SEIU Local 503, OPEU members know that our victories are hard-fought and hard-won. We depend on the skills, dedication, patience and savvy of members, activists and stewards who stand together and fight for what's right. Win or lose, whenever members join together in the fight for fairness, we all get stronger. Let's not forget to celebrate all the efforts of our friends and co-workers.

    In this issue of President Joe’s Journal, members at Department of Human Services (DHS) offices in Salem and Coos Bay / North Bend stand together and affirm our right to a safe and healthy work environment. Also, every member can celebrate the work each union steward does every day to make a difference on the job and in our communities.

North Bend DHS Members Turn Up the Heat

    After years of working with inadequate or no heat at the Department of Human Services (DHS) Sheridan branch office in North Bend, SEIU Local 503, OPEU workers stood up and said, "Enough is enough." Ever since moving into the Sheridan building, the HVAC system for heating and cooling has not worked. Last year it got worse.

    Workers started bringing in blankets and heaters. Members said they had a good working relationship with all six managers in their office but the managers had been unable to remedy the long-standing lack of heat in this Child Welfare Services (CWS) office.

    According to member steward and SEIU Local 503, OPEU Leadership Academy graduate Sandy Huckleberry, two women were pregnant and struggling with the temperature last December as it got colder and colder. People were getting sick and people couldn't get their work done. The weather in Coos Bay / North Bend in December was extremely cold, well below freezing, like much of the rest of Oregon. It even snowed at the Oregon coast.

    Sandy and her co-workers demanded an immediate fix or they said they would walk out. Managers said they could purchase space heaters instead. When all the heaters were plugged in, it blew the circuits for the computer system. Management then said workers could place only a few of the heaters at "strategic locations" around the office.

    Members said that wasn't possible and it posed a safety risk because they are a CWS office with lots of kids running around the building. Every single one of the 47 members at this office plus two associate members (managers) signed a petition to say they were tired of being left out in the cold.

    The members' petition cited contract language that requires the employer to "abide by standards of safety and health in accordance with the Oregon Safe Employment Act." Workers asked to be given suitable work elsewhere. As an alternative, they demanded to be sent home until the heat could be restored. As the petition said, "You wouldn’t leave a child in a home with no heat."

    Sandy filed a group grievance on behalf of every worker. Finally, upper management responded within 48 hours to fix the heating system temporarily and work continues on a permanent fix. Then management asked for withdrawal of the grievance "since the heat was now back on."

    However, Sandy pointed out another important part of the grievance. Every worker who had been forced to use sick leave, personal leave, vacation or leave without pay should be made whole. Next, Sandy faxed management a list of everyone affected. She got a response within 24 hours. Management agreed to restore everyone's leave, including two managers who are associate members. Everyone got every hour restored, for a total of 225 hours.

    Many members responded to this victory by saying, "I can't believe it happened so fast. Nothing happens this fast!" Sandy says, "They had become tired of complaining with nothing happening. This shows what we can do when we all work together."

    Great job DHS North Bend members! You turned up the heat together and won a victory for a safe environment for every worker to provide services for the public.

DHS Parkway Members Say "No Way. Not Again!"

    Swing shift workers at the DHS Parkway building in Salem also celebrated a recent victory for a safe work environment. They held together and forced management to honor a promise that resulted from a previous grievance settlement.

    One year ago, eleven data entry workers got no advance notice and were forced to endure paint fumes during their evening shift. Several workers complained of sickness or headaches and went home early. Management later granted paid leave time for the affected workers and promised they would not allow painting in the future with workers in the building.

    On January 3, the same eleven workers were stunned to find out that management had scheduled another office painting job during the night shift starting at 8 pm. Management called it a "small" painting job, but the results were the same. When workers complained about the paint fumes, they were told they could go home but would have to use their own leave time.

    Steward Joye Camacho said, "No way. Management said this would never happen again and this is a breach of promise." Eleven Parkway data entry operators agreed and went forward with a group grievance. Twenty-nine days later, with the deadline for a response approaching, Joye phoned DHS managers and demanded an answer. Management then put it in writing; the data entry operators would be made whole and their leave time would be restored.

    Congratulations DHS Parkway members! It doesn't matter if you are at pay range 28 or pay range 8. It doesn't matter whether you work day shift, swing shift or graveyard. You are not alone because every union member knows, "When you take one of us on you take all of us on!"

Thank You Member Stewards!

    Every day and in every way SEIU Local 503, OPEU stewards are on the frontlines to help members build a better future for every worker. It may surprise you to learn that union stewards do much more than file grievances.

    SEIU Local 503, OPEU member stewards gather every two years for a conference to connect with stewards from every corner of Oregon. Stewards at the conference attend important training, network with each other, discuss strategy and celebrate member victories. During the first weekend in February, nearly 350 stewards gathered at the Doubletree in Portland for our 2007 Stewards’ Conference.

    Workshops at the conference were plentiful and varied, just like the many roles of a union steward. There was something for everyone. The list of workshops stewards attended this year helps to show how interesting the work of a steward in our union can be.

    After three intense days, steward Larry Bulling, Oregon State University (OSU) said, "We worked hard! The training was great and it was fantastic to meet so many talented and like-minded members who step up every day to keep our union growing and strong."

    Vigilance and perseverance holds us all together. We celebrate the work of stewards because without stewards, there is no contract protection. Without stewards, there is no union security. Without you and stewards, there’s no union. Most importantly, we celebrate because each victory means that all workers win.

    Thanks to every steward and member who steps up to keep our union strong. Find out more about how to become a steward. Ask any officer, organizer... or steward.

eNews Flash

     Members Meet for Bargaining Strategy: You can work with members in your area on a plan to help management see that we are “All for one and one for all!” Sign up to attend the next regional strategy meeting in your area and get the latest news about State and Higher Ed contract talks. Check with your organizer for meeting locations. Food is free. All members are welcome. 2/20: Portland, LaGrande. 2/21: Salem, Eugene, Medford, Ontario. 2/22: Monmouth, Baker City. 2/27: McMinnville, Grants Pass. 2/28: Astoria (and Clatsop County), Salem, Keizer. 3/1: Newport (and Lincoln County), Klamath Falls, Oregon City (and Clackamas County). Most meetings begin at 5:30 pm. Purple Up! Bargaining Dates: Your bargaining teams need your support. When we purple up for each scheduled bargaining session, it shows management that a quality contract matters to every member wherever we work. State and Homecare teams began bargaining in December and January; Higher Ed teams started meeting with management this month. Each bargaining session is open to all members. When you see a purple shirt across the room you know you are not alone. When managers see a sea of purple (shirts, streamers, balloons, banners and buttons) they know all members are standing up for fairness and dignity. Purple Up! for bargaining dates.