OPEA

23 comments (Add your own)

1. L wrote:

That is unacceptable. Why did we even get a raise? I will make less after the benefit allowance cut than I did before I got the raise. Very disappointing.

February 15, 2008 @ 3:47 PM

2. FattCatt wrote:

It's difficult to believe that this is all happening. I was just sure when I voted for Governor Henry he would take care of the State employee. I feel I have been duped and lied to. If the morale of the State workers in this last couple years has not hit bottom, it has now.

How can our Governor sleep at when some the State employees are doing with out and some going to bed hungry.

Wake up Governor Henry teachers are not the only State employees that need your help.
We need a $2700.00 across the board raise in July of 2008 and a annual COLA to follow.

Oh one more thing I ran into another person who is leaving ODOT he said the private sector is paying him 25% more than the state, today was his last day. I would wish him luck but he already got it.

>*v*<

February 15, 2008 @ 4:14 PM

3. JT wrote:

I am glad that OPEA has talked with peterson about this bill and I hope he will stop. I don't make enough money as it is to loose $250 a month. I would go to the private sector but we need the insurance.

February 15, 2008 @ 4:46 PM

4. ????? wrote:

It is a horrible & mean spirited idea. Will state employees kids have to go on Medicaid now? Probably if this thing passes. I hope everybody really stands together against this. I think, for some reason, state employees get pushed around because they let it happen. This has got to stop!

February 15, 2008 @ 7:42 PM

5. FattCatt wrote:

I want to thank OPEA for the new blog system it gives everyone a place to vent and a place to stay up-to-date on the issues. Also the pod casts are great nice it's to hear a meeting with OPEA putting our Legislators feet to the coals so to speak.
Again thank you OPEA and we will all see you on March 11, 2008 to let them know enough is enough!

>*v*<

February 15, 2008 @ 9:22 PM

6. se wrote:

WHERE is the old blog w/the piggy bank on it? The one with everybody sounding off about the "pay raise"? I can't seem to find it...

February 20, 2008 @ 10:15 AM

7. FattCatt wrote:

I called OPEA about it being removed they said they are trying to keep the subject matter up-to-date. However I agree all blogs should be archived for reference purposes.


>*v*<

February 20, 2008 @ 12:24 PM

8. lls wrote:

Be sure and contact your representative and let them know you want to vote against HB 3108!

February 20, 2008 @ 4:04 PM

9. FattCatt wrote:

"OPEA">> I heard yesterday 02/20/08 that now only 2.5% increase was now being purposed.
Is this true?


>*x*<

February 21, 2008 @ 6:28 AM

10. Pam wrote:

Tt seems like we take one step forward and then pushed back two steps but I guess that's politics!

February 22, 2008 @ 9:01 AM

11. patricia wrote:

I suspose when it is time to elect a new governor we can hope that their spouse works as a state employee and then we know we will be taken care of. I have never heard of paying for your own raise until now. With the way things look that is exactly what is going to happen. One of Brad Henry's platforms was that all oklahoma children will be covered with a health insurance plan. If this bill passes we as state employees will not be able to continue to cover our children, but our income level exceeds what is allowable to receive medicaid. So tell me then what. We will have to choose between feeding,clothing,sheltering and providing utilities for our children or to insure them. This may sound basic to some but believe it is not a basic concept but a true and valid concept. I would rather not have a raise because the raise is going to cost me more than it is actually worth. Mr. Peterson states the health reimbursement plan that is currently in place has flaws, what flaws at least it is not costing us. His plan that is being proposed is a flaw. I think the comment from Pam says it best "one step forward and the two steps back". As the governor states "we cant move forward if we continue to go backwords". I think in light of all that is going on that is one of the biggest contradictions of all. Gee thanks Mr. Henry for your insight, but what are you going to do with it. (sarcasm at its best).

February 22, 2008 @ 11:05 AM

12. Pamela wrote:

I live in Ada, and have contacted our local newspaper about HB 3108. I urge all state employees to walk down and talk with your local paper. They were very friendly and concerned maybe we can get an article about it.

February 22, 2008 @ 6:39 PM

13. Nothing like knowing your priorities! wrote:

By Ron Jenkins
Associated Press Writer
If you've driven down NE 23 Street in Oklahoma City in recent weeks and had to slow down because of icy conditions, it may not be because of the weather.

Water has been running out onto the street from the swimming pool at the Governor's Mansion, causing the nearby roadway to ice up.

"It's been causing a hazard for drivers in freezing weather,” Paul Sund, spokesman for Gov. Brad Henry, said Friday.

Sund said the situation has led to repairs on the pool in the middle of winter.

The pool has been drained as workers replace cracked tile and make other repairs.

In the shape of the State of Oklahoma, the pool was installed on the grounds of the Governor's Mansion in the 1970s. It was paid for by a private donor.

"The pool has been in disrepair for a number of years,” Sund said.

"It's in terrible shape,” said John Richard, director of the state Department of Central Services.


Repairs to cost $200,000
Richard said water has been spilling onto the parking lot at the mansion and into the street. He said some of the water has come from the nearby Phillips Pavilion reception center, finished in the late 1990s and paid for by private funds.
"The pavilion water does the same thing. Were fixing all of that, and we are taking the draining to the south to the flat grass. Eventually, we're probably put a water storage system out there.”

He said the project will cost "well over $200,000.” Besides the drainage and pool repairs, he said a more efficient heat pump is being installed and lighting around the pool is being upgraded for safety reasons.

