The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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October 16, 2009

OPEA set to host meeting Thursday

Oklahoma Public Employees Association will host members of the Legislature in a town hall meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Northwestern Oklahoma State University-Enid, 2929 E. Broadway.

“Public service has been a thankless job in recent years,” said Mark Beutler, OPEA director of communications. “It’s been years since state employees have had a pay raise, while the cost of living continues to escalate. This meeting will give employees a chance to visit with their local legislators and open dialogue about the upcoming legislative session.”

Trish Frazier, OPEA policy and research director, along with membership representative Brandon Watkins, will be on hand to welcome Sen. Patrick Anderson, as well as state Reps. John Enns and Mike Jackson, all R-Enid.

“All state employees, both active and retired, are encouraged to attend,” Beutler said. “The state continues to face serious economic problems, and it doesn’t look like an end in sight any time soon. That’s why it’s so important for state employees to find their voice and let legislators know they are struggling.

“State employees are some of the most notoriously under-paid workers, and Okla-homa’s public employees continue to fall 16 percent below market,” Beutler said. “Turnover is a major problem because employees often find work with the state, get their training, and leave for more lucrative jobs in the private sector. This trend cannot continue, and state employees cannot be cut any further without those cuts beginning to affect citizens. We have already seen DHS cuts that are resulting in cutting meals to senior citizens, and unfortunately it looks like this is only the beginning.”

Local contact for the meeting is Retiree Council chairwoman Lynne Adams Bussell, 233-7061 or 747-7626.

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