Billington, Joellen – DHS: Candidate for Director

My name is Joellen Billington, and I am honored to seek your support to serve as Region 4 Director for Southern Oregon.

I believe that our union is strongest when every member has a voice, whether they work in a large city or a rural community. As someone who has worked in Child Welfare and served as a Contract Specialist for SEIU 503, I understand the challenges our members face every day. I have seen firsthand the impact of unsafe working conditions, excessive workloads, staffing shortages, and the importance of having a union that stands beside its members.

Throughout my union journey, I have served as a steward, bargaining delegate, Contract Action Team member, CAPE delegate, Vice Chair for District 14, and labor leader within the Case Worker Alliance. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to advocating for fairness, transparency, and respect in every workplace.

I believe leadership means listening first. It means showing up, answering questions, helping members understand their rights, and making sure every member—especially those in rural areas—feels heard and represented. I want to continue building stronger connections across Southern Oregon by supporting local leaders, encouraging member engagement, developing future activists, and ensuring that every worksite has the tools and support needed to succeed.

If elected, I will work to:

Strengthen communication between members and union leadership.
Support and mentor stewards and emerging leaders.
Advocate for safe workplaces, manageable workloads, and strong contracts.
Increase member involvement in organizing, political action, and bargaining.
Ensure rural members have an equal voice and meaningful representation in union decisions.
Our union succeeds because of its members. Together we have accomplished great things, and together we can continue building a stronger, more united SEIU 503.

I would be honored to earn your trust and your vote as your Region 4 Director. I will always work with integrity, compassion, and determination to represent every member across Southern Oregon.

In Solidarity,

Joellen Billington