OPB Members Picket for a Fair Contract
On Tuesday dozens of SEIU Local 503 members and supporters picketed in front of the OPB (Oregon Public Broadcasting) Headquarters in Portland to demand a fair contract and reasonable Cost of Living Adjustments in the face of runaway inflation. In June, CEO Steve Bass sent an email to unrepresented employees advising them of a $1,000 bonus they would receive in addition to merit increases. This was not offered to represented employees and has not been put on the table during contract negotiations.
OPB claims it cannot afford to cover cost of living increases, but a review of their budget shows the network is flush with cash from investment income and has plenty of money available. OPB can cover the cost of union workers’ wages with their current cash on hand for the next 20 years. Unrepresented employees came out to show their support and info fliers were handed out to many interested passersby. You can follow @seiuatopb on Twitter for more updates on how to keep the pressure on for a fair contract.
SEIU 503 Needs YOU to Get Involved in Bargaining in 2023
Our union’s leverage at the bargaining table comes from the strength of our membership. If we want to have the power to win the raises members deserve, we need to start preparing now so that our union is strike-ready by the time our contract expires next year.
Join us in taking an active role in bargaining – submit your interest here:
Learn More About Your Union and Enforcing Contracts!
Many trainings are coming up later this month after General Council. SEIU Local 503 offers a series of training courses on effective Union organizing and Contract Enforcement tailored to your specific workplace. The goal is to prepare SEIU 503’s diverse membership for all sorts of issues that can happen in the workplace. You can view and register for all trainings at the Event Calendar.
There are 5 core trainings for stewards. They are listed below along with upcoming dates:
| Code of Conduct 101 | 8/20, 8/27, 9/21 |
| Representation 102 | 8/20, 9/27 |
| The Contract 103 | 8/20, 9/29 |
| Disciplinary Investigations 104 | 8/20, 9/27 |
| Grievance and Settlements 201 | 8/20, 9/29 |
Oregon Hosts First Labor Climate Summit
Last week, leaders from more than a dozen Oregon unions participated in our state’s first labor climate summit. Click here to read about SEIU 503 member leader Carol Kelly’s experience at the summit and how you can get involved in this important work.
Join the University of Oregon Ducks at Union Day in October
Are you ready for some football? Oregon Ducks Football celebrates and appreciates SEIU Local 503 and invites you, your families and supporters to their annual Union Day with the Ducks this autumn! What better way to spend a crisp Saturday than enjoying a college football game?
SEIU 503 Union Day takes place on Saturday, October 22nd (kickoff time TBD in early October). Join your fellow Ducks fans by purchasing your exclusive discounted tickets here.
The Ducks will take on the UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in Eugene.
Save Some Money at the Columbia Store this Month
It’s warm now, but in mere weeks, it’s going to start feeling a bit like autumn and you might need some new warm threads to get you through the season. The Columbia Store is inviting members of SEIU 503 to save at the Employee Store through August 21st. The store offers discounts of up to 50% off retail and features brands such as Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, SOREL and prAna.
To save at the summer sale, simply show this Employee Store invitation (either printed or on your phone) to get your discount – you must visit the store in person to get special pricing (not valid online). You can bring up to four guests with you when you stop by.
In Unity,
SEIU Local 503