source of power by reaching out to those who have not participated that elected officials would love to see that power unleashed in their districts.”

Voter Information Project Gains Momentum

OCEA Legislative Corner

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Page 12 – March/April 2008 OCEA is your union! Get involved!

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

exciting animals on the prowl for new owners.

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

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

Sol—spayed female, 2 years old, sable, German shepherd mix, ID# A0873299. Sol is a nice young girl and she loves being around people.

Cider—female, 2 years old, red, Labrador retriever mix, ID# A0876650. Cider is a

bit shy at first but warms up quickly if you take the time to get to know her.

Hurley—male, 8 years old, brown tabby, domestic long hair, ID# A0872502. Hurley is sweet, laid back, and will purr for any attention he receives.

Shamus—male, 2 years old, brown tabby, domestic short hair, ID# A0876775. Shamus loves attention and would make

a wonderful lap kitty.

Violet—female, 2 years old, gray, short hair rabbit, ID# A0873301. Violet is a calm girl with a gentle temperament and lots of love to give.

Tyler—male, 1 year old, tan, short hair rabbit, ID# A0874036. Tyler is a playful and spunky boy

who loves to hop about and play.

REAOC: Join the Retired Employees Association. Participate for only $1.00 a month. P.O. Box 1496, Brea, CA 92822-1496. Call (714) 840-3995; FAX (714) 840-7189. E-mail: reaoc@reaoc.org. Website: www.reaoc.org.

ORANGE COUNTY OFFICE ON AGING: Free information on services for older adults. 1-800-510-2020

KAYAK FOR SALE: Cobra Expedition, 18 feet long, blue, sit on top, fast and lots of storage room. Email me for photos at hwollerman@city.newport-beach.ca.us. Includes seat and thigh straps. Call Herb at (949) 287-4644. $725. Costa Mesa. 03/08

FOR SALE: On English Riviera, UK, one-bed apartment. Walk to ocean and town center. Good for investment, easy to let. Brand-new carpets, paint, kitchen cabinets and bathroom tiles. $170, 000. Monthly ins/maint $120 (equivalent). Call Pam at (714) 704-8207. 03/08

FREE TO GOOD HOME: Two adult male cats (brothers) are in need of a loving home. They are both spayed and current on their shots. Both are litter-box trained and both are very social. They love dogs and people. They are doggie-door trained and come and go as they please. I have a very large, three tier cat tower which they enjoy lounging around on that I will be donating with them. I also have cat food and toys to give. Please email me if you are interested. Elizabeth, flyfishfollow2@yahoo.com. 04/08

ROOMMATE WANTED: Female preferred. $650/mo., utilities included. House located in east Anaheim area near Anaheim Hills. Call Gina at (714) 315-0245. 02/08

FOR SALE: Honda generator. Good condition, $75. Cell phone, International Card, like new: $20. Cell phone: Cellular: $15. Look a like Straterferus violin full size, $500. Laptop computer-Dell-Pen III, $150. 36-inch RCA Color TV, $450. Please call Mr. Martin at (714) 731-2544. 04/08

FOR SALE: 1998 Chevy Tahoe. 2-door, 4-wheel drive, fully loaded. Leather interior, oversized tires, running boards, trailer hitch. 79,390 original miles. Good condition. Needs some electrical work, runs great. Selling with Salvage Title. Asking $6,000 or better offer. Call Ana at (714) 454-9716. 07/08

FOR RENT: Gorgeous 1,350 sq. ft. townhome in Anaheim, 4 bedrooms with 3 full bath and a side patio, direct access 2 car garage home in a gated Anaheim neighborhood for lease (minimum 1 year). Walking/biking distance to elementary school. Close to Disneyland and other shopping centers. Close/easy access to the 5, 57, and 91 fwys. Lease for $2,000/month+security deposit, available in January/February 2008. No Smoking and pets allowed. Please call (714) 422-6739. 02/08

FOR SALE: Beautiful custom home situated on 5 acres of Pinyon Pines overlooking south fork of the Kern River in the small mountain community of Kennedy Meadows. Less than 3 hours from L.A., includes pedestrian and equestrian easement to the wilderness, ideal for horses, miles of motorcycle and snowmobile trails, and excellent fishing streams, including the Golden Trout Wilderness. Home is 1,950 square feet, has open pine ceilings, many large windows, features 2 master suites, Trex decking surrounding the home, 3-car garage and sepa-rate cozy guest cottage. Asking $650,000. Call Art Long at (559) 850-5664 if interested. 2/08

FOR SALE: Custom mobile home, one bed-room, one bath, kitchen, dining/living room, large patio w/ cover and space for 1 or 2 car parking at door. Centrally located in Fullerton. Lowest rent in area. $5,000 as is. Please call Carolyn at (714) 974-7369 and leave mes-sage. 2/08

FOR RENT: Gated townhouse, available now. Pool, spa, club house and tennis court, 1250 sf, 2 bed/1.5 bath, Traveritine flooring downstairs, carpet upstairs, nice size patio (with cover), washer, dryer, & refrigerator included! 1-car garage w/ remote. Please contact Tom or Pei at (714) 334-5194 or ttommytd@earthlink.net if interested. 3/08

FOR SALE: One mostly white ceramic figurine of a reclining Asian lady in ancient cos-tume, $25. One solid wood display shelf suitable for a plate collection, $25. One 70-80 year old solid wood chair (needs some re-glueing), $25. Call Tom at (949) 643-9211 or email tngm1@sbcglobal.net. 3/08

MOTORCYCLE FOR SALE: 2006 black Suzuki GZ250, excellent condition, comes with saddlebags and a bike cover, $2,700 obo. Call Ryan at (714) 744-4838. 07/08

