Local Disruptor

Teamsters Local 952 and other chapters in Orange County showed up to the Orange County Board of Supervisors meeting on June 23rd to demand a fair contract for County workers they represent, including workers in Orange County Operations and Maintenance. The County Board of Supervisors have not been able to provide wage increases and are not meeting to negotiate a contract.

“Wages are the biggest issue, as well as retroactive back pay, which means the county will drag out these negotiations,” Sam Carlin, the Local 925 business representative stated, “they will be putting a deficit on our back pay.  they’re notorious for this, they did it last time, and I do believe they’re trying that tactic again this time. They’re dragging their feet. And right now they’re offering 0%, and that’s just unacceptable.”

Maintenance workers are responsible for maintaining 345 miles of roadways throughout Orange County. These workers also maintain 380 miles of flood control facilities and pest control throughout the County.

The contract between Local 952 and The County is set to expire tomorrow, on June 25, 2026. The Teamsters are doing everything they can to urge for a fair contract, from public hearings to trying to meet with county officials so services are not disrupted. When asked, Carlin said the Teamsters do not want to strike and would like to get a contract instead. 

“It would be a disruption of services. It would be something we wouldn’t want to do. It would be a force in our hands to do that. It would be disrupting the lives of Orange County residents. Even just a simple fact is if you take your trash out every couple of days. No one will be able to dump your trash at these beautiful landfills, Olinda, Brea, Prima, because those are our members. And our solidarity with Joint Council 42, the other Teamster locals, they also are haulers. They won’t cross that picket line.”

“They do tons of services for the county of Orange. Landfills, parks, public works, anything that’s done on construction on the side of the road. You see our county workers and their trucks, as well as OC Animal Care, which is a big group. Again, parks, Santa Ana Zoo, OC Zoo. I mean, literally, a Teamster touches everything. All of the sheriff’s cars, sheriff units, buses, helicopters, and boats are serviced by a Teamster.”

Police services may also be affected by this disruption as well, according to Carlin, “Our first responders, their sheriff’s vehicles need to be worked on. So we’re not saying anyone’s not going to get help from the sheriff’s, but they need to be fully equipped to do the work they need to do. As far as our parks, anytime people have any kind of park function or anything like that, our people work maintenance on those bathrooms. They make sure the trails are cleaned during the summer to take their nice hikes. Even OC Animal Care, it’s a high season right now. There’s over 500 cats in OC Animal Care. These are our service workers that do that work, and they will not be able to clean those cages.”

OC Animal Care is also covered by this contract, which includes animal shelter services and animal welfare services such as pet licensing and providing low-cost vaccinations for pets. Not achieving a contract would mean that animals in the shelter cannot be cared for until the County officials provide a fair contract.

Secretary Treasurer of Local 952, Eric Jimenez, addressed the crowd in a closing statement, expressing the frustration Teamsters feel as well, and urging Orange County residents to realizes this is not the Teamster’s fault.

“To our Orange County residents that hear about us out here today, don’t blame the teamsters for what’s going on. Blame the people sitting in this room today and call them and ask them why are you not treating your employees fairly. How do you expect somebody to live off of a zero wage increase for the next year?”

Gas prices in Orange County have increased by 30.4%, making gas at least 5 dollars a gallon. Food prices have risen 3.5% over the year as well.

“You can’t do the right thing and treat these people correctly?! We- like i said, we made sure this county is moving, we made sure. So I’m telling you guys, to Orange County residents out there, this isn’t the Teamsters’ fault. Make sure you call your elected politicians. They work for us.”

At noon, before the Board of Supervisors meeting went to lunch, three Teamsters shared public comment. These Teamsters were a union representative of Local 952, local technician with OC Public Works Fabian Lopez, and Betty Lopez who works with OC Animal Care. 

“We’re here today because we’re asking again, please give authorizations.” The union representative also expressed how The Teamsters have to get creative just to get the attention of the Board. “We’ve been told no at every corner. Although we have agreed on some articles, we’re still so far apart.” 

“We need support from the whole board on finding a way to authorize wage increases. Like I said last time, I’m open to meet with any and all board members and to avoid a labor dispute. 

“We cannot burn time and go months and months past the end of our contract, like last cycle, unless there’s a retroactive phase. I’m not going to hold my breath on that, but let’s get creative.”

“We want to keep servicing our county here and again, we don’t want to have a labor dispute. So let’s get some wage increases on the table. Thank you.”

Union steward and technician with OC Public Works Fabian Lopez also gave public comment, expressing the frustration that County workers are feeling towards the Board, “As a union steward appointed to the negotiation committee, it’s clear to me that all of you have lost touch with the reality of the times that we’re living.”

Lopez stated in his public statement to the Board, “Throughout the 16 negotiation meetings that we have had, we’ve been met with nothing but offensive proposals and threats resulting in very little progress. We are tired.”

“We’re tired of our hard earned tax dollars going to the wrong places. I’m here today to remind you that we are all public servants and the public deserves what they pay for in taxes. A fair contract and wage proposal to all county employees will ensure public services will not be disrupted.”

Betty Lopez of OC Animal Care was the last to give public comment, she has worked for the County of Orange for the past 18 years and has been through two other contract negotiations. 

“We work hard. We’re here every day. When the county shut down, we stayed for COVID. We work every day. Every single day, the essential members that we represent are doing the invisible heavy lifting for this county,” Lopez stated addressing the board, “When you visit our sites, we’re the ones that take care of those animals. I work for the animal shelter. We take care of those animals. We get things ready for you guys to come in to take your pictures for your photo ops.

And I just want you guys to know that we see you and I really hope you see us when we come in asking for wages. It’s not because we’re asking for an allowance. We work really hard.”