March may have come in like a lion but SEIU Local 503, OPEU members made sure it wouldn't go out like a lamb. In every part of Oregon, members focused on contract negotiations, got together for regional strategy meetings, continued the fight to defend contract rights and stood up to protect quality services.

In this issue of President Joe's Journal, DAS and OUS members tell management what they think about the State's economic counter-proposals for the 2007-2009 contracts. Members in Pendleton join with community partners to stand up for quality services and keep EOTC open. The elected members of SEIU Local 503, OPEU's Member Benefits Committee announce a new dental plan designed to help every member, including low-wage workers, get access to quality union dental care. Member-elected General Council delegates vote to adopt an historic Restructure Plan to keep our union strong. And finally, DAS and OUS members plan to meet in Portland on April 28 at a Bargaining Conference to make sure we win quality contracts for quality services.

In this issue: DAS and OUS Bargaining: "Say What??!"    EOTC Victory in Eastern Oregon Member Benefits Committee Steps Up!   eNews Flash: Historic Restructure Plan Wins and DAS / OUS Bargaining Conference

DAS and OUS Bargaining: "Say What...?!"

Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and Oregon University System (OUS) bargaining team members presented an economic proposal to the State several months ago. Elected bargaining team members proposed cost-of-living raises for State and University System workers tied to the rate of inflation. They also said we must maintain healthcare for all workers, including the current subsidy for part time employees.

A living wage proposal that would raise the lowest-paid workers above the food stamp eligibility level, and a number of selective salary increases for specific job classifications were also proposed because members stand up for fairness and member say these proposals will aid recruitment and retention.

Management responded with a proposal that is less than adequate. After four years of averaging less than 1% cost of living raises, the State has proposed a 1% raise in October, 2007 and a 1% raise in October, 2008.

Health insurance cost increases are covered in year one of the contract, but if healthcare costs go up more than 8% in the second year, the 1% raise will be delayed. Management also says no dice on keeping part timers health insurance subsidy. Members all over Oregon say, "That's not an offer. It's an insult."

Members on every University campus and in every State agency have expressed disappointment in management's counter-offer. What else do members have to say?

Greg Ledbetter, Department of Business and Consumer Services (DCBS) and 2005 DAS bargaining team chair, spoke for many workers when he said, "There is a less than 1% chance members will accept this offer!"

Nathan Allen is a hard-working full-time Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) custodian at the Hillcrest facility. Nathan told DAS managers, "I want to earn enough money so I can support my family without relying on public assistance."

Grace Lewis is an office assistant from the Employment department. She talked about her monthly budget that includes her only "luxury" - a telephone. Although she owns a car, Grace says, "I can't drive it because I can't afford gasoline or insurance." Without help from the food bank and her church, Grace said she couldn't make it through the month.

Beth Crowe, a part-time worker from Department of Revenue, spoke about the need to maintain the subsidy for part-timers' health insurance. Beth cares for a chronically ill family member and is unable to work full time. She also can't afford the huge increase in out-of-pocket premiums that would result from the State's proposal. Beth told the bargaining team, "My situation would be desperate without the part-timer subsidy."

So far, management has only listened politely. They said the State budget is still too uncertain and they can't increase their offer. What do they say is their solution to the problems they heard from low-wage workers? "Get a promotion to a higher paying job!"

Less than three months remain in the current contract. Let's put the pressure on management. Step up in your worksite and let managers at every level of state government know their offer won't cut it. It's up to every member to say it loud and clear: "Now is the time for a quality contract for quality services!"

EOTC Victory in Eastern Oregon

Members in Eastern Oregon celebrated a big victory March 22 when Governor Kulongoski announced he changed his mind and restored funding for Eastern Oregon Training Center (EOTC) in Pendleton. Last December, when the Governor announced his original budget, he had placed EOTC on the chopping block.

SEIU Local 503, OPEU members and community groups came to the Capitol and told their stories to legislators and everyone who would listen: EOTC is a place where people with profound disabilities get the care they need. The Governor agreed and has now made a commitment to keep EOTC open for two more years.

EOTC is home for up to 50 individuals with developmental disabilities. These individuals live in nine cottage-type residences on a small campus. The homes are staffed seven days a week, twenty-four hours per day. Residents receive active treatment and each has an individual support plan based on the concept "person-centered" planning. More than 180 SEIU Local 503, OPEU members currently work at EOTC to provide comprehensive care and life skills training for some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

Bill Morris, steward and local President at EOTC, says his co-workers are glad to hear they will be able to remain on the job to continue to provide care for residents. Bill says, "We need a long-term solution for EOTC to keep this group of highly trained, experienced and dedicated caregivers on the job. Let's take the next two years to develop a strategy that works for residents, caregivers and the community. EOTC clients deserve every opportunity for a better future."

Congratulations to Bill and organizers Bruce, Lianne and Lorene. Every member at Eastern Oregon Training Center stood up to make a difference and show that Oregon works because we work for Oregon. You make a difference every day in the lives of your resident clients and every SEIU Local 503, OPEU member honors your work.

Member Benefits Committee Steps Up!

Did you know that SEIU Local 503, OPEU members have been hard at work for you? Joy'e Willman, Homecare member and Chair of the Member Benefits Committee, introduced a new member benefit during the March 10 Board of Directors meeting in Salem.

Joy'e explained that this committee, made up of members from every region in the state, has been actively working to expand benefits that will help low-wage workers and every member. Elected Board members listened carefully to the committee's presentation and unanimously adopted the new Bright Dental Insurance benefit effective April 1, 2007.

Bright Dental has nine offices in Oregon and each provides low-cost dentistry with special discounts for union members. In fact, union members make up 70% of their client base. Every member gets a 25% to 35% discount off the usual and customary rates (UCR). Bright Dental charges non-union clients the UCR. As an example, the UCR for a "comprehensive exam" is billed to non-union clients at $82, while SEIU Local 503, OPEU union members are eligible to pay only $54.

The Bright Dental plan bills all Oregon insurance companies, with the exception of Willamette Dental and Kaiser Dental. Members without insurance get a discounted rate. SEIU Local 503, OPEU is proud to join a long list of unions who have endorsed the program for members to use. And there is even more good news with the adoption of this plan: there is no cost for our union to include Bright Dental as a member benefit!

A brief memo from the committee about Bright Dental and a brochure listing locations and services has been mailed to members. As always, any steward, officer or organizer is ready to help if you have questions.

Please join with me to send your thanks to Member Benefits Committee members Paula Allen, Holly Fries, Elisha Stanley, Shirley Storm-Hileman, Lynn Wills, Annette Woodmark and Joy'e Willman. Your committee worked hard to help every member and every co-worker have a bright smile.

eNews Flash

Historic Restructure Plan Wins! April 2, 2007 was an historic day for the 40,000 members of our union. The vote was overwhelming to adopt the General Council mandated plan to restructure our union and change our Constitution and Bylaws. Thank you to every Restructure Committee member and especially committee Chair, Michael Simpson.

Michael, your plan to make sure the committee met with members at town hall meetings all over Oregon made certain members had every opportunity to participate. The process Michael led encouraged everyone to focus on how to help members keep our union strong and every member who participated made a valuable contribution.

DAS / OUS Bargaining Conference: Mark your calendar for 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday, April 28, 2007. DAS and OUS members will gather at the Doubletree in Portland to review and discuss bargaining proposals and what it takes to win quality contracts for quality services. Contact your bargaining delegate, any steward, officer or organizer to find out how you can help. The deadline to sign up to attend the Bargaining Conference is April 12. Every member is welcome. See you there!