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.