For Immediate Release
May 24, 2018

Media Contact:
Angela Allmond, Communications Director
Oklahoma Democratic Party

Oklahoma Democratic Party Staff Successfully Completes Bargaining Negotiations with OPEIU Local 381

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Democratic Party has completed a union contract with the Office & Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), Local 381. The finalized contract makes the ODP the first Democratic State Party in the nation to complete bargaining negotiations and unionize its staff. OPEIU has more than 104,000 members and represents 110,000 employees. It is one of the largest unions of the AFL-CIO.

The ODP is one of three Democratic State Parties to begin the collective bargaining process. Also in the process of unionizing are the Vermont and Idaho state parties, but neither have completed a contract at this time.

“We are proud to be the first State Party in the nation to unionize and complete the bargaining process with a signed contract,” said Chair and Executive Director Anna Langthorn. “This contract is evidence on paper of us living our values in practice – worker protections, fair pay, and family-focused benefits. We’re excited for our colleagues in Vermont and Idaho to complete their unionization processes as well, helping us all set the standard for the rest of the nation.”

ODP leadership voted unanimously on March 11, 2017, to change non-management staff’s employee status from “at-will” to “just-cause.” This vote welcomed the staff to move forward in organizing with a labor union of their collective choice. The bargaining process began on October 16, 2017, and concluded with a finalized contract on May 23, 2018.

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For more information about the Oklahoma Democratic Party, visit the party website at okdlive.wpengine.com, or call party headquarters at 405-427-3366.