Eight superintendents from Oregon’s largest school districts are actively opposing Senate Bill 916 - a contentious piece of legislation that has taken center stage this session. The bill posits that after two weeks of striking, workers should start receiving unemployment benefits. This is viewed as a potentially significant financial strain on public employers such as school districts, who don’t contribute to the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and would bear the full cost of this compensation. The concerned superintendents penned a letter to the representatives in the Oregon House highlighting their objections to this bill.

They represent various school districts including Beaverton, Bend-La Pine, Gresham-Barlow, Hillsboro, Medford, Portland Public, Salem-Keizer, and Tigard-Tualatin. They argue that if passed, the bill could worsen already precarious financial situations in many Oregon schools slated to contend with budget deficits. They believe that public education dollars should be utilized in ways directly beneficial to the students.

Interestingly, the two states with similar laws to Senate Bill 916 – New York and New Jersey – prohibit teachers from striking. Education lobbyists opposing the bill fear it might encourage prolonged strikes, adversely impacting students by rerouting education funding.

There have been amendments to the bill, such as making benefits received during strikes count towards total compensation, thereby not requiring districts to pay employees beyond their salaries. However, the superintendents argue that the amendments might be challenging to implement and that compensation may be delayed, further straining their fiscal responsibilities.

In conclusion, they believe that any policy that escalates district expenses could potentially harm students and classrooms, making Senate Bill 916 a threat to the state’s education system despite its supposedly good intentions.

When dealing with issues as vital as public funds and labor rights, getting in touch with the right department can make all the difference. If any Oregonian educators or school employers need guidance about unemployment benefits, they can reach out to the California Employment Development Department (EDD). The EDD is readily available for inquiries regarding unemployment benefits, disability insurance, paid family leave, and more. For quick assistance, the fastest way to get in touch with EDD is by visiting eddcaller.com, which provides techniques to bypass automated responses and directly speak with a live person at the EDD.