Classified Community College Members Find Their Power

After years of operating as an independent association, educators in the Chemeketa Community College Classified Association (CCA)  reached out to OEA to begin conversations about affiliating as part of our larger statewide union. CCA members saw the value of adding their collective voice to OEA’s 42,000 educator-strong membership, and working with union colleagues and staff across the state to improve working and learning conditions at Chemeketa.

“The Chemeketa Classified Association is thrilled to work alongside the OEA this year to strengthen our collective voice,” said CCA President Aaron King, a financial aid specialist.  “Together, we're exploring organizing opportunities that empower our members, from advancing pay equity initiatives to creating a safe and respectful workplace. By uniting our efforts, we can address the unique challenges faced by classified staff while fostering an environment where every member feels valued and heard.”

CCA leadership is already working closely with OEA to bolster the union’s current collective bargaining process, developing organizing plans that will engage members in contract negotiations and empower the CCA bargaining team to fight for real improvements in the contract. As we’ve seen time and time again, when educators are able to win fair contracts that provide them with the tools and resources they need to do their jobs, students end up feeling more supported and are more successful.

“The Chemeketa Classified Association  is eager to join forces and raise voices with the Oregon Education Association. The core tenet of union work is strength in numbers,” said CCA Internal Vice President and Chief Grievance Officer Kisha McIntosh, a financial services specialist. “ The OEA is skilled and ready to provide the assistance around education, organization, collective bargaining and the overall labor movement that we with the CCA will desperately need as we plunge forward into a better future. On our local stage (CCC), national stage, and world stage.”

In the coming months, CCA members will begin to see greater access to resources from both the OEA and our parent union, the National Education Association. These resources include free trainings from our bargaining and organizing series, opportunities to attend statewide and national convenings  like our annual conference for support professionals, opportunities to get engaged in OEA’s legislative program, and much more.

McIntosh’s message to CCA members who are excited about working together to improve conditions at Chemeketa Community College is powerful: “There's a lot going on all at once and we cannot afford to get lost in the chaos. We need to organize, we need to unite, we need to ensure our voices are heard! I cannot think of a better vehicle to get us to where we need to be, than the OEA. Let's do this!”