NOTICES OF ELECTION
Locals and Districts may use The 503 Voice to give election notice to mem
bers instead of doing a separate mail notice. Upcoming publication dates of
Shifting health care costs to employees is not the answer
It’s time to solve the crisis in health care
by Joe DiNicola, President, SEIU Local 503, OPEU
our newsletter are as follows:
Finalize Content
June 17
To Print
Julyl
In Mail
July 15
Sept 16
Sept 30
Oct 14
If you intend to publish an official notice of an election in The 503 Voice,
please notify your organizer at least one month prior to the publication date
to ensure that the production schedule meets your election timelines
and requirements.
ELECTION RULES
Please refer to the SEIU 503 Constitution and Bylaws as well as
your Local or District's bylaws for election guidelines and rules.
The following Federal guidelines apply to all elections:
O
O
0
Members must receive "reasonable" notice of the nomination
deadline for elections.
Members must receive at least 15 days notice of the election
date.
Every day our members are speaking with ¡M b Voice and sending
a powerful message to the 2005 Legislature: Do something
about the out-of-control cost of health care and do it now!
Decades of Cost Shifting
For more than a decade, we've seen health care costs shifted to
employees and benefit reductions for state workers. Over 30% of
the state budget goes for health care costs for employers, OHP
recipients, prisoners and others. During the last five years, PEBB
payments have increased 75% while the consumer price index
went up 13i5%. It's time to stop cost-shifting and deal with the
real issues - waste, fraud and excess profits in the health care
industry.
The Real Villains
We know about the three big problems in health care: drug
companies, insurance companies and hospital costs. When
insurance company premiums rise faster than thecost of health
care, we know there's a problem, When we pay more for a service.
than it costs to deliver that service, we know those profits are
coming directly out of our pockets. Our members and our
families just can't afford it any more.
There's been lot of publicity in recent years about drug company
scandals and the high cost of prescription drugs, but the public is
not generally aware of how much of the problem is attributable to
hospitals. In fact,'hospital costs are increasing at three times the
rate of inflation. Hospitals are making excessive profits and paying
their executives millions. When they call themselves "non-profit''
they should be held accountable and forced to disclose how they
charge for services.
How you can help
Cal^your state representative and state senator. Tell them how
you have been affected by rising health care costs. Send a letter.
Sign up for Lobby Days at the Capitol. Make them understand
that ® their job to represent us, our family, and our friends and
neighbors not the health care industry executives and their
lobbyists/ Also, share your health story at www.healthstory.com
Absentee ballots must be made available to members who are
unable to vote the day of the election.
Notice of Election: DCBS Local 440
INTERIM VICE-PRESIDENT
Nominations Close on Wednesday, March. 2,2005
To nominate a candidate contact a member of the Nominations Committee: Von Ledbetter
(503-947-7268) or Barbara Hopkins (503-947-7598).
Election: Thursday, March 17
The second billboard, sponsored by our union and coalition partners Oregonians for Health Security and Oregon Alliance for Retired Americans, can be
seen at the corner of 12th and Union in Salem until February 28. The billboard features members Linda Ingham (far left) who works at the Department
of Administrative Services printshop and Xochitl Esparza (second from right) who is a program analyst and trainer with Department of Human Services.
Ballots will be available on March 17 at worksites starting at 12:3Q.p.m. Voting will take
place until 5:00 p.m.
Absentee Ballots Available by Request
If you are unable to attend the March 17 meeting to cast your vote, you may request an
absentee ballot by contacting Barbara at 503-581-1505, x150 or 1-800-452-2146, x150.
Absentee ballots must be received at Salem HQ by 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 16.
Health care is still the big bargaining issue
Bargaining in full swing for DAS, OUS
and Homecare
All ¿three of our largest bargaining units -
DAS, OUS and Homecare have begun
bargaining and'face many of the same
challenges. Health care costs will be at the
forefront of these negotiations. SEIU has
taken on the health care crisis at the national
level and here in Oregon.
We exchanged economic proposals for DAS
and OUS on January 25th in a joint bargaining
session. DAS and OUS members are
approaching bargaining jointly, in order to
maximize our strength.
SUPREME COURT
The Supreme Court ruling on PERS had not been
released at press time. For current information on PERS,
go to our web site at:
www.seiu503.org
Homecare workers have also exchanged the
first set of bargaining proposals. Workers'
Compensation will be the central issue for
maintaining health care coverage. Weare
also working on this critical issue at the
legislature, where we are supporting a bill
that would make Workers' Compensation
coverage for homecare workers compulsory.
For updated information on bargaining
sessions, dates, and locations, go to our web
site: www.seiu503.org. All members are
welcome at bargaining sessions.
Don't forget to purple up on Wednesdays
and bargaining days.
PAGE 4
SEIU Local 503, OPEU - STRONGER TOGETHER
FEBRUARY 2005