FOR SALE: Carbon Canyon, BREA, 1996 Mobile Home, 1530 square feet! 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, open floor-plan. Drywall, lots of windows and sky lights. New sink, disposal, and faucet. Carpet is less than 2 years old. A great place to raise kids. This lovely family park has a newly remodeled recreation hall and pool area. $70,000. We have an assumable lease that makes the space rent less than $900 per month. Ask me about the national blue ribbon elementary school! Call for pictures. Contact Beverly at (714) 996-0009 or (714) 321-0592. 05/08

FOR RENT: Oceanfront Kona Hawaii condo rental, 2 bedrooms/baths on Big Island of Hawaii, 1-week minimum stay. Full kitchen, washer/dryer, large oceanfront lanai. Sleeps 6. Enjoy sounds of surf, spectacular sunsets. $995 per week. For pictures and info visit www.konahawaiicondo.info, or call Charlie at (714) 747-5196. 06/08

FOR RENT: Sedona Timeshare R.C.I. Gold Crown Resort. Week starting June 15, 2008. Large 2 bedroom/2 bath/2 fireplaces. Full kitchen including washer and dryer. Creekside unit in uptown Sedona. Close to shops and restaurants. 100 miles from Grand Canyon. $1295 per week. Call Mike at (949) 496-4559. 07/08

FOR SALE: Geo Holiday Vacation Ownership. A unique personal vacation ownership! Have access to exciting, unique vacation experiences in some of the World’s finest destinations. This is an ownership with 15,000 points annually to use towards Resorts, Hotels, Cruises, Car rentals, and Flights. For more information, please contact David at (951) 415-9151. 07/08

FOR SALE: 4-poster Cal-King Walnut hard wood bed frame w/side rails. Made by Pulaski. Includes box springs. Can deliver. Like new. $200. Call Pat (951) at 688-7388 or e-mail: pat.campobasso@sbcglobal.net for photo. 07/08

FOR RENT: One person, One room in Garden Grove. One (of two) dual master bedrooms in 2-story, 2-bedroom, 2½-bathroom gated condo in Garden Grove. Bedroom comes with personal bathroom, access to internet; one space in 2-car garage; Washer and Dryer in garage. Condo complex: Gated with Pool and Jacuzzi. Sorry, no pets. Please email Angeline at: santiago_ange@hotmail.com. $725 and ½ utilities (gas, water, electricity, internet). 07/08

Classified ads are a free service to all members. Only members may submit ads. Deadline is first of the month preceding issue date. Ads may be edited or rejected by OCEA. Notify Sunny Rangel if you wish to cancel your ad, or regarding corrections or other changes. Mail your classified ads to Sunny Rangel at OCEA Headquarters, or fax them to her at (714) 835-7654, or email them to her at srangel@oceamember.org.

OCEA Classifieds

OCEA at Orangewood Children’s HomeOrangewood Children’s Home was the location of a February 28, 2008, site visit by OCEA staff. These photos give some idea of what it was like. When an OCEA Site Visit comes your way, be sure to stop by!

OCEA Labor Relations Representative Llesena Ontiveras chats with several supervisors.

An OCEA member in food services at Orangewood shares some ideas.

The table with OCEA giveaways: newspapers, pocket calendars, and more!

Above and Below: OCEA staff Benefits Administrator Tracie Mills shares information with employees at the site visit.

Study of a Site Visit at

Orangewood Children’s Home

March/April 2008 – 13OCEA is your union! Get involved!

