Letter from President Lisa Gourley: Visiting Chapters Impacted by Wildfires

Dear OSEA Members, My heart is heavy as I write this. Our beloved state and union members are still recovering from the wildfires that swept across the state in September. Burning more than a million acres, the fires not only devastated our forests, recreation areas and infrastructure, but decimated many of our communities. Homes, farms, businesses and schools have been lost. These... Read More

Oregon Supreme Court Rules Against Public Employees in PERS Lawsuit

On Thursday, Aug. 6, the Oregon Supreme Court ruled in James v. Oregon. Below is a statement on the ruling from OSEA President Lisa Gourley: This morning, the Oregon Supreme Court ruled in James v. Oregon, the lawsuit challenging cuts to the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) under Senate Bill (SB) 1049. I am disappointed to report that the court ruled against public employees... Read More

Conference 2020 is Cancelled

Due to the threat of COVID-19, OSEA has made the difficult decision to cancel Conference 2020, originally scheduled for June 25-27. This decision follows Gov. Kate Brown’s plan for reopening the state, which restricts large gatherings through summer 2020. Conference is an important event for our union — it is a key part of the governance of our organization, as well... Read More

Nicolle Landau of Lake Oswego Chapter 12 is OSEA’s 2020 Employee of the Year!

Nicolle Landau of Lake Oswego Chapter 12 has been named OSEA’s 2020 Employee of the Year. She received this award after being nominated by her chapter and selected by OSEA’s past presidents. “OSEA’s Employee of the Year Award honors one outstanding member who goes above and beyond for their students, school and OSEA chapter. I can think of no one more deserving... Read More

Advocating for our rights

Across Oregon, the novel coronavirus outbreak has created a public health emergency that is affecting the membership and represented employees of the Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA), as well as our families, schools and communities. During this unprecedented time we are working with state and local governments, school districts and our chapters to protect the health,... Read More

Submit Resolutions to Amend the OSEA Constitution by Feb. 1

Submit Resolutions to Amend the OSEA Constitution by Feb. 1 By Resolutions/Constitution Committee In accordance with the OSEA Constitution, your Resolutions/ Constitution Committee has been charged with informing and assisting members in the governance of their association. Our Constitution is determined by established law and member action. All OSEA members are entitled, even invited,... Read More

School Custodians and Maintenance Workers Will Be Eligible for Unemployment Benefits

Unlike any other type of worker in Oregon, school employees are not allowed to collect unemployment insurance (UI) benefits when laid off for breaks or summer vacation, if they have ‘reasonable assurance’ of a return to work at the end of the break. Until recently, this was true even for employees who typically work year-round, such as custodians and maintenance workers. That... Read More

Oregon Lawmakers Give Union Members More Rights

House Bill (HB) 2016 makes important changes to Oregon’s Public Employees Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA). The law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2020, at which time all Oregon public employees must comply, even if the law differs from contract provisions. Many practices which OSEA chapters have previously negotiated into contracts will be mandated by law. “The difference under... 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