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About The 503 voice. (Salem, OR) ????-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2004)
66 A lot of people think the union automatically supports Democrats, but that just isn't the case. A lot of coalition building is done around the issues that affect and are important to working families. 99 Sonya Reichwein CAP participant, DMV,, Corvallis Sonya Reichwein (third from right) will bring skills back to her local at DMV. Pictured left to right are: Cynthia Harold, Sharon Clark, Cory McIntosh, Katie Powers, Sonya Reichwein, Russ Borden, and Mary Springer - SEIU leaders in the DMV Local. sBu SEW Heroes: members win make the difference in 2004 elections Stronger Together W h at do you call a janitor frdm New York City planning a rally in Cleveland with an accountant from Columbus? W hat about a nurses aidé from San Diego knocking on doors w ith a Local 503 homecare member in Bandon, Oregon? We're calling it "2004 in 2004." That's 2004 SEIU members coming o ff the jo b from locals all across the country to w ork full-tim e in battleground states doing political activity, w ith one goal in Inind - elect a pro-working families president. Since the 2000 general election was decided by ju st 6700 votes in 2000, Oregon is one of thirteen states considered a battleground State. This year, approximately 85 SEIU members from Locals 49 and 503 will be joine d by SEIU members from other states to help build coalitions w ith com m unity tallies, canvass undecided voters, register new union members to vote, and educate people about im portant issues in Oregon. Sonya Reichwein (DMV, Corvallis) is partici pating in the Capital Activist Program (CAP). She recently left her jo b fo r tw o months and is spending five weeks in Washington^ DC and four weeks in Salem. She is learning communication skills, message develop ment, internet use, and lobbying - skills that she w ill bring back to her local. Sonya explains "It's very empowering to meet the legislators in person. I feel like I'm part o f the process. I really like that the legislative department and SEIU concentrates on the issues." I In SEIU lingo, these activists are "heroes". They get that title because o f the sacrifice they are w illing to make to be part o f this truly historic project. They are called heroes because they recognize the long hours and sacrifices this jo b may sometimes entail. At the same time, they realize that our families and our union can't afford four chore years of This exciting opportunity also gives members, many o f whom are new to politics, a chance to learn from other seasoned activists about how to run a political campaign and get out the vote. These experiences and skills will follow workers back in to the workplace in November and w ill help to build a strong union and worksite political program'in the future. To find out more about the Heroes program, contact your organizer. the status quo. August 1 8 -2 2 ,2 0 0 4 • OSU Alum ni Center • Corvallis, OR Gearing Up for General Council by Kathie Best, President, sou Local 503, opeu The General Council is the supreme governing body o f our union and meets in regular session every e ve n -n u m be re d year. This year it w ill be held August 18 - 22 in Corvallis. General Council delegates set the policy, goals and direction o f our union. Elections fo r delegates are currently taking place in locals across the state. Districts will also be electing delegates to GC once we have the The 503 Voice is published by SEIU Local 503, OPEU. Editor:}. Szliske szl@opeuseiu.org Salem Headquarters 1730 Commercial St. SE PO Box 12159 Salem, OR 97309-0159 503-581 -1505 / 800-452-2146 / (Fax) 503-581 -1664 Portland Field Office: 503-408-4090 / 800-527-9374 Bend Field Office: 541-385-8471/ 800-832-0593 Corvallis Field Office: 541-766-4968 Eugene Field Office: 541-342-1055 / 800-521-3446 Medford Field Office: 541-779-4324/ 800-452-7965 Pendleton Field Office: 541-276-4983 / 800-452-8146 S E IU OPEU results o f the Board (District Director and Assistant Director) elections. M e m b e rs/ at General Council will have the opportunity to hear from candidates for Statewide office. Kathie Best C a llin g a ll a rtis ts This year we plan to celebrate our talent w ith an art exhibit o f w ork done by members. We're also seeking donations for a silent auction. If you would like to donate or exhibit an art or craft piece or contribute to our,silent auction, please contact Maureen Crawford at Salem HQ, ext 123. ,, This w ill be my last General Council as President o f SEIU Local 503, OPEU. I look forward to seeing my friends and colleagues at this year's Council, as well as those just getting involved. I sincerely hope to see all our locals and districts represented this year! Come and make your voices heard I March 2004 PAGE 8
