Image provided by: SEIU Local 503; Salem, OR
About The Oregon state employee. (Salem, Oregon.) 1944-195? | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1947)
9 Why the Association Deserves Y our Support By VIRGIL G. O ’NEIL , I Director of- Public Relations The Oregori State Employees Associ ation” wis. formed on May 16, 1943i from a nucleus of five locals of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.’ These fiye locals were contributing over $30.0"per month to 'their parent uriion on I the promise of receiving strong support for a state ^V n seryic'e act and other bene fits'-in 1943. When it developed that the promised support was «not forth- comingSand the 1*943 'legislative assem bly adjourned with little accomplished to further civil service,/ these five lo- calsdissolved ; their membership and joined together in the self-governing, democratic» body we have todays’. H The OSEA is closely patterned after the enterprising arid successful Califor nia Employees Association and is de stined to become as truly representative of alb state employees as is the Califor nia organization. Civic and Employee Welfare The aims of the OSEA are summed up iny.the expression' "to promote the welfare Jot- state employees any and all ways; which are co m p atii^ withIthe best interests of the state.” This B p vólves not I only a specific program for concerted action,, hut» .'also carries the directive to promote - a sense of. civic responsibility among its members. Threats to Our Organization As is true in any large organization composed of intelligent and free-think- ing individuals, there are differencesI of opinion among our members concerning details relating to our actions, methods and internal.- 'affairs. This is a healthy Condition, .showing our interest tin the Association. D ifferencesof -opinion- and open discussion are the bases from which spring good judgment and real progress. We would he a "dodo” associ- I ati’on indeed if no one raised his yoi^e in protest or offered const rue ti veneriti- cism from time to time! ‘„Rumèfrs of discontent ¿have come to our attention recently, so I have done a little research into the archives of the OSEA to resurrect a family skeleton or two, to place the cards on the table and Æps-take .stock'of our organization. I I Each member has a right to know what actions are taken by our officers and to express His personal opiriion re garding them. However, there is a right and a wrong w gÿto do most everything. We are bound by our Constitution (a) to be, non-political as an Association,,.. (b) - to take" no action - incompatible with the objectivés 'pf.vthe Association, (c) rip tto publish recommendations or actions relating to, civil service, retire- rnent, pay schedules and conditions of employment unless first approved by the General Council or the Board o f Directors. Likewise, it seems to me, our grievances can best be presented by members through their local chapters; by the chapters. jto the District Direc tors;..and to the Board of Directors, of ficers' or Executive ^Secretary by, mem? bers, chapters, or District Directors. Discussion .of our affairs between mem bers and between chapters should be encouraged. Expression of ideas is com- mendablei Let us see to it that S iticism is constructive and that discussion pro motes good fawwIBI enthusiasm and good ideas. ¡Seeds of discord will be plenti fully '’sôwn amdhgsti us' by outside tin- tefestsi beftti^QP-^our destruction! ,We will need' our strength to fight' these inroads from without. We will be wise to strive for unity'within our ranks. I Our Specific Programs The OSEA has consistently striven for an improved state, service. 11 have personally fa n n e d the resolutions pass ed b y /th e Chapters since 1943 (not just those passed by the General Coun- cil) and find them to be touching al most entirely on the following subjects: Civil Service^ Act; Retirement Act; recognition of individual rnerit, experi- -¿(CH ntinuedpn Page 10.) I
