Vol 2, Issue 21

By Joe DiNicola, President, SEIU Local 503, OPEU

November 02, 2006

SEIU Local 503, OPEU members pay close attention to issues and events all over Oregon. I get phone calls, letters, emails and requests to talk with members who have concerns and questions in every community where we work. Sometimes it’s a question about our choices at the ballot box, or a newspaper article that brings a concern to the surface or political ads that take aim at workers. Sometimes it’s an agency or employer that threatens worker safety. Sometimes workers worry if they will be able to keep their jobs.

In this issue of President Joe's Journal, members raise very timely questions. As Tuesday, November 7 approaches, we all recognize that the 2006 election holds the key to vital issues for every Oregonian. Politicians and ballot measures propose sweeping changes that should have every member's attention. But there is always good news whenever members stand up together. You still have time to make your voice heard. Please vote. Our future and the future of our families is in your hands.

In this issue: Q & A: Why Should I Vote? • Q & A: Will Oregon Outsource Education? • Q & A: Will We Protect Health Benefits? • eNews Flash: Regional Strategy Meetings for Bargaining Begin and Tell Your Story on TV

Q & A: Why Should I Vote?

Question: If I can't trust politicians to live up to campaign promises, does it really matter whether I vote in the November election?

It's true that voters often feel politicians cannot be trusted. Many times, it’s hard to tell which candidate, if any, would represent your interests by the time the next legislative session rolls around. However, the choices between candidates and ballot measure outcomes can make a world of difference. The November election in Oregon presents very clear choices for Oregonians and for the future of our state.

In the Governor's race, it's up to voters to decide which candidate submits a state budget to the Legislature in December, which candidate appoints the head of every state agency and commission and which candidate sits across the table from us when we bargain contracts. SEIU Local 503, OPEU members know what makes Oregon work. We know the true cost of contracting out or outsourcing services for both clients and workers, and we know the power of collective bargaining rights to help workers win dignity and respect. Members have a lot at stake in the Governor's race.

We also have choices to consider in Oregon House and Senate Districts all over Oregon. During the last legislative session, many of the bills we supported never made it out committee, in part because key legislators listened more health care industry lobbyists and other special interests than to consumers and workers. When we cast our ballots this year, we have a chance to decide which legislators will be re-elected, and which will be replaced. Let's elect legislators who will stand with us. Every Oregonian deserves access to quality, affordable health care.

Finally, there are a number of ballot measures to consider next Tuesday. Please read your ballot guide carefully, read SEIU Local 503 OPEU's information flyers you received at home or where you work and talk to co-workers. It's hard to overstate the impact of many of these measures on our jobs, our ability to provide services to the public and our ability to negotiate fair contracts. SEIU Local 503, OPEU members just can’t afford to sit this election out.

The short answer to the question is, "Yes! Your vote matters." Your vote matters in this election and in every election. Visit www.seiu503.org to find out what members say about candidates and ballot measures.

Question: Is it true that Department of Education plans to contract out services at the School for the Blind (OSB) and School for the Deaf (OSD)?

When the 2005 Oregon Legislature approved the budget for the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), legislators told Oregon-elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Castillo to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of transferring the program at the Oregon School for the Blind (OSB) to the Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD) campus. They also instructed ODE to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of outsourcing of contracting out of both programs to a local education agency.

A work study group, along with an advisory group of advocates and private citizens, reviewed the programs. Based upon their findings, Superintendent Castillo recently reported the following: "I have decided that contracting out our instructional programs to a local education agency is not in the best interest of students at the state schools. Students are best served by programs operated by the Oregon Department of Education."

Linda Burgin, Research Analyst at ODE and Secretary-Treasurer of SEIU Local 503, OPEU celebrated the good news with ODE co-workers. According to Linda, "Many stakeholders wanted to contract out the OSB and OSD jobs to Willamette Education Service District. The hearings were intense, to say the least. This is a victory for the students, a victory for workers and a victory for taxpayers."

Congratulations OSB and OSD! Whether it's Department of Transportation, Department of Human Services, Department of Education or any other agency, the answer is: You can't find a substitute for our work just by "opening the Yellow Pages."

Question: What the @#$% is SEIU International President Andy Stern talking about when he says that our employer-based health insurance system is fundamentally broken?

In his recent book, A Country That Works , Andy Stern says, "The entire U.S. health care system is broken." Stern believes our employer-based health insurance system has fatal flaws: too many uninsured, out-of-control costs, and competitive disadvantages for employers that do that right thing and provide good insurance for employees. GM can't compete with auto manufacturers in other countries if it has pay for employees' health insurance, while in countries where its competitors are based, the government pays for health insurance!

In his new book, Andy calls upon business leaders, legislators, the health care industry and every citizen, every worker and every union member to begin a national discussion about how we can fix this out-of-control system that holds all American families hostage to skyrocketing health care costs.

This is the same position issue SEIU Local 503, OPEU members have fought for over many years. We have all stepped up to tell elected leaders, the media, co-workers, neighbors, friends and families that comprehensive health care reform is needed. We tell our story to legislators on lobby days, our neighbors at town hall meetings and any reporter who will listen. Quality health care must be affordable for all. Our message is clear: "It's not just about our contracts. Our fight is everyone’s fight."

Until we develop a new health care system that works for everyone, SEIU Local 503, OPEU members will continue to work within the current system. That means we continue to hold employers accountable. And we continue to work together to stop health care cost-shifting onto the backs of workers. We need to fight like hell to maintain wages and benefits and make sure we don't participate in a "race to the bottom." Andy Stern agrees. Don't be misled when the media only tells half of a story.

We have big challenges ahead of us when we negotiate the next contracts for State and University System, Homecare, Local Government, Private Non-Profit and Nursing Home workers. Rising health care costs continue to drain our economy and every family budget. We all know it will take each and every member stepping up again to make sure we protect quality health benefits and win a fair compensation package. Together, I know we can do it.

eNews Flash

Regional Strategy Meetings for Bargaining Begin: During our 2005-2007 DAS / OUS contract campaign, SEIU Local 503, OPEU members gathered in communities in every region of Oregon to meet and support bargaining team members, get bargaining updates, ask questions and learn how members in other locals were showing management what it meant when we said we were "United for Fairness." The next regional strategy meeting for the 2007-2009 contract campaign will be November 8 from 12 to 1 pm for Columbia County at the St. Helens DHS office. Meetings in November are also planned in Astoria, Medford, Portland, Coos Bay, Roseburg, Newport, North Bend, Tillamook, Eugene, Grants Pass, Redmond, Salem and Klamath Falls. Contact your organizer, any steward or officer and watch for postcards and flyers to learn about the meetings in your area. Remember, "We are stronger, together." Tell Your Story on TV: Community Access Television helps community members express their creativity, explore issues and exercise their First Amendment rights through television. Public access facilities all over the state offer training from the ground up. They also offer expertise and production tools for local residents to produce their own commercial-free programming for cable and web casting. Join our communications staff at Salem HQ for an introductory training session on Sunday, November 19 from noon to 3 pm. No experience necessary!