OPEA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CONTACT: BUD ELDER

October 30, 2007                                                       

OPEA Announces 2008 Legislative Agenda

With objectives that center on pay raises, retirement COLAs, insurance measures and other components, the Oklahoma Public Employees Association today announced its 2008 legislative priorities.

“We feel this is going to be a strong year for our state employees and retirees,” said Sterling Zearley, OPEA executive director.  “Our plans are in place and our membership is committed to finally receive equitable treatment from the legislature.

First on the association’s agenda will be a $2,700 across the board pay increase for all state employees.

“Our state loses $80 million in state employee turnover,” Zearley said.  “This $2,700 will be just a start to make state salaries both comparable and competitive.”

Zearley said that, aside from the flat pay raise, his association last year asked for and received a Governor’s Executive Order creating a Market Compensation Study committee that will report back to both the executive and legislative regarding the status of state employee salaries.

“It is our intention that from the report this committee develops, that state employees will then have a four year compensation plan that will cover overtime pay, shift differential, hazardous duty pay, holiday pay and uniform allowances,” Zearley said.

Next on the agenda for the association will be retirement issues.

“Our main goal is to get passed a four percent cost of living adjustment for all OPERS retirees, with an automatic two percent each year.” Zearley said.  “We will also seek legislation refunding the excess contributions of retirees who left state service before July 1, 1998, as other legislation to support the entire system.”

As far as insurance benefits are concerned, OPEA will continue to maintain the state commitment of paying the total cost of health, basic life and dental insurance for state employees and 75 percent of health insurance for family dependents, Zearley said.

State agency budgets are also of concern to OPEA.

“We will work this session to obtain funding for increases in operations of state agencies, including retirement and insurance benefits, as well as fuel and equipment costs,” Zearley said. “We will also work to obtain additional funding for agencies with staffing shortages as well as high caseloads.”

Zearley feels that his association’s grassroots political plan will play a key role in the success of any and all legislation.

“Our members are right now making calls to their legislators in order to make state employees a priority this session,” he said.  “We have the potential to become one of the most powerful voting blocs in the state and, with our strength in numbers, Oklahoma legislators should stand up and pay attention.”

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