Image provided by: SEIU Local 503; Salem, OR
About The Oregon public employe. (Salem, Oregon) 1981-???? | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2002)
Current Agency, Length of Service: Candidate’s District and Local: Oregon State Hospital (OSH), 21 years District 2, Local 392 Oregon State Hospital WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS OFFICE? I am currently the statewide Secretary Treasurer for Local 503. I have been a member of the OPEU Board of Directors for six years. My duties include serving as chair of the statewide Finance Committee and member of the Executive Committee. I am a member of the Communication Committee and a steward at local 392. Before being elected statewide Secretary Treasurer, I was treasurer for Local 392 and was chair of the Steward’s Commit tee for two years. I served on the CAPE board for eight years. My Experience on CAPE and Board of Directors gives me knowledge of our union’s history, priorities and direction that the union needs to continue to be successful. UNION EXPERIENCE NOT ITEMIZED ABOVE? I have been an activist for thirteen years. During that time, I have participated in numer- * ous com m ittees, trainings, conferences and events including Treasurers training provided by SEIU in Washington D.C. Y O U SEE K IN G TH IS OFFICE? I have filed for reelection because I care about our union and the values that it represents. I enjoy u n ion activism. Itis my way of giving back to a union that has done so much for W HY ARE Current Agency, Length of Service: Candidate’s District and Local: SEIU Local 503 OPEU, six months District 2, Staff In the six months I’ve been Executive Director of SEIU Local 503 OPEU, I ve met countless dedicated union members throughout the state. Despite hard times and anti worker attacks, I’m convinced we can use our collective power to improve working peoples’ lives, on the job and in our communities. I’m asking for your support so that, together with other elected officers, I can lead our union toward that goal. WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS OFFICE? Collective Bargaining: At Local 503, I’ve led preparations for home-care bargaining and for our upcoming DAS and Higher Ed negotiations. In my previous position, I was responsible for collective bargaining at seventy health care facilities. I ’ve negotiated over one hundred contracts in the last fourteen years. Contract Administration: I have/extensive experience handling grievances and arbitrations, and I have trained and mentored staff and members in those activities. However, while I respect the grievance process, I believe that organizing members to demonstrate our unity and stand up to management in the workplace is at least as important a method of administering contracts. WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR SEIU LOCAL 503, OPEU DURING YOUR TERM OF OFFICE? To continueto build our fiscal strength to so that our voice can be heard. If we don’t have enough money, we can’t win the fight. I want to make sure that we have the resources for the next battle. BIGGEST SINGLE ISSUE THE UNION WILL FACE DURING YOUR TERM? The growth of unions in Oregon. We have to grow or face something worse than death, becoming irrelevant. We had a tremendous victory with organizing Home Care workers, but it was only a start. We need to organize other sectors to have our voice heard in the Legislature and other political bodies throughout this; state. HOW WOULD YOU PROPOSE TO RESOLVE IT? Continue to make organizing a priority. I strongly support SEIU’s New Strength Unity Plan because it provides a comprehensive structure to organize new work sites and provides a way to hold our elected officials accountable for decisions that affect every person in this state. OTHER INFORMATION TO SUPPORT YOUR CANDIDACY: Local 503 is in excellent financial condition. Our budget is balanced. During the past year, we paid off the loan on our Portland building, which has allowed us to focus those Intemal/Extemal Organizing: Since even the best unions have room to improve, I’m committed to strengthening Local 503’s internal organizing program. We need to develop more rank-and-file leaders and to increase the percentage of our members who participate in union activities. In addition to working for ten years as an internal organizer, I’ve led numerous external organizing drives. I’m confident my experience organizing nursing homes will prove useful as we organize the long-term care industry in Oregon. Political Activity: Since arriving at Local 503, I’ve helped guide the union through three legislative special sessions, and I’ve seen the crazy ways the initiative process distorts democracy. I look forward to leading our fight against Bill Sizemore, and also to passing progressive ballot measures. My previous experience includes playing leading roles in statewide candidate races and extensive lobbying and coalition work. , Communications: It’s time to embark on a new era in our communications strategy that relies more on electronic and workplace-based communications. I am committed to increasing the union’s visibility in the media, which I did effectively in my previous position with SEIU in Connecticut. dollars on other issues vital toour continued success. Fiscal Management: Along with the finance committee, I oversee our union’s $12 million budget. Staff Supervision: Our union has a terrific staff, and I feel privileged to work with tiiem. While I never forget that the members are the union, I respect the critical role staff play in designing and im plem enting our plans. That respect underlies my actions as a supervisor. ■THE OREGON PUBLIC EM PLOYEE VOTERS GUIDE
