Click on the link below to read an article regarding the Employee Free Choice Act and discussion on how Oklahoma Labor and Business view this important legislation.

http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=97162

As many of our Members know, the Oklahoma Municipal Employees Collective Bargaining Act has “card-check” language that allows municipal employees to form their Union without having to suffer through withering employer anti-union campaigns.  These campaigns are designed to demoralize workers, create conflict and keep the employees from gaining any control over their work lives.   The Free Choice legislation contains similar language and provisions for faster first contract resolution.

Please click on the Politics/Legislation page to get more information on this important legislation.  Call your Federal Representatives and urge them to approve the Employee Free Choice Act.

AFSCME Local 1180 (Tulsa) continues to grow with the addition of over 100 IT/IS workers. These computer professionals, who keep the City of Tulsa’s computer systems up and running, are seeking recognition under the MECBA “card-check” provision.  This provision, which workers in Moore, Enid, Lawton, Midwest City and Tulsa have utilized in the past, allows a majority of the employees to sign cards and to be certified AFSCME!

Good Luck to the Tulsa IT/IS workers and welcome to the AFSCME family.

For more information please go to:

afscmetulsa.org

Congratulations to all on the defeat of HB 1754, which would have made significant changes to the structure and composition of the Public Employees Relations Board (PERB).  The bill did not get to the floor by the deadline and is, therefore, dead for this year.  It can be raised again next year so be ready to make those calls and send those e-mails again.

“Great job” to all AFSCME, IAFF and FOP Members who made the difference on this legislation!

On Tuesday, February 24 House Bill 1754 (Rep. Scott Martin (R)- District 46) passed out of the Oklahoma House Committee on General Government and can now proceed to the full House for a vote.  Speaker Pro-Tempore Kris Steele, an Ex Officio Member of all House Committees, attended his first General Government Committee this year and cast the first “aye” vote. This was a message to the members that Leadership wanted the bill to pass out of the Committee.

We are happy to announce that the Oklahoma City Training Conference and Casino Night was a huge success.  Over 70 AFSCME members and leaders from around the state, as well as members of other Unions, attended the training and learned how to build their Union through organizing and political activity.   Participants also learned about changes to FMLA, Workers Compensation and Drug Testing rules and procedures to make sure their co-workers know and understand their rights.

After the training, members enjoyed some fun and excitement at the roulette and blackjack tables.  Random drawings for prizes were held during the night and top chip earners got cash awards.  Various Union Locals and organizations provided the resources to make this a fun and successful day.

We hope to have some pictures up on the website in the next day or so.  AFSCME looks forward to providing more opportunities for Members to meet, and learn, with their Brothers and Sisters from Oklahoma and around the country.

AFSCME is the fastest growing Union in the state of Oklahoma but we have miles to go before we achieve the level of pay, benefits and respect that AFSCME Members around the country enjoy.  There is lots of work to be done and we are inviting each and every Member and potential Member to take part in this exciting and historic challenge.  As this weekends training shows, we can get the work done and have some fun while doing it.