Legislative Victory! Unemployment Access for All Begins Jan. 2024
Classified school employees have been blocked from unemployment benefits when we are laid off — until now. Thanks to OSEA members who have worked on this issue for decades, including many who testified and shared stories just this year, an OSEA-backed bill will give classified the same access to unemployment benefits as workers in any other sector. Senate Bill (SB) 489 will go... Read More
OSEA Member Zandra Jansma Named 2023 Oregon ESP of the Year
Oregon ESP of the Year Zandra Jansma of Three Rivers Chapter 22 (right) with Three Rivers School District Superintendent David Valenzuela. The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has named OSEA member Zandra Jansma of Three Rivers Chapter 22 the 2023 Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year! Jansma is an office manager (and so much more) at the Southern Oregon Success Academy.... Read More
A Seat at the Table: OSEA Members Speak Up for Classified Roles on State Education Boards and Commissions
OSEA members have front-line expertise on what Oregon schools and students need. It is common sense for classified school employees to be included on the boards and commissions that set education policy. Team OSEA was at the Capitol on Thursday, April 20, speaking to the Senate Committee on Education in support of House Bill (HB) 3383, which would create a new seat on the State... Read More
OSEA Members Are Powerful When We Get Together
By President Sarah Wofford – I left Legislative Education Day (LED) with a renewed awareness that when OSEA members get together, we are a force to be reckoned with. Now, we put our momentum to good use. Read More
10 Ways to Celebrate Classified School Employees Week
Classified School Employees Week (CEW) is right around the corner, on March 6-10! This is an important opportunity for communities across Oregon to recognize and thank the hardworking classified professionals who keep our schools running and help students learn. Our theme for CEW this year is: Leadership, Effectiveness, Advocacy, Diplomacy/Liderazgo, Eficacia, Apoyo, Diplomacia. In... Read More
New Tools for Leaders Revealed at Leadership Summit V
On Saturday, Feb. 4, 77 OSEA chapter leaders, activists and staff participated in OSEA’s Leadership Summit V. OSEA President Sarah Wofford and members of the Board of Directors facilitated. We talked about the value and importance of being union leaders and activists, challenges for new officers, upcoming trainings for chapter leaders and OSEA’s legislative priorities.... Read More
Rep. Courtney Neron Shadows OSEA NWRESD Chapter 101 Members on the Job
State Representative Courtney Neron (D-Wilsonville) kicked off OSEA’s new legislative job shadow program by visiting OSEA Northwest Regional Education Service District (NWRESD) Chapter 101 to learn more about the diversity of classified employees who support special education. The job shadow was hosted and developed by Chapter 101 members and led by Chapter President Maureen Crawford-Markasky,... Read More
Big Wins in Bargaining for OSEA Chapters
Across the state, OSEA chapters have won exciting new contract rights that will change members’ lives for the better. We spoke with five OSEA chapters who recently signed collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) with their employers have shared their wins and how they got them. While every OSEA chapter, employer and bargaining process is unique, it is clear that solidarity, perseverance... Read More
Looking Back on an Eventful Year for the Labor Movement and Forward to a Strong 2023
By President Sarah Wofford Hello, amazing education workers of OSEA, and welcome back! I hope you had a restful holiday, survived the ice storm and had plenty of time with family and friends. We all deserved a moment of peace, to recuperate and catch our breath after the last year. We are living in eventful times! I am so proud of all that OSEA and our members have done to strengthen... Read More
Become An OSEA Member
Did you know that union members in Oregon make 11 percent more, on average, than non-union workers in the same jobs? That’s because our strength in numbers gives union members a say in our workplaces. Together, we win better wages, benefits, working conditions and more! Click here for our online membership application. Dues are 1.8% of gross annual income (divided by the number... Read More
