Some Companies Withdraw Support of RIED

May 10, 2002


The Oklahoma Public Employees Association recently sent out information about companies that were supporting the Research Institute for Economic Development, which has been putting out misinformation about the size of state government and attacking state employees.

The Association had sent a letter to these businesses asking them to assist in having RIED put out the truth and correct their misinformation. The information most recently put out by OPEA contained a list of companies that had either ignored our initial letter, or had responded negatively to it. This information can be viewed at www.opea.org.

One company that was not on the list was Goodyear Tire & Rubber. OPEA Executive Director Gary Jones had spoken with Goodyear's Plant Manager Arty Straehla soon after RIED's attack ran in the press. Mr. Straehla informed Jones that he was misled as to the purpose of RIED and was withdrawing his membership and his company's support of that organization immediately.

Jones spoke today with Chuck Patterson, of Patterson Realty. Mr. Patterson has also resigned from RIED, stating that he does not want to be embroiled in any controversy and it would be unfair to his associates for this to occur. He too indicated that he was not informated that RIED would be taking such actions when his company's membership was solicited.

OPEA has been informed that some of the other companies involved are also expressing concerns that attacking state employees was not what they had signed on in support of. When OPEA hears more direct information from any of these companies, we will provide it to you.

For further information, contact margaretr@opea.org or trishf@opea.org, or call 405-524-6764 or 800-880-6732.

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