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OSEA, A Member’s Union
The Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA) was founded in 1938 when a small group of school janitors joined together to form an “association” to promote their trade and provide job-related training. Today, OSEA is an independent, member-controlled and directed Union that reflects the character and spirit of its members, who individually and collectively are responsible for its identity and success.
OSEA represents over 20,000 educational employees working in Oregon school districts, community colleges, education service districts, Head Start agencies, libraries, and park and recreation districts. As one of the largest labor unions in Oregon, and with the second largest membership of educational staff, OSEA is a recognized leader within the state’s labor and education community.
The Membership
The membership of the Oregon School Employees Association consists of secretaries; special education, instructional, and library assistants; custodians; maintenance workers; groundskeepers; bus drivers; couriers; food service workers; nurses; teachers; physical and occupational therapists; interpreters (deaf, hearing impaired, ESL); vision specialists; campus security; braillists; reproduction specialists; computer technicians; ABE instructors; and district office staff, such as bookkeepers and payroll and accounting clerks. In addition to the diversity of workers represented today, OSEA has also expanded its mission and goals from those of an “association” to those of a fully developed “labor Union.”
Chapters and Governance
OSEA has 139 Chapters (bargaining units) statewide that are divided geographically into seven Zones. Each Chapter has an elected member Executive Board and its own Constitution/Bylaws. Delegates from each Chapter are elected each year to represent their membership at the annual governance meeting called the OSEA Conference. These delegates, in addition to sitting as the governing body of OSEA, also elect statewide officers and a director from each Zone to the OSEA State Board of Directors. The State Board of Directors is the governing body between Conferences.
Offices and Resources
OSEA offices provide resources that Chapters and members need to successfully accomplish the work of the Union. The State OSEA Headquarters is located in Salem. OSEA also has eight field offices located in Central Oregon, Eastern Oregon, Eugene, North Coast, Hermiston, Portland, South Coast, and Southern Oregon. These offices are the work location for over 40 professional OSEA staff dedicated to meeting the needs of Chapters and the membership.
OSEA resources are used to develop and implement statewide programs, events, and activities; assist Chapters and members with contract negotiations, contract administration, and internal and external organizing; and create/distribute member communications. OSEA also develops/presents job and Union-related trainings/workshops and promotes and protects the interests of members in the political, legislative, and public policy arena through education, political action, and lobbying.
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