Oklahoma City--(March 6, 2010)The Oklahoma Public Employees Association is shocked and outraged at a local newspaper and the tactics it’s using in "bullying" its members.

"This is David versus Goliath," said OPEA Director of Communications Mark Beutler. "It is simply another way The Oklahoman's editors misuse their power to get their way. The citizens of Oklahoma must know the big guys don't always win; we have the truth on our side and we will use every means possible to win this battle."

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 3, 2010) – The Oklahoma Public Employees Association commends Senate Democrats and Republicans for reaching a compromise budget agreement that will provide emergency funding to public safety agencies. The funding was blocked Monday when 21 legislators refused to vote for the emergency clause on HB 2435.

“The legislative process does work,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley, one of a handful of leaders recognized for helping put a swift end to a budget impasse. “First, I want to thank our legislators for reaching this agreement that will help keep our dedicated employees of the Department of Corrections and the Department of Public Safety on the job. Second, I want to thank those men and women who go to work everyday to keep the citizens of Oklahoma safe.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee joined Senator Charlie Laster in announcing the budget agreement. “I want to thank Sterling Zearley and the OPEA for their input in resolving this issue,” Coffeesaid.

OKLAHOMA CITY (February 19, 2010) – The Oklahoma Public Employees Association is commending state lawmakers for reaching a budget agreement just three weeks into the session.

OKLAHOMA CITY (February 1, 2010) – The Oklahoma Public Employees Association voiced concern about the priorities mentioned in the State of the State address.

 

“We are awaiting the details in the budget,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley.  “However, we are concerned that protecting the basic functions of state government were not priorities in the speech.”

 

Read a copy of the Governor's speech by clicking here.

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 27, 2010) – The Oklahoma Public Employees Association applauds the recent announcement of the injection of $7.2 million dollars into the Department of Corrections 2010 budget.  The agreement between the Governor and legislative leaders means a handful of agencies will receive supplemental appropriations. 

 

“The Association is thrilled with this announcement,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley.  “We appreciate the hard work of DOC Director Justin Jones, Public Safety Chairs Representative Randy Terrill and Anthony Sykes, as well as House Speaker Chris Benge and Senate Pro Tem Glenn Coffee.  This addition to the budget will eliminate the need for DOC furloughs.  OPEA’s work with the combined sub-committees on Public Safety and the agency has paid off in a big way for our members in Corrections today.”

 

House Public Safety Chairman Randy Terrill commends OPEA for their involvement.  “OPEA has been a critical part of this resolution,” Terrill said.  “They toured with the committee, provided testimony at each meeting and gave the legislature a clear view of the value our corrections employees provide daily.  Without OPEA’s involvement there certainly could have been a different outcome with employees being furloughed.  OPEA and its leaders are to be commended for their diligent efforts in representing the interests of Correctional employees.”

 

Zearley pointed to OPEA’s volunteer leaders who helped spearhead the effort.  “We have a huge list of leaders in DOC from JHCC, HMCC, OSP, JCCC, P&P and LARC that have given time, made phone calls, and held meetings,” Zearley said.  “They are a large part of our success on this issue.”

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OKLAHOMA CITY (January 12, 2010) – In light of the continuing state budget shortfall, the Oklahoma Public Employees Association says it’s time state workers stop facing the brunt of the axe.

 

“Any time Oklahoma has a budget problem, the cuts seem to fall on the backs of state employees,” said OPEA spokesman Mark Beutler.   “Agencies have been cut all they can cut without it starting to affect our citizens.  It’s time we make sure common and higher education face the same cuts, as well as private contractors who make money off the state.  Is it any less important protecting our children than it is educating them?  Our elderly and our veterans also need our help.”

 

The Oklahoma Public Employees Association is responding to unprecedented budget cuts announced by state leaders this week, and expressing concern with the unbalanced approach in protecting common and higher education.

