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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 26, 2019)
LOCAL MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2019 Dick Mason/Observer fi le photo THE OBSERVER — 5A On Friday, Morris told The Observer that before fi nal offers were submitted negotiations had reached a standstill. He said the wage increases offered by the state were inadequate in terms of allowing employees to keep up with infl ation. SEIU 503 represents about 4,500 student services workers at Oregon’s public universities. EOU has about 130 classifi ed staff who work in positions such as custodian, carpenter, plumb- er, information technology, offi ce specialist and heating, air conditioning and ventila- tion system specialist. Tim Seydel, vice president for university advancement at EOU, said he wants what is best for employees. “We are committed to pro- viding all of our employees a fair wage that allows EOU to attract and retain great people,” he said in an email to The Observer. “We know there is a lot of work going into fi nding an agreement and remain optimistic that a solution can be found that works for everyone.” Saunders said on Sunday the state’s universities are facing a tough balancing act. “We want to be fair to very valuable employees of the universities,” she said. Saunders noted that before giving wage increases, universities have to be care- ful to gauge the impact they will have on student tuition. She explained that when wages are raised, tuition has to be increased to garner the revenue to pay for them. Years ago, this was not the case because the universities received more state fund- ing and were not reliant on tuition as a primary source of funding. “We have to look at how a wage increase will impact student tuition,” said Saun- ders, who is vice president for communication and public affairs at Oregon Institute of Technology. Saunders believes there is a good chance a strike can be avoided. “I am very hopeful that a good settlement can be reached prior to a strike,” she said. Members of the Eastern Oregon University chapter of SEIU Local 503, the union representing student services workers, participate in a rally Aug. 5. STRIKE Continued from Page 1A Employees who have reached the top of the wage A schedule have “topped out” and are not eligible for step increases. Employees reach the top of the wage schedule after 10 years of employment. The SEIU’s last proposal before making its fi nal offer Friday asked for a 3.75% COLA increase retroactive to July 1 of this year and a 3.5% COLA boost beginning July 1, 2021. The SEIU also OFFICE Continued from Page 1A upgrading and remodeling Suite 1 and Suite 3, in addition to exterior repairs. In Suite 1, which is set up as a satellite law offi ce for law fi rms to work La Grande, the funds were to be used for electrical and lighting upgrades, new windows, an ADA bathroom, improved walls and a new front door. Suite 3 was gutted and remodeled for the weight loss clinic, which included creat- ing four new exam rooms, installing an ADA bathroom, redoing the fl ooring and replacing the windows and door on the Washington Avenue side. Outside called for installing a new roof system and replacing rotten boards on the building’s facade. Also, trees and fenc- ing on Fourth Street were removed so that artwork by Brenna Tyler can be seen in the windows. The remodel was estimated to be completed by June 1. The third suite was ready to be moved into by June 9, but the rest of the upgrades were not fi nished until Aug. 1, according to Baum. Now the MARCUM Continued from Page 1A many hospitals and health systems across the nation as an interim nursing execu- tive. Prior to her time at the hospital, she owned and operated Elkhorn Furniture, a furniture store in north- east Oregon. She heard about the op- portunity at GRH from a colleague at the hospital who suggested she talk to the president and CEO of GRH, Jeremy Davis. “After speaking with Jeremy, I felt he and I shared a common vision for health care excellence and the pas- sion to make a difference in the community health care setting,” Marcum said. Davis is as excited to have Marcum back as she is to be back. “Laurie Marcum has an extensive background and executive-level experience in leading patient care services for small rural hospitals and large health systems all over the nation,” Davis said. “In addition to that exceptional skill set, Laurie has a great attitude and the passion we were looking for to thought- fully lead our extensive pa- tient care team. Laurie also happens to be an Eastern Oregon native with strong ties to our region. These qualities made her an ideal choice from among the many candidates we interviewed.” asked for step increases for each of the two years of the proposed contract and the addition of a new top step. The latter would allow em- ployees who have “topped out” to receive a step increase, said Ben Morris, a SEIU 503 representative. only work to be completed is tidying up the remaining suites for tenants to rent and move into. The project in total has cost Baum just over $250,000. After he submits receipts and invoices, the city will reimburse him his award of $63,211 from the