OSEA chapters worked hard all year to boost outreach, engagement and union membership. And it shows! The chapters listed below all reached at least 70 percent membership, earning an incentive payment through OSEA’s Membership Incentive Program (MIP).
The benefits of chapter organizing go far beyond the MIP. Strong membership rates show that employees are united and standing together, leading to bigger wins at the bargaining table and stronger contracts.
Tillamook Chapter 28, which made the MIP cut this year for the first time in a few years, is using their strong membership to get their reluctant district to the bargaining table.
Chapter President Kau’i Woolfolk said Tillamook’s higher membership numbers tell the district that classified staff are unhappy about the status quo and are serious about being treated well and fairly. When the chapter sent out a request for photos for a photo petition, they received an outpouring of responses within days.
“We’ve just been communicating better and trying to reach out to our members and let them know what the union does for them, so I think more people are recognizing that it’s important to have backing,” Woolfolk said.
OSEA tapped into AFT organizing funds this year to support all chapters who wanted to drive up their membership rates. OSEA President Sarah Wofford said she’s thrilled about all the organizing chapters were able to do with additional support.
“Membership rates are important because high membership shows employers that workers are standing together,” Wofford said.
Strengthening union engagement has an incredible impact, no matter what a chapter’s membership percentage is. Wofford said she’s looking forward to seeing how growing chapters will sparkle in the upcoming school year.
“When we are united, we make a difference in our workplaces and in our contracts. Solidarity is powerful and it starts with being an OSEA member,” she said.
Congratulations to the 2023-24 MIP Chapters!
95% or Higher
- Fern Ridge Library Chapter 39
- The Lighthouse School Chapter 160
- Head Start of Lane County (HSLC) Chapter 600
- Jewell Chapter 145
80% or Higher
- Forest Grove Custodians Chapter 301
- Glendale Chapter 94
- McKenzie Chapter 74
- Clatskanie Chapter 53
- Sheridan Chapter 98
- Willamina Chapter 18
- Bay Area Contracted School Employees (BACSEA) Chapter 302
- North Powder Chapter 123
- North Santiam Chapter 122
70 % or Higher
- Rainier Chapter 89
- Neah-Kah-Nie Chapter 93
- Silver Falls Chapter 148
- Central Point Chapter 47
- Winston-Dillard Drivers Chapter 205
- Eugene Chapter 1
- North Bend Chapter 26
- Tillamook Chapter 28
- Central Oregon Community College Adult Basic Skills (COCC-ABS) Chapter 700
- South Coast ESD Chapter 119