📣 It’s Time to Sign Up to Strike
It’s Time to Sign Up to Strike
We have stood together for months through bargaining, Board meetings, informational pickets, rallies, and organizing across worksites. Now is time to sign up to stand shoulder to shoulder on the strike line starting this Tuesday, September 22nd.
The picket line will be at Courthouse Square (555 Court St NE) in Salem, starting at 8am for each day of the strike. All striking workers should arrive at that location at the start of the shifts. Snacks and lunch will be provided for participating workers. More information will be provided about parking on Monday, but striking workers will either get a pass or will be reimbursed for parking expenses.
Sign up for your picketing shift today.
Back-to-Strike-School Facts!
Hundreds of Marion County went back to school over the past few weeks to learn all about strikes. Here are a few strike facts that workers found most helpful.
- Is my Employer allowed to ask if I’m going to go on strike or not? No. If they do, please reply to this email and let us know.
- Can I use my leave or accrue leave during the strike? No, workers cannot use leave or accrue leave during a strike.
- When is the deadline to become a member to be eligible for strike pay? When you become a member of SEIU Local 503, you are immediately eligible for strike pay.
Review the FAQ on our website and reach out to your organizer if you have any questions. You can find all strike-related news, tools, and information on the Marion County Bargaining page on our website.
Strike and Hardship Benefits
STRIKE PAY
SEIU 503 members who are on strike are eligible for $80 per day in strike pay, with a maximum of $400 per week.
In order to receive strike pay, you must:
- Be a member of SEIU Local 503
- Be on strike
- Actively participate on a picket line for the duration of a picket shift (a typical shift will be 5 hours). If you are physically unable to attend a picket line, you may be given alternative union-building work to qualify for the picket pay.
HARDSHIP PAY
SEIU members who are on strike and facing additional hardship—such as a difficulty paying a critical bill due to being on strike—may request additional hardship support.
In order to receive hardship pay, you must:
- Be a member of SEIU 503
- Be an active striker
- Submit a bill showing the need for hardship support
- Submit an attestation describing the specific hardship or need
Only union members are eligible to receive strike or hardship benefits. Join SEIU 503 today to ensure you will be eligible.
Marion County is putting workers’ rights and public resources at risk
SEIU Local 503 believes Marion County is violating workers’ rights under Oregon’s Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA) through actions that interfere with protected strike activity, including misleading communications, improper questioning of workers, changes to leave practices, and other unilateral changes to working conditions.
Our union has formally put the County on notice: if these actions are not corrected, the County could face an unfair labor practice complaint and civil penalties, on top of incurring unnecessary attorney fees and litigation-related expenses for both sides.
Is exposing taxpayers to legal costs and potential fines really the best use of public resources? Those resources should be focused on ensuring workers can afford healthcare and keeping essential County services running without interruption.
Read the full legal notice regarding the County’s Unfair Labor Practices
In solidarity,
SEIU Local 503