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Lobby Day is Tuesday: "So Why Even Try?"

 

Tuesday, March 10:  Lobby Day, “Soup Line ‘09”

Oklahoma State Capitol

9 am – 12:30 pm

 

 

This comment from an OPEA member says it best:

 

“So why even try?  Let’s just wallow in our pity!


For every shot not taken is a shot that does not go in. So, just give up and continue to be abused and disrespected...yeah, that makes a lot of sense.


We must stand up for ourselves. I hope you give rally day a chance; we need the numbers to get their attention. One thing is for sure our legislators are not going to beg us to take a raise...we have to fight for it.


Last year I was active with OPEA and for the first time I went to the rally...I called my representative and senator just about every week; I was voicing my opinion.

 

One of the legislators I talked to said: "How can I take state employees seriously when only 250 people showed up for your rally? It looks as if all the state employees are happy with the pay they are getting."


How could I come back with anything on that?  She was right, as far as they know we are happy being the WORST paid state employees in the nation.


So if you want more pay, (and to protect your jobs and benefits) you have to show up for Lobby Day and let the legislators know we want a RAISE!”

 

If you are unable to attend Lobby Day, click the link below and let your legislator hear from you.

 

http://www.capitolconnect.com/oklahoma/default.aspx



OPEA’s Lobby Day: “Soup Line ’09” is Tuesday, March 10th at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City.  It’s your chance to tell your legislators to protect longevity, invest in a long-term compensation plan and keep your jobs safe from furloughs and reductions-in-force. Registration begins at 9 am in the second floor rotunda.  Join your fellow state employees on the south steps of the Capitol at 11:30 for rally, followed by free soup and crackers. 

 


 


Posted on Wed, March 4, 2009 by Mark Beutler

14 comments (Add your own)

1. Tim wrote:
I am in favor of "Lobby Day" but I choose not to go becouse of the way that many of the state employee's respond to the legislator's. I would like to see a good turn out, but in a manner that doesn't insult anyone with bad comments. I have been to these event's in the past and leave embarrased at the fact that we are asking for a pay raise by insulting someone else. If you attend "Lobby Day" please talk to people the way you would want to be talked to.

Wed, March 4, 2009 @ 4:05 PM

2. wrote:
One reason for the low turnout is that you have to take personal time off to attend these little get-togethers.

Wed, March 4, 2009 @ 4:30 PM

3. FattCatt wrote:
#2

If you take lunch at noon that’s ok the rally will still be going. Have lunch at the Capitol, OPEA is bring soup. Don't let anything stop you from standing up for yourself...just show up when you can and leave when you need but, just get there and stay for at least 30 minutes.

On a different note;

In the past I have heard people say there is no place to park so, here are some tips where you can find parking.

#1 On the East side of the Capitol off 23rd between Phillips & Lincoln is a very large parking area and there is a tunnel that will take you straight to the Capitol.

#2 To the West of the Capitol is the Jim Thorpe Building between 18th & 21st is another large parking lot.

#3 Just South of the Capitol between 19th and 21st on Lincoln is a large parking lot.

I have verified that all of these area's are public parking with the Capitol Patrol.

Be There!

>*x*<

Thu, March 5, 2009 @ 1:03 PM

4. wrote:
Not everyone works in the City.

Thu, March 5, 2009 @ 4:25 PM

5. FattCatt wrote:
#4

I understand but, you can still be a part of lobby day by contacting your State Rep. and Sen. via e-mail through the link below...please be a part of this, what ever it takes let them know you deserve better!

http://www.capitolconnect.com/oklahoma/default.aspx

>*x*<

Fri, March 6, 2009 @ 9:35 AM

6. Tom Dunning wrote:
If state employees do not participate either in person or by frequent, consistent contact with their legislators, we can expect to be treated the way we have in the past. It is not the responsibility of the OPEA staff to get this done. Staff will give us the tools, we do the work. Employees are the effective voice, not staff.

Employees deserve a raise yesterday. Will we get one this session, probably not. Do we let that factor stop us from continuing to press the issue of a fair compensation plan for state employees? That is a personal question that each state employee must ask themselves. If state employees choose not to advocate on their own behalf, they can expect to get nothing, nada, zip.

There are no guarantees that our participation will affect change but I believe that eventually a constant strong advocacy effort can't be ignored and Oklahoma's workers will get a comprehensive compensation plan.

For myself, i'd rather work and say I tried than to give a myriad of excuses and stay on the sidlines.

Fri, March 6, 2009 @ 4:26 PM

7. Kevin wrote:
"For myself, i'd rather work and say I tried than to give a myriad of excuses and stay on the sidlines."

AMEN to that!!!

Fri, March 6, 2009 @ 6:30 PM

8. J wrote:
Everyone that can and will must go to LOBBY DAY.
We must have our voice heard, otherwise we will et the same old BS!!!!

Sat, March 7, 2009 @ 4:01 PM

9. FattCatt wrote:
Here here Tom!

>*x*<

Sun, March 8, 2009 @ 8:44 AM

10. Hound Dog wrote:
I'm tired of begging for a payraise. ODOT got payraises last year and again this year, I think I will go work for them.

Tue, March 10, 2009 @ 12:05 PM

11. Paul Wolf wrote:
SO , let's tackle this legislators' mentality
(Out of sight , out of mind) .
If the fact that this legislator only sees a fairly small number of state employees ONE TIME , maybe OPEA should think about "turning up the heat" during the session and sponsoring more than one rally and lobbying event. Her implication that the size of this event renders us meaningless suggests the need for more trips to the Capitol. (Especially as the weather gets nicer!)

Wed, March 11, 2009 @ 9:46 AM

12. my opinion wrote:
I agree with hound dog why should we have to beg when ODOT got over $11,000 in raises and they just can walk off the job if not given what they want. If the state gov. really cared about us, they would be finding us a raise without us having to beg for it. They don't care as long as they have a fancy six figure income why should they even give us the time of day until they promise this,that and the other thing at election time.
That is the way I see it, they tell us at eletion
time if I'M ELECTED I WILL GIVE U A RAISE,BETTER HEALTH CARE. Just a prepared speech to get elected to a six figure income and fancy limo ride.

Wed, March 11, 2009 @ 12:13 PM

13. FattCatt wrote:
My Opinion

I am an ODOT employee.
We got a raise last year but, we are just like you...we cannot walk off the job. The bottom line is numbers. A politician watches polls, calls & letters made to his office on an issue and people who show up at the Capitol to protest.

Numbers of people that show up to protest not what is right or wrong get their attention.

>*x*<

Wed, March 11, 2009 @ 12:41 PM

14. S. Miller wrote:
If some of us did attend the rally we would be in contempt of court. In addition, we are driving all over the state taking care of custody children. We are too shorthanded to ask someone else. We make less than teachers and are on call 24/7. We don't get a break in the summer but we do make headlines. We are not allowed to rebutt negative articles so the press can say anything they want.

We are Child Welfare and we work hard to try to protect the multitude of children in our care. The numbers are going to rise in this economy but some will have to move on so that they can care for their own families.

Not expecting much from the Governor or the legistlators.

Fri, March 13, 2009 @ 11:13 AM

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