Anthony Acevedo ................ Resources & DevelopmentNatalia Adams .................................. John Wayne AirportAngela Adams Paz ......................Child Support ServicesKimberly Albano ................................Auditor-ControllerMonica Allison .............................Child Support ServicesElizabeth Alvarez .........................Probation DepartmentVanessa Alvarez ........................... Social Services AgencyLuisa Amaya ................................ Social Services AgencyGena Ambroise ..........................................Superior CourtChristopher Anchors .......................Health Care AgencyElizabeth Anderson .....................Child Support ServicesTeresa Anderson .....................................District AttorneyChristy Andrade .......................... Social Services AgencyEileen Anguiano ...............................Health Care AgencyDana Ardeleanu .......................... Social Services AgencyCesar Arechiga ...........................................Superior CourtTeejay Areopagita ................. Resources & DevelopmentPatricia Arevalo ........................... Social Services AgencyJennifer Arnold .............................Probation DepartmentSandra Asche ....................................Health Care AgencyAmy Ashland ....................................Health Care Agency Jose Ayala ..................................... Social Services AgencyKarin Bae ...........................................Health Care AgencyZaira Banuelos ...........................................Superior CourtLaura Barajas ................................Probation DepartmentChristina Barragan ......................Child Support ServicesChristopher Barragan .................... Sheriff’s DepartmentMarcus Bass................................. Assessor’s DepartmentJennifer Behen Givens ................ Social Services AgencyKaryn Bernard .....................................Clerk of the BoardSonja Berry ........................................Health Care AgencyDann Bess ..........................................Health Care AgencyBrook Bingham ..................... Resources & DevelopmentKathryn Blair.....................................Health Care AgencyArlene Bledsoe Davis .................. Social Services AgencySomchet Bonsynat ............................Health Care AgencyRandall Bradford ......................... Social Services AgencyMelissa Brady ...................................Health Care AgencyDonna Breitfeller .................. Resources & DevelopmentAaron Brink .......................................Health Care AgencyLatanya Buckner .....................................District AttorneySherry Buenavista ........................Probation DepartmentLaura Burduaj ..........................................Public DefenderPatricia Burton .............................Child Support ServicesDarlene Buynicki Roach ........................ Public GuardianTodd Calderon ................................ Sheriff’s DepartmentTom Calhoon .....................................Health Care AgencyKarla Campos ...................................Health Care AgencyAxenia Canda .............................. Social Services AgencyChristina Cardino .................... District Attorney’s OfficeShawntee Cardwell ..................... Social Services AgencyFrances Carrillo ........................... Social Services AgencyJay Casas .......................................... Sheriff’s DepartmentChristopher Casillas............. Resources & DevelopmentRene Castellanos ..........................Probation DepartmentWalter Castillo Montoya .............Probation DepartmentFrancisco Castrejon ..................... Social Services AgencyJudith Chamberlin............................Health Care AgencySofia Chavez................................. Social Services AgencyDennis Chen ......................................Health Care AgencyJames Cheung ................................. Sheriff’s DepartmentCarolyn Chin ...............Housing & Community ServicesDavid Clark ..................................... Sheriff’s DepartmentSussel Collazo .............................. Social Services AgencyChristine Combs ............................. Sheriff’s DepartmentLinda Crowell ...................................Health Care AgencyDenver Cua .......................................Health Care AgencyJB Cui ............................................... Sheriff’s DepartmentMichelle Curtis .................................Health Care AgencyIrene Dacayanan ........................................Superior CourtAustin Davis .................................Probation DepartmentGraciela Delgadillo ..................... Social Services AgencyMark Delgado ...................................Health Care AgencyJesus Diaz ..........................................Sheriffs DepartmentLeticia Diaz...................................... Sheriff’s DepartmentMaria Diaz ....................................... Sheriff’s DepartmentMarta Diaz .....................................Probation DepartmentRyan Dimit ...................................... Sheriff’s DepartmentKieu Duong .......................................Health Care AgencyMark Dy Ragos .................................Health Care AgencyAmy Eatherton ............................ Social Services AgencyMoctezuma Enriquez ...................Probation DepartmentRegina Esparza .............................Probation Department Rochell Estes ................................ Social Services AgencyMark Estoque ........................ Resources & DevelopmentJoanne Fierro .....................................Health Care AgencyJennifer Foran ............................................Superior CourtBeth Franz .....................................Probation DepartmentNicholas Freeland ........................Probation DepartmentLori French ...................................... Sheriff’s DepartmentTim Fritch ........................................ Sheriff’s DepartmentRichardo Galindo ........................ Social Services AgencySara Gallardo .................................. Sheriff’s DepartmentMargaret Gallegos ...................................Public DefenderAngelica Galvan ...............................Health Care AgencyJoanne Garrisi .........................................District AttorneyJoanna Gaytan ..........................................Superior CourtVipin Goel.................................... Assessor’s DepartmentAdriana Gonzales .............................Health Care AgencyRandy Gonzales.............................. Sheriff’s DepartmentElizabeth Gonzalez ............................Auditor-ControllerEva Gonzalez ................................Probation DepartmentLaura Gonzalez ....................... District Attorney’s OfficeNereida Gonzalez ........................ Social Services AgencySoumelia Gountoumas ....................Health Care Agency

Joaquin Granado ..............................Health Care AgencyJacqueline Granados ................... Social Services AgencyJulisa Griego .................................... Sheriff’s DepartmentHeather Grose ...................................Health Care AgencyAron Grumbles ............................... Sheriff’s DepartmentMarco Guillen ...................................Health Care AgencyLaura Gutierrez ...........................Child Support ServicesLeanne Gutierrez ............................ Sheriff’s DepartmentAnne Gwynn ................................ Social Services AgencyHado Harkins .........................................District AttorneyAndrea Harris ................................. Sheriff’s DepartmentMegan Harris .............................................Superior CourtMaria Hassaram .....................................District AttorneyCathy He ..............................................Auditor-ControllerRobert Hernandez .......................... Sheriff’s DepartmentJuliet Herrera ....................................Health Care AgencyRichard Herrera ........................ County Executive OfficeDelany Heyne ...............................Probation DepartmentKristen Higbee ..................................Health Care AgencyDiana Ho ....................................................Superior CourtJacqueline Hoffman ................. County Executive OfficeLynnsay Holer ..................................Health Care AgencyJames Huie ....................................Probation DepartmentRachel Humphreys ..........................Health Care AgencyJon Iler ................................................Health Care AgencyIhda Ibasco ........................................Health Care AgencyNadejda Iotova ...........................................Public LibraryNima Javadi ...................................... John Wayne AirportGeraldine Jimenez .....................................Superior CourtGail Johnson .................................Child Support ServicesLarry Johnson ...............................Probation DepartmentRebeca Juarez ....................................Health Care AgencyArash Khorashadi .....................................Superior CourtArif Khwaja .......................................Health Care AgencyMichael Kim .................................... Sheriff’s DepartmentWoo Kim ....................................... Social Services AgencySonica Kohli .......................... Resources & DevelopmentRyan Kolakowski ................. Resources & DevelopmentGerrit Kovach....................................Health Care AgencyRonald Kozma ...................... Resources & DevelopmentCarla Krstich ................................ Social Services AgencyBhartti Kumar .............................. Social Services AgencyJon Kurtz............................................Health Care AgencyHa La ............................................. Social Services AgencyCarol Lacruz Yudice .................... Social Services AgencyCynthia Lam-Chan ...................... Social Services AgencyShawnna Lander ..........................Probation DepartmentMonica Lares ................................ Social Services AgencySantos Lares ...............................................Superior CourtViolet Larsen .....................................Health Care AgencyRichard Le .................................... Social Services AgencyLeonardo Lebron .............................. John Wayne AirportChristopher Lechmann ........ Resources & DevelopmentJoesephen Lee ............................................Superior CourtLaura Legrand ................................ Sheriff’s DepartmentSera Levy ................................... County Executive OfficeDamariz Leyva Aguilar .............. Social Services AgencySteve Lim ......................................... Sheriff’s DepartmentSusanna Lim................................. Social Services AgencyMaria Linares ....................................Health Care AgencyJiun-Jie Liou .......................... Resources & DevelopmentSandy Liu .............................. Resources & DevelopmentSandra Lizarraga ......................... Social Services AgencyRonald Llanos ....................... Resources & DevelopmentHadela Lopez ................................Probation DepartmentJustin Loughman ..............................Health Care AgencyJason Luong .................................... Sheriff’s DepartmentJames Macklin ...................................Health Care AgencyNicole Madonia ................................Health Care AgencyThu Hien Mai ....................................Health Care AgencyMauricio Mairena .............................Health Care AgencyLatoya Manuel ............................. Social Services AgencyMatthew Marcz..........................................Superior CourtCarolyn Marr ....................................Health Care AgencyAmanda Martindale ...................... Sheriff’s DepartmentCherissa Martinez ....................... Social Services AgencyEsperanza Martinez ....................Child Support ServicesJessica Martinez ......................... Housing & Community DevelopmentMeleah Martinez ......................... Social Services AgencyFelipe Martins ................................. Sheriff’s DepartmentMeredith May ...................................Health Care AgencyGuillermina Mayfield ................. Social Services AgencyDeborah Mcglone .............................Health Care AgencyMaria Medina ...................................Health Care AgencyLinda Miller ................................ Assessor’s DepartmentLolly Miller ........................................Health Care AgencyLisa Melton ........................................Health Care AgencySarah Miltimore ............................Probation DepartmentMichael Miniaci .................... Resources & DevelopmentDaylee Montano .......................... Social Services AgencySusana Montes ............................. Social Services AgencyRufino Mora ......................................Health Care AgencyKathleen Mrotzek ........................Child Support Services Cynthia Mullenix ........................Child Support ServicesAnna Munoz Lopez ..................................Superior CourtKrishnamenon Nadaraja ..... Resources & DevelopmentImelda Narez ............................... Social Services AgencyCady Nguyen .......................................Registrar of VotersChinh Nguyen ....................................Auditor-ControllerDavid Nguyen ...................... Resources & DevelopmentHoa Nguyen .................................... Sheriff’s DepartmentJennifer Nguyen .......................... Social Services AgencyJohn Nguyen ......................... Resources & DevelopmentKenneth Nguyen ........................ Assessor’s Department

