OPEA

32 comments (Add your own)

1. mary wrote:

Is this a sales add for opea I am a member but I am planning to drop my name. Why pay some group 15 a month for doing nothing.

March 3, 2008 @ 3:26 PM

2. Karen wrote:

Mary, are you the one who sat across from me and used foul language all night at the legislative meeting in Norman? You should be ashamed!

March 3, 2008 @ 6:37 PM

3. wrote:

i'm saving my annual to get a bigger check when i quit for a job that PAYS

March 4, 2008 @ 10:37 AM

4. wrote:

hmmm OPEA $15x12= $180 for nothing. Teachers Union $45x12= $540 for $3000 a year....seems we need to hire they're lobbyists.

March 4, 2008 @ 10:39 AM

5. FattCatt wrote:

You know why the Teachers Union is so powerful? It’s because 95% of them are members of the Teachers Union, they have teeth to bite into the Legislators butt. Now as far as State employees most are prone to just b**** about what someone else is not doing for them when in fact, everyone needs to be getting up off their butt's and do something about it. If you want change, you are going to have to take some effort to make it happen. The Legislators are not going to beg us to take a raise we are going to have to fight for it. The more voices we have the more teeth we have, every State Employee should be a member of OPEA. Roughly 1/3 of the State Employees (8000 out of 36,000) are members of OPEA and when congress sees something like that, in their mind they are thinking the other 2/3 don’t care and are happy with nothing so, why give anything at all to the State Employees.

Don’t blame OPEA for what you are not doing. Join OPEA today!
See everyone on March 11.

>*x*<

March 4, 2008 @ 12:56 PM

6. Troy wrote:

Alright FattCatt! Bring the message!

March 4, 2008 @ 3:53 PM

7. FattCatt wrote:

Number 7 ???

Give OPEA a call they will be glad to talk to you and explain what actions they have taken in the past and will spend as much time with you as you want. 405-524-6764 or 800-880-OPEA (6732)

OK so maybe OPEA is sucking up to Peterson so what. You think OPEA is going to accomplish anything by pissing him off, it’s called politics.

I have to ask, are you an OPEA member? Even if you are or not, OPEA can’t do it all. State Employees MUST be involved and stand up for themselves. Two thirds of the State Employees 28,000 out of 36,000 are NOT members in short; OPEA is missing two thirds of its teeth. Difficult to chew on Congress butt when you are using your gums.

Our Legislators are not going to pay much attention to one third of us, in their minds the other two thirds are happy with not having representation. Why should they even worry about us?

If you think that this cause is hopeless then you can just give up and still not get a raise. Being negative and bashing OPEA will get us nothing for sure.

Quit blaming OPEA for what State Employees are not doing, be part of the solution join OPEA and show up for Lobby Day March 11!


>*x*<

March 5, 2008 @ 6:02 PM

8. ls wrote:

Legislators may have a lot more money to give to teachers, if just a fraction of the people who have indicated they intend to leave DHS employment actually do. And if a cut in benefits and no raise occurs, I'm sure a lot of them will.
I think things are going to get very interesting.

March 5, 2008 @ 9:55 PM

9. ??? wrote:

Fatcat: Those were some hateful & bullying remarks you made to me. Yes, I do have a right to my own opinion. I do belong to OPEA but if I didn't why would I join so I could be in the company of people so hateful? I am not going to the OPEA rally because I don't support the new direction it is taking. I am also not going because I really don't want to be around anyone who speaks to me the way you did.

March 6, 2008 @ 8:08 AM

10. J.F. wrote:

I am not currently an OPEA member but was seriously considering re-joining. I can not however, join an orginaziation that supports reducing my paycheck in lieu of a promise of an increase in the future. Show me the money now! I'm tired of the teachers getting the goldmine while state employees get the shaft.

FattCatt: You talk about change and how state employees need to get off their butts and join OPEA. Sounds like the change needs to start within the OPEA orginazation with people who support state employees benefits rather than reducing them. I hope on Lobby Day, all members show up to lobby against HB 3108.

March 6, 2008 @ 9:45 AM

11. Troy wrote:

I wish people like JF would get in or get out. "i would join but..." or "i would join if..." doesn't cut it any more. You are the reason OPEA has to talk instead of demand! You freakin non-joining-won't pay a dime-but enjoy the benefits scabs are useless. OPEA got us the benefit allowance and you sat by and raked it in without lifting a finger. So shut the hell up!

March 6, 2008 @ 11:22 AM

12. FattCatt wrote:

Number 7, 10 ???

I don’t feel my comments were hateful but, if offended you I am sorry. I did read my post again and I’m not really sure what was offensive or hateful to you I only gave the facts. However; you cannot expect OPEA to do the job without our support. When OPEA represents us they have no teeth because they don’t have membership to get the Legislators attention.

Again Our Legislators are not going to pay much attention to one third of us, in their minds the other two thirds are happy with not having representation or getting a raise. Why should they even worry about us?

We as State Employees have to take responsibility and help ourselves and not let it rest on just on OPEA's shoulders.

