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