Image provided by: SEIU Local 503; Salem, OR
About The Oregon public employe. (Salem, Oregon) 1981-???? | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1981)
O R G A N I Z I N G Fair Share Campaigns . With the deadline for filing petitions to deauthorize fair share less than three weeks away, how has OPEU faired in its first statewide effort to im p lem en t "p a y m e n t-in -lie u -o f- duea?" Better answer. than anticipated is the “ We are ahead of where most people expected us to be at this point," said OPEU executive director Thomas Gallagher. “The fact that deauthorization petitions have only been filed in 15 of our 44 bargaining units is testimony to the growing strength of our membership." Since August 1 however, employes in three OPEU-represented state agencies have voted to reject fair share payments for non-members. OPEU lost 225 fair share payers in those elections where 317 employes cast ballots. But as Gallagher points out, to look only at these results is to see only the first page of the story. Thirteen OPEU bargaining units, who have never had fair share, have not filed a deauthorizatfon petition w ith the Em ploym ent Relations Board. In addition, 14 OPEU bar gaining units, where non-members have paid fair share previously, have not filed a deauthorization petition. There are over 14,000 employes in agencies where petitions have not been filed. In agencies where elections have been held or are scheduled, less than 5,000 people are employed. Fair share is not a new concept, although this is the first time OPEU has negotiated it fo r all state agencies. Since 1973, Oregon law has allowed public employe unions to negotiate fair share into contracts. This same law allows employes to reject the in-lieu-of-dues payment. It stipulates that elections be held in any bargaining unit where 30 percent of the employes sign a petition to deauthorize fair share. Many organizers consider this percentage very low. “ If an anti-fair share group cannot get 30 percent (signatures), then Agencies Where Petitions Have Not Been Filed Adult & Family Services Blind Commission Children's Services Div. Dammasch Eastern Ore. Hosp. & T. C. Education Department Employment Division Forestry Department Hillcrest School Bur. of Labor & Industries Law Enforcement Council State Library Mental Health Division Motor Vehicles Division Oregon State Hospital Racing Commission Retirement System (PERS) Revenue Department State Fair Dept. of Trans. (ODOT) Treasury Department Vocational Rehabilitation Eastern Ore. State ‘College CEPBS Ore. Institute of Technology Portland State University Southern Ore. State College University of Oregon they’re either very poorly organized or you’ve got a strong union membership or both,” said Ray Abernathy, a public relations con sultant' to the Service Employees International Union, who specializes in union campaigns and organizing. One of the most striking examples of the strengthening internal struc ture of OPEU are the classified employes at the University of Oregon who, to date, have effectively blocked a deauthorization petition. Two years ago membership at UO hovered around 30 percent, leader ship was almost non-existent and apathy was the prevailing attitude among members. Two months ago, a group of non members at the university formed a committee to deauthorize fair share. By the committee’s own count, their petition is still over 100 names short of the required 30 percent. Obviously things have changed since 1979. Membership is now over 60 percent, leadership is strong and the rank and file are informed and involved. Since the anti-fair share committee was formed, members have con- Income While You Are In The Hospital ‘ Benefits are paid directly to you for each day you spend in the hospital. *A double benefit is paid for each day you spend in intensive care (up to 7 days). ‘ Benefits are paid in addition to any other group health insurance you have. ‘ Choose a hospital income of $25, $50, $75, $100, $125 or $150 a day. ‘ If you enroll, your spouse and children are also eligible to enroll. Open Enrollment Period September 25, 1981 to October 25, 1981 ‘ Coverage begins December 1, 1981. ‘ Low-cost group insurance premiums. ‘ Payroll deduction is available. Look for further details in your mailbox in September or call: OPEU Insurance Dept. Portland 223-1569 Salem 581-1505 Toll Free 800-452-2146 Underwritten by Insurance Company of North America. Page 4