My remarks were not directed solely to you I was mainly was speaking in general terms but, if the shoe fits...

>*x*<

March 6, 2008 @ 12:34 PM

13. Renee wrote:

Maybe everyone does not view OPEA as a labor union that will really help the state employees. What has OPEA done for employees recently? They have met with the Republicans & OPEA leadership seems proud. The problem is that seems to be all they have done & now they want to blame the employees because OPEA wants to go along with benefit cuts & no raises. Maybe OPEA needs to blame themselves if they don't have more members & be thankful for the members they do have. Maybe they need to give people a reason to join & continue to belong to OPEA.

March 6, 2008 @ 2:24 PM

14. Chuck wrote:

Why don't OPEA just have a Free membership for 1 or 2 years to show we are 36,000 strong supported and see if that is really why we haven't been getting any pay raises or having our benefits improved instead of cut.

If the State Employees finally see we are getting things approved because we have a 100% membership in OPEA to back them and that is the cause of it then you will see more people will do it. With us not having any pay raises in a long time we can't afford the $15 a month / $180 a year. Our budget is very tight at home just like at work.

If the state employee starts to see we are getting things then we could do a fund raiser go around to each State Office and ask for money to replace that $15 dollar a month that only 8,000 employees gave. You will probably see employees giving $20 or more dollars because they are happy they got a raise or there benefits improved.

Why do we have to have a membership fee of $15 to show the Legislators or Governor we are 36,000 strong of support behind OPEA. Just show them we have 36,000 OPEA members and see what happens for the year or 2 years. If things go great then you will see a lot more people contributing to OPEA for the lost money that they didn't charge for that year or 2 years.

If I see that I got a $2,700 pay raise just because we have a 36,000 strong supported in OPEA membership, I would donate more then $20 dollars each month if they came around to our building or just have it direct deposited our of my account.

I'm tired of hearing because since we haven't gotten a pay raise its because we don't have that many members in OPEA compared to the teachers.

Lets Test this Theory!

March 6, 2008 @ 4:40 PM

15. FattCatt wrote:

Chuck

I think that is a great idea! Even if it was a one time $15.00 fee for the year I think it would work.

Numbers are what politicians look at, what can you say most of them are attorneys and bean counters.

Here’s my situation, I don’t have time to go to the Capitol to sit and talk to the law makers everyday I have work to do and I’m sure you do to. OPEA can visit with the Congressmen and even sit at his/her door and wait if needed. Politics is a game, a game I don’t know how to play.

Anyway I know I am probably wasting my breath because it sounds that some on this blog have already made up their minds that OPEA is out to screw us. I don’t believe that, I think if OPEA was given half a chance (not one third) they could prove to everyone they will work for us. If we could get 50% membership I think it would make a difference.


>*x*<

March 6, 2008 @ 5:49 PM

16. Chuck wrote:

(I meant to say $15 dollars each month) Why do we have to have a membership fee of $15 to show the Legislators or Governor we are 36,000 strong of support behind OPEA.

I really think people would donate money to replace the $15 each month to equal $180 if we got a very good raise from it because we are showing a 36,000 strong membership. Just go around to all the office buildings or have it on the OPEA website for people to donate to cover the FREE membership.

If there is only 8,000 members now, and if 16,000 donated half of that $180 which is $90 they would easily get there money back for having a Free membership or even receive more money from a fund raiser.

March 6, 2008 @ 11:43 PM

17. Troy wrote:

FattCatt is right. And when OPEA kills this bill you people will give them no credit. You won't join now and you won't join then so quit kidding yourselves. I am sure OPEA's Board would be happy to offer free membership but most wouldn't take that either, they just want to complain and that is all I see on these boards. And I don't want to broadbrush everyone writing here, but the whiners are thick and the leaders like Fattcatt are thin. Thats why state employees are thought of last. Get a good attitude in spite of the circumstances and lets get behind OPEA and change our situation!

March 7, 2008 @ 9:02 AM

18. wrote:

Does anybody know where this OPEA membership money goes? if you do the math OPEA is raking in better than 1.5 million per year based on what some bloggers are saying about the nubmer of actual state employee memebership to OPEA.

March 7, 2008 @ 9:13 AM

19. FattCatt wrote:

Number 19

$1,080,000 is more accurate.
$15.00 x 12 months = $180.00 $180.00 x 6000 employees = $1,080,000

OK so lets see what does that money go to?

Well right off OPEA is renting several buses (not cheap) to help State Employees from all over the state get to the rally on March 11.

They have to pay for the facility they are in, and all the bills that go with that i.e. water, gas, electric etc.

There are promotions at every State Office to try to get people to join OPEA (pizza is not free for OPEA).

Office supplies & equipment ie computers, copiers, paper and maintenance on that equipment.

Any mailings that is required for day-to-day business.

This webpage has a monthly cost, server space is not free.

I'm sure there is more but, I hope you get my point.