Mai Nguyen ................................. Social Services AgencyNgoc Nguyen .................................. Sheriff’s DepartmentThao Nguyen ............................... Social Services AgencyAngelina Nguyen Do ................................Superior CourtRebecca-Ann Nielsen ...................Probation DepartmentLorena Nieves ...................................Health Care AgencySelamawit Nigatu ......................................Superior CourtAmanda Nyssen ...........................Probation DepartmentWilliam O’Brien ........................... Social Services AgencyChristine O’Hare Pomponi .......................Public LibrarySergio Ortiz .......................................Health Care AgencyJill Osuna ......................................... Sheriff’s DepartmentDaniel Packman .............................. Sheriff’s DepartmentRosa Palacios ................................ Social Services AgencySteve Paredes ....................................Health Care AgencyDean Parsons ............................... Social Services AgencyMaria Pary .........................................Health Care AgencyVeronica Pasillas ...........................Probation DepartmentMiguel Pation Perez .....................Probation DepartmentJohn Pavlik ............................ Resources & DevelopmentAnthony Perea ...........................................Superior CourtKay Pereira ................................... Social Services AgencyKarino Perez ..................................Probation DepartmentJalene Pham ................................ Housing & CommunityMarysol Placencio .......................Child Support ServicesManuel Ponce ................................. Sheriff’s DepartmentSonia Ponce ...................................Probation DepartmentAndrew Prack ................................... John Wayne AirportMonica Prado ............................... Social Services AgencyDaniel Pratt .............................. District Attorney’s OfficeDean Price ............................. Resources & DevelopmentGabriele Prinzing ........................... Sheriff’s DepartmentAngelica Ramirez ....................................Public DefenderNaria Ramirez ............................................Superior CourtRichard Ramirez ......................... Assessor’s DepartmentRichard Rauscher .........................Probation DepartmentEmrids Rayos Del Sol ......................Health Care AgencyJeremy Recker ...................................Health Care AgencyCarl Reed ............................... Resources & DevelopmentPamela Reeves ..................................Health Care AgencyMatthew Reighter ............................Health Care AgencyDonald Reser ......................... Resources & DevelopmentApril Rhodes .....................................Health Care AgencyCynthia Rivera ............................. Social Services AgencyGloria Robinson .................... Resources & DevelopmentRonald Robles .............................. Social Services AgencyLinda Rodriguez ...............................Health Care AgencyLorena Rodriguez ......................................Superior CourtMonica Rodriguez ....................... Social Services AgencyPriscilla Rodriguez .....................................Public LibraryIdamae Rolle .....................................Health Care AgencyRudy Roman .....................................Health Care AgencyCarla Romero ....................................Health Care AgencySuhaila Saad ................................ Assessor’s DepartmentNydia Saenz ........................................Auditor-ControllerChristina Salas ...........................................Superior CourtMalisa San .................................... Social Services AgencyBryna Sanchez............................................Superior CourtIrene Sanchez ............................... Social Services AgencyRamon Sanchez ...................................Human ResourcesJuris Sarigumba ............................Probation DepartmentFrancisco Saucedo ........................Probation DepartmentFabiola Schechtman .........................Health Care AgencyCeaser Segura ....................... Resources & DevelopmentSophia Serrano ..................................Health Care AgencyBaratha Siregar .................................Health Care AgencyMonica Spohn ..............................Child Support ServicesRose Ann Stock .................................Health Care AgencyAbida Sultana ...............................Probation DepartmentLing Sun....................................... Assessor’s DepartmentAndrew Sveen ...................... Resources & DevelopmentLiezel Sy Diep .............................. Social Services AgencySaraswathi Tangella ..................................Public LibraryLucilia Tarabay .................................Health Care AgencyErin Teasdale .................................Probation DepartmentMichael Thomas ............................. Sheriff’s DepartmentEdwin Tigno ......................................Health Care AgencyDaniel Topete ............................... Social Services AgencyAndrea Toscano de Souza ... Resources & DevelopmentCamille Townsend ....................................Superior CourtHan Tran .......................................... Sheriff’s DepartmentJanine Tran ........ Housing & Community DevelopmentQuan Tran ...................................................Superior CourtTuong Tran ................................... Social Services AgencyHanh Truong ..... Housing & Community DevelopmentMichele Tsachpinis ......................Child Support ServicesNancy Tschiderer .......................................Public LibraryNhi Tu ................................................Health Care AgencyJonathan Van Brunt ........................ Sheriff’s DepartmentOlga Vega ..................................... Social Services AgencyCheyenne Verduzco ................... Assessor’s DepartmentMonica Verma ...................................Health Care AgencyGladys Villalobos ........................ Social Services AgencyCelina Villalpando ...................... Social Services AgencyAlma Virgen ............................. District Attorney’s OfficeAlan Vo ......................................... Social Services AgencyAshley Wallen ................................. Sheriff’s DepartmentPatrick Walters ................................ Sheriff’s DepartmentAlana White .................................Child Support ServicesDavid Windsor ............................ Social Services AgencyAlexander Wong ............................. Sheriff’s DepartmentCarol Wood .................................. Social Services AgencyCharles Wright ............................. Social Services AgencyAaron Yturralde ............................. Sheriff’s DepartmentNoemi Zajzon ....................... Resources & Development

