Journal Winter 2025

Vol. 72, Issue 3

Editor’s note: The Journal is sent to all OSEA members four times each year. Since fall 2023, two issues a year are published by email and two are printed and mailed to members. This is a digital-only issue.

Top Stories

Journal

January 22, 2025 at 11:16 am

From Your President: Solidarity Matters More Than Ever

This is a critical era for the labor movement, and it is more important than ever that we work together to achieve a truly just economy.

Journal

January 22, 2025 at 1:00 pm

How to Get Ready for Conference 2025

For more than 80 years, our union has held an annual Conference, where delegations from every chapter meet to share ideas, debate and make decisions to guide our union in the years ahead. If you would like to take part in leading OSEA into the future, now is the time to take action!

Journal

January 22, 2025 at 9:29 am

Opt In to Worker Power

Every worker deserves a decent job — one that pays a living wage, treats employees with respect and enables us to support ourselves and our families.

State News

Journal

January 22, 2025 at 12:42 pm

Don’t Miss the Leadership Summit! Register by Jan. 28th

OSEA has called a Leadership Summit on Saturday, March 1st, in Salem. The event is designed to maximize the opportunity for chapter leaders to learn together, get hands-on practice with new skills and build relationships to support one another.

Journal

January 22, 2025 at 12:51 pm

Help Celebrate Pat Gest at Conference

OSEA will celebrate the life of our union's first female president with a memorial at Conference 2025. Share your own stories and photos of Pat to include them.

Journal

January 22, 2025 at 12:57 pm

Is Your Chapter on Track for MIP?

The next few months are critical for any chapter hoping to make the Membership Incentive Program (MIP) threshold this year! Chapters that reach a designated percentage of members within their bargaining unit by May 1st will receive a portion of their state dues back to their treasuries.

Legislative Advocacy

Journal

January 22, 2025 at 11:21 am

2025 Legislative Session Preview

While the Legislature is in session from Jan. 21st through June 29th, there will be plenty of opportunities for OSEA members to speak up, share our stories and help pass OSEA-backed bills that will change lives.

Journal

January 22, 2025 at 11:19 am

“I Need to Let My Voice Be Heard”: Members Share Lessons from Past LEDs

Have you ever wondered what it means to be a constituent? Astoria Chapter 72’s Julien Thomas says come to Legislative Education Day (LED), March 2nd-3rd, to find out. Registration closes Jan. 28th!

Members in Action

OSEA State President Sarah Wofford (center) with Beaverton Chapter 48 President Kyrsti Sackman and Instructional Representative Dena Green at the ONA rally in support of striking Providence healthcare workers.

Solidarity pays off! Tillamook Chapter 28 won a strong tentative agreement on the same day as this rally, after members stood strong for a fair contract for nearly a year.

President Sarah Wofford with Marilee Brown of Springfield Chapter 4 during the President's Road Show Zone IV site visits.

OSEA Vice President Teri Jones attended the swearing in ceremony for Secretary of State Tobias Read, one of OSEA's biggest champions in the State Capitol.

Staff at Redwood Elementary in Oregon City during the Zone II site visits. From left to right: Sarah Curtis, Natalie Rutter, Chapter 14 President Debbie Reedy, Wofford and Zone II Director April Biancone