Image provided by: SEIU Local 503; Salem, OR
About The 503 voice. (Salem, OR) ????-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2004)
Members Win Improvements to Health Benefits H SS» IO ? te j I Congratulations to members at Portland Public Schools who reached a contract settlement last month. Nutrition Service workers organized phone trees to overcome the obstacle of having members off-site during the summer. These workers also leafleted, circulated petitions, picketed and testified at School Board meetings. They met directly with three School Board members, collected numerous postcards for the entire Board and turned out dozens of SEIU members for bargaining. Nutrition Services workers paid more money towards their health care than anyone else in the school district - and had the lowest contribution from the school district towards their health care. The contract they bargained brought their benefits to the same level as classified workers and ended a wage freeze. Pictured in the foreground are Nadejda Plotnikova (left) and Natalya Pavlova (right). ■ A rewarding and challenging experience by Kathie Best, President, SEIU Local 503, OPEU ■f B Of ■f gill Hör movement by serYing in this, new capacity. As 1 prepare to leave my position as SEIQf»* I look forward to working with members to Local 503, OPEU President, I db,, so with mixed emotions^Turning OYer the reins will g build and adWnpe pur communications and our goals. certainly be bittersweet.'The last fouryears as President.have been both deeply rewarding,, This5 is rhy last columri^s President, sd with and tremendously challenging. ' f've learned a some paraphrasing of "The Unjdn Worker's' great deal frdrWthe members and staff of Bible," I leave ydu with the .following. It's,. | Local 503and^ feel blessed to have had th« hard tcLdispute the fact’that histqry^proves amazing opporturirty^and experience. | thatJunions have.accomplished miracles to improve the lives of workers; the employer We've faced-many highs and loWs together, add the ¿©pntfy. We cannot expect the but ultimately, rt-wasour ability to be united respect of management, Or the public^if v/e in dur pnncy^t$hfn our goals and in our do not deserve the respect of one another. hearts that saw us through, also what m^es^neviGrories-so very sweet. Toshafe^ We should not serve our personal needs by sacrificing the welfare of others. those withTdendsis the greatest’ reward. The year ahead will prove to be a challenging one. With contract negotiations beginning for ourf^ee largest units, DAS, OUS and Homecagp,< electing our owniocal leader ship, f^ing an'extremely important national election,'Waiting for the Supreme Court's Power Tool decision on PERS and continuing our fight to make health cafe more affordable and .' accessible in this country, we surely have ourz work cut out for us. By seeking better wages and working conditions... working people have not only participated in the American dream - they have, in fact, defined it. 99 Kathie Best PresftieW. We must remain vigilant, never becoming too satisfied, with existing conditions..^ By( seeking better wages and working conditions, more .Opportunity for individual advancement and personal fulfillment, and increa’sed security in both employment and fife itself, working people n'aVe not only participated in the American dream; they have, in fact, defined it. In strength and unity, I'll remain a part of these fights as Local 503's new Communications Organizer. I'm excited about my new position and pleased to be able to utilize my experience^skills and sincere passion for this local and the labor VOTE BYfiÌOV. 2 Important Bargaining Bates: LOCAL 503 November 13: Homecare Bargaining Conference December 4: DAS/OUS Bargaining Conference SEIU December 6 is the first day of bargaining for DAS. Support your Bargaining Team! Stronger Together ORIGINAL DESIGN BY DENNIS McG AN N / COU RTESY OF CU PE BC PAGE 4 SEIU Local 503, OPEU - STRONGER TOGETHER OCTOBER 2004
