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When you enjoy the upcoming Labor Day holiday, feel confident the work you do every day makes Oregon a better place to live for everyone in your community. Celebrate this holiday, especially, because workers just like you demanded a day to remember that each and every worker is important. It doesn't matter if you lay asphalt, deliver mail to co-workers, keep equipment or facilities in good repair, keep vital records or keep clients safe and healthy. You deserve respect. That's why we all celebrate the first Monday in September every year as "Labor Day."
In this issue of President Joe's Journal, Homecare workers continue to make progress toward settlement of a new contract;Portland Public Schools Custodians celebrate a victory and members look back on a historic and tragic episode of labor history. Finally, DAS and OUS members review details of the 2007 - 2009 tentative agreement and cast their ballots to determine if it will be ratified.
In this issue: Homecare Bargaining Steadily Inches Forward It's About Time for PPS Custodians! 80 Years Ago: The Trial of Sacco and Vanzetti eNews Flash: Celebrate Labor Day with SEIU Local 503, OPEU and Ballots for DAS/OUS Contract Ratification
Homecare Bargaining Steadily Inches Forward
Members of the Homecare bargaining team came to the table high hopes for a contract settlement on Monday, August 13. But as midnight approached, it became clear the gap was still too great to reach an agreement on cost of living raises, healthcare and paid time off for Homecare providers. The fact that State representatives and the Homecare team cannot agree on the dollar cost of various economic proposals has been a major stumbling block in negotiations.
Although a final agreement was not in the cards this week, several key issues outside our economic proposals were resolved late Monday evening in areas such as union rights and payroll procedures. For example, members won the right to give 20-minute presentations about the union, union representation and union benefits during new Homecare member orientations. The new contract language also guarantees the right to union presentations for Homecare workers who attend scheduled training events.
According to Homecare provider and bargaining delegate Phyllis Wills, "Orientations are so important. It's an opportunity to give new Homecare workers a sense of what they have a right to expect and where they can get help. We let workers know they are not alone."
Because the critical services Homecare workers provide generally take place in the home of a client, a grocery store or at a medical appointment, Homecare workers are isolated at work from other colleagues. DAS/OUS and other SEIU Local 503, OPEU members can generally connect with co-workers quite easily at the next desk, in the hall, a break room or even on a traveling work crew. But Homecare workers almost always work alone without a workplace support network.
Phyllis said recently, "Homecare workers often don't have anyone to talk to about their clients or about their contract rights. I always make myself available for follow-up meetings. We can get together for a cup of coffee and a one-to-one conversation. As long as workers respect privacy rights and keep names confidential, we can discuss their client's needs. We can talk about training opportunities and where to get help. If I don't have the answer, I can put them in touch with someone who does."
Phyllis says the new provision guarantees a chance to meet with workers at training and help members join with other Homecare professionals to keep up-to-date on any workplace concerns.
Homecare workers have also retained the right to choose to be paid on a monthly or bi-monthly basis regardless of the number of hours worked each month. The state said it was "too much of an administrative cost to pay more than once a month." There are only about 160 Homecare workers who use this bi-monthly pay process. Homecare provider Adam Riggs from Eugene says, "Workers who only have a minimum number of hours need the bi-monthly checks to buy gas to get to their client's homes." Adam says that retaining this benefit in the new contract "Makes a huge difference for dignity and respect for some Homecare workers."
The next Homecare bargaining session is scheduled for Monday, August 20 at 9 AM at SEIU Local 503, OPEU union headquarters in Salem. Every member can step up and answer the question: "What time is it?" "Union time!" See you there!
It's About Time for PPS Custodians!
A federal judge approved a $14.5 million class action settlement last month between Portland Public Schools and its custodians that sent SEIU Local 503, OPEU Custodians back to work. Here is the Portland Public Schools Press Release.
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July 24, 2007
PPS Custodial Settlement Finalized
NEWS RELEASE
Portland, Ore. A federal judge approved a $14.5 million class action settlement today between Portland Public Schools and its custodians arising from the 2002 decision by PPS to contract out custodial services.
Notices were sent out to 280 custodians who lost their jobs.
Individual custodians had the right to opt out of the settlement class, although none did. In return for funding the settlement, PPS received from members of the settlement class a release of claims related to the loss of their jobs in 2002.
The settlement provides 280 custodians compensation for the loss of their jobs and also covers their attorneys' fees and the costs of administering the settlement fund. Attorneys for both sides believe the agreement is a fair compromise for this long-running dispute. The school board has agreed to borrow the money necessary to cover the cost of the settlement, spreading its impact over several years.
