Image provided by: SEIU Local 503; Salem, OR
About The 503 voice. (Salem, OR) ????-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2005)
“lam honored to represent my co-woikers.” seiu stewards on the job... 66 Being a worksite steward is vitally important and I am honored to represent my co-workers. It is an elected position in our worksite, and workers expect their concerns, both as a group and as individuals, to be brought to management's attention. When I approach management with my shop steward hat on, they also respect that role and listen to what I have to say. Many issues have been resolved when it is presented that I am here as the shop steward. I take notes at fact-finding meetings, and all joking and cavalier attitudes stop and it becomes serious and often brief. With a strong union— behind you, an individual has a chance at being heard and making a difference in the workplace. We have a contract and rights under that contract. It is a good feeling to know you have helped people to improve their daily lives. 99 Yvonne Smith is a caseworker in North Bend who advocates for seniors and people with d isabi I ¡ties. If you are interested in becoming a steward or finding out more about what it means to be a steward, please contact your organizer. 66 Trying to understand everything in the contract can be tough. I'm not a lawyer and some things have tricky interpretations. But when a co-worker needs my help as a steward, I've always gotten great advice from my organizer and SEIU's research department. It's not a solo effort - we face each case as a team. 99 Larry Bulling coordinates and organizes inforrriation at Oregon State University in Corvallis. 66 Being a steward is a terribly important job and to step up. At ODOT we have a lot of crews and each crew of four or more people should have their own steward. ••n e n eed more people It's important for workers to have somebody at the worksite to keep an eye on workers' best interests so we get what we have coming to us - not only in benefits and pay, but also that our contractual rights are protected. This is something that needs to be done. I encourage more people to get involved in our union as stewards. 99 Kurtis Kinder is a Chief Steward for ODOT in Meachaln and works to keep roads safe. 66 Homecare is kind of unique in that we’re still developing our steward structure. We officially became stewards this time last year. A steward is somebody to be in your corner to make sure your rights are protected. For me, it is a great place to be. It's important to know the rules on contract rights because that's where our power is as workers. When we started educating members on the new contract, we realized that many were not getting mileage they were entitled to. In response, we filed a group county-wide grievance that we are still in the middle of. But the County changed its practice immediately and is now following the contract and giving mileage to homecare workers. 99 supreme com victory 66 Stewards have many roles to play - assist members, file grievances when management fails to comply with the contract, and pass information to members. Stewards need to know about the grievance process and "just cause" but they can always go to the chief steward or their organizer for guidance. Sometimes mid-level managers go beyond what the contract allows them to do. Some managers believe they have power beyond the scope of their job. It's the steward's job to draw the line and point out to management when they cross the line. When managers fail to comply with the contract, as a steward we need to roll up the contract and hit them on the nose with it. 99 Grant Walter loved his job as head custodian at Capital Hill Elementary School. He'd been working with the Portland Public School District for S1/2 years when they laid off all custodial staff in 2002 - outsourcing 340 jobs to a private contractor. SEIU Local 503 and our lawyer, Jim Codri, took the case to the Supreme Court. On October 13, the Court ruled in our favor in a split decision. This unique law only applies to custodians in the Portland School District, but this.is a sweet victory for the men and women who kept schools safe and clean for our kids. 66 I never lost the feeling that this was a just battle and we'd win. I knew if the legal decision was based on the law - on what is right - we'd win. 99 Rod Christiansen works jt Manon'fojiity as a Grant Walter is a former Probatiop officer helping troubled kids get.the best chance they cSn.'l Erin McIntosh is an in-homè'careprovidêrffomJrîâMpépgpp.çë. custodian at Portland Public Schools. 66 I've been a steward for less than a year, but it is so rewarding! The best thing is being able to ----------------- help people stand up, confront I their fear of management, and get what they believe in and what they deserve. 