Forest Grove custodians ask district to pressure contractor

Members of Forest Grove Custodians Chapter 301 and their supporters packed the Forest Grove School Board meeting last night to demand the district put pressure on the private contractor Sodexo for higher wages and better benefits. Custodian Michael Parra asks the Forest Grove School Board for help in getting fair wages and benefits from Sodexo. “Sodexo has ignored our concerns... Read More

Senate gives unanimous nod to safety bill

June 8, 2017 – In a major victory for classified school employees around the state, legislation that will ensure educators are no longer left in the dark regarding their students’ needs has been signed into law by the governor. The broadly recognized need for employees working in special education to understand the needs of their students, be informed of changes to their... Read More

OSEA makes case for OSHA rule change

OSEA and AFT-Oregon members delivered powerful testimony in support of a common-sense rule change at two public hearings held last week by the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Oregon OSHA). The proposed rule change would no longer exempt K-12 school districts from the stringent recordkeeping regulations other occupations are required to follow when documenting... Read More

Eugene members look after their own

A quick response from caring coworkers saved the life of an OSEA member when he had a heart attack on the job recently. Terry McDonald, a carpenter for Eugene School District, was working on a window at Monroe Middle School when he suddenly collapsed and fell to the ground. His coworker, Martin Thiele, found him almost immediately and ran inside to alert office staff to dial 911. He... Read More

Member elected to SOESD Board

When Rosie Converse turns 30 over Memorial Day weekend, she and her family will also be celebrating her election to the Southern Oregon Education Service District (SOESD) board. Converse, a software developer for the district and an OSEA member, beat an incumbent by nearly 20 points to earn a seat on the board for SOESD, which serves nearly 50,000 students in Jackson, Josephine... Read More

Mostly wins for OSEA-backed bonds, candidates

OSEA-backed bond measures and school board candidates were mostly successful in the May elections that culminated on Tuesday. It was thrilling to see so many chapters jump in and endorse candidates and bond measures, and in turn seek contributions from OSEA’s Education and Labor Advocacy Fund, which is financed by small donations from school employees throughout Oregon. For construction... Read More

Member courage honored by AFT

OSEA’s Work Shouldn’t Hurt campaign earned a national award from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) at the recent Paraprofessionals and School-Related Personnel convention in Detroit. The Workers Memorial Day award recognizes AFT locals and affiliates such as OSEA for outstanding work to make life better for their members. OSEA’s Work Shouldn’t Hurt efforts encompassed... Read More

Playground, maintenance workers need protection

OSEA supports policies that promote safe, healthy environments with fully-trained, high-quality career professionals serving the needs of the public. We are supporting passage of Senate Bill (SB) 327A, which would extend recreational immunity to grounds and maintenance professionals as well as custodians while acting in the scope of their assigned duties. This means that employees... Read More

We need your help

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Oregon OSHA) is still accepting public comments regarding a proposed rule change regarding the reporting of workplace violence in our K-12 schools. Currently, K-12 schools are exempt from the stringent recordkeeping regulations other occupations are required to follow. In industries such as construction, employers must routinely... Read More

Chase named Employee of the Year

For the first time in the history of OSEA’s Employee of the Year award, the winner of one of the union’s highest honors will represent Zone III. Denise Chase, a paraprofessional librarian at Central High School and president of Central Chapter 124, became the latest recipient of the award, which dates back to 1991. OSEA President Tim Stoelb made the surprise announcement during... Read More