NEW OCEA MEMBERSFROM OCEA AFFILIATES!

COSTA MESA CITYEMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION

Eduardo AvilaAngela Cleveland

Regina DiazLarry Dreiman

Francisco MolinaDean RodiaLora Ross

Rueben SalasLewis Siegler

Timothy SweetJordan Villwock

GARDEN GROVE CITYEMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION

Laraine Morris

IRVINE PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION

Kelly Koldus

MESA CONSOLIDATEDWATER DISTRICT

Lina Gunawan

ORANGE COUNTYFIRE AUTHORITY

Brodie LefebureLynda Martinez

ORANGE COUNTYSANITATION DISTRICT

James Davidson

ORANGE COUNTYWATER DISTRICT

Linda KokiPhuong Lam

Derek Nguyen

TUSTIN MUNICIPALEMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION

Lina AnicichChuck Childress

Kim DavidChris Duarte

Cee Cee GarciaDanny Jackson

YORBA LINDA CITYEMPLOYEES ASSOCIATRION

Darlene O’Toole

Look Who’s Recruiting for OCEA!RECRUITING OCEA REPRESENTATIVES

RECRUITING OCEA MEMBERS

Delores AlvaradoCarolyn CrickBeatriz De La

TorreRobin Dougherty

Esther Fonseca

Debra FyvieSuzanna Galvan

Margot Knife ChiefPaul Lovette

John Tran

Vanessa BernalSan Juanita Carrillo

Rita CastilloJulie ChambersAnthony DulayCarole Earney

Ezequiel GutierrezJohn Harkins

Juana HernandezHualin Hsu-Wingard

Debra LechmannRita Maellaro

Bob MaoJane New

Dung NguyenLoni Nguyen Bui

Emma NoorAvelardo Pasillas

Rory PasterAlan Roberts

Pedro SanchezMercedes UriasLeticia Verduzco

Patricia Wieczorek

OCEA New Members

March Is Social Worker Month!To help celebrate, OCEA gave out tons of mousepads like the one at the left, to our Social Worker members and others whose jobs involve social work (like those of Group Counselors).

Page 14 – March/April 2008 OCEA is your union! Get involved!

Take this simple OCEA quiz! You might win 4 tickets to Medieval Times!

1. Elsewhere in this issue is a photo of Shorpy Higginbotham, a boy employed in

(a) Alabama in 1910, or (b) Orange County in 2008.

2. Worker safety is

(a) a problem that has been completely solved, or (b) a problem which continues today.

Pageant of the Masters

ThePageantoftheMastersisanannualfestivalheldbytheFestivalofArtsinLagunaBeach.Theeventisknownforthe"livingpictures"whereinclassicaland

contemporary works of art are recreated by real people posing in almost exact detail to the work of art they are portraying.

Thefirstfestivalstartedin1932andhassincebeenheldeachsummer.Ithostsmore than a quarter million people each year.

PageantsoftheMastersticketsareaveryhighdemandticket.ThePageantofthe Masters box office is usually sold out and most decent seating 9-12 months

before the event starts.

OCEA Price: $40/person; Two dates to choose from: Sun. August 17 or Sun. Aug. 21; Both shows at 7pm; Seats on left Main Tier side; Tickets will

be available in late April.

OCEA Discounts

Special Savings for OCEA Members! Check OCEA’s website,

www.oceamember.org, for full details!

Special Savings for OCEA Members! Check OCEA’s website,

www.oceamember.org, for full details!

Car RentalsHertz: 1 (800) 654-8216. OCEA’s CDP number: 1335448. Fee Waiver Application for the Hertz#1 Club Gold Membership available at OCEA Special Events Office. OCEA Member Discount: 5% off regular price on daily & weekly rentals.

Budget: 1 (800) 455-2848. OCEA’s DCD number: X627900. For Budget Truck Rentals call 1-888-NEED TRK. OCEA’s number: 56000052043. OCEA Member Discount: 15% off.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 1 (800) 736-8222. OCEA’s number: 32E8228. Or visit www.enterprise.com and use the same code (with “OCEA” for company name). OCEA Member Discount: 10% off.

Avis: 1 (800) 331-1212. OCEA’s AWD number: T815000. OCEA Member Discount: 5% off & up, depending on program.

