Orange County workers from the Teamsters Local 952 began walking off the job Tuesday morning, Oct. 13, after months of failed contract negotiations, potentially disrupting services for roughly 3 million residents.
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The local represents more than 465 employees across OC Public Works, OC Waste & Recycling and OC Community Resources, including heavy equipment operators, mechanics, waste workers, custodial staff and animal care workers.
Members of Teamsters Local 952 picket in front the county administrative buildings in Santa Ana on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of Teamsters Local 952 picket in front the county administrative buildings in Santa Ana on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of Teamsters Local 952 picket in front the county administrative buildings in Santa Ana on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The strike kicked off at 4 a.m. outside the County Administration North building in Santa Ana, and hundreds of workers are expected to walk off throughout the day, said union representative Christian Castro.
By the crack of dawn, union members had formed several picket lines outside the administrative building with about 20 workers at each post, Castro said.
The union announced the impending strike on Thursday, giving the negotiations with county leadership a few more days to reach a new labor agreement. The county has not yet made an updated contract proposal as of this morning, Castro said.
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In August, union members voted down the county’s one-year offer of a 3% raise with no retroactive pay, which they said fell short of recognizing the value of their work.
“We have done everything in our power to reach a fair agreement,” Eric Jimenez, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 952 said in a statement. “Instead, we have been met with months of delays and a complete disregard for the workers who keep Orange County running.”
The Teamsters’ previous three-year contract expired June 25. Bargaining team members said they approached the county in December to begin negotiations, but argue the county made no meaningful movement toward a deal until August.
“We respect the rights of our dedicated employees to engage in lawful strike activity under California law,” county spokesperson Molly Nicholson said Friday morning in a statement. “Our priority remains ensuring the continuity of essential public services for our residents. We have contingency plans in place to minimize service disruptions.”
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