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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 3, 2008)
OCT. 3, 2008 corrected copy:NWLP 9/30/08 12:04 PM Page 4 SEIU Local 49 members at Emanuel Hospital settle contract at 11th hour The Marco Consulting Group I NVESTMENT C ONSULTANTS TO M ULTI -E MPLOYER B ENEFIT F UNDS Please call Jason Zenk at 253-376-3391 Midwest Office 550 W Washington Blvd Ninth Floor Chicago, IL 60661 p: 312-575-9000 F: 312-575-9840 East Coast Office 1220 Adams St First Floor Boston, MA 02124 p: 617-298-0967 F: 617-298-0966 www.marcoconsulting.com Members of Service Employees In- ternational Union Local 49 employed at Legacy Emanuel Hospital ratified a new three-year contract. The vote was 183-11. The agreement came less than eight hours before workers were scheduled to hold an all-day informa- tional picket, and only a week-and-a- half after Dr. George Brown began as Legacy’s new chief executive officer. “Encouragement from the new CEO went a long way in helping reach a settlement,” said bargaining team member Pat Brown. The contract covers more than 450 support staff, including certified nurs- ing assistants, surgery techs, emer- gency room techs, secretaries, house- keepers, transporters, food service workers, and others. “It’s been a long, hard struggle, but with the support of our co-workers we were able to reach a settlement,” said Carlotta Franklin, a transporter at Emanuel who served on the bargain- ing team. Highlights of the contract include: • 3 percent across-the-board wage increase in 2008, 2.5 percent in 2009, and 3 percent in 2010. • An added “Step 10” at the top of the wage scale to reward and maintain experienced employees. • A 4.5 percent wage increase for emergency room techs, who were paid less than those at other Legacy hospi- tals. • Other improvements including shift differentials. “After months of negotiations we are finally about to put our focus back were it belongs: on the patients,” said Donna Forbes, a bargaining team member. Oregon’s minimum wage will increase to $8.40 in 2009 Oregon’s minimum wage will increase to $8.40 per hour on Jan. 1, 2009, the Oregon Employment Department announced. The state’s minimum wage is ad- justed annually by the increase in the U.S. consumer price index. Next January’s adjustment will be a rise of 45 cents an hour, or more than 5 percent. Oregon had the fourth-highest state minimum wage in 2008, behind Wash- ington, California, and Massachusetts. In 2009, Oregon’s rate will remain lower than Washington’s minimum wage, which will rise to $8.55 per hour. The federal minimum wage rate, which rose to $6.55 per hour on July 24, 2008, will rise again to $7.25 per hour on July 24, 2009. Oregon had roughly 143,040 jobs paying less than $8 an hour in the fourth quarter of 2007. More than half of these jobs were in the leisure and hospitality or retail trade industries. Three industries in Oregon had a substantially larger- than-average share of jobs that paid less than $8 per hour: Leisure and hospitality (26 percent), natural resources and mining (16 percent), and retail trade (14 per- cent). The average for all industries was 7.5 percent. Chase is backing union members wi th the Uni on Plus ® Mortgage Program — a home purchase and refinancing program exclusively for union members, their parents and children. SERVING UNIONS FOR OVER 25 YEARS BEAVERTON, OR (503) 644-1400 SALEM, OR (503) 362-8359 Protecting Union Member Smiles and Wallets. QUALITY, AFFORDABLE FAMILY DENTAL CARE • Savings on closing costs PAGE 4 Phong Bui, D.M.D. Charles Stirewalt, D.D.S. Chau Ngo, D.D.S. Stirewalt, P.C. PORTLAND, OR (503) 777-0761 • Special Lending Union Plus is a registered trademark of Union Privilege. Eligibility for mortgage assistance begins one year after closing on a Union Plus Mortgage through Chase Home Finance. This offer may not be combined with any other promotional offer or rebate, is not transferable, and is available to bona fide members of par- ticipating unions. For down payments of less than 20%, mortgage insurance (MI) is required and MI charges ap- ply. All loans are subject to credit and property approval. Program terms and conditions are subject to change with- out notice. Not all products are available in all states or for all loan amounts. Other restrictions and limitations apply. ©2008 JP Morgan Chase & Co. All Rights Reserved. P-UP 104 2A-7604 VANCOUVER, WA SALMON CREEK (360) 574-4574 MILWAUKIE, OR (503) 659-2525 Choose from fixed rate, adjustable-rate, and low- or no-closing costs options. Call Bob Krueger at: 503-490-0459 Sarah Barber, D.D.S Charles Stirewalt, D.D.S. Chau Ngo, D.D.S. HILLSBORO, OR ORENCO STATION (503) 640-9999 • A wide variety of mortgages It all adds up to more home-buying power. Contact your local Union Plus Mortgage Specialist VANCOUVER, WA FISHER’S LANDING (360) 891-1999 GRESHAM, OR (503) 492-8487 If you are unemployed or disabled. Member-only savings on new purchases and refinance. Northwest Dental Associates, P.C. GRANTS PASS, OR (541) 479-6696 • FREE Mortgage Assistance Benefit First-time homebuyer and less-than-perfect credit programs. WILSONVILLE, OR (503) 682-8552 General, cosmetic, and specialty care Most insurance and union plans accepted Easy credit and low monthly payments, O.A.C. Evening and Saturday appointments Ask about our Dental Discount Program ORTHODONTICS AVAILABLE! 100 $ OFF NON COVERED DENTAL SERVICES There may be future costs based on diagnosis. Limit one per person. Not valid on diagnostic or preventative services. Not redeemable for cash or credit. Must surrender at time of service. Valid for cash, PPO, Indemnity patients only. Can't be combined, subject to change, expires 12/31/2008. 1-888-BRIGHT NOW www.BRIGHTNOW.com Smiles for Ever yone! © 2007 Bright Now! Dental, Inc. NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS OCTOBER 3, 2008
