We are over 26,000 State workers, joined together in union to make Oregon a better place to live and work. We are DHS workers who provide direct services to over one million Oregonians each year, ODOT workers who put in the long hours to ensure safe roads and infrastructure, Parks workers who keep our state parks beautiful and accessible, and much more.

One great way to spread the word about bargaining and build power is to post on your personal social media using hash tags. Hash tags are a way to create an organic conversation on social media platforms and connect state workers and the public. When hash tags are included in a public social media post it is catalogued and users can search through all posts that include the hashtag, creating a collection of stories from State workers. Here are the hashtags for your 2025 Bargaining Campaign. We can’t wait to see what you have to say!

#ORStateBargaining

#OregonStrongUnionStrong

#UnionStrongOregon

#StateWorkersOR

  • State Bargaining is getting into full swing and while no proposals have been passed yet, we still have a lot to report! Firstly, thank you so much to the almost 8500 members that completed the bargaining survey. This was over 2000 more participants than in 2022 and we’re excited about that level of engagement. The elected bargaining team is reviewing the survey now to strategize the best way forward and we should have more information about our priorities after the bargaining conference next month. The team has also already met to elect their leading co-chairs. Congratulations to Angela Ward from ODFW and Joe Dyer from OHA – Pendleton Cottage. We know you have what it takes to lead our state workers to victory!

    We know how important it is for state workers to win a fair contract and get wage increases that keep up with all the inflation and price gouging by greedy corporations over the past several years. Governor Tina Kotek needs to know that as well and that is why we have crafted an online action you can take to let her know she needs to support state workers during this difficult time by approving a fair budget and contract. Send a letter today!
  • Friday (1/31) is payday and it’s going to be a big one! Starting January 1st, you received a 6.55% COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment). This pay increase is a result of the hard work and determination of State workers during the 2023 bargaining campaign. They refused to accept the 2% increase management proposed and organized to win their largest pay increase in more than 50 years.

    That’s the power of being in union with your coworkers. It’s also why union workers, on average make about 14% more than non union workers make. We can’t take that for granted, we need to stay organized and engaged so we can continue to win for everyone.

  • Our bargaining team met with the State for the first time in December to approve ground rules for this year's negotiations. We will start meeting to share proposals in early February.  
  • Currently, our bargaining team is reviewing the thousands of bargaining surveys that Union members submitted. We collected 1,200 more surveys than last session, which tells us that State workers are ready to bargain!

2025 State Worker and Care Provider Bargaining Conference - This February!

Share Your Story!

Use this recording software to share a short video directly from your device. We want to hear from our members and share those messages with the State of Oregon and the public to make sure we have a successful bargaining campaign. If we like your story we may reach out for more information or to invite you to join our Storytellers’ Bureau. Please fill out the release at this link if you record a video that we can use.

 


If you consider yourself a good speaker, a passionate story teller or you just know you could get the point across go ahead and apply to be a member of our Storyteller’s Bureau!

Sign up here


Sign the State Bargaining Petition to Governor Tina Kotek


Join the Contract Action Team (CAT)

CAT members keep their coworkers informed and engaged in actions that win strong contracts. With training and networking opportunities, you’ll be part of a united front that shows management the power of organized workers. Having a strong CAT is essential to winning a great contract.

You may be asking yourself, “How will I know how to be a great CAT?” Don’t worry, we have plenty of trainings available to help you reach your full potential! Being in a union means you don’t have to do it alone. Check out our event calendar to learn from others and make new connections. We need YOU!

 


Get Involved on Social Media

Are you following SEIU 503 on social media? We have pages on multiple social media platforms for 503 generally and a bunch of pages for sublocals and specific employers. Here is a list of pages relevant to State of Oregon workers:

For discussion with other state employees: SEIU Local 503 State Employees Facebook Group

This group is for members only and we ask that you follow these community agreements when engaging.