HotelsDays Inn Hotel Circle by SeaWorld: 15% to 25% off room rates, depending on time of the year and availability. Call 1 (800) 227-4743 for reservations.

AutomotiveThe Red Book: Purchase new cars at fleet prices! The original fleet discount purchase plan in California offers a statewide network of participating dealerships whose professionalism and integrity can be relied on. Call 1 (800) 422-4561 for more details, or log on to www.redbook4autos.

PhotographyAffordable Quality Photography: 10% off on all photographic services for all your Kodak-moment events. Specializes in outdoor portraiture & candid photography. Contact Mike Nemeth at (949) 496-4559 for more details

VacationSCAT Travel: Offers substantial discounts on a variety of cruises exclusively for OCEA members. Call Sandy Cuny at (714) 669-9019 for details or visit OCEA website for the most recent listing.

Club Med Vacation: Book a seven-night escape and save 50% on the second person! Call Lavonne Campbell at (714) 991-7222, or visit OCEA website for the most recent listing.

Amtrak: 10% off best available rail fare; up to 2 children ages 2-15 travel at the half-price per adult fare. For most current information on restrictions and to obtain OCEA new discount code please log on to our website www.oceamember.org, or call Special Events office at 714-835-3355.

Amtrak’s Free Companion Fare Coupons are available now at Special Events office. Valid Jan. 3 through Jun. 15, 2008. Up to 2 children may accompany each adult at half the regular (full) price. Valid for travel in coach seating on the Pacific Surfliner, San Joaquins and Capitol Corridor trains and associated thruways, with the exception of 7000-8999 series. Black-out dates: Jan. 18-21; Feb. 15-18; Mar. 20-24; May 26-28, 2008. Offer not combinable with any other offer.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: 15% off on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and 10% off at the gift shops with the Alpine Club Card available (free of charge) at the OCEA Special Events Office. Card valid thru December 2008

Grand Canyon Railway: 20% off train travel & stays at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, or 10% off already discounted packages! For more information, please call 1-866-422-9724 (mention OCEA Corporate Discount program), or visit www.thetrain/corporate to book your journey.

You’re BeautifulMary Kay: 10% off on all your skin care & cosmetics for men, women, and children. For your free consultation or brochure, or to place your order, call Jo Padore at (949) 559-8022, or visit website www.marykay.com/jpadore.

Cookie Lee: 10% off & free shipping on all Cookie Lee Fine Fashion Jewelry. For your free consultation, or catalog, or to place your order please call Eva McNamee at (562) 879-4911 or log on into her website www.cookielee.biz/evamcnamee.

Arbonne: PURE * SAFE * BENEFICIAL Health and Beauty Products for Men, Women, Teens and Children. OCEA members receive a 10% discount on all purchases through Christa Luther. To place your order please contact Christa at (714) 923-4602 or email her at christa_luther@yahoo.com; View products at www.christaluther.myarbonne.com.

Special OccasionsScrapbooking: Creating beautiful, inspiring scrapbook pages and handmade cards is faster, simpler, and easier with Close To My Heart. 10% off on all products! For more information please call Andrea Lewis at (714) 777-1170 or visit the website www.alewis.myctmh.com.

ProFlowers.com: 20% off on flowers, candy, fruit & more! To receive a free catalog or place your order, call 1 (800) 210-2279, or visit www.proflowers.com/vip and enter the case-sensitive code: OCEA.

Wagstaff Music: 25% off on DJ services, karaoke, or live bands! To book your next event contact Bryan Wagstaff at (714) 437-7712.

See’s Candies Certificates (1lb): As always, available at OCEA Special Events Office for $11 each (reg. $15).

Wire Wrapped Silverware: Unique! Beautiful! Inexpensive! Brilliant gift idea! For more information on all products and available discount please call Barbara Newber at (714) 393-9518.

Custom Made Gift Baskets: Make your loved ones’ special occasions have a very personal touch! For samples of gift baskets for all your corporate and personal occasions and available discount on them please call Lisa Sipprell at (949) 235-1144.

RestaurantsPasta Bravo (at The Block only): 20% off, on catering for all your personal and corporate occasions. For more details about the discount or to place your order call Hector Diaz at (714) 769-4031. OCEA membership card required at the time of delivery.

The Rib Trader: Birthday celebration? Wedding? Anniversary? Rehearsal Dinner Party? Receive 15% off on catering for any of your occasions! For menu and details on ordering process, please call Medhi Karr at (714) 744-9288, or fax your request at (714) 633-8760. OCEA membership card required at the time of delivery.

WellnessLifeTurn: Weight Loss Program! No products; No pills; No shots; 40%off first 3-month circle; 75%off the second; For more information please call Ambra Farahani at (714) 423-5858.

XanGo: 10% off on all your antioxidant mangosteen juice purchases. For more details on product and ordering procedures call Joy Andrews at (714) 441-7050 or visit the website Jocelyn.discovermangosteen.com.

Just for Kicks: A new soccer fitness program just for women. It's so fun you won't even know you are working out!!! OCEA members receive 15% off on initial season sign-ups. For more information on the program please log on the website www.justforkicksfitness.com OR call Cindy at (714) 996-0394.

Not Ready to Join? Try a One Hour Session for Free*

* available during the session beginning June 18 * Limit one try-out session per participant

* space is limited, not all sessions may be available for the trial. * Full registrations will have priority over trials.

Email info@justforkicksfitness.com to reserve you try-out session.

LA Fitness: Membership vouchers available at Special Events office! OCEA members $59.99 sign-up fee and $29.99/mo; Family add-ons $0 sign-up fee and $29.99/mo; Up to 4 family members may be added to your account.

