What’s in this issue:
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SEIU 503 Homecare Workers Get a Raise in 2026 — Here’s When It Shows Up
SEIU Local 503 homecare, personal support, and personal care attendant workers will receive a $1.25/hour wage increase in 2026 under the new 2025–2027 contract agreement. The raise is effective for hours worked after January 1, 2026. The pay period that includes January 1 also includes 2025 hours for homecare workers and PCAs.
This increase is in addition to the step increases won in our previous contract.
When you’ll see the higher rate depends on your pay cycle (HCW/PCA vs. PSW use different payroll schedules).
- Homecare Workers (HCWs) + Personal Care Attendants (PCAs): first pay period after Jan. 1 is 1/11/26–1/24/26, with the paycheck processed 2/4/26 on the State payroll calendar.
- Personal Support Workers (PSWs): the higher rate begins with hours in 1/16/26–1/31/26, with checks/direct deposit issued 2/13/26 per the PSW payment schedule.
Our Union contract protects workers’ wage rates (your pay per hour) — it does not control the number of hours a consumer qualifies for through the State, or how many authorized hours a consumer chooses to use.
If you have any questions, reach out to your union organizer or contact the SEIU 503 Member Assistance Center.
NOTE: This clarifies that hourly pay, not hours, are guaranteed by our collective bargaining agreement.
Fight Back Against Tax Breaks for Billionaires on February 5
What can you do to help protect critical funding in Oregon? Attend the Budget Rally on February 5!
Come together with other Oregonians and 503 members to say enough is enough! The wealthiest people in Oregon don’t need more tax breaks while our critical services make cuts that impact working people and those in need. We’re gathering to push our legislators to make a commonsense decision and disconnect our tax code from the federal government. Oregon values include looking out for the common good, not just benefitting the rich and powerful.
Register here and join us at the Capitol at noon!
Stop Oregon’s Giveaways to Large Corporations
We wish we were starting off the new year with better news, but unfortunately with Oregon’s short legislative session just a few weeks away, it’s time to start organizing to fight for our members. Here’s an action you can take after you register for our budget rally:
The fight we have on our hands is that Oregon could lose up to $15 billion in federal funding over the next 6 years because Congress passed a bill last year that cuts Medicaid, cuts SNAP, and gives tax breaks to corporations and the wealthiest.
Oregon is one of very few states that copies these federal tax breaks – meaning that we’re going to give these massive tax cuts to large corporations and the wealthy unless the Legislature takes action. One of these tax cuts would give large corporations that do business around the world an Oregon tax break – even if it doesn’t give Oregonians any benefit. This could cost Oregonians $380 million that could otherwise fund critical services like schools, healthcare, and childcare.
Making all of this worse is that Oregon is already facing a nearly $800 million budget gap for the current budget due to the federal bill, and it will only get worse. In the coming years, every dollar will count, and we can’t throw away $380 million. Tell your legislators now: stop these new giveaways to large corporations!
Holiday Premium Pay: Why New Year’s Eve and Not New Year’s Day?
When we bargain our contract, we’re not just negotiating benefits on paper—we’re making sure the contract reflects the real conditions of homecare work. That’s why we fought for premium holiday pay on New Year’s Eve instead of New Year’s Day.
For many homecare workers, New Year’s Eve is a necessary day of work requiring extra consumer care: fireworks, increased alcohol use, and late-night activity can raise safety risks and support needs—especially for many of our consumers who are veterans. We prioritized holiday pay on the day when homecare workers are most likely to provide critical coverage and help keep consumers safe.
This win is part of a broader holiday pay expansion: four new holidays were added—New Year’s Eve, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth, and Veterans Day—on top of the five holidays we’d already won. And remember, holiday premium pay applies when you work the holiday, with time-and-a-half for the first eight hours worked that day.
Complete List: Holidays with Premium Holiday Pay
- New Year’s Eve
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Juneteenth
- Veterans Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
503 Members Join Striking Starbucks Workers to March on Seattle HQ
Just before the holidays, a bus load of 503 members and Oregon Starbucks workers participated in a powerful action at the company’s headquarters. Thousands of Starbucks workers nationwide have been on strike for more than a month over management’s refusal to bargain a fair contract. Workers and supporters maintained a 24-hour presence at the steps of the corporate HQ until December 22nd, braving intense cold, winds and rain.
Starbucks can well afford a new contract – the company’s revenue for just one day is enough to settle the contract that the workers are demanding. Their CEO, Brian Nichols, makes 6,666 times what the average employee earns.
We are proud to stand with the SBWU (Starbucks Workers Union) in their fight for their first contract. Watch a video from the action here.
“We Make America Great”: MLK Day Rally Calls for Justice and Protection for Immigrant Communities
On Monday, January 19, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., community members from across Oregon will gather at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day rally titled, “We Make America Great.” The rally is student-led and organized by the coalition Si Se Puede Oregon, alongside partnering community members and organizations from across the state.
Held in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, the rally will bring together families, workers, students, faith leaders, and advocates to call for the dignified, just, and humane treatment of Oregon’s immigrant communities.
Participants are uniting around three core demands:
- An end to hateful and dehumanizing rhetoric directed at immigrants
- A long-term, just solution through meaningful immigration reform
- Stronger action from the State of Oregon to push its limits in protecting immigrant and mixed-status communities
The event is free and open to the public. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
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! |
