OPEA

For Immediate Release:

Contact:  Mark Beutler                                                Online Resources:

Director of Communications                                          Web site: www.opea.org

405.429.0533                                                              Podcast: http://podcast.opea.org/

markb@opea.org        

OPEA RESPONDS TO DHS AUDIT

OKLAHOMA CITY (February 25, 2009) –  The Oklahoma Public Employees Association (OPEA) publicly responded to a private performance audit by the company Hornby Zeller Associates, INC, of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS). 

“We commend the Speaker and the House working group for taking on this critical issue,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley.  “In addition, the audit recommendations mirror those in OPEA’s amicus brief filed recently in U.S. District Court.”

According to Rep. Ron Peters, legislation (HB 1734) that will be filed in response to the audit will address 90 percent of the remedies requested by the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. 

OPEA also voiced continued concerns regarding the drastically under-funded agency.

“The audit shows a severe lack of funding for the agency, in particular, its front line employees,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley.  “The Association’s effort to bring these issues to the attention of legislative leaders has been validated by today’s report.

“Front line workers in DHS are withering under an incredible workload, feelings of hopelessness and general frustration with the lack respect given to their profession,” Zearley said.  “This report clearly gives the legislature a mandate to stop the horrendous turnover among DHS employees by giving adequate pay.  The report shows employees characterize the salaries as ‘pitiful’ and ‘ludicrous’ compared to the level of responsibility they have.

“Everyone acknowledges these are tough economic times,” said Zearley.  “But OPEA believes the legislature should begin immediately implementing the relief that is recommended for our state’s valuable DHS employees.”

Oklahoma Public Employees Association (www.opea.org) is a non-profit labor organization that has represented the interests of state employees at the capitol in Oklahoma since 1975.

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