OPEA

The Oklahoma Public Employees Association issued a press release, Tuesday, expressing concern with recent statements of the labor commissioner and his formation of a non-profit organization to lobby state leaders.

“State employees are prohibited from lobbying on state time,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley. “Labor Commissioner Costello is being paid with taxpayer funds to be the director of the Department of Labor, not legislate or form a lobbying organization.”

The labor commissioner has attacked the payroll deduction used to pay state employee organization dues. In addition to organizations like OPEA, state employee payroll deductions are used for supplemental insurance, credit unions, and charitable contributions.

“We are different from states like Wisconsin and others with state employee unions,” said Zearley. “State employees in Oklahoma don’t have collective bargaining. OPEA is an independent association. Our bylaws prohibit us from striking and becoming a part of any labor union. ”

“OPEA dues are voluntary and can be discontinued at any time by the employee,” continued Zearley. “Employers, both private and public, allow employees to choose payroll deductions for supplemental insurance, credit unions, and professional organizations.”

In addition to payroll deduction, Labor Commissioner Costello has also issued statements disparaging the state merit system.

“The merit system was established to prevent political patronage and ensures that the best qualified candidate is working for the people of Oklahoma,” said Zearley. “Before the merit system, legislators influenced who was hired and fired from state jobs and often used their power to obtain positions for political cronies.”

Costello’s website falsely claims a state employee cannot be fired for showing up drunk the first day of work. He advocates extending the trial period for state employees to three years, similar to the new process for teachers.

“Unlike teachers, state employees do not have contracts,” said Zearley. “The probationary period for state employees is one year, during which they can be fired without reason or due process.”

 “OPEA has been instrumental in making state government better throughout the years,” concluded Zearley. “We worked with state leaders to implement reforms such as an employee evaluation system that includes pay for performance.”