The Lighthouse School Chapter 160 ratifies first contract

Two years after they formed a union, members of The Lighthouse School Chapter 160 were able to ratify their first contract by a 12-0 vote on May 16 in Coos Bay. OSEA Director of Field Operations Susan Miller said the ratification vote gave employees an opportunity to “participate in direct democracy” as well as “have a crystal clear voice” in their workplace. “Congratulations... Read More

2018 Employee of the Year is Tim Stephens

Tim Stephens, the Springfield School District’s lead inventory specialist who has worked for the district for 18 years, has been selected by OSEA as its 2018 Employee of the Year. The announcement was made May 14 by OSEA President Tim Stoelb before the start of a school board meeting at the Springfield School District Administrative Offices. Click here for photos from the... Read More

OSEA and Causa Oregon May day march and rally

OSEA President Tim Stoelb addressed about 300 members of the labor and immigrant rights communities who were gathered for a rally and march around the Oregon State Capitol on May Day. A group of about 300 people took part in a May Day march around the State Capitol in support of immigrants and working families. Sponsored by OSEA and Causa Oregon, the event is an annual reminder... Read More

New member wants others to know the value of membership

Corvallis behavior specialist says the union has his ‘back’ Armando Arriaga Muñoz, a Corvallis middle school behavior specialist, once thought there was just one union and it was for everybody. “I used to watch the movie ‘Hoffa’ and that’s what I thought the union was like,” he said. But he found out there are many unions, even one that represents classified... Read More

Introducing OSEA’s Membership Incentive Program

The OSEA Board of Directors has determined that building and maintaining a high level of chapter membership is OSEA’s top priority. To support this goal, the Board recently authorized the creation of the Membership Incentive Program (MIP), which it believes will help OSEA to continue delivering the services, representation and advocacy its members expect and deserve. MIP allows... Read More

Beaverton marks Classified Employees Week with a movie night

Over the years Beaverton Chapter 48 had seemingly tried everything it could to show members how much they’re appreciated during Classified Employees Week. This year the chapter decided to try something different — a movie night hosted by the Valley Theatre — that both members and their families could enjoy. By all accounts the event was a resounding success with between 700... Read More

Legal advice about student walkouts

The events of Feb. 14 have once again highlighted gun violence in our schools and reignited the debate about the best course of action to remedy the problem. This time, however, it has also sparked a groundswell of student activism. A number of student walkouts have been scheduled to advocate for gun reform and/or safe schools. OSEA members inherently support the students they... Read More

Lighthouse charter school negotiations hit a snag

Members of The Lighthouse School Chapter 160 had hopes of settling their first contract last week after organizing two years ago, but negotiations have hit a snag over binding arbitration. With both sides at loggerheads, the union will be conducting informational pickets in front of the charter school on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 6 and 7. Members of The Lighthouse School Chapter... Read More

OSEA lobbies for PEBB/OEBB double coverage bill

OSEA is working with other public sector unions to pass legislation allowing employees to keep double coverage through the Oregon Educators Benefit Board (OEBB) and Public Employees’ Benefit Board (PEBB). During the 2017 session, the Oregon Legislature passed a cost containment bill (Senate Bill 1067) that, among other things, eliminated double coverage through PEBB and OEBB... Read More

OSEA to select delegates for AFT Convention

OSEA is accepting nominations for delegates who will represent our membership at the 2018 biennial American Federation of Teachers (AFT) National Convention to be held Thursday, July 12, through Monday, July 16, in Pittsburgh, Pa. The David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., will be the site of the 2018 biennial AFT National Convention. Photo by TheZachMorrisExperience/CC-BY-SA-3.0 Interested... Read More