The state’s oldest and largest organization for state employees says it agrees with senate republicans who are calling for a special session.

 

The Oklahoma Public Employees Association represents a majority of state employees, many of whom are facing furloughs, reductions-in-force and voluntary buyouts.

While Senate republicans are calling for a special session in December, members of the Oklahoma Public Employees Association are saying they will work with legislative leaders to ensure state services remain intact.

OKLAHOMA CITY (November 19, 2009) –

 The Oklahoma Public Employees Association has filed a complaint against the state Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, alleging violation of the Open Meetings and Open Records Act.

OKLAHOMA CITY (November 13, 2009) – The Oklahoma Public Employees Association is outraged at the shenanigans used today by the state Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services during a meeting that will leave 100 employees without a job.

The Oklahoma Public Employees Association is concerned about the timing of a series of hefty pay increases for some top DHS officials.

 

This comes in the wake of a press release issued by the Oklahoma House of Representatives Wednesday that details an exorbitant number of pay raises at the Department of Human Services.  The press statement says top administrative DHS staff received almost $200,000 in pay raises in the past year before the agency cut senior nutrition programs.

 

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 21, 2009) – A meeting today of the Task Force on the Privatization of CompSource has resulted in serious concern for The Oklahoma Public Employees Association.

 

“What problem is the task force trying to address?” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley.

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 16, 2009) – As a result of the state’s continuing revenue decline, OPEA is stopping short of calling for a special session, but urging legislators to convene meetings of the Appropriation Sub Committees.

OKLAHOMA CITY (September 15, 2009) – The Oklahoma Public Employees Association is calling for cuts to private contractors, and urging state leaders to reconvene for a special session.

OKLAHOMA CITY (August 4, 2009) – The Oklahoma Public Employees Association is claiming victory as the Corporation Commission announced it will not furlough employees. 

 

“This is great news for the Commission’s 450 employees,” said OPEA Deputy Director Scott Barger.  “When we heard of the plans to close the agency one day a month and furlough employees, OPEA immediately went into action. We met with legislative leaders and officials from the Corporation Commission in an effort to keep employees on the job.  We want to commend them for their hard work.”

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 14, 2009) – The Oklahoma Public Employees Association is responding to the latest revenue figures and statements from State Treasure Scott Meacham who is saying a shortfall is probable during the new fiscal year.

 

“We have known for some time the budget situation is at a crisis level,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley.  “Today’s announcement from the state treasurer reinforces the stance OPEA has taken the past few months.

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 13, 2009) – The Oklahoma Public Employees Association continues to be actively involved in discussions with legislative leaders about a new report detailing the overall conditions of the structure and infrastructure needs of the Department of Corrections.  The report, which was prepared by the Durrant Group, was also to provide an analysis and recommendation of the cost effectiveness of plans for future expansion.

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 26, 2009) – The Oklahoma Public Employees Association is responding to claims from a freshman legislator that OPEA was misleading its members about HB 2108.  The legislation would have drastically changed the insurance plan of state, county, education and municipal employees. OPEA, which represents the interests of state employees, worked to cripple the legislation in the Senate, keeping it from becoming law this year. 

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 19, 2009) – The Oklahoma Public Employees Association is denouncing the possible privatization of facilities under jurisdiction of the state’s Office of Juvenile Affairs.

 

At a Friday meeting of the OJA Board of Directors, discussion was raised about issuing an RFP (Request for Proposal) and an ITB (Invitation to Bid) allowing the private construction and management of new medium and maximum juvenile facilities.

The Oklahoma Public Employees Association is calling on the legislature to immediately implement a mandatory plan to cut costs in state agencies and preserve vital state services.  OPEA’s action is the result of a darkening state budget picture for the next fiscal year which begins July 1, 2009.

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 8, 2009) – Nearly 20 OPEA members and DHS employees met today with the author of HB 1734, Representative Ron Peters, voicing their concerns that a new child welfare reform bill does not adequately address funding issues.  In addition, Senator Patrick Anderson, Vice-Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Subcommittee discussed funding and staffing issues with the group.

