We Have a Tentative Agreement!
This agreement represents a $75 million investment in the vital services we provide. It fulfills Governor Kotek’s promise to preserve care provider funding in the state budget, and represents a commitment from legislators to caregivers. We reached this agreement in record time.
This moment is the result of two years of organizing and advocacy, starting with your responses to bargaining surveys, your efforts during the legislative session, your voices in actions aimed at DHS, and the tireless work of your member-elected bargaining team: Cristal DeJarnac, Patty Falkenstein, Diana Evens, Steve Shumate, Loril Eaton, Graciela Hernandez Villegas, Phyllis Wills, Andrew Cook, Avery Horton, Jolene White, Barbara Evans, Chris Christensen, Angie Jelley and Joy’e Willman (scribe).
Earlier this year, thousands of members shared their top priorities through bargaining surveys: better pay, more paid time off, and protecting our benefits. This tentative agreement delivers on all of those priorities.
What’s in the Agreement? Quick Highlights:
Wage Increases of $3 over the life of the contract:
- $1.25/hour raise starting January 1, 2026
- $1.75/hour raise starting January 1, 2027
- These increases are on top of the step raises won in our previous contract.
These raises, with steps added in, will mean a majority of our workers will be making $25 an hour.
Four New Holidays added, doubling the number of holidays in our contract. You will be paid your normal pay rate at time-and-a-half for the first eight hours you work on these days:
- Veteran’s Day
- New Year’s Eve
- Martin Luther King Jr Day
- Juneteenth
These are in addition to previously won holidays of July 4, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Increased Paid Time Off Cap: Starting in January we will increase the annual cap for Paid Time Off (PTO) from 48 hours to 60 hours per year.
Higher Mileage Reimbursement: As of January 1st, 2026 at 70¢ per mile, matching the federal rate.
No Cuts to Worker Benefits: Supplemental and Benefits Trusts remain intact.
Language Access: By January 2027, all providers will have the right to request their task list or Individual ISP in their preferred language and access OHCC materials—including background check info—translated into the top seven provider languages.
Improved Professional Development Certification (PDC) Differential
Animal Care: New language clarifies optional animal-related tasks and sets safety standards for homes with pets.
Timesheet Simplification for PSWs: PSWs will no longer be required to submit timesheets with signatures.
A full, detailed summary of our Tentative Agreement will be shared in the coming weeks.
What Happens Next?
SEIU 503 members who took action and the HCW bargaining team – with their incredible commitment and leadership – made this agreement possible. This contract lifts all workers, and we’re excited to share more with you.
Within the next month, union members will have the opportunity to vote on this agreement. Watch your email and mail for more information about the voting process.