ElectronicsVerizon Wireless: You may qualify for a discount on your calling plan monthly access fees and accessories. Please call your Government Employee Sales Representative Bonnie Liu Barron at (714) 743-1076 for more information, or contact her by email at Bonnie.Barron@verizonwireless.com. Offer valid for California State & Local Government Employees with proof of current employment. Limited-time offer.

Apple Computers: OCEA members are offered discounts on Apple products through the Apple Government Employee Purchase Program. Visit their online store at www.apple.com/eppstore/slg and save up to 17% on selected Apple products, including iPods, and much more!

Show your OCEA member card and start saving!

OCEA’s newest addition to our Preferred Vendor Program.

Soccer FitneSS For Women

Have fun , get fit, and learn or improve at the game of soccer.It's so fun you won't even know you are working out!!!

OCEA members who are interested in beginning this exercise program receive 15% off on initial season sign-

ups. The registration for the season depends on how many days a week a candidate wishes to work out and

varies from S125 to $305 per eight week session (as low as $12 per session).

Log on www.justforkicksfitness.com for more info

Or call (714) 996-0394

Enter Code OCEA for discount at online checkout

SeSSionS in AliSo Viejo, Fullerton And orAnge

BeginnerS Welcome!

Not Ready To Join? Prospective participants receive a one-hour session for free*

*limit one try-out session per participant *space is limited, not all sessions may be available for the trial. Email info@justforkicksfitness.com to reserve your try-out session.

EntEr our fun contEst!You might win 4 tickEts to sEa LifE at LEgoLand in

carLsbad, ca!Opening Summer 2008 at LEGOLAND® California!

The world’s largest aquarium brand is coming for the first time to North America.

SEA LIFE LEGOLAND® California Resort is opening its doors in Carlsbad in July! SEA LIFE Aquarium is an educational and interactive dynamic experience on child’s voyage to the depths of the oceans, presenting the wonders of the underwa-ter world to them in a way specially designed for their understanding.

Mail your entry (your answers, with your name, department, and phone number) to OCEA (Attention Joanna), 830 N. Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701, or email your entry to jnachurski@oceamember.org. Last date for entries:

February 29, 2008. After the last date, a drawing will be held from among all entries, and the lucky winner will receive FOUR TICKETS TO MEDIEVAL TIMES! Members only. One entry per person limit (in each drawing).

Winner must arrange to pick up the tickets at OCEA. Past winners are ineligible to enter the following six drawings.

March/April 2008 – 15OCEA is your union! Get involved!

Special Events

Purchase tickets: To order by mail,

please include: 1) name and phone

number, 2) letter stating your

ticket order, and 3) check payable

to OCEA for the full amount

of the ticket order plus $6.40

for shipping and handling. Send

orders to: Special Events, OCEA,

830 North Ross Street, Santa

Ana, CA 92701. Checks for over

$500 not accepted. Ticket sales

are final. Sorry, no refunds or

exchanges. Please allow sufficient

time! Mailed ticket orders are

generally processed within five

business days of receiving the order.

Sorry, OCEA makes no guarantees

on mailed orders. Shipping and

handling charges cover costs of

certifying and insuring mailed

tickets. For further information,

contact Joanna Nachurski at

(714) 835-3355 or via email at

jnachurski@oceamember.org. Ticket

hours: Monday through Friday,

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

OCEA Special Events accepts only ATM debit cards and cash, in payment for tickets.

Check www.oceamember.org for the most current information.

Movie Theaters

AMC Theatres (Loews & Cineplex): OCEA price: $6/person. (Regular: $10.50/person.) Special

engagements excluded during the first two weeks on new releases. Valid 7 days a week. NO EXPIRATION DATE.

Century Cinema: OCEA price: $6/person. (Regular:

$10.50/person.) Special engagements excluded during the first two weeks on new releases. Valid 7 days a week. NO EXPIRATION DATE.

Krikorian Premier Theaters: OCEA price: $7/person. (Regular: $10.50/person.) No restrictions. Valid 7 days a week. NO EXPIRATION DATE.

Regal Entertainment Group: OCEA price: $6/person. (Regular: $10.50/person.) Special

engagements excluded during the first two weeks on new releases. Valid 7 days a week. NO EXPIRATION DATE.

Amusement Parks

Disneyland & Disney’s California Adventure

STANDARD 1-DAY 1-PARK ADMISSION:OCEA price: $61/adult; $53/child ages 3-9. (Regular: $66 & $56.) No blackout dates. Tickets valid JANUARY 3 — DECEMBER 11, 2008.

SoCal 2FER Ticket: (1-day admission to Disneyland and 1-day admission to Disney’s California Adventure Park.) OCEA Price: $64/adult; $54/child ages 3-9. (Regular: $66/adult & $56). No blackout dates. Second visit must be used within 30 days following the first day of usage, but no later than the expiration date. Tickets valid JANUARY 7 — MAY 22, 2008.

DISNEY ANNUAL PASSES: Premium: $359. (Regular: $379.) Valid 365 days. Parking included. Passes expire JANUARY 2, 2008. Deluxe: $239. (Regular: $259.) Valid 315 days. Parking excluded. All passes must be activated by JANUARY 3, 2009.

Knott’s Berry FarmOCEA price: $25/adult; $19/child ages 3-9. (Regular: $35.99 & $19.99.) Not valid for

Special Events Packages; Tickets expire MARCH 31, 2009.

SeaWorld San Diego OCEA price: $46/adult; $40/child ages 3-9. (Regular: $59 & $49.) Tickets expire

DECEMBER 31, 2008. 2 DAYS OF FUN ADMISSION

LEGOLAND CaliforniaOCEA price: $41/person ages 3 & up. (Regular: $59/adult &

$47/child.) Upgrade to a 2nd day for $1 at Legoland Guest Services. Second visit must occur within 9 days from the first visit. Tickets expire JANUARY 31, 2009.

