Issa Simpson, our business representative, presented the following public testimony at the PEBB meeting Thursday, February 16, 2012.  She was speaking in favor of the recommendations the HEM Labor-Management committee (on which, our 1st VP, Dana Huddleston also serves) made to PEBB.  One of those recommendations was to suspend the HEM (Health Engagement Model) surcharges for 2012 and instead focus on educating PEBB members about the benefits of participating in HEM.  PEBB did not accept that recommendation, but did accept others that benefit our members.  Issa's testimony and the HEM committee recomendations are attached below.

 Topic at our January 18 membership meeting.  Read campaign plan below.

Sizemore's at it again: he's behind the current signature gathering to get another "paycheck deception" ballot measure in the November 2012 election (the fourth time in the last 10 or so years).  Check out this video of him talking to his supporters about how he loves to make unions spend money fighting this issue (which would prohibit dues being deducted from our paychecks if they are used for political purposes):  www.youtube.com/watch

I'll be asking our membership if we want to join the campaign to start fighting this right now:  see the Defend Oregon Endorsement.

The Association of Oregon Corrections Employees (AOCE) and the Oregon arm of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)  have filed separate complaints of unfair labor practices about a series of new surcharges included in the 2012 health plan for state workers.

Read full story in the Statesman Journal.com article.