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What’s in this issue:
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Do You Want a Say in Your Wages & Benefits?
Tens of thousands in-home care providers are gearing up to bargain our next Union contract with the state of Oregon in 2025. We’re fighting to raise wages, protect healthcare, boost worker protections, and strengthen long-term care for both care providers and the people we serve. Our member-elected SEIU 503 bargaining team wants to hear from YOU!
Back in mid-December members were sent a bargaining survey via email. As SEIU members, it’s our right and responsibility to share what’s important to us and our families in the work we do. By completing the bargaining survey, you’ll help set our priorities for our next contract and support our work for better homecare services and good Union jobs.
Together, we can make a real difference. Make your voice heard and join your fellow members in filling in the survey today! If you did not receive your survey, please contact our SEIU 503 Member Assistance Center (MAC) at 844-503-SEIU (7348).
Bargaining surveys are due January 31, 2025.
A New Year, A Step Forward for Homecare Workers!
By Cristal DeJarnac, Statewide Homecare President
Happy New Year! As we welcome 2025, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news that highlights the progress we’ve made together.
Starting this month, homecare workers, personal support workers and personal care attendants are receiving some well-deserved pay increases!
- Every worker will receive a cost-of-living pay increase of 50 cents per hour;
- Employees with 2000 work hours since January 1, 2023, are eligible for a $1 per hour raise;
- Those who qualified for a step increase on July 1, 2024, may qualify for another $1 per hour raise after completing an additional 2,000 regular work hours.
These are big wins for caregivers who provide essential care in our communities.
Here’s what you need to know about the timing of these increases:
- Personal Support Workers (PSWs): The pay increase takes effect with the January 16 pay period and will appear on your February 14 paycheck.
- Homecare Workers and PCAs: The pay increase takes effect with the January 12 pay period and will be reflected on your February 5 paycheck.
- In addition, Homecare and PCA pay dates will be changing to every other Wednesday, starting with the February 5th paycheck. Be sure to mark your calendars for this adjustment.
That’s not all! Another important improvement is that all workers now have 15 minutes of paid administrative time each payday starting with the 1/12 pay period for HCW’s and PCA’s, and 1/16 pay period for PSW’s. This ensures you are compensated for the time spent managing the essential tasks that keep your work running smoothly. You don’t have to do anything to claim it, it will be added to your pay automatically.
We are also excited to bargain a new contract for care providers in 2025 and build on the gains we made in our current agreement. One easy way you can help is by completing your bargaining survey. Your input is critical to shaping our priorities for the upcoming negotiations. I know some of you have concerns about the questions around public assistance, I assure you no names will be connected to this information, we are just looking for the numbers data of our workers on public assistance, so we can show the State that we deserve a livable wage. This survey, sent to your email in mid-December, helps us understand what matters most to you.
Surveys are due by January 31, so don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard! These surveys are your voice at the Bargaining table. If you didn’t receive a survey, please contact the SEIU 503 Member Assistance Center (MAC) at 844-503-SEIU (7348).
These victories and upcoming opportunities reflect our ongoing commitment to improving wages, benefits, and working conditions for all our homecare workers, personal support workers and personal care attendants alike. Together, we’re building a stronger, more equitable future for our members and the communities we serve.
Let’s keep up the momentum in 2025 and beyond! Thank you for all that you do.
In unity,
Cristal
Click here to watch a quick video message from your Homecare President!
If You Contribute to SEIU 503’s Political Fund, Don’t Forget Your Tax Credit!
Working people like us, giving $8 or $10 each month to our Union’s Citizen Action for Political Education (CAPE) helps us compete against corporations and billionaires trying to buy elections.
When you make a voluntary contribution to CAPE, you help elect pro-worker candidates to office – and your contribution may qualify for the Oregon Political Tax Credit.
Eligible Oregonians can get a $50 tax credit ($100 for couples filing jointly) if you donate to a qualified political group, including CAPE. You must: (1) Be an Oregon resident; (2) Submit an Oregon tax return for 2024; and (3) Make less than $75,000 (individual) or $150,000 (couple filing jointly). This tax credit only applies to contributions made in 2024, so make sure to use yours before it expires.
If you are not yet part of CAPE, join today!
Around Our Union…
Historic Strike at Providence
Caregivers represented by the Oregon Nurses Association have launched the largest healthcare strike in Oregon history on Friday. Workers at Providence facilities across the state have walked out and joined picket lines at 8 Providence hospitals.
ONA members cite Providence’s unfair labor practices, dangerously understaffed hospitals, the ability to spend more time with patients, employee healthcare, and competitive wages and benefits to be able to recruit and retain more caregivers as the reasons for the strike.
We encourage our members to purple up and show up to a picket location to show their solidarity with ONA members. Details on picket locations are below.
Picket lines will be active from 7:00am – 5:00pm daily at the following locations:
- Providence Hood River, 810 12th St, Hood River
- Providence Medford Medical Center, 1111 Crater Lake Ave, Medford
- Providence Milwaukie, 10150 SE 32nd Ave, Milwaukie
- Providence Newberg, 1001 Providence Dr, Newberg
- Providence Portland Medical Center, 4805 NE Glisan St, Portland
- Providence Seaside, 725 S. Wahana Rd, Seaside
- Providence St. Vincent, 9205 SW Barnes Rd, Portland
- Providence Willamette Falls, 1500 Division St, Oregon City
2025 Payroll Calendars
Updated Payroll Calendars are now available on the Oregon Home Care Commission’s Resources for Providerswebpage. For homecare workers and personal care attendants:
For personal support workers: 2025 Payroll Calendar
Follow SEIU 503 For The Latest News & Updates
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Upcoming Events Register events at Seiu503.org/calendarBe sure to check the events calendar regularly for regional meetings in your area! |
