Our Inaugural Stewards Newsletter

March 31, 2025

Welcome to our new quarterly Stewards Newsletter! Every three months, we will share news and information just for SEIU 503 stewards, including updates on grievances, trainings you may want to take advantage of, what is happening in Contract Enforcement and more.

Have an idea for a story or want to give kudos to another steward? Send us an email and we’ll add it to our next edition.

“Part Time” DMV Workers Win Insurance Grievance

The Oregon DMV has been struggling with staffing shortages caused by budget constraints and hiring freezes at the Department of Transportation; to keep offices running, management scheduled some part-time employees to work full-time hours—without reclassifying them as full-time. As a result, these workers continued receiving part-time benefits.

After filing a grievance, thirteen employees were found to be affected statewide. Management initially tried to quietly reclassify some workers, but our union fought to ensure all impacted employees were fairly compensated. The grievance was settled last week, awarding $10,000 to eight employees based on health coverage costs, while five others who opted out of employer-paid insurance and instead received settlements for premium reimbursements.

Coming Soon to an Office or Device Near You: Steward Training Extravaganza!

Last fall, SEIU 503 hosted our first ever Steward Training Extravaganza. More than 100 stewards from across the state joined in person and on Zoom for a day of learning and honing their stewarding skills together.
It was such a success that we are excited to announce our next Steward Training Extravaganza Part II coming in May. Whether you are new to stewarding and need to complete your training or have been around a while, this is a great opportunity to develop or refresh your skills.

This live and interactive training will take place in person in Salem, Eugene and Portland – for those who prefer something a little closer to home – there is a virtual option to ensure stewards in every corner of our great state can join!

Click this link to register for this extravaganza, taking place on May 3, 2025, from 9:00am – 5:00pm.

Chief Steward Training Launches in May

At the SEIU 503 2024 General Council, delegates passed a resolution directing the Contract Enforcement Team to develop a mandatory training program for Chief Stewards. The goal is to ensure a shared understanding of the responsibilities and expectations that come with the role.
The first opportunity to attend this training will take place on May 17, 2025. Facilitated by the Contract Enforcement Team in collaboration with Our Union’s Stewards Committee, this hybrid event will allow Chief Stewards to participate either in person in Salem or virtually via Zoom.
Keep an eye on your inbox—the Contract Enforcement Team will send out registration details soon.

Hands Off Medicaid Rallies Statewide

Congress is proposing drastic cuts to Medicaid – to pay for trillions in tax cuts for the very rich.
Cuts to Medicaid would leave tens of thousands of people – many of them living with disabilities and children – in our state stranded without healthcare or a care provider to help them get through everyday life.
Federal Medicaid dollars are critical to Oregon, making up nearly 30% of the state’s budget, including funding the jobs of public service workers who provide social services, benefits services, education services and more. We need to take action!

SEIU 503 members are rallying across Oregon through April to loudly and firmly tell Congress and this administration: Hands off Medicaid!

Eugene – Saturday, April 12th, 11am
Salem – Wednesday, April 16th, 3:30pm

CET Updates

The Contract Enforcement Team this month bid farewell to CET organizer Rob Fisher (DHS-OHA, Employment turf), who left to continue their labor justice career in California. Rob was truly an asset to the team, and we know they will do great work at a new SEIU local. Until we welcome a new CET organizer in April, here are the current CET turf assignments:

Andy Utz – ODOT Coalition
Craig Mahaffy – Private Nonprofits, AFH, Addus
Ezri Meier (Lead) – Homecare
Hawa Abdullahi – Specials Coalition
Penn Ruff – Local Governments
Penny VanSanten (Lead) – OSH, Institutions, Higher Ed
Samuel Davila – Nursing Homes
Sarah Westover – DHS-OHA, Employment