Tentative Agreement Reached - What Comes Next?
The past few months have been busy ones for SLOCEA, with negotiations for our County bargaining units as well as our unit at the Superior Court San Luis Obispo.
County of San Luis Obispo
We are pleased to announce that after months of dedicated bargaining, your SLOCEA Negotiating Team has reached a tentative agreement (TA) with the County of San Luis Obispo. This marks a critical step forward in securing fair wages, benefits, and working conditions for our members. While we are proud of the progress reflected in this agreement, the process is not yet complete. Final adoption requires member ratification and approval by the County Board of Supervisors, and your participation in the next steps is essential.
What a Tentative Agreement Means
A tentative agreement is exactly what it sounds like - it is tentative until the members have had the chance to review it and vote. The TA represents the best outcome achievable through bargaining at the table with the County. Now, the decision moves to you, the membership, who hold the ultimate authority to accept or reject it. This is one of the most powerful rights you exercise as union members - your ability to determine the terms of your own employment.
Ballots and Ratification
In the coming days, you will receive a ballot with the full details of the tentative agreement. We encourage every member to take the time to read the materials carefully, ask questions, and make your voice heard through your vote. The ratification process is straightforward:
Ballots will be distributed by mail late next week.
Voting will remain open until October 20, 2025.
Ballots will be counted immediately following the close of voting, with results announced to the membership shortly thereafter.
A majority “yes” vote from those participating is required for ratification. If the TA is ratified, it moves forward to the County Board of Supervisors for final approval. If the TA is not ratified, negotiations may return to the table.
Board of Supervisors Approval
After ratification by members, the tentative agreement will be presented to the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors for their approval. This is a procedural step, but it is required for the agreement to become official. Once approved, the provisions of the agreement will go into effect according to the timelines outlined in the TA.
Transparency and Member Input
Throughout this process, we remain committed to transparency and open communication. Members will continue to receive updates via email and on the members-only portal. We encourage you to reach out to reach out to your Negotiating Team or contact the SLOCEA office with any questions. Your informed participation ensures that the ratification process reflects the collective will of the membership.
Gratitude for the Negotiating Team
None of this progress would have been possible without the tireless efforts of your SLOCEA Negotiating Team. For months, they have sat across the table from County representatives, pressing for fair treatment, stronger protections, and meaningful improvements for everyone. Negotiations are often long, technical, and frequently frustrating, but our team brought commitment, skill, and solidarity into every session.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the members of the team for the countless hours they invested on behalf of their coworkers. Their hard work is a testament to what it means to be part of a union—standing together and fighting for one another.
Moving Forward Together
This is an important moment for SLOCEA. While not every bargaining objective was achieved in this cycle, the SLOCEA Negotiating Team is proud of the tentative agreement that was reached. Now, it is in your hands. By participating in the ratification process, you are shaping the future of your wages, benefits, and working conditions.
We encourage you to stay engaged, talk with your colleagues, and make sure your ballot is counted. Together, we can ensure that the voices of public employees in San Luis Obispo County remain strong and united. On behalf of SLOCEA’s leadership and staff, thank you for your continued support, involvement, and solidarity.
Emily Landis, Executive Director