The Oregon public employe., September 01, 2002, Image 12

PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit No. 202
Salem, Oregon
SEIU Local 503, AFL-CIO, CLC
Oregon Public Employees Union
P.O. Box 12159
SEIU
Salem, OR 97309-0159
address service requested
by Leslie Frane, SEIU Local 503, OPEU Executive Director
5 reasons why the election this November matters
Ninety percent of our members will be in
contract negotiations in the next year.
November's election will determine who sits
across the table from us in bargaining
tion provides our best hope of winning afford­
able and accessible health coverage through the
political process by electing pro-health care
public officials at every level.
Last month, the state senate defeated a bill to
eliminate PERS, for current employees as well
as new hires, by one vote. November's election
will determine whether that bill passes when it is
raised again in January.
P“ No matter what, the state budget process will
v/ be ugly in 2003. November's election will
determine whether we can change the balance of
power in the legislature so that we have a chance
of gaining long-term revenue solutions. Other­
wise, we'll see one budget cut after another, with
inevitable consequences for our jobs and the
quality of services we arc able to deliver.
■
■
With Sizemore vanquished, numerous
Sizemore clones are busy preparing anti­
worker ballot measures for the 2004 ballot.
November's election will determine whether
Measure 26 passes, which would ban many of the
sleazy tactics Sizemore and his ilk use to get their
initiatives on the ballot.
The health care crisis is so big we can't solve
it at the bargaining table. November's elec­
As public workers, the election process provides
us with a unique opportunity. When we elect
public officials, we arc electing our employers,
whose decisions affect our jobs and working
conditions as well as the communities where we
live and the services we deliver. The stakes have
never been higher than they are this November.