My name is Patty Falkenstein and I am running for the board of directors’ new homecare  client employed provider seat for our union. Being on the board means the ability to represent my fellow union members and weigh in on matters that concern all of us. Integrity and honesty are in my opinion hallmarks of true leadership, and I strive to practice both in my professional and personal life.  Being engaged and active in our union for the last few years has been a challenge and a labor of love. I attend union actions, political rallies, and meet with candidates to move forward a more inclusive agenda for home care workers.  I serve as the secretary/treasurer of Home Care Council, as bargaining team Co-Chair, CAPE regional chair, Chair of the 503 steward’s committee, member of the Lavender and Indigenous Caucuses, and member of Oregon Women Labor Leaders.  I sit on two community/state boards and advocate for emergency preparedness for vulnerable populations. Serving as a Board director I hope to lend my voice to call for a better Oregon for all.  I encourage everyone to get active in our union because TOGETHER WE RISE!

Thank you for your consideration.

Warm regards, Patty

Andrea Clark

Diana Evens

This candidate did not submit a photograph or statement.

Phyllis Wills

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Your Homecare President and Vice President put forth a resolution at this year’s General Council. With its passage, three seats on the Board of Directors were added to the one seat already held by Homecare. Your Homecare Local 99 comprises close to half of the body of SEIU503 members in the state of Oregon. Despite our growth, in particular, the addition of personal support workers to Local 99 back in 2011, we have only had the one seat on the Board. That is about to change, as you elect three of your peers to fill the new director seats (as well as three assistant director seats).

I am asking for your vote for one of those seats. You may have heard the slogan “One vote, one voice”. I am asking you to use your vote to voice your support in putting me in a seat on the Board of Directors. In turn, I will use the power of my vote, my voice when decisions need discussion and voting on the Board. I look forward to joining member leaders from across Oregon in working to move SEIU503 toward being a stronger union that serves all its locals and members and strives for equity and inclusion. In addition, I will be an advocate for the future interests and needs of your Homecare Local 99.

To be a 503 member is to be part of something bigger than you. It gives you a sense of belonging. To be a Homecare worker is to be of service to others. Helping those who can’t help themselves gives you a sense of humility. To be an elected 503 leader is to be in a position to help members.

The best part of my serving as an elected Homecare leader for 2 terms is when a member asked a question or presented a problem and I was able to answer or get them the help they needed.

I have been a Homecare worker since January 2016. As Homecare Secretary/Treasurer, I found out why some of Homecare’s money was missing and made sure it never happened again. As a member of the Homecare Bargaining Team, I brought the idea of the late payment penalty to the table which benefited those workers who experienced being paid late. Members came to me to tell me what they needed and I took that to the Homecare Council and bargaining table.

I believe unions are good when they work for the benefit of members in the workplace. The top priorities always need to be better compensation and safer workplaces. Homecare workers are still behind when it comes to compensation. We don’t have the same benefits as the public sector side. At the rate we are going, it will take decades to catch up. How much longer can you afford to wait? I proposed $21/hour for Homecare and was dismissed. Now, there is talk about $25/hour. If elected, I will fight for higher wages and the same number of paid holidays as state workers. Why should Homecare accept less?

Being a Homecare worker means working in isolation from fellow Homecare workers. We have no “water cooler” to gather around. The monthly regional meetings usually have less than 1% member attendance. For years, I have proposed that 503 provide Homecare workers with a private email server to communicate. Homecare workers pay millions in dues annually. Is this too much to ask?

Being a 503 Director will put me in a better position to help members get what they need. I will have better access to information that can be passed on to members. I will be your voice at the table.

PLEASE VOTE FOR AVERY HORTON 503 DIRECTOR.

On many occasions I have participated in the decisions, leadership and political activities for SEIU 503, I have experience in budget management, organization work group, presentation of classes and workshops, and lobby days in Salem Oregon and Washington DC.

I consider that I have a clear vision of what health care work is like and I have the ability to direct, enforce the statutes and regulations and help the members of the Union.

SEIU 503 is and will be for me an experience of teamwork and decision making, it is a strong union and we can be stronger if we elect people who are and are capable of leading and resolving difficult situation and challenger times.

I hope that with my experience I can be part of the Home Care Board and continue to work for all members of SEIU 503.