>*x*<

March 7, 2008 @ 1:12 PM

20. wrote:

so the accurate accounting of actual OPEA state employee membership is 6000. does anyone know for sure if that is how many state employees are signed up or is that just a rough estimate?

perhaps a smaller facility is in line, perhaps they could save some money that way.

perhaps they could save money by building their own web server. perhaps they could even incorporate a mail server in there as well to save money on all of the mailer stuff they are doing.

much like what state employee's have to do.

can anyone tell us just exactly how many OPEA employee's there are?

March 7, 2008 @ 2:32 PM

21. TC wrote:

6001 as of this morning! I joined!

March 7, 2008 @ 2:45 PM

22. FattCatt wrote:

This is a must read!
you can find it on the homepage.

"A Member Speaks Regarding HB 3108"


>*x*<

March 7, 2008 @ 3:46 PM

23. FattCatt wrote:

21

The number of 6000 members I got from OPEA it is not exact because people are joining.

Their facility is being bought out right OPEA is not leasing therefore it will not be a cost to them forever.

As a webmaster building a server is not a viable solution it would cost much more, not to mention the cost of the technician to build it.

There are 7 OPEA employees 5 of those 7 are former State Employees.

>*x*<

March 7, 2008 @ 4:20 PM

24. FattCatt wrote:

I am sorry I miss spoke there are 8000 members and that amount is 1,440,000 please forgive my error.

>*x*<

March 7, 2008 @ 7:27 PM

25. !!!!!! wrote:

so fattcatt is your real name scott

March 8, 2008 @ 6:31 PM

26. FattCatt wrote:

!!!!!!

lol No, if I was Scott I would have got my numbers right about how many members of OPEA there where. I am a ODOT employee I have been with the state 16 years my name is Ken. And FYI the Republicans are the ones that are wanting to give us a raise not the Dems. Don't bite the hand...

Oh one more thing, you sound like a very bitter and negitive person and I dont think that your job or OPEA are the reason....so !!!!!! your name must be Brad?

>*x*<

March 9, 2008 @ 12:08 AM

27. ???? wrote:

So life must be good & you are getting fat at ODOT. I'm glad you are not angry & bitter-you could have fooled me, I thought you were! People at the other agencies are getting thin & poor in their wallets. ODOT must be the place to be.

March 9, 2008 @ 9:17 AM

28. FattCatt wrote:

!!!!!! or ??????

OMG! You have some serious issues.

You have no idea who I am. Making such harsh and attacking accusations against me is not going to get us a raise or improve our benefits.

There is no since in discussing State employee concerns with a very angry person who has no solutions and wants to just sit on their butt and B****!

If you think I am making more money at ODOT than anyone else in other agencies you need to get a clue. FYI I'm a Admin. Asst IV (File Clerk) and I plan buying my new Jag after this posting...NOT!

>*x*<

March 9, 2008 @ 11:12 AM

29. Fancy wrote:

I would just like to say that I am a Correctional Officer and I only found out about the rally today...2 days till rally, and even though I am not a member I am willing to get up and fight for my raise and fight for my benefits. If it costs me a car trip to the city and an additional $15 dollars a month to make a point I will do it. I have a family to support and all the bickering about the union will do no good. Simple fact is that if every single Correctional Officer banded together and Tuesday Strength would be in numbers. The prisons will not run without officers. But the truth is our hearts are to big to walk out like that...Teachers can, kids lives and safety dont depend on them being at work...Officers can't. PROTECT THE PUBLIC, remember! My only question is Who PROTECTS THE EMPLOYEE? It is up to us to protect ourselfs. This is one time where backing your fellow officer would be the right thing to do.

March 9, 2008 @ 6:33 PM

30. Hank wrote:

We need to remember that we are all state employees and the back bitting is helping no-one. Since I cannot go to the capitol during the entire session I choose to pay dues to a looby group that works for me. As for the OPEA budget it is sent to members and the days of secret meeting are over, we are in a new administration no so lets move forward and stop the stupid s**t.
We need a united front and the D.O.C. worker is my brother the D.O.T worker is my sister and we are all united by the fact that we are underpaid.
So if anyone of the nay sayers have a better solution to the problems of Oklahoma and its workers then get off your ass and run for office.
Both the Rep. and the Dams. have a bill for a 2,700 pay raise so we need to support those that support us. The senate is devided and if my senator wants my support then I expect his. This is what you should be telling your legislators get of you ass and send some e-mails and phone calls to your legislators dont expect someone else to do all of the work.

March 12, 2008 @ 4:58 PM

31. Barbara wrote:

I am not a memember but have thought about joining. First I would like to know what you could do for me for my money to you. I work in two different job classes for only the lower job class pay and have been doing this for a year. My question is, what can be done about this? Will you be able to help with something like that? They keep saying they are broke but we keep getting from the post to congratulate different ones that got new positions in the state office and all that is, is an insult to us who are out in the counties killing ourselves and for what! If I joined, would you be able to help me with this problem as the truth is, I am just wore out, stressed out and forsure underpaid for all that I have to do! There are alot more things I would love to put on a complaint but I need to know your answer first before I waste my money! Thanks!

July 29, 2008 @ 8:42 AM

32. Fed-UP wrote:

July 29, 2008 @ 10:41 AM

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