OPEA

New member Xyen Tuett Miller and OPEA staffer Bud Elder

Reba Robinson (center) congratulates Claremore Veterans Center employees Judy Mallicoat and Rick Huckleberry on winning restaurant gift certificate door prizes

A marathon OPEA visit to the Claremore Veterans Center April 24-25 yielded some 20 new faces while allowing Association representatives and longtime members the opportunity to speak on issues important to these employees.

“OPEA reps were here for all three shifts,” said Board Member Christie Biggs, who works at the center.  “I think our determination paid off as, along with gaining new members, OPEA now holds an almost unbreakable presence in this facility.”

First bringing dinner to the 11 p.m. – 3 a.m. shift, Bud Elder and Reba Robinson spent the day shift meeting employees at the facility’s health fair.  Dinner was again delivered to the 3 p.m.-11p.m. shift as well.

“On everybody’s mind was a pay raise,” Elder said.  “This group can’t believe that the legislature would jeopardize state services by holding funds back yet again.  They feel entitled and deservedly so – they spend all their time caring for our veterans who fought for this country.”

Elder said that rising gas and food prices have not gone unnoticed in Claremore.

“The great people at this facility were holding a bake sale while we were there with the proceeds going to buy gas cards for new employees who have not yet been paid,” Robinson said.  “They also have a uniform donation closet for new hires as well.”

“Christie is a very active board member who will always keep this facility on the radar,” Elder said.  “We won’t stop until we gain 100% membership.”

New members include:

Kimberly Bell

Christina Williams

Cheryl Carrier Youngwolfe

Barbara Dawson

Jami Figg

Laurie Hallberg

Michael Hill

Danett Hopkins

Tenise Johnson

Elizabeth Newton

Xuyren (Truett) Miller

Cara Rice

Pamela Schnell

Susan Shatto

Colleen Slate