99 District 2: Notice of Nominatioiis & Elections Secretary (1 position) / Treasurer (1 position) (Advocates warn qiai some sgmui^^y Nominations Close at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, January 31,2006 • ! District Secretary responsibilities: Keep minutes of District and Executive Committee meetings and forward-copies ter HQ District Treasurer responsibilities. Maintain financial records, be responsible for all requests for disbursement of 'District funds; report the financial status of the District at each-meeting and assist m preparation of the annual budget? • ^tbudge^-^ Stated® asevfO^jÄ^ by Bart Lewis. Bart works at the University of Oregon with students and parents on student billings and processes scholarships from academic departments I have always enjoyed taking part in statewide activities, and that was the main reason I decided to run for District Director and a seat on the Board of Directors. I also wanted to get the members in my district involved in the "big picture", and have them participate in statewide activities. My first statewide experience was in 1997, when I went to the "Great March' at the State Capitol, during an unforgettable strike that captured so much media attention. A few years later I joined CAPE, and participated in statewide activities, such as lobby days, experiencing once again the power members have when they come together in a common effort. I also served as a bargaining delegate on the Oregon University System bargaining team. The long hours, hard work and travel were all worth it because of what we accomplished and the lasting friendships we made. And last, but not least, was the incredible experience of representing Local 503 as a delegate to the SEIU International Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2000. It was a chance to spend time with other 503 members, to develop ideas for our local, and to share them with SEIU members from around the country. That was where we voted to approve the New Strength Unity program, which helped bring about a major renewal of labor actinism. In short, what has excited me the most are uniüh activities that bring all types of union members together in the struggle to achieve something great. It is where the big picture really comes into fôçù^That is why I wanted to be on the Board. And why rfeel a sense^of exciternenC',. before every Board meeting. the 2&--2004 Board rejected* The Board subsequently took a lot of heat oVer this, which led to,the formation of our current Board Restructure Committee, which will report back to the 2006 General Council, rather than the Board. In the long rifo I think this turned '.©Ut great, because it reaffirms that we are a member-run union, with some great member activists. the near future. Another Board effort that stands out for me's our support* of CAPE and the political department. As a result, Local 503 has. increased the political awareness of our members, and made us a strong and respected participant in Oregon politics. ‘ Of course there have been some difficult challenges. One in particular is the issue of restructuring; the Board of Directors. A previous Board Restructure Committee developed a proposal that layout * i. SH1UPS $ deals this year nea choices ___ ci reaa^^ \ * v Join"usln Portland as^n BOARD WORK REAFFIRMS MEMBER INVOLVEMENT I am proud of the thoughtful discussions we had over adoption of the Unite to Win campaign. As a result, we are playing a key role in revitalizing the labor movement. I am also proud of the work our ■ Board is doing to encourage member leadership development, such, as the highly successful Leadership Academy. We have also had a key role in bringing homecare workers into our leadership, and there are some exciting plans for including child care providers ¡dw services 1 million /January 2 “For me, serving on our Board means bringing all types of union members together in our snuggle to achieve something great.” BEING INVOLVED STATEWIDE IS REWARDING work g Seniors, advocates the Outside flap. _' Kathy Lucas 'còaBtt Cracks for these ofgces will close at 5 p.m. January 312006. The Election will be conducted by mail at the same time as the District Director and Assistant District Director elections. Please, see the General Council election”timelines on the calendar on IS a Certified Nurse's Aide Whoxdfes.for seniors and people with disabilities .at a nursing home in Hood River. , .. .. .. j'Ä' , The‘dual dibbles often ■ For a nomination' form, call'503 581-15^5 1800 452 2146 ext 150.- Nominations The 503 Voice is published by SEIU Local 503, OPEU. Editor: J. 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 SEIU noncosTs LOCAL 503 Unions bear blame for los of GM jobs OPEU 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 1 800-521-3446 Medford Field Office: 541-779-4324/800-452-7965 Pendleton Field Office: 541-276-4983 / 800-452-8146 i he*mM»uncement by ( Idfl ùt DoubleTree Hotel aitWOO NE Multnomah • f that it is si ),000 jobs and clo parts of 12 plan Ptotitold, 97232 (next to the Uoyd __— 1 I SEIU Local 503, OPEU - STRONGER TOGETHER PAGE 3 OHTHEWEB , , »j the United Auto Workers that sharps
