Chapters Learn Organizing Strategies at Leadership Summit IV

Nearly 100 chapter officers and worksite organizers (WSOs) spent last weekend learning new tools and strategies to organize and represent members during OSEA’s fourth annual Leadership Summit. The event focused on new hire orientations, an excellent opportunity for union representatives to educate incoming staff on the role of the union and the importance of membership. Under... Read More

Conference 2022

Conference 2022 will be held in-person in Portland, Ore., on June 23-25, 2022.  Read More

Susan Miller Takes the Helm as OSEA’s Executive Director

After a nationwide search for a new executive director, the OSEA Board of Directors and interview team have chosen a candidate close to home: Susan Miller, OSEA’s director of field operations since 2016. Susan has served as executive director in an interim capacity since Rick Shidaker’s retirement in August 2021. She has a strong labor background with 20 years’... Read More

Don’t Believe Everything You Hear from Anti-Worker, Anti-Education Organizations

You may have received glossy mailers from “opt-out” anti-worker, anti-education organizations who are once again targeting OSEA members. While education employees are working hard to keep schools running under extraordinary circumstances, these groups are spending a lot of money to attack our unity. Member density — the percentage of represented workers who are... Read More

Statement from Pres. Lisa Gourley on U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health

Earlier this week, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on the mental health challenges facing America’s young people, which have only worsened during the pandemic. OSEA President Lisa Gourley issued a statement in response, saying, “We applaud the surgeon general’s landmark report on youth mental health. School employees — especially classified, the... Read More

LERC Wellness Webinar Series

The University of Oregon’s Labor Education and Research Center (LERC) is hosting a series of wellness webinars this fall. Sign up for each session on LERC’s website.  Read More

Rising from the Ashes

On Sept. 6, students, school employees and community members gathered at Blue Heron Park in Phoenix, Ore., to witness the unveiling of a remarkable art installation: several metal sculptures, over 10 feet tall, modeling the branches of the manzanita tree. Each sculpture was crafted by students from Talent Middle School and Phoenix High School who worked with an artist over the summer... Read More

Schedule a Worksite Organizer Training

As chapters across the state welcome new hires, many are training worksite organizers (WSOs) to welcome them to OSEA and fulfill the requirements of House Bill (HB) 2016. WSOs can share important information about OSEA and keep employees at their worksite informed about union activities. If you would like to hold a WSO training in your chapter, contact Director of Organizing Richard... Read More

OSEA Legal Counsel Answers Vaccine Mandate FAQs

OSEA has not taken a stand on Oregon’s vaccine mandate, as members across the state have differing opinions. However, the union has an important role in making sure our members understand the law, their rights and the role their chapter plays as districts implement vaccine requirements. Our legal counsel, Tedesco Law Group, has compiled answers to some of the most common questions... Read More

You could win $100 in our CEW 2022 theme contest

Classified school employees are the backbone of Oregon schools. Each March, OSEA and schools across the state celebrate these dedicated workers during Classified School Employees Week (CEW)! This year, CEW is March 7-11. OSEA is holding a contest to choose our theme for CEW 2022. Members can submit slogan ideas and/or original artwork at this form. The winning theme will be... Read More