|
The primary purpose of our union is to represent workers through collective bargaining and to defend the rights of every worker after the contract is signed. In fact, more than 90% of SEIU Local 503, OPEU members are in contract negotiations this year.
Whether you work for state or local government, a nursing home or a university campus, whether you are a homecare or a childcare provider or work for a private non-profit agency, everyone knows we all win when we stand together.
In this issue of President Joe's Journal, Homecare workers stand together to tell Oregon that SEIU Local 503, OPEU members will not go backwards in the fight for dignity and respect for caregivers. Members with Umatilla Police step up for the rights of a co-worker who puts his life on the line every day on the job and in April, workers all over the world remember our sisters and brothers who have died or suffered workplace injuries. Finally, Saturday, April 28, DAS and OUS members gather for a bargaining conference at the DoubleTree in Portland and plan how to win for workers in the next contract.
In this issue: Black Friday for Homecare Bargaining Team An Injury To One Is An Injury To All Mourn for the Dead, Fight for the Living eNews Flash: DAS / OUS Bargaining Conference
Black Friday for Homecare Bargaining Team
After months at the table, the Homecare Commission finally responded to the Homecare bargaining team with a package of economic proposals Friday, April 13. Homecare bargaining team members wore black and adorned themselves with CAT (Contract Action Team) stickers. As the day progressed, it became clear that it was truly a Black Friday.
Here's what the other side of the bargaining table has in mind for Homecare providers for the 2007–2009 contract:
-
Freeze wages for two years for workers currently earning $9.76 an hour.
-
Raise wages to $9.76 for workers currently earning $9.53 per hour and then freeze their wages at that rate for the remainder of the contract.
-
Create a whole new lower paid "standby worker" category for hourly workers that will pay only $4.05 per hour.
-
Make it harder for 24-hour caregivers to access time off.
-
Reduce pay for 24-hour respite caregivers to $4.53 per hour instead of the differential negotiated in the last contract.
-
Refuse to increase health care contributions if health care costs go up in the second year of the contract.
|
In addition to the take-backs proposed above, the Homecare Commission demonstrated complete disregard for Homecare providers by hastily putting together a "non-response" to SEIU Local 503, OPEU members' non-economic proposals.
Joy'e Willman, Homecare bargaining team chair, characterized the Commission’s proposals as "preposterous." Joy'e added, "Homecare providers are not being validated or valued for the work we do. This feels like we are going backwards. It's like we never bargained the last two Homecare contracts."
What can we do now to turn Black Friday into victory for hardworking Homecare providers? Every SEIU Local 503, OPEU member can help Homecare providers pack the room for the next Homecare bargaining session Friday, April 27 at 10:00 AM. Let's show the Homecare Commission what we think about their economic proposals.
An Injury To One Is An Injury to All
Drucilla Califf, a Homecare provider in Eastern Oregon, wants members to hear the following story about a City of Umatilla police officer who puts his life on the line every day on the job.
|
"There is a situation with the Umatilla Police concerning Officer Moose. He has designation as a police officer and he receives compensation for his services, including city paid insurance.
Officer Moose's partner was a member of the City of Umatilla Police Officers’ bargaining team along with other SEIU Local 503, OPEU members. They ended up in arbitration in their contract negotiations. Moose was suspended from duty for no reason other than to put pressure on his partner to 'buckle under.'
If Moose were any other officer he would have union protection. Is there a way to make him a member so that he would have that protection? As it stands now, he is being used as a pawn to control his partner.
By the way, Officer Moose is a highly trained and major asset in the war on drugs. He also happens to be a German Shepherd. Can we fix this situation and get Moose his union card? We should."
|
Drucilla says she thinks every SEIU Local 503, OPEU worker should be able to have the right to contract grievance action and membership. A police officer is a police officer whether they use four legs or two when on duty. Ben, the chocolate Labrador who stands by statewide Chief Steward Paula Allen, agrees.
No question about it, Drucilla. When you take one of us on, you take all of us on. Does anyone object to offering membership status to Officer Moose?
Workers' Memorial Day
Every work day an average of 16 American workers are killed and another 7,000 are seriously injured on the job. Around the world, more than 2,000,000 women and men die every year as a result of work-related accidents and diseases.
Workers suffer approximately 270,000,000 occupational accidents each year. Workers fall victim to 160,000,000 incidents of work-related illnesses. Hazardous substances kill 440,000 workers annually and asbestos alone claims 100,000 lives. In fact, one worker dies every 15 seconds worldwide. Work kills more people than wars.
Since 1989, workers all over the world have observed Workers Memorial Day to remember those who have suffered and died on the job. On April 28, 2007, we remember workers who have died in workplace catastrophes, suffered from exposure to toxic substances or were injured as a result of dangerous working conditions. On April 28, we stand together to continue the fight for safe workplaces. The slogan for Workers Memorial Day has been "Mourn for the Dead, Fight for the Living."
April 28 was chosen because it is the anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Workers Memorial Day has also been recognized as an international day of remembrance for all workers killed or injured. In 1996, a global union member delegation lit a commemoration candle at the United Nations to highlight the plight of workers.
Workers Memorial Day is recognized as a national day in many countries including: Argentina, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, Luxembourg, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Taiwan and the United States. Union members in other countries including Benin, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Malta, Nepal, New Zealand, Romania, Singapore and the United Kingdom are also seeking government recognition.
You are invited to join with other workers for a rally in Salem on the Capitol steps from noon to 1 PM Friday, April 27 to remember our fallen brothers and sisters. Wherever you work, you can join with other members in a moment of silence during your workday.
DAS / OUS Bargaining Conference
Elected bargaining team members from every state agency and university campus come together for the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and Oregon University System (OUS) bargaining conference April 28 at the DoubleTree in Portland. There are only 72 days left until the current contract expires. The State has proposed a "diet" COLA 1% raise next October, followed by another "diet" COLA of 1% the following October.
Management says the second raise may be delayed to pay for health care cost increases. Purple up wherever you work and ask every co-worker what they think about the state's offer. Let's do what it takes to win a quality contract for quality services. Contact your organizer, steward or local officers to find out how you can help.
|