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 30, 2009) –The Oklahoma Public Employees Association voiced concerns about the continuing misconceptions being raised by legislators and the media regarding the Oklahoma State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board (HealthChoice) claims payments.

 

“The blame for late provider payments lies not with the agency and the state employees working at OSEEGIB,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley. “EDS, the private vendor that has the claims processing contract, cannot keep up with the work the corporation signed on to perform.”

 

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.”

OKLAHOMA CITY (February 20, 2009) – The Oklahoma Public Employees Association is asking the state legislature to “do the right thing now” and provide additional funding to the Department of Human Services before the courts make a decision for them.

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 12, 2009) – The Oklahoma Public Employees Association today filed an amicus curiae brief in U.S. District Court in relation to a lawsuit filed by a child advocacy group seeking an overhaul of Oklahoma’s child welfare system.

The Oklahoma Public Employees Association will host a special town hall meeting Tuesday, January 27^th, at Lawton’s Cameron University.  The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm in the Wichita Room, located between the Shepler towers, on the Cameron University campus.

Oklahoma City – The Oklahoma Public Employees Association has named state representative Mike Shelton “Legislator of the Year.” The award was presented this week at OPEA’s annual convention in Claremore.

Rising grocery and gas bills are nipping at the wallets of most state employees; but not all state employees are suffering as much as others. The Oklahoma Public Employees Association is angered at the recent five percent pay raise given to 267 judges and elected officials and calls for all state employees to be placed under this same system.

State agencies and their employees will have a chance to discuss the possibility of moving to a four-day work week at a public hearing at the State Capitol Wednesday, July 9th. The meeting will be held in room 432A from 10 am until noon.

Officials with the Oklahoma Public Employees Association (OPEA) are commending efforts by workers at the Norman Veteran’s Center (NVC).

Critical shortages at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester are being spotlighted by the OSP Chapter of the Oklahoma Public Employees Association (OPEA). The Association, which represents state employees, is stepping up campaign efforts over the next 90 days and asks for support from the entire city of McAlester.

Members of the Oklahoma Public Employees Association (OPEA) are sending a direct message to state lawmakers: “Leave us out—we’ll vote you out.” OPEA members held a spirited but peaceful protest rally today on the south steps of the State Capitol.

Citing a total lack of consideration by legislative leaders toward state employees performing essential services to Oklahoma taxpayers, Oklahoma Public Employees Executive Director Sterling Zearley today took issue with the recently agreed upon general appropriations bill for FY ’09.

A measure that would offer massive tax incentives to a potential Oklahoma City NBA franchise has met with resistance from State Representative Brian Renegar (D-McAlester), who feels legislators should instead focus on a state employee pay raise.

Saying “workers in the Department of Corrections are warning that the system has reached a breaking point”, the Oklahoma Public Employees Association called for pay raises for all state employees and additional funding to fill staffing shortages and address agency infrastructure needs.

State Rep. Brian Renegar (D-Blanco) and State Sen. Kenneth Corn (D-Poteau) have both publicly endorsed state employee pay raises for the upcoming legislative session.

Salaries for state workers, while registering a modest increase, lagged behind the market, according to the 2006 Compensation Survey published by the Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management, released this past December as mandated by state statute.

A recently filed injunction by the U.S. Justice Department regarding the lack of sufficient control at the L.E. Rader Juvenile Center in Sand Springs confirms longtime assertions by the Oklahoma Public Employees Association that consistent under funding and understaffing of the center by the legislature results in tragedy for all concerned.

As part of its efforts to encourage accountability in state government, the Oklahoma Public Employees Association today announced its support of SB 1, known as the “Taxpayer Transparency Act,” by Senator Randy Brogdon, as it awaits action by Governor Brad Henry.