Image provided by: SEIU Local 503; Salem, OR
About The Oregon state employee. (Salem, Oregon.) 1944-195? | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1947)
16 LARGE MEMBERSHIP ESSENTIAL T Q R GREATEST SUCCESS? By E. J. SKALA La?G rande Chapter N o .’ 4 issues special mimeographed bulletins ^ h ic h , are marled to each member of the chap-, ter.- As an outgrow th of the February meeting of No. 4 a special bulletin was w ritten about membership. Following I are some of the very' fine things the chapter w riter had to say. "Let us analyze this situation. First, what. Would be The natural reaction of a legislator wfio had noOgiven much thought or study to problems of; state employees'when he learns that 3000 of them w ant salary increases, improved working conditions or other concessions and that 5060 of them who don’t w ant changes' are perfectly ''-satisfied w ith things as they are? His reaction to this would probably be that since the trial"* jority were satisfied he would vote against' any change and dismiss the minority as the "lunatic f rin g e .^ We can only »conclude that ~ m y e do nob attain the things for which we Jare seeking at this sessibn of the legislature we can Uy^the failure at the feet of those who? refuse to join and put their shoulders to the wheel. "W eI must start now to build up our membership to such proportions that our number in itself will bear weight, and it should be the responsi bility of every member to secure new members from among his fellow work? ers. You will find various types of men and women among state employees as elsewhere. Some don’t believe in' any organization nor in themselves. Some are self satisfied, and selfish . . . And then also we haye those who think the organization should operate like a groc ery store. - You walk in, lay a dollar on the counter and ask for a dollar’s w orth of something. Then you wait for it to be wrapped up so you can carry it out, secretly hoping that.-by some miracle the groceryman will put in two dollars w orth instead of one. If he doesn’t maybe you won’t buy /any mdre groceries. "These chookiebobbers, or free riders, are yas|fy in the minority. We feel, that'm ost of; the stâte.æmployees would join/ ifI they were approached and the objectives of the OSEA explained to them.' We want members who can contribute. ideas, moral support and understanding, realizing that' no- social gains, stjchas the eight hour day, have been, obtained for just the asking. It has taken years of unified action to ;s.Ceure them. To obtain any objective united auction is imperative." Imagine placing in the field a baseball team consisting of only three nien arid then expecting a victory !?-' GEORGE PERKINS SETS ATTENDANCE? RECORD George N. Perkins of Jeweir deserves g/tperfetfi? attendance certificate from the Astoria Chapter. He hasx attended every meeting of that chapter since its, organization in November, 1942,. Even when w eatherw as bad and work ing hours’ long'; Mr. Perkins made the 70 mile round trip drive between Jewell and Astoria. In appreciation of his interest in the Association, chapter members have elected him delegate to represent them at all General C ouncil meetings? H Mr. Perkins has worked for the Highway Commission for twelve years, first as helper for John Thomas and nbw as .section foernian at Jewell. He is married and, has tw o grandchildren. "H is hobby,’’ says George Bambrick, who supplied us w ith this information, "is trying to make a small check cover the high cost of living.’’ The success of our Association is dependent upon all members who have, like Mr. Parkins, devoted their constant time and interest to the objectives of our organization. Can you top this record? It might be interesting to know how many perfect attenders each chap ter: pan boast. Material for magazine received by fviay 21 will appear in May-June issue.' Send contributions to OSE A, 141 Pa cific Bldg., Salem.
