From:     Mary Botkin [mailto:botkin@oregonafscme.com]  
Subject:  Political Activity on the job
    

It is getting into political season again.  I can always tell because I start getting the calls..."what can we do on the job?"    

Attached is the law.  It seems tough but the reality is, all our members need to do is use some discretion and common sense when they are working no matter how strongly they feel about issues and candidates.  They are not gagged or reduced to ignorance about what is happening. We have very liberal "free speech" standards in Oregon thanks largely to the ACLU, so we have a lot of leeway.  But  discretion is always the better part of valor.    

Members can wear buttons, unless they are uniformed staff, can have a sign/bumper sticker etc on their desk, as long as it is not visible to the public.  They can answer questions about impacts or effect of measures if they are asked.  They cannot begin the discussion while on the clock but they can answer honestly as long as they make it clear that it is their opinion and their view not that of their employer. Unlike our members, no public employer has the right to an opinion, pro or con, up or down.    

So once again, we can do a lot of things at work but we must weigh the benefits against the detriments of those activities and I would never suggest anything over the top unless it is well planned and organized by the Council or Ken suggests it directly.    

Have a great day!