Garden Grove employee unions seek agreement; mediation scheduled Friday

Union leaders representing Garden Grove public workers told the council that negotiations with the city remain at an impasse and mediation is scheduled for Friday.

Tim Steed, assistant general manager of the Orange County Employees Association, told the council OCEA represents 18,000 workers across Orange County and said Garden Grove employees are part of that tradition. "On Friday, the union and the city are scheduled to enter into mediation to break the impasse that we're currently at," Steed said, asking the city to "recognize the valuable contributions of these workers and seek an agreement." He added the parties are closer than it appears and expressed hope of reaching an agreement by the end of the week.

Nut graf: Members of the Garden Grove Employees League (GGEL) and allied labor groups urged the council to support the workforce; GGEL speakers described day-to-day responsibilities and said members ratified the contract but concerns remain. GGEL President Michael Rocha outlined the crew's duties — street maintenance, sewer and water operations, traffic signal technicians and parks — and said the union brought fair proposals and is proceeding to mediation.

Brandon Nunes, a 13-year sanitation employee, described contract negotiations as "tough and different" and said the city hired outside counsel and issued a last, best and final offer before the old contract expired. Labor speakers asked for the council to direct the city negotiating team to bring a good-faith message to mediation and to recognize the workers' contributions.

Council members repeatedly expressed appreciation for city employees and urged both sides to reach a resolution. No formal bargaining settlement was announced at the meeting; staff and union representatives confirmed mediation remains scheduled.