Members Win Improvements to Health Benefits
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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).
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A rewarding and challenging experience
by Kathie Best, President, SEIU Local 503, OPEU
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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