Oregon’s 2021 legislative session was truly historic. The session began with a bleak economic outlook that was buoyed by a series of improved revenue projections and a one-time infusion of $2.6 billion in federal aid. Thanks to the advocacy of SEIU members and our partners, these resources translated into historic investments in our essential public services. While our campaign for Essential Worker Pay didn’t materialize before the session ended, SEIU 503 members racked up significant wins in 2021 that set us up to win good contracts and strengthen our communities. We also saw another first: (former) Representative and Freedom Foundation Senior Fellow Mike Nearman was expelled by his peers for allowing rioters into the Capitol.
Check out the summaries below for more specific information for state employees, homecare and personal support workers, higher education, nursing home workers, and more!
State Agencies
Nearly all state agency budgets at current service level (CSL) or higher and $190 million was allocated for salary pots for our next contracts. We fought to make sure agencies that were severely impacted by the pandemic received the resources they need to maintain a workforce and provide the essential services Oregonians rely on. We were able to fight off any cuts to PERS and PEBB, and pass HB 3047, the “anti-doxxing” bill that gives people recourse if their personal information is used to harass them online. Click here for more information.
Homecare and Personal Support
Through our members’ advocacy we were able to secure one-time pandemic payments and increased resources for wages and benefits. This year’s bargaining pot is $30.1 million, a 50% increase from 2019, which brings our total resources for bargaining our next contract to nearly $80 million. Click here for more information.
Higher Education
SEIU 503 members helped to secure $900 million in Public University Support Funding (PUSF), an increase of 7.5% and new all-time high investment, which places our members in a position to bargain a good contract. Senate Bill 712 expands Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) voting rights for students, faculty, and staff, giving our members a voice in how Oregon’s higher education system operates. We also helped pass a number of bills that make education more affordable, accessible, and equitable. Click here for more information.
Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care
On the heels of a global pandemic that laid bare inadequacies in our state’s long-term care system, our union led an effort that resulted in Oregon Legislators taking a bold step forward to reform the way seniors and people with disabilities are supported in Oregon. A package of bills passed in the final days of the legislative session aim to address staffing issues (SB 266 and SB 714), lead to more transparency (SB 703), and provide access to healthcare for workers (SB 800) at Oregon’s long-term care facilities. In addition, legislators increased the amount of public funding going toward long-term care facilities with the intention of raising wages and creating opportunities for companies to invest in their infrastructure. Click here for more information.
Adult Foster Homes
When the American Rescue Plan passed in March, our union jumped on a huge opportunity to ensure resources went to our members, including a 10% increase to the FMAP (Medicaid) rate for Home and Community Based Care Services (HCBS). Through our members’ advocacy we were able to secure resources for one-time pandemic payments and increased resources for wages and benefits, including a $20 million salary pot and additional one-time resources for rate increases.
Strengthening Community
SEIU 503 members represent the diversity of our state. We are Black, white, and brown. We are multi-generational Oregonians and immigrants who live in rural areas and cities. We reflect the gender and sexual orientation spectrums. Some of us also experience food and housing insecurity, and we are all increasingly feeling the impacts of climate change. While the Legislature fell short on a groundbreaking criminal justice measure, we were able to secure historic investments in housing and behavioral health as well as key victories in health care, immigrant rights, family supports, public safety, broadband, water infrastructure, wildfire mitigation, and climate justice. Click here for more information.