Vol 2, Issue 16
By Joe DiNicola, President, SEIU Local 503, OPEU
August 17, 2006
SEIU Local 503, OPEU members know that Oregon works because we work for Oregon. We live and work in every part of the state and when we go home, our dedication to our communities does not stop. We step up to help Little League teams, we donate tons and tons of canned food to help our neighbors and we work to build a better life for every Oregon family.
In this issue of President Joe’s Journal, SEIU Local 503, OPEU members from the Department of Agriculture volunteer their time and energy to help Habitat for Humanity homes for two families and Oregon State University members pitch in to help a young girl build self-esteem and leadership skills. In Woodburn, members join together with PCUN to make history and turn up the volume on a new community radio station.
In this issue:
• OSU Members Sponsor Young "Rosie the Riveter" • Agriculture Members Pick Up Hammers • Members Turn Up the Volume in Woodburn • Flash: PERS in Federal Court and 2006 General Council Convenes
OSU Members Sponsor Young "Rosie the Riveter"
SEIU Local 503, OPEU members at Oregon State University (OSU) have become partners in a unique program offered by the Albany Parks and Recreation Department this summer called “Rosie the Riveter Camp.” Camp activities introduce 6th to 8th grade girls to non-traditional career opportunities such as welding, electrical, plumbing and construction trades. Curious campers will try out a rope course, carpentry, tie dying and take a field trip to Portland to view art welding. The goal is to help young girls develop a sense of self-worth in this exciting and stimulating program.
Member-elected leaders at OSU decided "Rosie" has done so much for workers, their university local would work to promote the program. Members designed a contest open to daughters and granddaughters of all local members. Aspiring candidates were asked to write a 50 to 100-word essay and explain "Why I Want to Go to Rosie the Riveter Camp." OSU members agreed to select the best essay and provide the funds to pay a camper's fees and expenses.
The winning entry came from Chloe in Albany:
| "I would like to go to Rosie the Riveter camp because it looks like fun and I like to learn how to make things. Another reason I want to go is because I want to help my dad remodel our bathroom and when that is done we can remodel my bedroom. I think that girls can do anything that boys can do! I already have the Rosie the Riveter attitude "I Can Do It." |
Way to go Chloe and kudos to OSU members! Our union family is stronger because you sponsored this community event.
Agriculture Members Pick Up Hammers
On Saturday, August 5, more than 20 SEIU Local 503, OPEU members from the Department of Agriculture (Ag) stepped up to sling hammers and help build two houses near the Fairgrounds in Northeast Salem. Spouses, partners and kids joined in to make it a family-friendly event. This volunteer effort was a Mid-Willamette Valley Habitat for Humanity project.
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that works to eliminate substandard housing and homelessness worldwide. They make adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people from all faiths and walks of life to work together in partnership to build houses with the families in need who move in to the completed homes as owners. It’s all done with volunteer labor and donations of money and materials.
Kaci Agle, Department of Agriculture member and graduate of SEIU Local 503, OPEU's Leadership Academy, brought the idea to her co-workers and got everyone interested and excited about the Habitat project by designing tee shirts.
David Priebe, Agriculture Local President, said. "Even with a sunburn and a sore thumb, I had such a good time. I'd sign up to do it again."
The all-day construction party was followed by a barbeque. One satisfied volunteer told members, "The hamburgers never tasted better." Ag members report they plan to make "Build and Burger Day" an annual event.
Great job Agriculture! You helped build more than just houses. You helped our union build a stronger community!
Members Turn Up the Volume in Woodburn
On Saturday, August 19, SEIU Local 503, OPEU members and staff join together with PCUN and community volunteers for an exciting radio station "barnraising" in Woodburn. PCUN is Oregon's union of farmworkers, nursery and reforestation workers. PCUN has been a long-time ally of SEIU Local 503, OPEU members. We have been partners on many issues that matter to all working families. PCUN is Oregon's largest Latino organization.
With the help of the Prometheus Radio Project, PCUN used vision and hard work to bring the first union-owned or operated radio station to Oregon. The new community-based radio and multi-language station, KPCN-LP, will reach a five to seven mile radius around Woodburn and deliver its programs to 15,000 to 20,000 listeners. Broadcast programs for the mid-Willamette Valley will be locally produced, multi-lingual and volunteer-driven.
The Prometheus Radio Project (PRP) is dedicated to the idea that “it takes a community to raise a radio station.” Founded in 1998 and based in Philadelphia, PRP promotes "low power" radio stations all over the country and around the world. They help bring local activists and radio listeners together to fight for better and more democratic media. In addition to advocacy, PRP provides technical, legal and organizational training. They organize "radio barnraisings" to bring together engineers, DJs, activists and local community members to literally build a radio station. At the same time, the day's events work to demystify radio for everyone who attends.
The Woodburn KPCN-LP "barnraising" on Saturday is both a conference and intensive weekend work party. Volunteer participants choose from workshops on a wide range of topics including engineering, programming and media democracy. Volunteer work crews hook up and test equipment and work on remodeling tasks. Volunteers also pitch in to get everything ready for the community celebration on Sunday, August 20. When we get a chance to see dreams turn to reality, it’s definitely time to celebrate.
After the Saturday radio "barnraising," the Sunday, August 20 celebration in Woodburn will include the first broadcast on KPCN-LP. Come to work Saturday and then join the party and tune in to 96.3 FM this coming Sunday. This is Oregon making history for working families everywhere!
eNews Flash
PERS in Federal Court:
On September 14, the United States 9th Circuit Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in Portland on the Robertson and Henderson Public Employees Retirement Systems (PERS) cases. Robertson deals with the Legislature's diversion of PERS Tier 1 and Tier 2 member pension contributions to "IAP" accounts that began in 2004. SEIU Local 503, OPEU members say this diversion of required pension contributions violates the US constitution. In Henderson, members say that changes made to PERS mortality tables lower promised pension benefits and violate a 1978 federal court order. Greg Hartman, attorney for the PERS Coalition, represents SEIU Local 503, OPEU members in both cases. The outcome of these two lawsuits impacts hundreds of thousands of PERS plan members.
General Council Convenes: Nearly 400 elected member-delegates gather August 23 through August 26 at Lane Community College in Eugene for our 2006 SEIU Local 503, OPEU General Council. This is definitely union democracy in action!