What started out as an intimate lunch between OPEA staff member Bud Elder and four employees at the Grady County Employment Security Commission on September 3 became a strong discussion of state employee issues in general and, more specifically, changes at OESC.

A need for growth and awareness was the topic of a recent lunch meeting organized by OPEA members at the Craig County DHS.

Centered by a strong group of OPEA members, the Lawton Community Corrections Center recently held a lunch meeting to discuss the association’s recent initiatives, as well as its plans for the current election cycle and legislative session.

OPEA held a luncheon recently at the Department of Agriculture in Oklahoma City. Many attended in hopes of gaining more information about who OPEA is and what we do for state workers.

OPEA held a luncheon recently at the OESC Call Center in Shepherd Mall to discuss what OPEA is currently doing for state employees. Many of those in attendance decided to join, stand, and fight as OPEA Members.

OPEA recently hosted a luncheon at the OKDHS Chapter 55H county office to discuss issues including the alternative work week, as well as the importance of being registered to vote.

With a mixture of longtime members plus those interested in what OPEA has to offer, more than 30 state employees with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation in Duncan gathered July 31 to hear the latest news from their Association.

The Oklahoma Public Employees Association recently hosted a public forum at the Ada Public Library to discuss state employee issues with District 25 candidates Darrell Nemecek and Gary Starns. Both candidates are running for the Democratic seat and openly discussed their views about state employees.

Kathy Marx, from Caddo County DHS, has discovered that it pays in more ways than one when recruiting OPEA members.

Membership Representative Alicia Wright met recently with employees of the Lexington Assessment and Reception Center to discuss updates and elect new officers of the Cal Hobson Chapter.

A scheduling miscommunication led to a successful OPEA recruiting trip to Caddo County.

The Oklahoma Public Employees Association held a recruitment lunch meeting with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services County 55G in Oklahoma City July 2nd. OKDHS worker’s openly discussed with OPEA staff on many topics including the 4 day work week.

As part of a new plan for their Chapter, Chapter officers of Crossroads DHS worked tirelessly to put together a meeting with Representative Randy Terrill on July 2. President Diane Scholl, replacing Kelley Parker as of July 1, Vice-President Haley Faulkenberry, and Treasurer Adena Davis, along with the members of the Chapter met with Terrill to discuss state employee issues, grassroots campaigning, and making state voices heard.

The Department of Human Services held their commission meeting June 17, at the Sequoyah State Office Building. OPEA staff attended the meeting where OKDHS Director Howard Hendrick gave a PowerPoint presentation with compelling findings.

OPEA members met at the Cleveland County Noble DHS office June 24 to discuss workplace issues and prepare for the upcoming quarterly meeting with Director Hendrick. OPEA Membership Representative Alicia Wright and OPEA Policy and Research Director Trish Frazier attended the meeting.

The week of June 23, the Employee Benefits Council (EBC) and the Oklahoma State and Education Group Insurance Board (OSEEGIB) met to begin the process of setting insurance rates for state employees. EBC contracts with insurance companies who offer their product to state employees. OSEEGIB administers HealthChoice, which is a self-funded traditional insurance plan offered across the state to public and education employees.

Duncan DHS was the site of the latest OPEA membership meeting, with some ten members in attendance, including some very overworked child welfare workers.

Only two weeks ago, OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley and Representative Paul Roan issued a challenge to the Johnston County DHS office. Now they are claiming the prize.

Office discusses OPEA legislation, benefits and other issues, while adding a wealth of new members