Local 503 Social Media Pages:

Facebook

Instagram

TikTok

 

 

 

 

 

 


Digital Toolkit

Want to start spreading that bargaining passion? Use these zoom backgrounds and let everyone know you’re ready to fight for a great contract!

A background specifically for members of the Contract Action Team (CAT). If you’re interested in organizing your workplace for bargaining, become a CAT at this link.

 

 

 

 


Here are some helpful guides about making effective social media posts and story telling more generally. These can help you communicate your message and gain traction.

 

Storytelling Training

Storytelling Training Member Leaders

 


Memory Lane – Let’s remember the contract fight from 2023!

 


Meet the Central Table Bargaining Team!

  • Chairs: Angela Ward (ODFW) & Joe Dyer (Pendleton Cottage)
  • Ibrahim Coulibaly (BOLI)
  • Ritchie Maes (ODOT)
  • Austin Folnagy (Employment Department)
  • Jesse Rodriguez (OSH)
  • Jordan Meyer (ODHS)
  • Rachelle Mullins (ODHS)
  • Tracy Thompson (DCBS)
  • Sarah Heinsohn (OPRD)

Feel free to contact them here: stateworkerbargaining@seiu503.org

2025 State Coalition Tables Bargaining Delegates

The State of Oregon contract is divided into 4 coalitions based on agencies doing similar work. Here are the elected bargaining delegates representing their agencies at the coalition bargaining tables.
Human Services ODOTSpecialsInstitutions
Em Johnson - DHSTash Wilson - ODAThomas Prislac - DORJoseph Dyer - OHA
Rachelle Mullins - DHSVaughn Balzer - ODOTTamera Combs - DORDebbie Shook - OYA
Tylor Carney - DHSLee Erickson - ODOTThorsten Geissler - DORBenjamin Moul - OYA
Joshua May - DHSPhil Smith - ODOTLynette Jacobs - DORTim VonSeggern - OYA
Jordan Meyer - DHSRitchie Maes - ODOTKathy Lamar - DOJJesse Rodriguez - OSH
Makensi Reyes - DHSLon Stockebrand - ODOTJasmine Snyder - DOJShawn Holliday - OSH
Jennifer McGarvin - OHAJason Lawrence - ODOTWanda Martinez - DOJWendy VonSeggern - OSH
Chelsea Alionar - OHAKelly Lawrence - ODFWAunika Lawrence - DOJScott Walliman - OSH
Janet Rosen - DHSAngela Ward - ODFWPaulita Peña Urenda - ODEAndrew Manibusan - OSH
Joellen Billington - DHSMichelle Jones - ODFWTravis Moore - ODERandall Davis - OSH
Autchara Knapp - DHSMichelle Godin - DMVAndrew Milne - ODEJennifer Cash - OSH
Darrah Young - DHSPeggy Howard - DMVJames Horton - TSPCTimothy Warren - OSH
Justin Smith - DHSNorma Verley - DMVAndy Townsend - OHCS
Martin Ramirez - DHSDaniel Mears - DMVSarah Mentzer - OHCS
Billy Hatch - DHSMichael Williams - ODAJeni Hall Peel - DAS
Tia Sanchez - OEDAisha Young - ODANoelle Scott - DAS
Austin Folnagy - OEDAustin Leep - OWRDElaine Schacher - DAS
Matt DeRosa - OEDArla Davis - OWRDWilliam McLaughlin - ODVA
Aidan Kolar - OEDSarah Heinsohn - OPRDTracy Thompson - DCBS
Kathleen Olson - OEDJennifer Burnett - OPRDKhadija Mostafa - DCBS
Elika Paki - OPRDDavid Mohrman - DCBS
Matthew Goolsby - ODFJerry Curry - OSL
David Showalter - ODFTyler Bernstein - Treasury
Megan Frizzel - ODFApril Hergert - HECC
Michele Huffman - ODFStephanie Solomon - HECC
Ibrahim Coulibaly - BOLI
Alicia Cowan - BOP
Kimberly Johnson - PERS
Susan Kay Mundell - PERS
Orion Lumiere - OCB