Staff from the Jackson County Employees Association (JCEA), which is a sublocal of SEIU Local 503 serving the people of Southern Oregon, rallied on November 13th to demand a fair contract and healthcare. The employees have been working without an active union contract for months now as negotiations have stalled since the summer, and management has refused to move on basic provisions like living wages and affordable healthcare. The County has used this window of opportunity to subvert the union rights of many members, disciplining and discharging workers without going through the appropriate “Just Cause” procedures.

One of the key demands the employees are now making is to switch from the current healthcare plan – which are expensive both to employees and taxpayers – to healthcare managed by the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB). PEBB is a state system that manages the benefits for around 140,000 public employees in Oregon. Moving to the PEBB system would dramatically improve the healthcare coverage for Jackson County employees, but would cut down the total cost for the county by $920,000 per year. The Jackson County Commissioners are not on board, however, saying that they will lose control over the plans despite Jackson County employees stating their preferences for joining PEBB.

“The employees of Jackson County deserve a fair contract. We work hard for all of the citizens of Jackson County,” says Del Hackworth, a Health and Human Services employee with the County. “A fair contract matters because it is good for the employees. It’s good for the taxpayers. It is important to have good health insurance that we can afford to use.”

Dozens of Jackson County employees and union supporters rallied in front of the Jackson County building on November 13th, raising the issues that have mattered to employees for years, yet have largely gone ignored by County officials.

“It’s so important for our people to be able to afford the doctor, and not have to worry about paying rent versus paying medical or buying a prescription versus buying food, and unfortunately it’s straight down to that,” said Kember Dollarhide, a case manager with Jackson County Developmental Disabilities.

The President of SEIU Local 503, Steven Demarest, presided over the rally, sharing a message of solidarity. “I’m here to show you that SEIU 503 and all the workers we represent have your back!,” said Demarest. “I am a public employee, I know what it’s like to be a public employee, to provide services and to care for the community. All we ask in return is respect so we can take care of our families.”

Employees across the county have raised their voices in favor of the PEBB plan, and about the hardships they have faced because of untenable healthcare costs. As it stands now, the costs of deductibles, co-pays, and premiums have forced many employees to simply avoid health services for their families because the costs would be too great on their working class income. 

“It is going to take more actions like this if we are going to win,” said Melissa Unger, SEIU Local 503’s Executive Director.  “Eighty-one percent of Jackson County employees have said they want the county to take the PEBB deal because healthcare is a human right! People can’t afford to take their kids to the doctor. People are putting off important medical procedures because they simply can’t afford it, and that is unfair. With PEBB, people can get the care they need with no increased cost to the County, and it is actually a million dollars cheaper. It is your right to make sure that folks know that the County is trying to waste their money. There may be 500 workers that work for Jackson County, but your union is 72,000 strong!”

County employees and management head back to the bargaining on Monday, December 2nd at the Jackson County administrative offices at 10 S. Oakdale, and will be continuing to fight to settle the contract and switch to the PEBB healthcare program. Supporters from the county are welcome to show up at the bargaining session, and continue voicing your support, wearing purple, and start organizing unity breaks with your coworkers!

Click here to tell Jackson County Commissioners to add workers to PEBB!