SLOCEA Reaches Tentative Side Letter Agreements with the County
Mitigating Layoff Impacts & Protecting Rights for Temporary Employees
In addition to our core contract negotiations, SLOCEA regularly engages with the County, the Courts, and the CSD to address workplace issues that fall outside the terms of our main agreements. These efforts often result in side letter agreements—formal, legally binding add-ons to the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).
What Is a Side Letter Agreement?
In simple terms, a side letter is a mini contract that supplements or temporarily modifies the main MOU. It’s used when the Association and the employer reach an agreement on something that:
Isn’t already addressed in the MOU,
Requires clarification or a temporary exception to the contract, or
Arises between full contract negotiations, such as layoffs, policy changes, or urgent circumstances.
These agreements are limited in scope but carry the same legal weight as the broader contract.
Tentative Agreement #1: Layoff Impact Bargaining
On April 15, 2025, SLOCEA formally noticed the County of our intent to negotiate the effects of impending layoffs. Our goal was to reduce hardship for affected employees and address the ripple effects felt across departments.
At our first session on May 7, SLOCEA presented a comprehensive impact proposal. After a second session on May 22, the parties reached a tentative agreement, which is also slated for Board approval on June 3rd. Highlights include:
Layoff Date Extension: Final day of work moved from June 30 to July 1, 2025.
Reemployment Preference Points: For laid off employees not rehired within 12 months who apply within the twelve months after the reemployment list expires.
Severance Option: $1,000 payment offered in lieu of placement on the reemployment list.
Job Search Support: Up to 16 hours of administrative leave for job search activities including interviews, workshops, or career counseling.
Health Coverage Extension: Continued eligibility for County health benefits and cafeteria contributions through August 2025, with time coded on July 1.
Reinstatement of Benefits: Laid off employees rehired within 24 months retain Pension Trust tier, seniority, vacation accrual, and sick leave balances that were not cashed out upon separation.
Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program: For permanent employees in positions designated for layoffs, or whose retirement would prevent a layoff. Employees must elect to retire by 5pm on June 20. Participants will receive:
A $2,000 lump sum.
A payment equal to three months of the County cafeteria contribution amount for the employee’s medical enrollment coverage (employee only, plus one or plus family) as of July 1, 2025.
Workload Relief: A Joint Labor-Management Committee (JLMC) will be convened within 30 days if significant workload impacts arise.
Out-of-Class Work Review: Expedited 60-day timeline for position study requests triggered by layoffs.
While layoffs are always painful, SLOCEA remains unwavering in our commitment to advocate for fair treatment, dignity, and protection for all members. This agreement provides both immediate relief and long-term protections for employees who are impacted, as well as those who remain on the job during this difficult period.
Tentative Agreement #2: Representing Temporary Employees
Following the passage of state legislation in January 2024, temporary employees became eligible for union representation. SLOCEA promptly notified the County of our intent to incorporate these employees into our bargaining units and initiated negotiations to establish their terms and conditions of employment.
Negotiations began in December 2024 and continued over nine sessions. A tentative agreement has now been reached and is scheduled for approval at the June 17th Board of Supervisors meeting. Key provisions include:
Wages: COLAs issued concurrently with permanent employees
Holiday Premium Pay: For Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day
Uniform Boot Allowance
Performance Evaluations: Upon employee request
Sick Leave
Overtime Eligibility
Witness Pay
Bilingual Pay Differentials
SLOCEA fought hard to secure both economic and non-economic benefits for temporary employees. We are excited to welcome them into the Association and look forward to advocating for their unique needs going forward.
Moving Forward
These tentative agreements reflect SLOCEA’s continued efforts to proactively represent our members, whether it’s expanding coverage to previously unrepresented workers or responding swiftly to workforce reductions.
As we continue negotiations for our successor MOU, SLOCEA remains focused on protecting public employees, preserving job quality, and ensuring that the workers who keep San Luis Obispo County running are treated with the respect they deserve.
Emily Landis
Executive Director