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