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Congratulations to everyone who stood strong with PPS custodians through a long, challenging and difficult process. While SEIU Local 503, OPEU Custodians did not get everything they deserved in this settlement, the bottom line is clear: "When you take one of us on, you take all of us on." And we don't quit 'til we get a fair deal.
80 Years Ago: The Trial of Sacco and Vanzetti
Eighty years ago on August 23, 1927 Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were executed by electrocution for crimes they claimed to the day they died that they never committed. There is a great deal of controversy regarding their guilt and it is widely believed they were convicted by an American kangaroo court.
These two Italian-born American immigrants were proud anarchists dedicated to the struggle for justice for working people, but in the end lost their own battle for due process.
Both men were arrested in May, 1920 and accused of killing a shoe factory paymaster and a security guard. They were also charged with stealing $15,766.51 from the factory's payroll in South Braintree, Massachusetts. Neither Sacco nor Vanzetti had any previous criminal record, but both were well know as radical militants in the anarchist movement. They promoted labor strikes, political agitation, and were active in the anti-war movement. Both men claimed to be victims of social and political prejudice. Sacco was a shoe-maker and Vanzetti was a fish peddler.
Sacco and Vanzetti always said they were unjustly convicted of the crime for which they were accused, but neither of them ever tried to refute their vehement stand against the status quo or distance themselves from fellow anarchists. This was used as further evidence against them. The judge in the case, Webster Thayer, was viciously biased against the defendants. Speaking of Vanzetti, Thayer addressed the jury by saying, "This man, although he may not have actually committed the crime attributed to him, is nevertheless culpable, because he is the enemy of our existing institutions."
Judge Thayer gave the prosecution extraordinary latitude and even encouraged attacks on the defendants' patriotism and political beliefs. Prosecution witnesses freely gave false testimony. The historically unjust execution of Sacco and Vanzetti on charges of murder and theft has inspired dozens of books, poems, songs and plays from all over the world. Most are sympathetic to the two Italian immigrant anarchists who many feel were victims of prejudice and an anti-immigrant and anti-labor political climate.
Here is what Nicola Sacco asked of his son in a letter written just hours before his death:
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"If nothing happens they will electrocute us right after midnight Therefore here I am, right with you, with love and with open heart, As I was yesterday.
Don't cry, Dante, for many, many tears have been wasted, As your mother's tears have been already wasted for seven years, And never did any good So son, instead of crying, be strong, be brave So as to be able to comfort your mother.
And when you want to distract her from the discouraging soleness You take her for a long walk in the quiet countryside, Gathering flowers here and there.
And resting under the shade of trees, beside the music of the waters, The peacefulness of nature, she will enjoy it very much, As you will surely too.
But son, you must remember; Don't use all yourself.
But down yourself, just one step, to help the weak ones at your side.
The weaker ones that cry for help, the persecuted and the victim.
They are your friends, friends of yours and mine, they are the comrades that fight, Yes and sometimes fall.
Just as your father, your father and Bartolo have fallen, Have fought and fell yesterday, for the conquest of joy, Of freedom for all.
In the struggle of life you'll find, you'll find more love.
And in the struggle, you will be loved also."
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On August 23 please pause for a moment to remember that our labor struggle has a rich and sometimes terrifying history.
There are many heroes that we must not forget in today's fight for dignity and equality for workers everywhere.
eNews Flash
Celebrate Labor Day with SEIU Local 503, OPEU: Every Labor Day Picnic and celebration will have help from union members. Along the banks of the Willamette River at Oaks Park in Portland, the largest celebration in Oregon has been a long-standing tradition for "loud and proud" union families. SEIU Local 503, OPEU members have been planning a fun-filled family day with well-grilled burgers and "dogs," door prizes aplenty and a booth filled with goodies to help you remember all year long that, "We are Stronger Together." The rides, music and fun will begin at 9 am and go through late afternoon. Be sure to sign in early to enter the drawings and say "Happy Labor Day!" to fellow union members. Ballots for DAS/OUS Contract Ratification: The DAS/OUS Bargaining teams finished their work and bargaining delegates recommended a "Yes" vote on 2007-2009 contracts with an overwhelming majority vote. Now it's up to you. Every member has received a ballot to choose whether to ratify this new contract.
Mark your ballot right away and drop it in the mail. Only members vote. But, you can sign a membership form and cast your ballot at the same time. If you are not a member or you didn't get a ballot, contact any organizer, steward or officer and they will be glad to help you. This is a tremendous contract victory.
Make sure you cast your vote.
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