![In our commitment to social justice, it is our duty to stand against oppression and call on our elected leaders to end supporting American imperialism, especially while we work in schools that are underfunded and where children do not have their basic needs met. In Centennial school district, 95% of our students qualify for free and reduced lunch. We are often told of budget cuts and we wonder how we will support our students with fewer and fewer resources despite the growing need.
We are proud to share that our union has passed a Resolution with the Palestinian People and the Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement.
We are in solidarity with the Palestinian people and we call for Israel to end the violence in Gaza, the West Bank, and across the region. We demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire as well as call on the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden to stop aid to Israel. We endorse the Boycotts, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign. We support and endorse rank-and-file OEA members demanding a PERs divestment and call on OEA and NEA to also endorse BDS.
Our East County labor siblings, Parkrose Faculty Association and Reynolds Education Association, have passed similarly worded resolutions and/or demanded an immediate ceasefire. Our labor cousins at IBEW Local 48, the Ironworkers Local 29, Portland Federation of Student Professionals (PFSP), and IUPAT Local 10 have also passed similar resolutions regarding the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. National unions and their locals have passed countless related resolutions in every possible field, including our own National Education Association who have demanded an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are a labor movement that fights for the human rights of all workers and all people everywhere.
Photo credits:
1) Art by Hollie Mollie
2) Photo from Palestine Art Museum
5) Art by Peter Cizmadia, “No Walls, No Fences” (2023)
6) Screen shot from "Spaces of Exception" (2018) [Film] by Matt Peterson and Malek Rasamny](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/464431733_400232746483166_5482855693641663236_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=mFCXJAe6VPsQ7kNvwFuCgfB&_nc_oc=AdnasAOER6fnxVTjmBqyjO_tG-ezfxZuTOEPVo7u_YEEs_Nk_bXeBynexsfGAghrUko&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=d5uqdqsTI8sphDPnALIxTw&oh=00_AfsFIkF4Mxw_FzsDOXAglxSr6ouuDDOz37lBje4cDIz7ag&oe=698796FC)
Our Mission
Empowering Educators
Educators deserve ensure strong, fair contracts with school districts and employers so they can focus on what they do best - educating students.
Prioritizing Safe Classrooms
We're committed to helping create safe, welcoming and inclusive school environments through professional learning, policy advocacy, and organizing.
Diversifying the Workforce
Fighting for tools and resources to increase the number of BIPOC educators, so that our schools better reflect the communities they serve
Championing Equity For All
Each student and educator, whether black, brown, or white, must have every opportunity to be the best they can be.
Supporting Professional Growth
Providing and connecting educators to opportunities for continuing education in our professions to best serve students.
Take Part
Educators are stronger together. When it comes to contract negotiations, salaries and benefits, workplace protections, and improving learning and working conditions, a stronger union means we’re working from a position of strength.
As individuals, we have a limited impact on decisions that are made in our districts. Coming together as members of a strong union is the best way to have a seat at the table to fight for students and good working conditions.