URA fund. The project was eligible for $75,000 but did not receive the full award as it was one of the last projects to receive funding and that was all that was left, according to Baum. The remaining $187,000 is coming from a loan from Community Bank and out of a Roth IRA owned by Baum. The largest costs of the project have been the MetTrim sign in front of the building and the remod- eling of Suite 3. Construction work was completed by Palmer Roofi ng, Michael’s Trees and G. L. Lequerica General Contracting. Baum said he was very happy with the work done by all companies. He also said how grateful he is for the help the city has provided in this project. “The city has been great through all of this,” Baum said. “They have been very coop- erative on everything.” Marcum received her nursing degree from Boise State University, followed by a master of science degree with a focus in nursing leadership and management from Western Governors University. She also has cer- tifi cation as a nurse from the American Nurses Creden- tialing Center and is board certifi ed in patient safety. “I have spent the last few years leading hospitals across the nation to move to a greater level of patient safety and effectiveness,” Marcum said. Marcum is excited to return to her childhood hometown of La Grande, as it means she won’t need to travel as much and can spend more time with her family. “I love to travel and see and experience new places,” Marcum said, “(but I also) love all things outdoors and enjoy gardening and spend- ing time with family and friends.” Marcum said she looks forward to the opportunities her new job will give her to make a difference while helping people in the com- munity during serious and uncertain times. “At the end of the day, what you have done for oth- ers is what really matters,” Marcum said. “When it involves helping bring health care excellence to your com- munity, it is a very reward- ing feeling.” Friday thru Sunday, Sept 6 th -8 th At La Grande Country Club Proceeds benefit the Grande Ronde Hospital Foundation. Games and prizes throughout the tournament! Dinner and silent auction on Saturday following regular play. Tournament open to men and women with an established USGA Handicap index. Entry Fee: $125 includes tee prize and dinner ticket to charity dinner and auction on Saturday evening. Information & Register at: grh.org/ golf or 541-963-1431 Sponsors: Allstate Insurance Brent Wylam Pepsi Cola of Eastern Oregon B & K Auto Salvage, Inc. Banner Bank Boise Cascade Byrnes Oil Company, Inc. CAM Credits Carpet One Floor & Home Coffey Communications Desert Sage Wall Systems Farmers Insurance Group C&M/Subway GrandeScapes Nursery & Landscaping Hampton Paving Johnson Controls John Howard and Associates Koza Family Dental Care Life Flight Network, LLC Mountain West Moving OTEC Papa Murphy's/Hulden, Inc Physicians Insurance PKA Architects Regence BlueCross BlueShield Robert Brooks Painting Scott's Heating & Air Conditioning Sid Johnson & Co. Stoel Rives LLP Tri County Equipment A1A/JJ Dupuey/ Depuey Synths MRI Mobile Legacy Ford and Dodge Media In-Kind Sponsors: Elkhorn Media Group Pacific Empire Radio in Your Observer Get your 2019 Round-Up magazine FREE ($5 value) when you purchase the Sept. 4 edition of the Observer newspaper. La GRANDE AUTO REPAIR To subscribe, call 1-541-963-3161 975-2000 or log onto www.lagrandeobserver.com www.lagrandeautorepair.com MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE Joe Horst ACDelcoTSS SPORTS One percen t better Retirement Sale FRIDAY-SUND AY • August 16-18 , 2019 • $1.5 Mayor of Elgin, tw o students earn Mayors 0 Good day to our 60% off By Sabrina Thom pson The Observ er A dedicated mayor to improve and enhan will work hard ce his or her city. The Oregon Mayor has recognized Elgin’ s Association s mayor for his entire stock Union schools to seek $4 million bond Dry cleaning business will remain open 1019 Adams Ave • 541 963-9210 Inside Faith Lutheran Chu continues Haiti wo rch Peak Perspectives, rk, 1B Open Tuesday through Friday 10:30-5:30 and Saturday 11-2 By Dick Maso n The Observer The Union School trict’s aging buildin Dis- be receiving major gs may in the near future upgrades . The Union School passed a resolution Board day night author Wednes- izing its school district to fil leadership and two local students for their ideas about was caught off guard. what ” if they were mayor. they would do Many of Duffy’s project s were “I was very surpris highlighted as the ed,” Mayor reason he was Allan Duffy said chosen for the award about receiving the , including his OMA Mayors Leader “Block by Block” project, in which ship Award. “I every year the City of Elgin improves valued subscriber Jerry Juniper of La Gran d Assoc. awards one block of the town, from the pipes to sidewalks and new street. He was also asphalt in the lauded for his work rebuilding trust and unity in the city. “It’s about being able to move a city forward,” Duffy said about what motivates him. “I love and I love to serve.” my community Currently Duffy is the city to comple working with te its museum See Awards / Page ODOT projects ahead in NE Oregon By Alex Castle EO Media Group The Oregon Depar of Transportation tment an 5A
