Tips from public employees on mobilizing members

When the president of Colorado WINS learned that the president of the United States might be targeting Denver next in his anti-immigration campaign of terror, she knew how she’d begin to mobilize. One simple thing Diane Byrne does is deck out her activists in matching T-shirts. Wearing union colors promotes team spirit and builds confidence, she says. The AFT Public Employees program and policy council, meeting in New York City Feb. 5-6, abounded with tips to help locals mobilize. PPC chair Gary Feist, president of North Dakota Public Employees, recommended finding members who can tell a personal story to draw media attention. With more media on the issue, he said, legislators will become more motivated to fix the problem.

Federal immigration actions are rapidly expanding, with deadly consequences. The killings of poet Renee Nicole Good and nurse Alex Pretti by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis have brought intense focus on the use of excessive force. An AFT webinar, co-hosted by AFT President Randi Weingarten and AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang on Jan. 28, featured experts on immigration and the law. It highlighted AFT resources and showcased how our locals are showing up to minimize fear and trauma.

Randi Weingarten at a Massachusetts high school

Summer is upon us, and parents, children and teachers are winding down from what has been an exhausting and fully operational school year—the first since the devastating pandemic. The long-lasting impact of COVID-19 has affected our students’ and families’ well-being and ignited the politics surrounding public schools. All signs point to the coming school year unfolding with the same sound and fury, and if extremist culture warriors have their way, being even more divisive and stressful.

In AFT President Randi Weingarten’s latest New York Times column, she describes what it is exactly that unions do. Though unions are the most popular they have been in decades, anti-union sentiment still thrives in red states and across the nation. “Several years ago, The Atlantic ran a story whose headline made even me, a labor leader, scratch my head: ‘Union Membership: Very Sexy,’” Weingarten writes in the column. “The gist was that higher wages, health benefits and job security—all associated with union membership—boost one’s chances of getting married. Belonging to a union doesn’t actually guarantee happily ever after, but it does help working people have a better life in the here and now.” Click through to read the full column.

In defense of public education

Randi Weingarten and NYC teacher Tamara Simpson

Attacks on public education in America by extremists and culture-war peddling politicians have reached new heights (“lows” may be more apt), but they are not new. The difference today is that the attacks are intended not just to undermine public education but to destroy it.

President and Trustee Open Position

July 12th 2018

Greetings Classified Staff!!

We now have an opening as a Trustee on the Chapter Executive Team.

With the vacancy of the President and Trustee position, we will be taking nominations at our September chapter meeting.

The September Chapter meeting will be held on September 11^th at 5:30 pm in the library at Thurston High School.

We will accept nominations again at the October chapter meeting at which time, nominations close and balloting occurs.

Our October chapter meeting will be held on October 9^th at 5:30pm in the library at Springfield High School.

Our constitution

Open Position - September Meeting Nominations

With the vacancy of the President position, we will be taking nominations at our September chapter meeting.

The September Chapter meeting will be held on September 11^th at 5:30 pm in the library at Thurston High School.

We will accept nominations again at the October chapter meeting at which time, nominations close and balloting occurs.

Our October chapter meeting will be held on October 9^th at 5:30pm in the library at Springfield High School.

Our constitution requires a 15 day notification prior to the Sept chapter meeting, so you’ll see this again over the summer, on our Facebook

Professional Development Opportunity

Dear Staff:

I am happy to announce, the District and the OSEA Chapter 4 Executive Team have been meeting to put together an opportunity for Classified staff to access funds for professional development opportunities. We have $40,000 to use for individual requests each school year. Staff members may receive funds only once every two years. If you apply and are not awarded funds you may reapply. Individual grants shall not exceed $1500 per person. If you were to use a personal leave day for a conference the professional development fund will match that day to cover the second day you will be gone

Tim Stephens Named Oregon Classified Employee of the Year

Oregon School Employee Association President Tim Stephens was surprised with the OSEA State Employee of the Year award at the May 14 board meeting.

This prestigious award is given to one OSEA member each year whom exemplifies the hard work, dedication with good character, and outstanding work performance. The nominated members are judged by a panel of past OSEA presidents.

Tim has been with the district for more than 18 years. In addition to the volunteer hours he puts in as OSEA president, he serves as Lead Inventory Specialist for the district, managing a team of workers and all the ins and out of a huge inventory.

Following are some excerpts from Tim's nomination:

"I have rarely encountered an employee that more exemplifies service-based leadership than this candidate....Never have I heard him say 'it can’t be done' but rather 'this is how we make it happen.' This person leads by example without hesitation....He always gives 110% and serves as a true mentor for others in his workgroup and well beyond."
"When the Lead Inventory Specialist position opened, there was no question by the members of selection team that this individual was the right person for the job. Since being placed in this role, he has helped transform the Warehouse & Material Movement function of the District into one that is among the top in the state."
"Most recently, this individual has stepped into an OSEA leadership role. I am very gratified again to point out this person’s selfless nature and willingness to represent his coworkers without personal acknowledgement, for the hours he spends assuring fair representation for those on the front lines."
"Hard working, intelligent, consistent, diligent, personally responsible, trustworthy, innovative, compassionate – all of these adjectives fall short on their own. However, collectively they paint a picture of this individual and his longstanding commitment to supporting excellence in education."

Please join us in congratulating Tim!

New Contract

Just a reminder of the opportunities for you to vote on the new contract.

You must have a “Signed” membership card on file with the State office to be eligible to vote. I have attached one to print off for those who have not completed one.

They must be turned in before the May 1^st meeting.

We reached a tentative agreement with the District on a new contract. An informational meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 1^st in the Library at Thurston High School at 6:00 pm. We will present you with an overview and a summary of changes, and then allow time for questions and answers.

You will then

News

Tips from public employees on mobilizing members

All the resources you need on immigration and ICE

Smears vs. solutions

What unions do