Vol 1, Issue 7

Joe DiNicola, President SEIU Local 503, OPEU

Welcome back from the Thanksgiving holiday. As we near the close of another year, we can look back and celebrate our victories together. We can also look forward to new opportunities to educate the public and change the terms of debate about the value of public services in Oregon.

This issue of President Joe’s Journal celebrates a contract victory for a group of dedicated SEIU Local 503, OPEU members at Alvord-Taylor in Eugene. Our Board decides to re-affiliate with the Oregon AFL-CIO to get ready for what may be an ugly political season, and Revenue members in Salem find a way to improve public services for Oregonians.

In this Issue:

Alvord-Taylor Members Settle a Tough Contract · SEIU Local 503, OPEU Re-affiliates with Oregon AFL-CIO · Revenue Members Stand Up for Taxpayer Service ·: eNews Flash: Portland Public Schools, Bend Wal-Mart and Rally for Worker Rights

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

Alvord-Taylor Members Settle a Tough Contract

Nearly fifty SEIU Local 503, OPEU members work at Alvord-Taylor facilities in and around Eugene. This private non-profit agency operates with funds from state and federal programs, grants, charitable organizations and private donors.

Bargaining team members from Alvord-Taylor knew when they sat down at the table that management was in crisis and there was a $50,000 funding shortfall. Despite those difficult odds, we reached a tentative agreement November 21. We celebrate both a very good settlement and a bargaining process that helped build our union. A group of new leaders stepped up at Alvord-Taylor and they are ready to keep our union strong. Great job!

This new contract provides a small raise for everyone and a selective salary increase for Independent Living Program workers. A new top step adds a 4% increase for workers who haven't had a raise or step increase in five years. Employee mileage reimbursements will be raised and employee insurance contributions remain capped at $26 per year.

Members also bargained hard for greater respect from management. We strengthened relief pool language, clarified and improved provisions for mandatory overtime work and won better language to remove a huge and unfair "infraction" list.

Since 1970, Alvord-Taylor workers have fostered the personal success of low-income adult clients with developmental disabilities in Lane County. Most clients are gainfully employed and work with vocational resources in the community to maintain their jobs. Members from Alvord-Taylor support a community-based alternative to institutional living. They provide individual assistance to clients who can live independently in their own homes.

Clients in the 24-hour residential small group home program get training and assistance with personal hygiene, shopping, cooking, housekeeping, budgeting, banking, medication management, recreation and transportation. Workers at Alvord-Taylor also help clients learn about communication skills, community access and safety. SEIU Local 503, OPEU members take well-deserved pride in the work they do at Alvord-Taylor for our community.

Congratulations! We can all feel good about the increased dignity and respect this new contract brings to another SEIU workplace.

SEIU Local 503, OPEU Re-affiliates with Oregon AFL-CIO

The elected members of our SEIU Local 503, OPEU Board of Directors voted on November 19 to re-affiliate with Oregon AFL-CIO. The Board established a one-year provisional agreement with the state federation and said we will reevaluate our relationship in December 2006.

Tom Chamberlain, incoming Oregon AFL-CIO President, gave a presentation to Board members and responded to a very tough question and answer session. In the end, our Board concluded there is much at stake for SEIU Local 503, OPEU members in the 2006 election cycle. We will all need to join together to make sure that working people speak with one voice as we move into state and local elections and ballot measure fights.

The Board does not believe this decision conflicts with our vote to disaffiliate at the national level. That decision arose from the failure of the national AFL-CIO to have a clear vision or direction. Historically, the AFL-CIO state federation has been much more focused. Under the leadership and guidance of outgoing president Tim Nesbitt, the Oregon AFL-CIO has been a very effective partner. Together, we've been able to work cooperatively with members of other unions in Oregon.

Once again, powerful special interest groups have launched plans to attack the rights of working people in Oregon. Through our re-affiliation, we plan to defend member and worker rights with a broad-based coalition of public and private sector workers, along with other community partners. Our Board will review the pros and cons of re-affiliation after the 2006 election and make a determination about whether we have met our goals.

Contact any statewide officer or your District Director if you have questions about our re-affiliation with the Oregon AFL-CIO.

Revenue Members Stand Up for Taxpayer Service

Front-line bilingual workers at the Oregon Department of Revenue identified a customer service issue. They recognized that about 9% of Oregon taxpayers speak Spanish as their primary language. However, unlike other state agencies, Revenue did not provide enough resources to assist this growing segment of Oregon's population.

SEIU Local 503, OPEU members from Revenue asked to have basic tax documents and instructions written in Spanish. For example, a "demand notice" had been translated to Spanish by the department, but there was no translation of taxpayer appeal rights. Bilingual workers were frustrated because so much of their work time was spent repeatedly translating basic tax information. They knew they could be more effective and provide better service if they had more Spanish-language documents.

During legislative hearings in 2005, members and community leaders were asked about the need to improve customer service for Spanish-speaking taxpayers. The information members gave legislators led to a change in Revenue priorities and practices. More than 30 tax forms have been translated since the close of the legislative session.

Maria Barba, member and Revenue Agent, says, "It was truly empowering to testify at a public hearing about an issue that is so close to my heart. Together, we really are strong enough to make a difference."

Nice job, Revenue! SEIU Local 503, OPEU members can make a difference for Oregon every day wherever we work.

eNews Flash:

Portland Public Schools: SEIU members rallied Tuesday to support the fight for a fair contract for Portland Public School Nutrition workers. Management proposes significant take-backs on health care, including no coverage at all for future part-timer workers. Bend Wal-Mart: Over 500 Bend area community members gathered to watch the new documentary film, “Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices.” Opposition to a proposed Bend “supercenter” continues to grow as residents learn more about Wal-Mart’s unfair business and employment practices. Rally for Worker Rights: Saturday December 10 is International Human Rights Day. Downtown Portland will host a huge march and rally as part of this global event. Please join with union members and community activists at noon at First and SW Salmon to show your support for workers' rights to organize.