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Flores, Dora From:Ryan Murillo <Ryan.Murillo@seiu721.org> Sent:Tuesday, July 15, 2025 3:50 PM To:eComment Cc:Amezcua, Valerie; Phan, Thai; Vazquez, Benjamin; Lopez, Jessie; Bacerra, Phil; Hernandez, Johnathan; Penaloza, David; Nancy Robles SEIU 721 Santa Ana President; Navarro, Jorge; ANTONIO CARRILLO; Sandra Cortez; Carmen Acosta Subject:Letter of Concern: Termination Practices for Part-Time Employees in Violation of MOU Attachments:Cease and Desist - Parks and Recreation.pdf Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. Dear Members of the Santa Ana City Council, I am writing on behalf of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721, as the representative for part-time non-civil service employees in the City of Santa Ana, to express serious concern regarding recent practices in the Parks and Recreation Department involving the termination of part-time employees. Specifically, we have received reports of terminations being communicated verbally over the phone, which we believe constitutes a direct violation of our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and undermines the rights and due process afforded to our members. As outlined in the 2022-2024 MOU between the City of Santa Ana and SEIU Local 721 for the Part-Time Non- Civil Service Employees Unit (SEIU-PTNCS), extended through May 15, 2025 with potential further extensions, Article VIII, Section 8.1(B) explicitly requires a review process for terminations. For employees with less than five years of service (or 5,200 hours), the employee may request a review with the Department Head or designee prior to the effective date of the action. For those with five or more years of service, this review is mandatory, and they may further request review by the City Manager or designee before the termination takes effect. These provisions ensure that terminations are handled with proper notice, an opportunity for discussion, and adherence to due process, which cannot be adequately fulfilled through informal phone notifications. Additionally, Article XI, Section 11.1(L) stipulates that any discharge, suspension, demotion, or other discipline must be for proper cause and in accordance with the City Charter and Santa Ana Municipal Code. Abrupt phone terminations bypass these safeguards, potentially exposing the City to grievances under Article IX, which provides a structured procedure for addressing violations of the MOU, including timely meetings and final binding decisions by the City Manager. Such practices not only violate the spirit and letter of our agreement but also erode trust between the Department and its employees, many of whom dedicate significant time to supporting community recreation programs. We urge the City Council to investigate this matter and direct the Parks and Recreation Department to immediately cease this practice and ensure all future terminations comply fully with the MOU's requirements, including advance written notice and the opportunity for pre-termination reviews. If specific incidents have already occurred, we request a prompt investigation, including potential reinstatement or corrective actions for affected employees. We are prepared to file formal grievances if necessary but prefer to resolve this matter collaboratively. 6