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<br />Please contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss this issue and schedule a meeting to address our <br />concerns. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to working together to uphold <br />the terms of our MOU and maintain a positive working environment for all part-time employees. <br />In Unity, <br /> <br />Ryan Murillo <br />Worksite Organizer, LA/OC Ci?es Team <br />SEIU Local 721 <br />Cell: 213/321-3776 <br />Email: ryan.murillo@seiu721.org <br />SEIU Local 721 Member Connec?on: <br />877-721-4968 <br /> <br />From: Ryan Murillo <br />Sent: Friday, July 11, 2025 12:35 PM <br />To: hscott@santa-ana.org; ddurham@santa-ana.org; Schnaider, Lori <lschnaider@santa-ana.org> <br />Cc: Jenita Igwealor <Jenita.Igwealor@seiu721.org>; Charles Leone <Charles.Leone@seiu721.org>; Kanani Nevels <br /><Kanani.Nevels@seiu721.org>; Nancy Robles SEIU 721 Santa Ana President <nroblespresident2025@gmail.com>; Jorge- <br />Navarro <jorgenavarrojr@gmail.com>; ANTONIO CARRILLO <acarrillo65@msn.com>; Nunez, Alvaro <anunez@santa- <br />ana.org>; Carmen Acosta <carmenacosta53.ca@gmail.com>; Sandra Cortez <cosa.89unemp_07@aol.com> <br />Subject: Letter of Concern: Termination Practices for Part-Time Employees in Violation of MOU <br /> <br />Dear Hawk Scott, <br /> <br />I am writing on behalf of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721, as the representative for part-time <br />non-civil service employees in the City of Santa Ana, to express serious concern regarding recent practices in the Parks <br />and Recreation Department involving the termination of part-time employees. Specifically, we have received reports of <br />terminations being communicated verbally over the phone, which we believe constitutes a direct violation of our <br />Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and undermines the rights and due process afforded to our members. <br /> <br />As outlined in the 2022-2024 MOU between the City of Santa Ana and SEIU Local 721 for the Part-Time Non-Civil <br />Service Employees Unit (SEIU-PTNCS), extended as of January 2025, Article VIII, Section 8.1(B) explicitly requires a <br />review process for terminations. For employees with less than five years of service (or 5,200 hours), the employee may <br />request a review with the Department Head or designee prior to the effective date of the action. For those with five or <br />more years of service, this review is mandatory, and they may further request review by the City Manager or designee <br />before the termination takes effect. These provisions ensure that terminations are handled with proper notice, an <br />opportunity for discussion, and adherence to due process, which cannot be adequately fulfilled through informal phone <br />notifications. <br /> <br />Additionally, Article XI, Section 11.1(L) stipulates that any discharge, suspension, demotion, or other discipline must be <br />for proper cause and in accordance with the City Charter and Santa Ana Municipal Code. Abrupt phone terminations <br />bypass these safeguards, potentially exposing the City to grievances under Article IX, which provides a structured <br />procedure for addressing violations of the MOU, including timely meetings and final binding decisions by the City <br />Manager. Such practices not only violate the spirit and letter of our agreement but also erode trust between the <br />Department and its employees, many of whom dedicate significant time to supporting community recreation programs. <br /> <br />We urge the Parks and Recreation Department to immediately cease this practice and ensure all future terminations <br />comply fully with the MOU's requirements, including advance written notice and the opportunity for pre-termination <br />reviews. If specific incidents have already occurred, we request a prompt investigation, including potential reinstatement <br />or corrective actions for affected employees. We are prepared to file formal grievances if necessary but prefer to resolve <br />this matter collaboratively. <br /> <br />7 <br /> <br />