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Ben Straka
Policy Analyst
Ben Straka serves as a policy analyst for the Freedom Foundation. His responsibilities include an array of policy research and reform efforts, primarily centered around labor relations, education and government transparency within the states. In addition, he provides support for the Freedom Foundation’s Outreach program and works closely with the rest of the team to hold local governments and public-sector unions accountable to state residents.
Ben joined the Freedom Foundation in May 2016. He is a native of Eugene, Ore., and a graduate of Corban University, where he studied political science and business.
Outgoing union leader offers feeble retort to lawsuit
Two days after being hit with yet another Freedom Foundation lawsuit, SEIU 503 posted a statement on its website in the hopes of convincing its remaining members of…
Oregon Governor has no shame
Oregon’s Governor, Kate Brown, thinks SEIU 503 should be a leading voice on the Advisory Council tasked with improving transparency in the state’s public records laws.
Unfair labor practice case filed against abusive union in Portland
An unfair labor practice case has been filed against an abusive union in Portland
Child care providers overwhelmingly reject union
Over 70 percent of family child care providers in Oregon have ceased paying union dues to their union
Santa brings holiday raises to government workers
For the third straight year, the Freedom Foundation is sponsoring an awareness-raising program in which Santa Claus informs government employees in Oregon of their right to give themselves a valuable gift this holiday season by opting out of union dues and paying a reduced agency fee instead.
Less than 60 percent of caregivers are paying dues to SEIU 503
In August alone, the Freedom Foundation’s opt-out campaign and “Decline to Sign” program for new caregivers cost SEIU 503 nearly $380,000, which has resulted in the union’s revenue declining by about $4.3 to $4.6 million annually.
40 Percent Of Oregon Caregivers Leave SEIU After Freedom Foundation Outreach
State payroll data recently obtained by the Freedom Foundation via a public records request show that, as of May of this year, 11,399 of Oregon’s 28,667 homecare and personal support workers have rejected union membership and no longer pay any dues or fees to SEIU 503.
Senate Republicans Clash With Dems Over Forced Unionism In Public Universities
With support from the Freedom Foundation, Senate Republicans weren’t fooled by House Bill (HB) 3170 B and stood united on …
Open Letter From GOP Lawmaker Challenges Validity Of SEIU 503 Election
In an open letter sent to SEIU 503, Rep. Mike Nearman (R-Independence) is challenging the union’s executive director to prove its April 17 membership vote was “conducted in a fair and ethical manner.”
How SEIU 503 Spent Members’ Dues in 2016
Like all government unions in Oregon, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 503 benefits greatly from its state-sanctioned ability to collect union dues and fees from public workers as a condition of their employment.
