Members voted to increase dues effective 10/01/07.  Many members have made the comment that FOPPO’s dues are cheap in comparison to other unions.  However, some have asked, ‘why do we need to increase dues?’  If you will remember the information that was distributed to members prior to the vote, FOPPO’s Financial committee met and conducted an evaluation of FOPPO’s finances.  It was costing FOPPO just under $50.00 per member per month to pay the bills.  The Board decided to propose a dues rate from 1% to a flat $60.00 per month per member to the members.  For many of our members, the 1% dues rate did not come close to covering the individual cost per member to FOPPO.  So, now that the increase in dues has been in effect for a few months, it’s time to address the ‘extra’ $10.00 per member per month.  Why does FOPPO need more than the base minimum for dues?  There are two answers to this question----inflation and savings.  We are in to the second year of a two year retainer with our law firm, Garrettson, Gallagher, Fenrich and Makler.  Toward the end of this year we will find out if the cost of our retainer will stay the same, increase or decrease.  Your FOPPO Board feels strongly that we need to build our savings base.  We use our savings to pay for mediations, arbitrations, unfair labor practices, etc.  In other words, we need this money to help us to continue to fight for your rights!  If you have questions about your dues, please contact your chapter’s president with your concerns. 

We received Arbitrator Gaba’s award today on a pending arbitration in Klamath County, and we prevailed in this arbitration.  The PO in question had been laid off from a PO II position due to 'unforeseen funding impacts.'  A PO III position was then opened, for which the PO applied, but was not hired.  Arbitrator Gaba has ordered that the PO be promoted retroactively and receive retroactive payment as well.  He stated that he did agree with the County’s policy arguments and argument for the need for a degree to be a PO, but was bound by the strict language of the contract.