San Diego Wild Animal Park: OCEA price: $27/adult; $19/child ages 3-11. (Regular: $34 & $24.) Tickets expire

DECEMBER 31, 2008.

San Diego ZooOCEA price: $27/adult; $19/child ages 3-11. (Regular: $34 & $24.) Tickets expire DECEMBER 31, 2008.

Six Flags Magic Mountain: OCEA Price: $25/adult; $15/child under 48 inches. (Regular:

$59.99 & $29.99.) Tickets expire DECEMBER 31, 2008.

Universal Studios HollywoodOCEA price: $49/person ages 2 & up. (Regular: $64.) Tickets expire JUNE 30, 2008.

So Cal Attractions

Aquarium of the PacificOCEA price: $14/adult; $10/child ages 3-11. (Regular: $20.95 & $11.95.) No blackout dates. Tickets expire NOVEMBER 30, 2008.

Boomers Family Fun CentersOCEA price: $14/person. (Regular: $27.95.) No

blackout dates. Arcade games and batting cages excluded. NO EXPIRATION DATE. (beginning June 1 price will be $15.00/person)

K-1 Speed – OCEA price: $15/person at least 4' 11" tall (regular: $29.95) for standard race. Good anytime at any K-1 location; 1 year K-1 Speed license is included for new drivers. NO EXPIRATION DATE

Catalina Flyer—Newport Beach (at the Balboa Pavilion): OCEA price: $47/adult; $38/child ages 3-12. (Regular: $61 & $44.) Reservation required.

No blackout dates. NO EXPIRATION DATE. For reservations please call 1-800-830-7744.

Catalina Express – Long Beach, San Pedro or Dana Point* OCEA price: $54/adult; $44/child ages 3-12 (Regular: $59 & $53). *Dana Point departures will be an additional $2/person payable at time of check-in; For reservations please call 1-800-464-4228 or log into www.CatalinaExpress.com. Tickets expire DECEMBER 31, 2008.

Discovery Science CenterOCEA price: $10/adult; $7/child ages 3-17. (Regular: $13 & $10.) Parking fee: $3/vehicle paid separately. Some restrictions apply; Log into our website www.oceamember.org for

more details; Parking fee: $3/vehicle paid separately; NO EXPIRATION DATE.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

OCEA price: $41/adult; $31/child ages 12 & under. (Regular: $52.65 & $35.40.) Not valid for Saturday 6:00 p.m. shows. Reservation required. Tickets expire DECEMBER 31, 2008.

Pirate’s Dinner AdventureOCEA price: $47/adult; $32/child ages 3-11. (Regular: $54.73 & $36.57.) Reservation required. Tickets expire NOVEMBER 30, 2008.

Queen Mary (Self-Guided Tour and Ghosts & Legends Show): OCEA price: $12/person. (Regular: $22.95 & $11.95.) No blackout dates. Parking fee: $10/vehicle paid separately. NO EXPIRATION DATE.

One-Time Events

The Renaissance Faire OCEA price: $15/person (Regular: $25/adult & $15/child age 6-12); Free admission

for children under 5! Parking fee $8/vehicle paid at the entrance. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW!

Corteo: Cirque du SolielUp to 25% off on selected show dates & categories throughout OC, LA, and San Diego Counties. For more information

and/or to order tickets, please call 1 (800) 331-6483. Company Code: OCEA

Grand Canyon RailwayOCEA price: $359/adult (regular: $399). Price is per person based on adult double occupancy and does not include

tax or park entry fee. Must be booked 11 days in advance of travel.

Coming Soon

The Pageant of the Masters - Sunday, Aug. 17 or Sunday, Aug. 24! OCEA price: $40/person; Shows start at 7 p.m.; Seats on left Main Tier side; TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN LATE APRIL 2008.

Knott's Soak City Water Park - OCEA price: $19/adult; $18/child; Tickets valid in all So Cal locations! TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE BEGINNING OF MAY 2008.

Wild Rivers Water Park - OCEA price: $19/adult; $14/child ages 3-9 (Regular:

$31.98 & $19.98); TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE BEGINNING OF MAY 2008.

Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus – OCEA price: $22/person (Regular: $25); Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. Honda Center, Anaheim! TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE EARLY SUMMER 2008.

All prices are subject to change without notice.

All sales are final.

Page 16 – March/April 2008 OCEA is your union! Get involved!

Don’t forget our OCEA Steward Training!It’s for Stewards, New and Experienced!

This exciting program is comprised of two training sessions, with each session being held in alternate months. This flexible schedule will provide current and new OCEA Stewards with the opportunity to attend both sessions. All new OCEA Stewards are required to attend both sessions, and it is highly recommended that current Stewards attend the training as well (if you have not attended training within the last two years or so).

Session 1 of the training covers such topics as History of Organized Labor, Governing Laws, and the Memorandum of Understanding. Session 2 covers Roles and Responsibilities of a Steward, Handling Workplace Issues, and Grievance Handling. The subject matter is intended to provide OCEA Stewards with the tools and knowledge they require to be effective workplace leaders.

Each session of the OCEA Steward Training Program will be an all-day training and will be held at OCEA Headquarters. Upcoming training dates are as follows:

April 17, 2008 - Session 2 - Please register by April 7.

May 15, 2008 - Session 1 - Please register by May 5.

June 19, 2008 - Session 2 - Please register by June 9.

July 17, 2008 - Session 1 - Please register by July 7.

August 21, 2008 - Session 2 - Please register by August 11.

Want more information about how to become an OCEA Steward? Wonder what OCEA Stewards do, and what kind of commitment is expected? Want an application to become an OCEA Steward?

Call or email Llesena Ontiveras, OCEA Labor Relations Representative:(714) 835-3355 • lontiveras@oceamember.org

OCEA requires that participants pre-register for the training. To pre-register, please contact Llesena Ontiveras at lontiveras@oceamember.org.