Sund said the lighting around the pool is so poor it has raised safety concerns for those who attend frequent receptions at the nearby pavilion.

"One elderly man fell into the pool,” Sund said. "When you are walking out of the Phillips Pavilion, you can hardly see it.”

February 23, 2008 @ 10:35 AM

14. Lynnda wrote:

Are the politicians giving themselves a pay raise this year? I haven't heard anything about that. If we as state employees have to do without, then so should they.

February 25, 2008 @ 10:17 AM

15. wrote:

I suggest that everyone write or telephone their representative as I just did.

A multiple voice is a louder voice.

February 26, 2008 @ 11:34 AM

16. EL wrote:

I think it is stupid to try to cut benefits for everybody just because some people don't take the high level insurance. We hear all the time about how the age of average state employees is going up. I would bet more people who use their insurance MORE take the higher levels. So why would you cut everybody's benefits? Some people actually pay to get good insurance coverage & they should not be penalized for that. Good insurance have been one of the only things the state has had to offer employees for a long time. Cut that out & there is not much to get any body to stay!

February 26, 2008 @ 8:11 PM

17. wrote:

Article in the Oklahoman is here: http://newsok.com/article/3208673/1204002119

Check out the comments section below it, one citizen thinks it's a smart idea to cut our dependent coverage.

February 26, 2008 @ 8:47 PM

18. Calling Out all State Employees wrote:

EVERYONE AIM TO BE AT THE MARCH 11 LOBBY RALLY BETWEEN 11:00 TO 12:30 THAT IS WHEN THE MEDIA WILL BE THERE. YOU WANT THE STATE EMPLOYEES TO GIVE A STRONG SUPPORT FOR OUR CAUSE TO LET THE LEGISLATURES AND THE GOVERNOR AND THE PEOPLE AT HOME WE ARE TIRED OF NOT GETTING WHAT WE DESERVE AND THAT IS A PAY RAISE AND TO NOT TOUCH OUR BENEFITS.

I LIKE THE IDEA SOMEONE GAVE WE SHOULD POST ON BULLETINS BOARDS HOW WE ARE BEING IGNORED HOW BAD OUR PAY IS TO THE PRIVATE INDUSTRY THAT I BELIEVE WE ARE NOW LAST IN THE UNITED STATES IN STATE WORKERS PAY. LET THEM KNOW THAT SOON THERE WON'T BE ANY STATE WORKERS TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA BECAUSE WE WILL BE GONE TO THE PRIVATE INDUSTRY WITH OUR EXPERIENCE ON THE JOB.

IF ANYTHING IMPROVE OUR BENEFITS THAT HASN'T BEEN DONE IN A WHILE.

*RETURN OUR 90 BACK TO 80 THAT IT USED TO BE.
*INCREASE THE STATE CONTRIBUTION OF $25 TO OUR SOONER SAVE. MOST PRIVATE INDUSTRY HAS THE 401K WHICH MATCH WHAT YOU PUT IN BUT THE STATE ONLY PUTS IN $25.
*INCREASE OUR LONGEVITY THAT HASN'T BEEN IMPROVED SINCE IT STARTED.
*GIVE US AN EXTRA 1 OR 2 HRS A MONTH TOWARD OUR SICK OR ANNUAL.
*TRY TO LOWER OUR HEALTH INSURANCE COST WHICH IS OUTRAGESLY HIGH COMPARED TO THE PRIVATE INDUSTRY.
*IMPROVE OUR RETIREMENT SO THAT PEOPLE CAN AFFORD TO RETIRE SOONER BEFORE WE ARE DEAD.

February 27, 2008 @ 10:29 AM

19. wrote:

How can the Legislature even do this? When I applied for my position, the salary and benefits package did not come with a disclaimer of "in case of budget shortfall, we won't give you your benefits" ! How is it even legal that the legislature can change my compensation. And, didn't THEY just give themselves a big ol' insurance boost because THEY wanted the same compensation as the rest of "us" state employees?

February 27, 2008 @ 4:12 PM

20. arby wrote:

We might as well face the facts. There will be a cut in our benefits. The only hope we have is that the Legislature votes for a pay raise. Hopefully, the raise will cover the cost of the lost benefit allowance.

February 29, 2008 @ 9:33 AM

21. EL wrote:

Oh no! I don't accept there is going to be a benefit cut. The federal suit against DHS brings national attention to the state employees. I would think OPEA is powerful enough to take care of this. Oklahoma does not need more bad publicity. I believe this attitude of "treat me bad, I will take it" is stopping. I think the state will no longer be able to get employees-not to mention attract quality people if they don't raise salaries & keep benefits.

February 29, 2008 @ 5:59 PM

22. Randy wrote:

The benifits are going to be cut, and the money is going to be given to DOC or the teachers and all of the rest of the state workers are not going to see a dime.

Also start saving every dime you can to cover the Furlows that we will be seeing over the next few months.

March 1, 2008 @ 8:23 AM

23. wrote:

Ron Peterson was on KTOK news today talking about his HB3108. He plans to cut out our benefit allowance and get us a payraise back to pay for our insurance. He says that the state is losing money on our insurance and is paying too much for state worker benefits allowance. He says that the single people do not get as much as the married people. Well, excuse me! Married people have dependents and have to spend more money on insurance and medical costs. Folks, if this thing passes, we are sunk.

March 4, 2008 @ 12:55 AM

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