“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
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