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