Marching for humanity in Salem

About 1,000 supporters of immigrant rights and humane treatment for all people marched on the Oregon State Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 14, braving freezing temperatures to demand keeping families united and reject hate.  Speakers committed passionate support for all Oregonians on the eve of a new presidential administration. Click here to see photos from the march. “Today Oregonians... Read More

Pledging to defend public education

With a new year comes a chance to renew our commitment to our students, schools and communities. And although our leaders may change, these principles never do:  We must correct the injustice of underinvestment in our schools. We must defend our schools from those who want to outsource public education. We must insist that schools be safe for all students to learn, grow and make... Read More

Discount on tickets to Rip City!

OSEA Nights at the Moda Center are back! This season, OSEA members and their families have more discounted Portland Trail Blazers games to choose from than ever before. Members can purchase tickets to six regular games and/or four upgraded games. Tickets range from $15 to $99 for regular games and from $38 to $140 for upgraded games. In order to enjoy high-flying Rip City basketball,... Read More

School bond campaigns boosted by ELAF

Timely chapter endorsements and contributions from OSEA’s Education and Labor Advocacy Fund (ELAF) helped pass several local ballot measures on Nov. 8 that will invest more than a half billion dollars in Oregon schools. Of the seven instances where OSEA provided financial support to local ballot measures, none proved more critical than in Gresham-Barlow’s campaign to pass a... Read More

N. Santiam seeks communication

North Santiam Chapter 122 and the district are set to go into mediation on Jan. 10; however, that doesn’t mean the chapter isn’t open to any last-minute attempts to avoid it. “We’re not very far apart in terms of dollar amounts,” OSEA Field Representative Gabe Ortega said. “As we wait for mediation, why not keep the lines of communication open?” Nevertheless, it... Read More

Labor gives back for holidays

Created with flickr slideshow.         Union members from throughout the Mid-Willamette Valley gave back to their communities through the 76th Annual Holiday Party, sponsored by the Marion-Polk-Yamhill Central Labor Chapter. Hundreds of kids and their families packed the Historic Elsinore Theatre in downtown Salem to receive a bag full of treats, visit with... Read More

Ashland fights to preserve rights

Ashland Chapter 42 is in mediation with the school district, pushing back against administration’s attempt to remove a key element of the contract. The chapter picketed in front of the district office in November to show administrators that they intend to stand up for their rights. The district is taking the curious position that transportation work rules have never been part... Read More

State seeking ESSA feedback

OSEA members have an opportunity to help Oregon reshape its education system as the state refines its plan to implement the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) started developing its state implementation plan last spring, but there is still much work to be done before the final plan is completed and submitted to the U.S. Department... Read More

Sweet Home back in school on Fridays

Sweet Home schools will return to a five-day school week in 2017-18 — a welcome development for classified employees in the district. Members of Sweet Home Chapter 3 have been delivering the message that “School Cuts Hurt Sweet Home” ever since the district opted for a shorter school week during a budget crunch. The school board’s unanimous vote to switch back came in part... Read More

OSEA leader elected to local office

One of our own was elected to the Sweet Home City Council in the November election. Sweet Home Chapter 3 member and Zone III Director Lisa Gourley was elected to a four-year term on the council. She obtained the second-most votes of any council candidate, including one incumbent. All told, eight candidates sought four positions.  Gourley — whose husband, Jim, spent many years... Read More