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More than 40,000 workers are represented by SEIU Local 503, OPEU. Every day, in every part of the state, Oregonians count on the work we do. In state and local government offices, in nursing homes and adult foster care homes, on university campuses, on county roads and state highways, in fish hatcheries and in state forests and parks, in the homes of senior and disabled clients, and in their own homes caring for children, members of our union stand up for themselves and every worker, and stand up for quality services as well.
In this issue of President Joe’s Journal, tenacious members of Homecare’s bargaining team reach an agreement on behalf of 10,000 workers who care for the elderly and people with disabilities. Nursing home workers at Meadow Park in Saint Helens win a tremendous victory with a new four year contract and one member asks everyone to celebrate the courageous work of union brothers and sisters fighting fires in eastern Oregon.
In this issue: Homecare Members Win Again Salute to Forestry Meadow Park Contract Victory eNews Flash: DAS and OUS Contracts Ratified
Homecare Members Win Again
After two days of mediation, the Homecare bargaining team settled the 2007-2009 contract August 29 and proved that the third time was a charm for more than 10,000 SEIU Local 503, OPEU Homecare members. This third Homecare contract makes significant improvements in the lives of caregivers and the services their clients rely on. Homecare members fought hard and won wage increases, better benefits and improved working conditions.
Erin McIntosh is a Homecare worker in Independence and co-chair of the bargaining team. According to Erin, “Homecare workers are on the frontline in providing quality care for Oregon’s most vulnerable citizens. This is one more step in our effort to win affordable health care for all Oregonians.”
The new Homecare contract includes raises for every hourly worker. A single wage rate of $9.90 per hour becomes effective November 1, 2007. That rate increases to $10.20 per hour July 1, 2008. For 24-hour live-in workers, wages increase to $4.30 per hour November 1, 2007 and $4.55 per hour on July 1, 2008 for 24-hour availability and self-management tasks.
Fully paid health insurance coverage continues for care providers who work a minimum of 80 hours per month, and qualifying dependents may also continue to access health coverage through the Family Health Insurance Assistance Program (FHIAP).
One of our biggest victories did not take place at the bargaining table but at the 2007 Oregon Legislature. Homecare members relentlessly educated legislators and helped to pass a workers compensation bill that guarantees every Homecare worker coverage for on the job injuries. As a result, Homecare members will no longer have to bargain for workers' comp coverage. This hard-won new respect for Homecare workers’ right to coverage is an immense and well-deserved victory.
Paid time off (PTO) was a tough issue in this round of bargaining. Last year, more than 80% of Homecare members’ PTO hours were not used and therefore were lost.
Under the new contract, hourly workers can cash out any unused PTO once per year. For 24-hour live-in workers, there is a cash out option for 50% of unused PTO once per year. Also, when a client discontinues in-home services, a 24-hour live-in worker can now cash out 50% of unused PTO when they certify that they do not have an alternative residential living arrangement. There is also a new pay rate of $165 per shift (effective 11/1/07) and $175 per shift (effective 7/1/08) for 24-hour relief workers.
Other victories include mileage rates, access to training and the implementation of the Homecare Registry. Service related mileage increases to the current IRS rate of 48.5 cents per mile. The Homecare training program will continue to provide valuable training to maintain and improve the quality of the in-home program for both clients and workers.
Finally, Homecare members have steadily worked on the web-based statewide registry. It will become fully operational during the term of this contract. The registry will allow care providers to manage their careers, the hours they want to work and provide new guidelines to ensure that homecare workers can fairly compete for employment opportunities. The registry will also be an invaluable aid to consumers in need of qualified homecare workers.
Joy’e Willman, Portland Homecare worker and chair of the bargaining team, said, “On balance, our third contract is another big step forward for caregivers and clients. Everyone will benefit. Of course, every Homecare member knows we still have a lot of work to do in our next contract, especially to provide additional incentives for 24-hour caregivers.”
What’s next? Homecare members will decide whether to accept or reject the new contract in meetings all over Oregon during the month of September. The bargaining team unanimously recommends ratification.
Congratulations Homecare! You stood up and made a difference for everyone in your fight for dignity and respect at the bargaining table.
Salute to Forestry
Mac McGinnis, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Local President and Meacham Highway Crew member from Cove, shares the following thoughts from east of the Cascades:
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As I sit here composing this e-mail I can look to the left, out the window to the east, on the flank of Mt. Fanny and watch the progress of a lightning struck fire, as it burns its way thru the Mill Creek watershed, above Cove. It appeared to be waning two hours ago as the small thunderstorm rain came behind it. Large heavy rain. Drumming on the roof rain. The smell of rain on a warm evening rain.
A wind chased the rain out of our end of the valley and revived the flames. I can see individual trees go up like Roman Candles; flares showing the progress of nature.
Now, three or four hours later there are beds of embers visible for the two or three mile distance the crow flies. The flares have moved away over the first ridge line. The less dramatic view allows a view of the intense smoke cloud and the flares are easier to pick out. I think I can see the head lamps of a fire crew making their way upslope on the north side of the fire; slow, building line as they go.
I thought I saw a State Forestry engine go by a couple of hours ago; maybe not. Those headlamps, toiling in the dark on the steep pitch of Mt Fanny, drawing a line in the dirt around hell on earth, may be union men and women.
There may be Locals that are not as active as we think they should be. People whose services we take for granted. It might be, that if we do assume they will be there in the dark, on the job, whenever called out, it might be, that we should shoulder their issues and carry on.
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Thank you, Mac. Well said. All over Oregon, citizens count on SEIU Local 503, OPEU members to show up and get the job done. Whether you wear a head lamp to fight fires on a dark night, battle the heat to lay pavement, fight the good fight to manage scarce State resources or keep your eye on the care for seniors and people with disabilities, you make Oregon work.
Meadow Park Contract Victory
SEIU Local 503, OPEU members at Meadow Park nursing home in Saint Helens reached a tentative agreement August 21 on a new four year contract. The contract includes wage increases ranging from 2% to 4% every six months beginning with a 4% raise October 1, 2007. Wage increases total 23.5% over four years.
The employer will pay 75% of employee health insurance premiums and 50% of family coverage. Members also won longevity bonuses of $500 for workers with at least 5 years on the job and $1000 for workers with 10 years or more seniority. But the real bonus came with the following contract language: “All employees shall be treated with dignity and respect."
Congratulations Meadow Park members and thanks to every nursing home worker at each of the twenty nursing homes represented by SEIU Local 503, OPEU. Every member in every bargaining unit values and celebrates the work you do to make a union difference in the lives of nursing home residents and their families.
eNews Flash
DAS & OUS Contracts Ratified! The ballots are in and the votes are counted for the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and Oregon University System (OUS) contract ratification. The final tally for University System members was 1097 “yes” and 19 “no.” For DAS, including strike permitted and strike prohibited, the total was 5747 “yes” and 179 “no.”
Along with their DAS and OUS ballots, 402 fair share payers decided to join SEIU Local 503, OPEU by signing membership forms. A significant number of members also decided to become CAPE contributors and signed up for “2 cent” and “4 cent” contributions.
It’s no secret that your voluntary CAPE contribution helps make success at the bargaining table possible—and it qualifies for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on your Oregon income tax return as well. Think of it as a loan, with a guaranteed payback, that you can make to invest in a better future. Ask any steward, local officer or organizer how you can sign up for CAPE today. You can make a real difference.
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