Melissa Unger for SEIU Local 503 Executive Director I have been part of SEIU for 12 years, and had the privilege of being our union’s Executive Director for the past two years. In that time, our union has delivered life-changing wages, access to health care, and retirement security for tens of thousands of Oregonians. We can continue progress, even in the face of crisis, and that is what motivates me everyday. We’ve been through a lot together. Higher Education members took on universities who are more interested in pleasing donors than making sure staff can pay rent, and won the best contract in a decade. Homecare workers fought to end late pay and expand their benefits. State workers won the best cost-of-living in a decade. And together, all of us fought alongside a large coalition to finally make corporations pay their fair share in taxes. As we won victories, we also made sure that members received the representation they deserve. Most notably, we dramatically expanded our availability by creating the Member Assistance Center, so members can reach us on their first try. We face many challenges in the coming years. COVID-19 has disrupted our lives and our work, leaving a major hole in our state budget. In response to the senseless killings of Black people at the hands of police, BIPOC members of our union are rightly demanding action to address this country’s long history of racism. More broadly, working people are demanding that we build an economy that works for everyone. Together we must respond to these crises head on, and I have hope that through this work we will build a better future. But it won’t be easy. At the same time, we must remain focused, and continue to do what we do best: –protect members that need our union’s help, –bargain contracts that move each member forward, –and make sure that each leader has the tools needed to lead our union. I am excited to run with Mike Powers who is running for President, because together we will continue the work we started, because there is still so much to do and we know that in union our hope for a better future, can be put into action. Check out our endorsements from members across the state and get details about our campaign at www.mikeandmelissa.com and follow on facebook https://www.facebook.com/mikeandmelissa503.