On Friday, October 28, we made history in Oregon. In this issue of President Joe’s Journal, we celebrate victory with 3342 Oregon child care workers who said, “Yes, I want to join SEIU Local 503, OPEU!”

   This important first step opens the door for 6000 new members to build a better future for themselves, their families and the children of Oregon in their care.

   We also celebrate arbitration victories for local government workers in Beaverton and nursing home staff in St. Helens, and two contract victories for private non-profit caregivers in Lane County. Finally, a member from Department of Justice says, “Thank you” for the help and support that brightens her bad days.

   Every day, members in our union family do what it takes to make a difference and help Oregon become a better place for everyone.

In this issue:   Beaverton and Mountain View: Workers Win Arbitrations • How Can Members Make More Great Headlines? • Karen Long says, “Thank You!” • eNews Flash: New Child Care Members, OSLP, The Child Center, Wal-Mart and CATV Training

Stronger Together,
Joe DiNicola, President
SEIU Local 503, OPEU

Beaverton and Mountain View: Workers Win Arbitrations

   What happens when management treats workers unfairly? Most of our contracts require employers to follow certain long-standing rules about discipline.

   When management wants to discipline a worker, a steward can step in to help. If we can’t reach an agreement with the employer, we may be able to call on a neutral third party (an arbitrator) to help sort out whether management followed the rules.

   Last week, we won an arbitration filed on behalf of a Lead Construction Inspector who works for the City of Beaverton. The arbitrator ordered the City to set aside a five-day suspension for failure to follow safety procedures. The arbitrator found that the City had not disciplined employees for similar actions in the past, did not have clear procedures and did not ensure that techniques taught at training were actually being used in the field.

   The arbitrator said the City of Beaverton did not provide adequate notice prior to discipline and failed to follow the principle of progressive discipline because it was the worker’s first safety violation and the first violation of a new policy by any employee. Therefore, the employer failed to meet the test of just cause.

   In another case, a Certified Nurses Aide at Mountain View Rehabilitation Center was terminated because the employer claimed she failed to meet the standard of care. The arbitrator pointed out a mitigating circumstance: management’s discipline process was fundamentally flawed and failed to meet the test of “just cause.”

   Mountain View was ordered to reduce the discipline to a one-month suspension and reinstate the worker. This case is particularly important because it was the first grievance to go to arbitration under a nursing home contract.

   What do these victories tell us? When you are part of a union, you have the protection of your contract. Employers agree to meet seven “tests” before they use discipline. We generally refer to those tests as “just cause.” Established nearly forty years ago, these guidelines help workers get a fair shake in disputes with management.

   Ask your steward what the » seven tests are and what steps you can take if you think you might be disciplined. Your first step is to know your » Weingarten Rights

How Can Members Make More Great Headlines?

Here are some great headlines we've made together during the last several months:

• DAS and OUS members stood united to win raises and protect affordable health care.

• Homecare members established a $3 million training fund and added dental and vision benefits to their contract.

• Members in record numbers filled the Capitol with purple to hold Legislators accountable.

• Last Friday, Oregon Child Care workers filed enough signed cards to help 6000 new members join SEIU Local 503, OPEU.

• We put Wal-Mart under a national spotlight because bad management health care policies hurt everyone.

   These headlines have one thing in common that is not widely known. Members won all of these victories because we stepped up and worked together to meet the goals and objectives we adopted in our 2003 Strategic Plan.

   Now it’s time to update our plan. On October 21 and 22, SEIU Local 503, OPEU elected member leaders and staff met in Welches, Oregon to examine what we accomplished and to make sure our plan for the next two years is even better.

   We kicked off day one with a “big picture” discussion including a panel of guest speakers: former AFL-CIO field director Marilyn Sneiderman, PSU professor Barbara Dudley, SEIU Local 49 President Alice Dale, and human services advocate Ellen Lowe. Each speaker challenged us to think critically and creatively about the problems we face everywhere we work and live.

   Day two was devoted to smaller group discussions and a more in-depth review of our goals. We talked about what we can do to hold politicians accountable, work with other unions and groups to make our communities better, grow our union and make our union stronger.

   The elected members of our Board of Directors have the final say over what goals and objectives to adopt. The new Strategic Plan is on the agenda for the November statewide Board meeting (open to all members). The last two years have been filled with many victories. We’ve seen that when we work together, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.

   Please join us at the Board meeting, November 19 at 9 a.m., at our new Portland office. Share your ideas and learn what you can do to help make more great headlines in 2005-2007.

Karen Long says, “Thank You!”

   Sometimes our co-workers face issues that go beyond our contract. Every day, members come together to deliver the support co-workers need.

   Karen Long is a case manager for Department of Justice Child Support in Eugene. Faced with a medical emergency, Karen took a leave from her job last summer to focus on the fight of her life.

   Family medical leave rules, as implemented by DOJ management, left Karen high and dry. Co-workers rallied to circulate and sign petitions of support. They reached out to other DOJ locations to share strategies and experience with FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) and OFLA (Oregon Family Leave Act) rules.

  In addition to fighting for a chance to return to work when she recovers, Karen has struggled to maintain her COBRA health insurance premiums. SEIU 503, OPEU members from all over the state passed the hat and, so far, with some crucial help from her union family, Karen has been able to keep her insurance.

   Now there is good news from Karen’s doctors. She reports they are optimistic and they say her recovery is on track. Karen says, “I want to thank the members for their extraordinary generosity. It has made the bad days more bearable. Your support has meant the world to me.”

  You’re welcome, Karen. We're pulling for you!

eNews Flash

   Welcome New Child Care Members: Workers submitted enough signed cards last Friday to win the right for 6000 Oregon child care providers to join SEIU Local 503, OPEU. This is a great victory for members, organizers and child care workers who worked so hard to help our union grow – and to make a difference for those we trust to care for our children. OSLP Contract: Members at the Oregon Supported Living Program in Lane County signed a new contract after just four bargaining sessions. WOW – well done everybody! The Child Center: Last week, workers at the Child Center signed a tentative agreement that has raises, step increases and fully paid employee health care. Great job! Child Center workers care for children with significant mental health issues at a residential center in Eugene. We all win because of the work they do. WalMart: SEIU's national campaign kick-off is November 13-19 to put Wal-Mart management on notice: “Your policies aren’t working for workers!”  CATV Training: Sign up for our new Introductory Training: Community Access Television so you can learn to produce community TV programs to give workers a voice.