Image provided by: SEIU Local 503; Salem, OR
About The Oregon public employe. (Salem, Oregon) 1981-???? | View Entire Issue (July 1, 1994)
..................................................................... J.......... ___ 3 school districts ready for fall representation elections Classified school employ ees in the Parkrose, Hood River, and Hermiston school districts have organized for representation by OPEU/SEIU Local 503. The issues in all three districts are remarkably similar and generally include poor representation from their current organization, lack of democ racy, and poor contracts. PARKROSE - The Park rose School District has organizing committee members completing a number of summer assignments as they ready for a representation elec tion in the fall. Ballots will be counted October 6; mail ballots go out September 21. “OPEU has the political clout that workers need,” says Parkrose School District Education Assistant Judy Yost. “As OPEU members, we will interview and endorse candidates for school board and then work to get them elected. We will have a presence at school board meetings and gain tbe respect we deserve.” HOOD RIVER - At the Hood River School District, ballots will be mailed September 27 and counted on October 12. Among the important issues in this workplace is just cause. “Our current contract allows the school district to take certain ac tions for cause,” said Jackie Heck of the Mid Valley School. “There is a big difference between just cause and ‘just because!’ I’m voting for OPEU.” HERMISTON - The OPEU Organizing Committee at the Hermiston School District has filed for election, though a date has not been set. “With OPEU, we will be with other public workers,, like the OPEU-represented Hermiston po lice,” said Hermiston Instructional Assistant Donna Blades. “We will have more bargaining power because there is strength in numbers.” Local contracts confront numerous local and statewide workers’ issues Curry County settles difficult agreement 13 days of unpaid furlough, with wage reopeners in each of the last two fiscal years (of a four-year contract) were used to resolve very difficult economic issues in this coastal county. Union members chose this approach to avoid layoffs. The contract also continues current medical and dental coverage for workers and requires the county to produce job descriptions for all workers by June 30, 1995. Bargaining team members are Dave Manzella, Rosalie Gaither, Patty Slagle, Deb Wilson, and Organizer Tony Corcoran. Yamhill County reopener settled Workers received a 3.51% across-the-board pay increase August 1, and a 2.5% longevity increase for people with 10 years senior ity and a year at the top of their classification. Additionally, fully-paid health insurance was continued. This is the beginning of the second year of a three-year contract; another reopener is scheduled a year before the renegotiation of the full agreement. Bargaining team members are Kathleen Nelson, Debbie Clark, Randy Webb, and Organizer Greg Schneider. Pendleton agrees to PERS conversion Following a similar move that was made with the city’s police, management agreed to a provision to convert the 6% PERS pickup to a tax exempt 6% pay increase at the Union’s option. Bargaining were Ron Edmondson and Organizer Alan Brown. ■ill ___ State bargaining reopener continues; selective salary increases considered in August Bargaining continues on the reopener in the OPEU con tract with the State of Oregon. The teams will hear pre sentations on a number of selec tive salary increases throughout August. Still to be discussed at the table are the PERS conversion and a cost-of-living increase. The next Bargaining Conference is scheduled for Sep tember 10 at the Valley Confer ence Center in the Portland area. Bargaining team mem bers are Randy Davis, Chuck Forward, Chris Parks, Ken Penner, Jeff Seekatz, Ellen Willis, and Field Services Co ordinator Jessie Bostelle. ODOT Coalition chair Randy Davis, stand ing, and spokesperson Jessie Bostelle, OPEU field services coordinator, at June 25 Bargaining Conference. Beaverton extends contract Pay increases were negotiated and an existing contract was extended to 1996-97 as a way of protecting workers from the possibility of the passage of Ballot Measure 8. Workers will receive a 3% first year increase, a second year increase of between 3% and 4% depending on the cost of living, and a third year increase of 2-1/2% to 5%, depending on the cost of living. Bargaining team members are Eric Hand, Leonard Apling, Glenn Hunter, Kathy Gaona, Tony LeMay, and Organizer Marty Huckey. City of Umatilla Police settle contract The two-year agreement calls for a 3-1/2% increase paid this past July and another 3-1/2% increase due next July. Additionally, an increase in insurance contribution from managment, and implementation of a tax shelter of employee premium payments will make a big difference in workers’ take-home pay. Bargaining team members are Bernie Roxbury, Sam Freshner, Richard Stokoe, and Organizer Alan Brown. Owyhee prepares for factfinding The Union is preparing for factfinding in a tough bargaining campaign with a regressive employer. Bargaining team members are Rick Uhlman, Minard Harte, Wayne Lattin, Wilfred Acree, and Organizer Alison Hamway. Hermiston Police reopener increases pay Workers received a 3% pay increase effective July and withstood management’s attempt to reduce health insurance and implement drug testing. The contract expires June 30, 1995. Bargaining team members are Tim Best, Molly VanCleave, Tod Keppinger, and Organizer Alan Brown. Deschutes assistant DAs take issues to arbitration The assistant district attorneys have filed for arbitration because they realistically have no right to strike. Technically, they are permitted to strike, but Bar ethics say they must continue serving their existing clients — the people of Oregon. Nearly all issues, including just cause । for discipline, remain outstanding in their first contract. Bargaining team members are Sterling Williver, Melissa Lande, and Organizer Alison Hamway. Page 7 I
