Sublocal Elections: Nominations Now Open

Take a more active role in SEIU 503 by running for a representative position in your sublocal! We are a democratically run union and hold elections every two years. Nominations are now open through January 26th for a variety of roles – you can nominate someone you think might be a good fit or even nominate yourself! Need more information?  Click here.

2024 is a Big Election Year for SEIU 503 Members

You may have heard that there’s a big election this year: 2024 will have elections for our country’s President, local positions and everything in between. The stakes couldn’t be higher for our members, and we want to ensure that pro-worker champions get elected up and down the ballot. Learn more about our 100% member-driven endorsement process and how to get involved here.

Steward Awards Nominations

Stewards are truly valuable people in the workplace: they know the contract, handle grievances and represent and defend the interests of fellow workers. Stewards also monitor and enforce the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement, ensure employers are complying with federal, state and local laws.

All stewards are amazing in their own right and now is your chance to nominate one or more for their outstanding efforts for SEIU 503’s Steward Awards.

Click here to submit your choices and fill in the form with an explanation of why. Nominations are open through February 12th.  

Homecare Workers Have an Important Bill at the Legislature

In even-numbered years like 2024, the Oregon Legislature convenes for a “short session” where they consider a few important policy bills. Homecare workers have a very important bill called the Homecare Modernization Act to help finally fix our payroll system to avoid late and partial pay and better connect providers and consumers. Can you take one minute to ask lawmakers to pass this key piece of legislation?

SEIU 503 Honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Each year, our AFRAM Caucus leads our celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Please take a few minutes to read this year’s statement here. AFRAM will also be driving our Black History Month observation in February, so stay tuned!

Around Our Union – News Happening in Other Sectors

Our Members from Higher Education Need Your Help 
Our union represents 4,500 workers at Oregon’s seven public universities; the people who make our universities work! After months of bargaining, management is trying to weaken our power and still offering cost of living adjustments (COLAs) that would amount to a pay cut. We enter mediation in early February and could use your support today. Please sign this community support petition and share it far and wide!

Union Victory at Chestnut Lane Nursing Home! 
On November 21, after more than 90% of Avamere at Chestnut Lane workers signed union authorization cards as well as a petition calling for the company to recognize their union, the organizing committee walked into the boss’s office and read and signed the petition to the administrator. Within a week, the company informed our union that they would not fight the workers’ demand for recognition, and the Chestnut Lane workers’ union was voluntarily recognized in early December. Read more!

General Council Writing Workshops this Month

These virtual events are offered for members who may want to create resolutions for our union’s General Council Assembly. The workshops will teach members about the General Council resolutions writing process and how to submit your resolution for consideration. Join by clicking the links below:

• Wednesday, January 12, 2024 at 5:00pm: Join via Zoom
• Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 10:00am: Join via Zoom

Elevate: The OHCC newsletter

Being a home care worker, personal support worker or personal care attendant is a valued profession; training is important to career development and advancement. The Oregon Home Care Commission (OHCC) publishes its Elevate newsletter, which includes full course descriptions and the current course schedule, including the date, time and locations of trainings. Elevate is published every other month. Check it out here!

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