Outgoing State President Tim Stoelb Delivers “State of the Union” Address at 2019 Conference

Conference 2019 took place in the week marking one year since Janus v. AFSCME. As outgoing President Tim Stoelb delivered his seventh State of the Union address, he highlighted ways in which anti-union activism has created challenges for OSEA in the last year – but also bolstered enthusiasm and loyalty among members. Although OSEA had to make significant financial adjustments... Read More

Classified Employees Week: March 4-8, 2019

Classified employees keep buildings and grounds safe and clean, prepare and serve nutritious meals, and work with teachers and other staff members to provide an ideal classroom environment. These are only a few of the wide variety of critical tasks we fulfill in Oregon’s schools every day. In short, we stand together to make education work, and we deserve recognition for the vital... Read More

President Stoelb will not seek reelection

At Conference 2019, delegates will have the opportunity to vote for many candidates vying to represent their fellow OSEA members at the state and national levels; however, one name that’s long familiar with voters will not appear on the ballot this year. OSEA President Tim Stoelb convenes Conference 2018 in Portland. OSEA President Tim Stoelb has decided to retire at the end of... Read More

OSEA, AFT bridge financial gap

By OSEA President Tim Stoelb Despite the hard work our chapters did this past spring, OSEA — along with every other public-sector union across the country — suffered a big setback on June 27 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the collection of fair-share fees was unconstitutional. On that day, OSEA lost roughly $1.8 million in revenue and faced a gaping hole in our annual budget. AFT... Read More

OSEA Board endorses Yes on Measure 101

A major accomplishment of the 2017 Legislature was ensuring stable health care funding for Oregonians via passage of a modest provider assessment. This bipartisan solution was already in place in 48 other states and is a smart method to guarantee access to health care for every child in the state and 95 percent of all Oregonians. That’s why the OSEA Board of Directors urges a... Read More

OSEA endorses Gov. Brown for reelection

OSEA President Tim Stoelb on Friday announced the OSEA Board of Directors has endorsed Gov. Kate Brown for reelection in 2018. “At a time when public employees face attacks like never before, it’s critical to have strong, effective leaders who have our backs. Gov. Kate Brown has always looked out for us and the students we serve,” Stoelb said. “Brown has been... Read More

A step towards proper medical staffing

Nine Oregon school districts will take part in a pilot project to obtain federal reimbursement for providing healthcare to special education students thanks to a bill backed by OSEA. Oregon has a major school nursing shortage, as the recent Task Force on School Nursing report indicates: Our schools have only one certified and/or licensed registered nurse for every 2,178 students... Read More

OSEA members lobby legislature for LED

About 150 OSEA members stormed the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, talking with lawmakers about important education issues and testifying on problems facing school employees. OSEA’s Legislative Education Day (LED) is held every two years during the Oregon Legislature’s “long” sessions during odd-numbered years. This year attracted unprecedented interest among OSEA members. In... 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

Your advocate at the Legislature

Soren Metzger has a new role at OSEA as our government relations specialist. Metzger brings over a decade of union and public policy experience to the job along with an up-close understanding of OSEA’s members and their needs. As an AFT government relations organizer, she worked with now-retired Government Relations Specialist Tricia Smith during the 2012 campaign and 2013 legislative... Read More