OSEA Member Honored by Oregon Association of School Libraries

Recognition from your peers is an awesome feeling! OSEA member Gigi Michaels of Medford Chapter 15 (pictured, photo courtesy of the Medford School District) was named 2022 Classified Staff of the Year by the Oregon Association of School Libraries (OASL) at their Oct. 15, 2022, conference in Bend. Michaels was honored for her work in the library at Griffin Creek Elementary. “It... Read More

Pres. Wofford Speaks About Violence Against School Staff

Sept. 28, 2022 – This week, President Sarah Wofford traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s Workers’ Voice Conference. Click below to watch the video. Wofford testified about the dangers staff face from students with challenging behaviors, saying, “In places where you wouldn’t assume... Read More

Getting to Know Pres. Sarah Wofford

Hello, OSEA members! My name is Sarah Wofford, your new OSEA president. The first thing I want you to know about me is my contact information – my email is sarahw@osea.org. You’re welcome to reach out anytime! It’s important to me that members and chapters always feel supported. Some of you already know me from union activities, but my journey as an activist began years... Read More

2022 OSEA Guide to Unemployment for School Employees

Thanks to advocacy from OSEA members statewide, custodial, maintenance, facilities, food services, pre-K and early intervention workers have new rights and protections and no longer need to pass the “reasonable assurance” test to receive benefits. Our union continues to advocate with lawmakers for expanded unemployment rights and protections for even more school employees. If... Read More

What We Learned from the Work Shouldn’t Hurt Survey

May 25, 2022 – During one of the worst school staffing shortages in Oregon history, a critical area is among educators who support the students with the highest needs. To better understand the risks of bodily harm and/or mental trauma these workers face and how to improve their workplace safety, OSEA conducted a survey of school employees working with special education and... Read More

Congratulations to the 2022 MIP Winning Chapters — You’re Keeping Our Contracts Strong!

The 2022 results for OSEA’s Membership Incentive Program (MIP) are in, with 35 chapters eligible for incentive payments! Chapter leaders, worksite organizers, rank-and-file members and OSEA staff across the state have worked hard to boost membership in their chapters. And it shows — since July 1, 2,300 workers have joined OSEA! MIP allows OSEA to invest in local chapters... Read More

Melinda Torres of OSEA Coos Bay Chapter 33 is 2022 Oregon ESP of the Year!

Please join OSEA in congratulating Melinda Torres, Oregon’s 2022 Education Support Professional of the Year! Melinda is a member of Coos Bay Chapter 33 and the liaison supporting students in foster care or experiencing homelessness for the Coos Bay School District. She manages the ARK (Keeping At Risk Kids Afloat) Project, a school-based program for youth and families experiencing... Read More

Member Video Contest

Submit a video celebrating your OSEA pride, and you could win $500! OSEA members are invited to showcase the work you and your coworkers do for OSEA’s “Celebrating OSEA Pride” video contest. Use your phone to record a 30-60 second video sharing your pride in your work and OSEA chapter. Cash prizes of $500, $300 and $150 will go to the first, second and third place... Read More

Conference 2022 is In-Person, June 24-25

OSEA’s 84th Annual Conference will be held Friday-Saturday, June 24-25, at Holiday Inn Portland — Columbia Riverfront (Formerly Red Lion on the River) in Portland, Ore. Due to COVID safety concerns and to save costs, the OSEA Board of Directors has decided to limit Conference activities to two days.  Read More

Statement from Pres. Gourley on Changes to School Masking Rules

The rules keep changing! While we welcome the feeling of hope behind the state’s lifting of its general masking requirements, a lot of exhausted school employees feel more confused. We’re simply trying to finish a stressful and – for many – traumatic year. We feel cynical about what will happen next and what information to trust. Now, issues about masking will be... Read More