SEIU 503 members at worksites and campuses throughout the state took time this holiday season to join together and celebrate the work accomplished in 2017 and prepare for the challenges approaching in 2018.

At Salem’s Department of Consumer and Business Services SEIU members held a unity lunch break. Memb ers at OSU in Corvallis brought their friends and family out for bowling and billiards. And at Portland Public Schools, over 40 members and their families came together to have some old-fashioned union fun talking shop, playing dominos, and eating barbeque. Members of the local organized the party to recognize the hard work that the Custodians and Nutrition Services workers perform every day to provide students with a healthy learning environment.

By uniting together in 2017 we were able to secure annual wage raises, maintain affordable healthcare costs, and defeat over  40 pieces of legislation aimed at cutting our retirement plans. In our first annual SEIU 503 December Food Drive in partnership with the Oregon Food Bank, we collected over $500 in cash donations as well three barrels of donated goods in offices located in Portland, Salem, and Eugene. Together, SEIU 503 members funded over 1500 meals for families and individuals in need during the holiday season.

2018 will bring a new year with new challenges — let’s keep working together to provide a just and vibrant society for ALL.