In March, non-union homecare workers who work at private homecare agencies met with Oregon Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle to share their experiences working in the sector.

“I told commissioner Hoyle about working 10-hour shifts and being told by my employer that I was not allowed to take breaks. For years, non-union homecare workers have been denied some of the basic labor protections that other Oregonians take for granted. With our Care Power campaign, THIS STOPS NOW!” said Alison Locke, who has been a homecare worker for more than 10 years.

Commissioner Hoyle, who has worked as a caregiver before her work as a legislator and now the state’s new Labor Commissioner, talked about her plan for improving and enforcing labor standards for non-union homecare workers, including closing the companionship exemption loophole in Oregon.

SEIU 503, Oregon’s care provider union, is currently working on opening bargaining proposals for our April 5 bargaining session. Our key priorities for 2019 so far include:

• Fair wage increases
• Creating a path to retirement
• Making sure we get paid accurately and on time
• Development of a Registry system that meets our needs as workers as well as the needs of our Consumers
• Pathway to a training system that is accessible to us regardless of where we live, what type of services we provide, or what language we speak.
• Protecting our Consumers’ hours from cuts—making sure we can win improvements to our pay and benefits, while also protecting their services.

Stay tuned for more details after our April 5th session with the State.

Holding “Union Women are Powerful” and “Care Power” signs, Portland-area caregivers marched loud and proud at the Portland Womxn’s march earlier this month.

“Caregivers are all around us,” said Aimée Franklin, a Portland CareWorks activist and former in-home care provider. “Because of their selflessness with their time and love, our family members and friends are cared for.”

“Since care work is considered women’s work, we as care providers are undervalued,” said SEIU homecare worker Tammy Tate. “We are organized and organizing, and as union women we march in solidarity with all women.”