What is OEA?

The Oregon Education Association (OEA) is a union that represents about 47,000 educators working in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public schools and community colleges. OEA’s membership includes licensed teachers and specialists, classified/education support professionals (ESPs), community college faculty, retired educators, and student members. OEA members also belong to the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA).

OEA members are affiliated with Local Associations which bargain their work contract with support from OEA staff. Local Associations also collaborate with local school districts, community colleges, school boards, and community leaders to provide the basic right of every student to a great public education. Find the Local Associations in your community

As listed in our Goals & Objectives, OEA's primary goal is to ensure that all students in Oregon receive a quality education.

Who runs OEA?
As a democratic union, OEA leaders are members elected by their fellow members at the local and statewide levels. OEA member-delegates set the policy of the organization at the annual OEA Representative Assembly (OEA-RA).

OEA is governed by a Board of Directors elected by their fellow members in their respective regions. The OEA Board determines the salary of the statewide elected leaders who work full-time on behalf of the members.

Bargaining & Advocacy
When OEA negotiates a collective bargaining agreement, it applies to all employees (members & non-members) covered by the contract. One major difference: full OEA members determine the direction, goals, and outcomes of OEA.

OEA members are eligible to vote in elections and to ratify collective bargaining contracts. Non-members cannot vote to ratify and leave decisions about their wages, salaries, benefits, and working conditions to others.

Political Involvement
Educators have the right to advocate for professional standards, employee rights, public education, and school funding. OEA members decide all official policy stances and legislative objectives.

No OEA dues dollars go directly to any political candidates. Members who wish to support pro-public education candidates can make voluntary contributions to OEA-PIE, the Association’s political action fund. OEA-PIE members decide which pro-public education candidates OEA-PIE supports.

Joining OEA
To join OEA a person must be employed at one of Oregon’s pre K-12 public schools or community colleges with a bargaining unit affiliated with OEA. OEA has affiliates at most K-12 schools and many community colleges.

Joining the Association is simple. Complete a membership form from an Association representative (or "building rep") at your worksite, and return it. Your building rep distributes and collects forms at the beginning of the year, often at a staff meeting, but can get you a form at any time. If you haven’t been contacted and unure whom to talk to, call us toll-free: 1-800-858-5505.

If there is no established local OEA affiliate at your work location you may still enroll with OEA and receive membership benefits, including liability coverage. Contact OEA's Membership department at: 502-684-3300 or toll-free at: 1-800-858-5505.