Image provided by: SEIU Local 503; Salem, OR
About The 503 voice. (Salem, OR) ????-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2006)
Stronger Together Statewide Officer Statements Nominations for statewide office close at 5:00 p.m. on August 25, 2006 at General Council. All candidates will have the opportunity to make a speech to the delegates of General Council on August 26, 2006. Go to www.seiu503.org for full listings of position requirements and duties. From the home page click on "Guidebook: 503 Elections and GC '06" on the right hand side, under the General Council logo. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PRESIDENT DUTIES OF OFFICE: The Executive Director serves as the chief administrative officer of the Union and is responsible for carrying out the policies of the union as established by the SEIU LOCAL 503, OPEU Board of Directors. This includes oversight of programs and employment of staff for collective bargaining, grievances and unfair labor practices, internal and external organizing, politics and benefits as well as overall administrative support, including financial and clerical programs. DUTIES OF OFFICE: Presides at all meetings of the General Council, Board and Executive Committee. Sets the Board meeting agenda and acts as the Board administrator. Chief spokesperson for the union. Attends and represents the union at all appropriate national and regional meetings. Coordinates the activities of the District Directors and Assistant DDs. Represents the union at the Legislature and in ballot measure campaigns, in conjunction with the Executive Director and the political staff. Leslie Frane Joe DiNicola Executive Director, SEIU Local 503 OPEU, 4.5 years District 2, Staff Dept, of Revenue, 20 years District 2, Local 150 As Executive Director of SEIU Local 503, OPEU, I've demonstrated the leadership and vision our union needs to confront the challenges ahead of us. I'm committed to bringing justice and dignity to the lives of working people, and I'm relentless in defending our members' interests. I'd be honored to be elected to work together with our members and staff during the next two years as we build our union and the labor movement. Collective Bargaining: I bargained the contract in which state workers won an extra step and the contract in which homecare workers won health insurance for the first time. I've negotiated over 100 contracts during eighteen years with SEIU. I'm most proud of my track record of involving members in every step of the negotiating process and in all of our contract campaigns. Contract Administration: Notices Latino Caucus invites your participation The mission of the Latino Caucus is to address issues of interest and concern to Latino SEIU members, and to educate other SEIU members, co-workers and managers about unique issues affecting Latino and Latina members. Goals include: • Increasing the voice, contributions and participation of Latino and Latina members in SEIU. • Promoting leadership and advancement in the workplace. • Increasing the understanding about issues which may affèctlatinos and Latinas. • Educating SEIU members on hoWlegis- lation directed at immigrants may affect many SEIU members in the workplace. All members are invited. Please contact: Xochitl Esparza in Salem at 505-945-7016 or Nancy Padilla at 541 -481 -9482 X 244. E-mail to nancy.padilla@state.or.us I have extensive experience handling grievances and arbitrations and training staff and members in those areas. However, while I respect the grievance process, I believe that organizing members in the workplace is equally important. Addressing worksite problems swiftly and effectively enhances the union's credibility and motivates participation in the union. Internal/External Organizing: I'm completely committed to building a member- driven union. That means supporting, training, and recognizing our stewards and other leaders. During the last two years, we've expanded our member leadership and deepened members' participation in the entire spectrum of union activities. Our future is linked to the overall strength of the labor movement. We need to grow if we hope to increase our ability to make substantive changes in our members' lives. During my tenure, 5000 child care workers, 1200 public employees, and 800 nursing home workers have strengthened us by joining our ranks. Political Activity: Since I took office, we have shifted the focus of our political work toward holding politicians accountable to their promises. Our work on the Jim Hill campaign drove home that emphasis. We've also brought more members face-to-face with legislators through our successful lobby day program. If you can help with the annual Labor Day picnic on September 4, 2006 at Oaks Park in Portland, please call Phyllis Wills at 1 -772-828-0706. Park opens at 10 a.m. and food will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This annual event is sponsored by NW Oregon Central Labor Council. PAGE 2 Elected statewide President 2004-2006. SEIU Local 503, OPEU chief spokesperson for 40,000 represented workers. Help members win contract campaigns. Meet with members and visit workers all over Oregon. Fight to restore secure retirement for active and retired PERS members. Tell elected officials, television, radio and print media what works for workers. Write and publish President Joe's Journal, twice-monthly eNews email updates. Union experience not itemized above: Member since 1986. District Director 2000-2004. Revenue Local President 1996-2004. Organized statewide campaigns. Bargained contracts. Led worksite actions. Lobbied. Marched. Picketed. Testified. Steward. Activist. Why are you seeking this office? Every day SEIU Local 503, OPEU members fight for contracts with good wages and benefits. We make Oregon work. We deserve dignity and respect. We've celebrated many victories together during the last two years. State and university system workers won raises and protected health benefits. Homecare workers defended workers' comp coverage and won better benefits and wages. Nursing home workers expanded contract rights. Private non-profit and local government workers won important victories. Members helped 6000 childcare workers establish the right to join our union. Members filled Capitol offices in record numbers to stand up to legislators. We're all in this together. Rising healthcare costs, privatization, anti-worker ballot measures and new attacks on pensions threaten all workers. We must stand firm and every member must get in the game. Whether you are a homecare worker, state or university employee, work at a private non-profit, local government or nursing home, you help every working family win when you step up. What are your goals for SEIU Local 503, OPEU during your term of office? • Fight for affordable healthcare. • Win good contracts for all workers. • Work to fund quality services. • Demand respect and a bigger voice on the job. • Get the word out: "We can do better!" What is the biggest single issue the union will face during your term? Communications: Out of control healthcare costs hurt everyone. We've improved the quality of our publications and expanded our use of electronic communications over the past few years. We've raised the public profile of SEIU as a voice for all working Oregonians. How would you propose to resolve it? Fiscal Management: Volunteers needed for Labor Day Picnic What are your qualifications for this office? Along with the Finance Committee, I oversee the union's $16 million budget. Staff Supervision: While I never forget that the members are the union, I respect the critical role that staff play in furthering the union's goals. That respect underlies all of my actions as a supervisor. SEIU Local 503, OPEU - STRONGER TOGETHER It's wrong to ask workers to choose between good wages and healthcare. Drug companies, insurance companies and hospitals get richer every year at our expense. Affordable healthcare helps everyone. It's the right fight and the right time to: • Roll back corporate giveaways. • Hold elected officials accountable. • Step up to lead in our communities. • Stand together and win. Other information to support your candidacy: Members everywhere win with unity and union power. When you vote 'joe DiNicola for President" for 2006-2008 you can count on me to work with you every day to make SEIU Local 503, OPEU stronger and more effective.
