Orange County’s teamsters have been out on strike for nearly two weeks straight and county leaders are now forcing other county employees to try and do their jobs at the county landfills, according to a new letter from the head of the county’s general employee union.
The strike comes as county supervisors and the Local Teamsters 952 leaders have deadlocked over a new contract, with teamsters demanding a higher raise and backpay while supervisors say they’ve already delivered their best and final offer.
Most of the county’s teamsters work at one of the three local landfills, and other employees there are now getting pressed into doing their jobs according to a letter and formal grievance sent to the supervisors yesterday by Charles Barfield, general manager of the OC Employees Association.
As the strike continues, County management is directing
“As the strike continues, County management is directing OCEA landfill members to shoulder a substantial and growing number of additional duties and responsibilities to keep the County landfill system operating,” Barfield wrote. “This is not sustainable, and it exploits the skeleton staff.”
The employees’ association already took a one year contract with a three percent raise months ago, opting not to fight for higher wages like the teamsters.
County spokesperson Molly Nichelson issued a short statement on Wednesday morning saying they were “aware of the situation.”
We appreciate the letter from Mr
“We appreciate the letter from Mr. Barfield,” Nichelson wrote. “The County is grateful for the hard work of OCEA members who showed up every day to work, and we look forward to resolving the matter quickly.”
Nichelson also noted the county is suing the teamsters in court and requesting a temporary restraining order barring the striking workers from blocking roadways to and from the landfill.
Most of the employee association employees at the landfills are the supervisors and superintendents for the landfills, who usually oversee the teamsters but are now in many cases being forced to do their jobs
The County increasingly expects and relies on OCEA
“The County increasingly expects and relies on OCEA bargaining unit members to perform work that falls outside their classifications,” Barfield wrote. “This practice is not sustainable and cannot be tolerated.”
He also noted that there are dangers to the workers and public if these practices continue.
“OCEA Supervisors reported having to supervise contract workers who are not familiar with the safety protocols of the landfill. This has resulted in near accidents and other close calls, which cannot be permitted,” Barfield wrote.
He also said staff are failing to follow
He also said staff are “failing to follow landfill best practices,” during rainfall and that could cause harmful runoff from the landfills during the next rain storm.
“These management-level decisions are creating current and potential safety hazards for both County workers and the community,” Barfield wrote. “The County cannot continue to operate as ‘business as usual’ while OCEA members are being overworked in an unsafe manner and community impacts are being ignored.”
Eric Jimenez, secretary treasurer of the teamsters union, said that it was another sign of county leaders
This is just another example of the county
“This is just another example of the county not addressing the real problem, and that’s getting to the bargaining table,” Jimenez said. “Stop spending your time and energy on trying to shut down these picket lines and force people to do jobs they’re not rightfully trained for.”
Noah Biesiada is a Voice of OC reporter. Contact him at nbiesiada@voiceofoc.org.
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