Labor Day
A train sits in downtown Tulsa. (William W. Savage III)

In September 2015, NonDoc hit the ground running with a five-part series on Oklahoma’s labor environment in honor of Labor Day.

Contributing reporter Joshua M. Jones delivered two articles: one providing an overview of the relationship between the state’s Department of Labor and local unions; another about issues surrounding the state’s minimum wage.

Meanwhile, Mike Seney, senior vice president of policy analysis and strategic planning at the State Chamber of Oklahoma, and R.L. McGhee III, District 11 vice president of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), faced off in a point/counterpoint miniseries examining “the overall labor-management relationship in our country.”

Last but not least, NonDoc editor in chief William W. Savage III traced Right to Work’s passage in Oklahoma and the political polarization that took place during that campaign in the early 21st century.

OKC police, fire contracts remain contentious

Today, we offer appreciation for working men and women everywhere, and we will do our best to take a breath this holiday ourselves.

In the meantime, check out the following Labor Day articles from our inaugural series about labor.

Remember, labor negotiations are important issues, as evidenced by Oklahoma City police currently not wearing body cams while their union negotiates its annual contract. Additionally, the City of Oklahoma City has opted to put its contract with the Local 157 fire union to a vote of the people after they didn’t get the determination they sought from arbiters.

Enjoy (what is hopefully) your day off!

LABOR SERIES: OVERVIEW

labor

Labor in Oklahoma: Unions see less membership, understanding
by Joshua M. Jones

LABOR SERIES:
MINIMUM WAGE

minimum wage

Minimum wage: ‘If I could pay you any less, I would’
by Joshua M. Jones

LABOR SERIES: POINT

Right to Work

Point: Enact federal Right To Work law and repeal minimum wage
 by Mike Seney

LABOR SERIES: COUNTERPOINT

collective bargaining

Counterpoint: Collective bargaining rights for all workers
by R.L. McGhee III

LABOR SERIES:
RIGHT TO WORK

Right To Work

Right To Work 14 years later: ‘It was an incredible campaign’
 by William W. Savage III

  • Tres Savage

    Tres Savage (William W. Savage III) has served as editor in chief of NonDoc since the publication launched in 2015. He holds a journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma and worked in health care for six years before returning to the media industry. He is a nationally certified Mental Health First Aid instructor and serves on the board of the Oklahoma Media Center.

  • Josh McBee, Editor Emeritus

    Josh McBee served as NonDoc's managing editor from September 2015 through January 2019. He earned a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma. He has reported and edited for newspapers and other media in Oklahoma, Colorado and California.

  • Tres Savage

    Tres Savage (William W. Savage III) has served as editor in chief of NonDoc since the publication launched in 2015. He holds a journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma and worked in health care for six years before returning to the media industry. He is a nationally certified Mental Health First Aid instructor and serves on the board of the Oklahoma Media Center.

  • Josh McBee, Editor Emeritus

    Josh McBee served as NonDoc's managing editor from September 2015 through January 2019. He earned a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma. He has reported and edited for newspapers and other media in Oklahoma, Colorado and California.

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