Vol 2, Issue 5
By Joe DiNicola, President, SEIU Local 503, OPEU
March 2, 2006
Whether we drive a bus, care for the most vulnerable or spend a day talking to political candidates, SEIU Local 503, OPEU members stand up for working families all over Oregon. We work hard to win stable funding for services, affordable health care and dignity and respect on the job for everyone.
In this issue of President Joe's Journal, transit workers in Klamath Falls celebrate a contract victory and Homecare workers make sure everyone signs up for improved health care benefits. Also, space is limited for our March 11 candidate interviews for the hotly contested May 16 primary for Governor, so sign up today to make sure you get your questions answered.
In this Issue: Basin Transit Workers Win ° Getting Better: Homecare Health Insurance ° March 11: Talk to the Next Governor ° eNews Flash: Leadership Academy
Basin Transit Workers Win
Workers at Basin Transit System (BTS) in Klamath Falls celebrated a well-deserved victory in February when they settled their new 3-year contract. The highlights include 3.5% cost-of-living (COLA) raises on January 1, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Three new steps of 2% each were added at the top of the pay scale to recognize longevity. Health benefits were maintained with no changes. Since BTS workers do not receive Social Security benefits when they retire, it's a big plus that the new agreement requires the employer to match retirement contributions at a higher level.
There's more good news. Since the settlement, management agreed to implement the new "longevity steps" retroactive to January. For eight of the 25 represented workers that means an immediate 2% step raise in addition to the COLA.
BTS began service in 1980. In 1981, 62% of Klamath Falls voters said, "Yes!" to a transit district and approved a property tax levy to fund their own local transit services. Today five large buses, two mini-vans and one small bus provide regular route service as well as specialized curb-to-curb service for elderly riders and persons with disabilities. BTS members serve 45,000 people in the Klamath Falls community with Monday through Saturday bus service.
SEIU Local 503, OPEU represents all drivers, mechanics and maintenance workers with BTS. Bargaining team members Bill Clay, Kent Jensvold, Butch Johnson, Joe Marcon and Linda Phillips agree this is the best contract BTS workers have ever negotiated. According to Kent Jensvold, "We started last August and really did our homework. We knew we had to be better prepared and more thorough than the other side to make it happen."
Members of SEIU at BTS provide safe, efficient and accessible transportation and enhance the livability of their community. Bill Clay attributes this contract success to member involvement. Bill says, "Getting everybody to stick together was the key. As long as everybody pulls together, we can make progress."
Congratulations Basin Transit workers, way to go!
Getting Better: Homecare Health Insurance
Last year, Homecare workers bargained our second contract with the Oregon Homecare Commission. SEIU Local 503, OPEU members successfully negotiated wage and benefit increases, greatly expanded training opportunities and added paid leave days. On April 1, 2006, Homecare members become eligible for improved health insurance benefits under the new contract. First, the ODS Medical Plan annual calendar year deductible for members drops from $250 to $100. Member co-insurance payments also decrease from 30% to 20%. Finally, drug co-pays fall to 40% and are limited to a maximum co-pay of $150 per prescription. This improves the previous co-pay of the greater of $15 or 50% per prescription with no co-pay limit. Kaiser Permanente Medical Plan benefits remain the same for those members who live in Kaiser service areas.
For the first time, Homecare workers are eligible for routine vision coverage and dental insurance. Vision care coverage will be paid-in-full for eligible members; the cost of vision insurance for family members will be paid by the worker. The same is true for dental; dental premiums are paid-in-full for members, while workers pay the cost of family dental coverage.
When Homecare members sat down last year at the bargaining table, health benefits could not be taken for granted. In fact, the Homecare Commission planned to scrap workers' compensation coverage entirely. That proposal would have eliminated any possibility of health insurance for Homecare workers. In the end, members didn't let that happen. Joye Willman, Homecare local president and bargaining team chair, says, "We were not going to let everything we won in our first contract slip away. We all knew what was at stake and Homecare workers from all over Oregon came to the Capitol to demand respect. That's what made the difference."
Representation by SEIU Local 503, OPEU isn't the only requirement for Homecare health coverage. Workers must also meet the minimum number of hours in order to qualify. Get information about eligibility from organizers, local officers and from the Homecare Union Benefits Board (HUBB) at (503) 364-4822. Workers may also be eligible for the Family Health Insurance Assistance Program (FHIAP) to receive premium subsidies to help pay for family coverage.
Open enrollment for Homecare health benefits began February 13 and ends March 13. Enrollment packets were mailed to all represented workers and include details about HUBB changes. As a reminder, all Homecare workers should complete the dental enrollment form to take advantage of the paid-in-full dental coverage.
Talk to your friends and co-workers to make sure everyone signs up before March 13 to get the improved health coverage Homecare workers won at the bargaining table. Good work everyone!
March 11: Talk to the Next Governor
Working families in Oregon are governed by 60 State Representatives, 30 State Senators, one Treasurer, one Secretary of State, one Attorney General and one Governor. On March 11, SEIU Local 503, OPEU members will come together in Portland to interview the politicians who need your vote in the May 16 primary to reach the November ballot for Governor. More than any other single individual, the candidate elected to this office for 2007-2011 will be in a position to directly impact our wages, our health insurance, our retirement, our working conditions and the services available for Oregonians.
All candidates for Governor were invited. Four have said they will attend: Jim Hill, former State Treasurer; Ted Kulongoski, current Governor; Pete Sorenson, Lane County Commissioner and Ben Westlund, State Senator. If you want to learn what the next Governor has to say about the future of working families, including your own, you will want to be there to ask questions and get answers.
Seating is limited to about 200. Please contact your organizer if you plan to attend. Mileage is paid for all members and carpool drivers get higher reimbursement rates. We want members from every region of Oregon to be able to meet the candidates. Lodging is available for District 3, 4, 5 and 6 members (five per district). To request lodging, contact Karrie Layne right away at (503) 581-1505. Once the first five members from a district reserve lodging, Karrie will refer additional lodging requests to District Directors for funding decisions.
This is our chance to hold elected officials accountable. Members have the power to decide who best represents the interests of working families and the community values we all share: stable and adequate funding for public services; quality, affordable healthcare; a living wage; secure retirement; and respect and dignity on the job.
See you there Saturday, March 11! Registration starts at 8 am. Interviews run from 9 am to 2 pm at our SEIU Local 503, OPEU Portland office at 6401 SE Foster Road.
eNews Flash
Leadership Academy: Members make things happen where we work and live. The third SEIU Local 503, OPEU Leadership Academy kicks off this week to help members become even more effective advocates for working families in Oregon. This season's Academy is full, but ask your organizer or local steward about future training opportunities for members.