Survey asks members about Conference format

Friday, January 27, 2012

The OSEA Board of Directors would like feedback on a recent suggestion from members that Conference be scheduled once every two years. The Board is asking members to fill out a short online survey. The answers will help the Board determine if a change to the current Conference format is worth consideration. Conference is where chapter delegates from throughout the state gather to conduct the union’s business. Currently, our Constitution requires Conference to be held every year. Click here to access the online survey Did you like this article?...

Mark down Feb. 20th on your calendars

Friday, January 20, 2012

OSEA, in coalition with education and public service unions and groups, urges its members to attend the “Day of Action” rally this Presidents Day in Salem. Thousands of Oregonians from every corner of the state will gather at the Capitol steps to demand that their legislators take bold actions to protect Oregon families. For OSEA members and the education community this will be a day of action for public education. “We need to tell our leaders that a quality education system begins with funding a full academic year and providing...

OSEA Executive Director Steven Araujo, left, and CAUSA Executive Director Francisco Lopez shake hands last month, shortly after their respective organizations entered into a formal partnership.

OSEA partners with CAUSA

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Over the past several months, President Bonnie Luisi has toured the state sharing OSEA’s “new approach” to the challenges our union and members face today. An important part of this approach is reaching out to community groups and involving them with our issues. An example of this is OSEA’s recent decision to enter into a long-term formal partnership with CAUSA, Oregon’s Latino immigrant rights organization. At first blush, OSEA and CAUSA may seem to be two very different organizations, but it became clear after a meeting between leaders...

You’re invited to discuss public education’s future

Thursday, January 12, 2012

The Oregon Education Investment Board (OEIB) will hold seven community meetings across the state later this month to discuss its proposed changes to Oregon’s public education system. The board was created last year after the Oregon Legislature passed and Gov. John Kitzhaber signed Senate Bill 909. OEIB is charged with overseeing a unified public education system that begins with early childhood services and continues through to college and career readiness. The governor chairs the board, whose purpose is to ensure all public school students reach...

2012 AFT National Convention

Represent OSEA at next year’s event in Detroit

Detroit at dawn, photo by Vito Palmisano, courtesy of Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau

OSEA is gathering nominations for 10 delegates who will represent our membership at the 2012 American Federation of Teachers (AFT) National Convention to be held July 26-31 in Detroit, Mich. Interested members must submit their nomination forms to the OSEA State Office no later than midnight, March 29, 2012. The delegates and alternates will then be elected by secret mail ballot in April. At the AFT National Convention, the elected delegates will join four automatic delegates... Read More

OSEA Board of Directors

President Luisi announces Zone IV vacancy

OSEA President Bonnie Luisi has initiated the process of finding a replacement for Zone IV Director Cindy Johnson, of North Bend Chapter 26, who stepped down as director last week citing personal reasons. “I’m really sad to have Cindy leave, but I respect her decision,” Luisi... Read More

In Remembrance

Former union leader passes away

Richard “Dick” Bartlett, a former executive director of the California School Employees Association (CSEA) as well as an OSEA field representative, died Oct. 25, at the age of 89. At CSEA, he helped train and mentor a young Steven Araujo, who is now OSEA’s executive director.... Read More

National News

Ohio voters repeal anti-union legislation

On Nov. 8, the people of Ohio voted overwhelmingly for a ballot measure repealing a law limiting union rights for teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public employees. OSEA President Bonnie Luisi called Tuesday’s vote “a great day for labor” and said people are... Read More

State News

Election results: Bonamici wins; levy fails

OSEA saw mixed results this off-year election: On one hand, a candidate it endorsed in the highly watched 1st Congressional District won her party’s nomination; on the other, OSEA saw a local option levy it backed get rejected by Beaverton voters. State Sen. Suzanne Bonamici defeated... Read More