FAQ

Q: How much are dues? Do all employees pay the same amount?

A: OEA (Oregon Education Association) and NEA (National Education Association) dues vary depending on one’s salary. OEA will have your specific dues amount.

MEA dues are the same for every member and are $10/month.

Dues are collected for ten months, starting with the October paycheck and enrollment is for the full 10 months of the school year.

Q: Do I have to join the union if I work at JCSD 509j?

A: No one is required to join but there are important benefits with being a member.

First, you get a vote in Association business by participating in annual executive board elections, contract ratification votes, and other decisions affecting the Association.

Second, you have support – from both local representatives and an OEA consultant – if you ever face disciplinary action.

From OEA:

“The Association’s legal advice goes far beyond liability insurance and attorneys. Any time you have a question about your employment rights or benefits, a local OEA UniServ staff member is immediately available to answer those questions. UniServ staff will also go to bat for you with your administration when you have questions and/or concerns. If you need legal assistance, OEA’s attorneys are the best in Oregon on employment-related or education law. And, these services are free-of-charge to OEA members.”

“This is especially important for those of you who work with kids. Not only that, but “if you are sued, OEA’s liability insurance will provide you with an attorney and one million dollars in coverage for any judgment against you.”

Q: Aren’t salary, benefits and leave just part of my employment?

A: No, those things are a result of contract negotiations between MEA and JCSD 509j.

Q: Do member dues go toward supporting political candidates?

A: No, your dues pay staff salaries and provide funds for the various services OEA offers to members. Visit the OEA Web site to learn more about its mission and governance policies.

If you want to get involved in supporting pro-education candidates, you can make a contribution to OEA-PAC, which is the political action committee of the OEA.

OEA-PAC is completely separate from the OEA and gives members a chance to help elect pro-education candidates to public office. Any member can join OEA-PAC by giving a contribution, which is separate from regular dues, voluntary, and not a condition of OEA/NEA membership.

Q: How do I become a member?

A: All it takes is an application, which can be completed online on OEA’s website:

• Become a Member

Q: What’s with all the acronyms?

A: Every organizations has its “alphabet soup.” Below is a guide to the ones members hear most often.

MEA — Madras Education Association; bargaining unit of JCSD 509j.

NEA — National Education Association; national association/union for teachers and ESPs

OEA — Oregon Education Association; state affiliate of the NEA

OEA-PAC — OEA’s political action committee that works to promote and elect pro-education political candidates. Contributions to OEA-PAC are voluntary and separate from regular member dues.

RA — Representative Assembly; the highest decision-making body of either the state or national association. Local associations elect RA delegates for both state and national RAs.

Cascade UniServ — Cascade Uniserv Council; group composed of leadership from Central Oregon local associations that meets monthly to network and receive the latest communication from OEA.