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.
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