OSEA Supported a Successful Bond Campaign for Hermiston School District

Months of hard work by OSEA members, the Hermiston School District and dedicated community members paid off on election night as they watched results for school bond measure 30-130 come in. After a close race, the measure passed, resulting in an additional $82.7 million for Hermiston schools. Our union was proud to support the bond with a $5,000 donation – the largest donation... Read More

OSEA Board Votes to Hold Politicians Accountable for Cuts to PERS

Lawmakers broke promises to public employees by attacking retirement benefits. On Friday, Oct. 4, the Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA) Board of Directors voted unanimously to hold lawmakers accountable for broken promises to OSEA members over retirement benefits. The Board passed a motion to withhold endorsement during the 2020 election cycle from any legislator who voted... Read More

AFL-CIO Convention: Gourley Wins Historic Election, PERS Accountability Resolution Passes

The Oregon AFL-CIO held its convention Sept. 19-22 in Seaside, Ore. The Oregon AFL-CIO is a federation of labor unions, including OSEA. It exists to further the Oregon labor movement, improve the lives of union members through collective bargaining and advance the interests of working people. The OSEA Board of Directors, as well as some members and staff, attended the convention... Read More

OSEA Member Jennifer James is Lead Plaintiff in Lawsuit Over Cuts to PERS

Senate Bill 1049 is breach of contract, unconstitutional, lawsuit says. Nine public employees are asking the Oregon Supreme Court to review a new law that unfairly cuts retirement benefits in an attempt to reduce the cost of Oregon’s Public Employees Retirement System, known as PERS. The class action lawsuit, filed Aug. 9, contests portions of Senate Bill (SB) 1049, which lawmakers... Read More

Student Success Act Brings Unprecedented Education Funding

OSEA members were instrumental in passing the Student Success Act (HB 3427) last spring. The measure provides an additional $1 billion each year to Oregon school districts, early learning programs and educational initiatives — a historic victory for students! Thanks to input from educators, including OSEA members, funds are earmarked for key areas where schools have the greatest... Read More

Delegates Elect Lisa Gourley as OSEA State President

Lisa Gourley was elected state president at OSEA’s Conference 2019, which was attended by over 250 delegates in June. A special education assistant at Sweet Home High School, Gourley became an OSEA member in 1995. She has served Sweet Home Chapter 3 as president, vice president, and on numerous committees. In 2011, Gourley was elected Zone III director and has served in that capacity... Read More

OSEA Secretary Hofer named AACSE president

OSEA state Secretary Mary Hofer was appointed president of the American Association of Classified School Employees (AACSE) by the organization’s board of directors at its annual spring meeting on Feb. 26. Hofer, who had been serving as one of two elected AACSE directors from OSEA, will serve as AACSE president for the next two years. Hofer said she sees her appointment as just... Read More

OSEA’s UI bill passes House on bipartisan vote

House Bill (HB) 2660 passed on a bipartisan 43-17 vote on March 13, marking an important milestone toward gaining unemployment insurance (UI) benefits for some of OSEA members. Five Republicans — Reps. Mike McLane, Sherrie Sprenger, Greg Smith, Cheri Helt and Lynn Findley — joined all House Democrats in supporting the bill, which now moves to the Senate for consideration. State... Read More

Ways and Means embarks on listening tour

The Joint Committee on Ways and Means proposed K-12 budget came as a disappointment to educators, education advocates and unions when it was unveiled last Thursday. The co-chairs’ proposal not only left out any additional investment in Oregon schools, it actually called for cuts. At a time when Oregon’s economy is booming, it doesn’t make sense to be talking about... Read More

Oregon Secretary of State passes at age 69

The following is OSEA President Tim Stoelb’s statement upon the death of Oregon Secretary of State Dennis Richardson on Feb. 26, 2019: OSEA President Tim Stoelb, left, and Secretary of State Dennis Richardson at Legislative Education Day (LED) 2017. “I’m saddened to hear that Secretary of State Dennis Richardson’s battle with brain cancer ended last night... Read More