OMTA
- The Oregon Massage Therapists Association
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OMTA is a volunteer organization whose activities and projects are directed by our Executive Committee. |
We have:
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The
Great Yellow Pages Battle (This article appeared in the September 1994 issue of Touchstone.) This report could be subtitled, "How we got the Prostitutes out of the Massage Heading." What a story! The best part is that we were told over and over again, "It will never happen. It can't be done. You'll never get them out." But we did. Up until the Fall of 1987, when we won this battle, the Massage heading in the Yellow Pages was filled with ads from prostitutes and brothels with names like "Sexy Sauna," "Cindy's sexy massage," and the like. Huge ads, half pages.
What finally turned the corner for us was the Attorney General's Office. We talked first to Mike Shrunk, the DA for Multnomah County, since we were told that we would have to prosecute each and every person listing under massage who did not have a valid license. That was unworkable, since these folks would just up and change their name or location.
Each one of these routes were spelled out in detail, including a press conference and letters to the Board of Directors for US West Direct; even visions of sit-ins or pickets, if all else failed. We were determined. The following
is an article in the September 1987 Touchstone. According to the Attorney General's office, represented by Mr. Paul Sundermier, to publish unlicensed massage ads "will be viewed by this office as publishing with knowledge of the false, misleading or deceptive character of the advertisement and a willful violation of the Unlawful Trade Practices Act." US West
Direct said it will comply with the demand The Yellow Pages folks fussed and fumed about trying to match the ads with the list from the State Board of Massage to see who was licensed, but basically I still believe they were just miffed about losing all that money. I told them they would still get it. It would just go under "Escort Service," or some such. We invited Paul Sundermier to our Annual Conference that year, and gave him a long scroll, calligraphed and embossed with gold, signed by everyone there, and a standing ovation, in thanksgiving for his faithful service. It turns out that he has a sister who does massage in another state, so he understood. In Portland, only LMTs list under Massage now. What about other areas? Anybody else having trouble in other parts of the State? Are we home free? Let us know. |