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
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Get your 2019 Round-Up
magazine FREE ($5 value)
when you purchase the
Sept. 4 edition of the
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La GRANDE
AUTO REPAIR
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975-2000
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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