Union for state employees considers options for walkout

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KTUL) — The Oklahoma Public Employee Association's mission statement, which reads, "OPEA Protects Public Employees," manifests in its recent push for pay raises anddecision to consider joiningthe Oklahoma Education Association teachers in a walkout April 2.

Executive Director Sterling Zearley detailed the recent history of state worker pay raises, "We've had some; it's been almost over 10 years now."

Zearley described possible scenarios that could unfold if state employees suddenly didn't show up for work.

RELATED IOklahoma Education Association presents its ultimatum to lawmakers

"We have folks who do the roads and bridges;everyone drives on our roads and bridges. You have state employees who go out and inspect restaurants, make sure they're safe. We have employees who inspect water plant facilities to make sure you have clean drinking water," Zearley said.

For those on unemployment, checks could be delayed. State parks would be closed and so would be the health department.

"You couldn't go get your immunization at the health department," Zearley said.

If the outlined scenarios aren't enough to cause lawmakers to act, Zearley says there are other resources that would hurt more.

"I think you could sting in other ways. I mean, I think you could if you start shutting down the DHS office, tax commission and OESC. I think that would [sting]. There's several agencies you could shut down that could" hurt more, Zearley said.

RELATED IOklahoma teachers planning a statewide strike

The OPEA's goal is to make lawmakers an offer they can't refuse.

"There's ways to do this in the legislative body, and they just have to have the will to do it," Zearley said.