A local union representing Orange County waste and public works employees, Teamster Joint Council 42, has voted to reject the Orange County Board of Supervisors' latest offer, signaling a return to strike. The union's decision came Monday night after the Board of Supervisors maintained their previous proposal.
Despite the rejection, negotiations are still underway, and Teamsters spokesman Christian Castro stated that it remains unclear when picketing or a work stoppage will resume. The strike had previously been on hiatus from picketing, a move Castro described as an "olive branch of good faith" from the union. This temporary suspension allowed waste haulers to utilize the county’s landfills without crossing picket lines, which Board Chairman Doug Chaffee said last week eased pressure on temporary sites used by waste-hauling companies.
Orange County Supervisors held a special board meeting last Friday to discuss the labor dispute, but no formal announcement was made. They met again on Tuesday, addressing the issue in a closed session without issuing a public statement.
County officials have expressed concerns about the financial implications of the dispute. Orange County Board Vice Chair Katrina Foley told City News Service on Monday that while sales tax revenue continues to grow at an average of 2.7%, inflation and rising costs for goods, labor, and health insurance have all increased beyond that percentage. Foley emphasized the need to "reduce the anxiety for (the workers) and get people back to work," acknowledging that "everyone is suffering from increased costs."
Supervisor Don Wagner told City News Service last week that he considered the county’s offer to be a "reasonable one under the circumstances." Wagner highlighted the county's tight financial situation, particularly after paying "millions of dollars in settlements for the Airport Fire," which he said has led to "dwindling resources." He urged the Teamsters to accept the current, one-year deal, suggesting that the county's financial health is likely to improve next year. Wagner also pointed to upcoming changes in county leadership, including a new supervisor in District 4 and the ongoing search for a new CEO, as reasons to defer major financial decisions.
Wagner additionally noted that any improved offer to the Teamsters would necessitate similar concessions to all other county unions, creating a "magnifying effect across the entire county." He stated that this dynamic significantly limits the Board's capacity to adjust its offer.
The negotiations have also been complicated by allegations regarding picketing tactics. The county filed a complaint with the Public Employment Relations Board, asserting that picketers engaged in illegal activities, including forming "human chains," blocking traffic, and falsely informing customers that landfills were closed. Teamsters officials, however, countered these allegations as untrue and accused county officials of violating labor law. Chairman Chaffee, referring to the county's evidence in its case, stated, "I guess that’s all in our imagination."
