Image provided by: SEIU Local 503; Salem, OR
About The 503 voice. (Salem, OR) ????-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2008)
Executive Director Secretary-Treasurer Keeps a record of the meetings of the General Council, Board of Directors and Executive Committee; Serves as custodian of the records of the union; Chairs the Finance Committee and serves as a member of the Executive Committee; Establishes a bank account or accounts in the name of the union as designated by the Board; Collects the monies and keeps the accounts and books of the union and renders a statement after certified audits of the accounts and books of the financial condition of the union to General Council and as requested by the Board; Coordinates and keeps current a list of policies and procedures of our union; Is responsible to the Board for annual review of the fiscal operation of the union and locals; and Serves as a delegate to the SEIU Convention. Serves as chief executive officer and supervises the daily activities of the union, including employment and supervision of staff, expenditure of union funds, consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws and the policies and procedures of the union as determined by the Board of Directors, subject to the financial ability of the union to pay; Prepares annual budget; Oversees other daily activity such as organizing, contract administration, political action, research, legal affairs, and member leadership development; Oversees program and policy development; Maintains an internal and external communications program throughout the union in conjunction with the President; Leslie Frane Current Employer: Department Current Employer: SEIU of Human Services 9 years Sector/Region: Local 503 Sector/Region: 20 Local: 200 Sub Local: 202 During my six years as Executive Director, SEIU Local 503 has made huge progress. What are your qualifications • I have worked tirelessly to serve coworkers in my worksite and our +40,000 members. At my job and my union work I want to make a difference. Serving second term on Board of Directors and on the Executive Board. Currently Statewide CAPE chair Currently Bargaining delegate, 4 years Past chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Finance, Portland Public schools Union experience not itemized above • Steward 2001-current • Past chair of DHS sub local 202 and Statewide Labor/ Management Committees. • General Council Delegate 2002-2008. Past Chair of Union Operations sub committee. • Member of Staff Screening committee 2003-current • Door to door organizing and travel to Arizona to work in their state workers campaign. • Testified at State Legislature, Lobby days, phone banking canvassing, and presentations to community groups about SEIU. Why are you seeking this office? I have the experience to represent our membership. SEIU 503 has a responsibility to spend wisely and uphold the highest standards of fiscal integrity and accurately reflect the Union's business in its record keeping. It is in the spirit of volunteerism, responsibility and a willingness to be a steward, in the most real sense of the word that I wish to serve. What are your goals for SEIU Local 503 during your term of office? • My goals are transparency and accountability with 503 being visible and relevant. Members see how our budget is built. Fiscal choices reflect our values: the dignity and worth of workers and the services they provide. • Continue the sound practices of our union and examine ways to be more proficient and strategic. • Win political and contractual victories. • Continue to Organize and be the strongest voice in a "Justice for All-Pass It On"campaign. • We've made major strides toward fair wages and benefits for all our members. • We've doubled in size. . .. • We've become a political powerhouse with recognized clout and the savvy to exercise it strategically. • We've engaged more members in every aspect of union activity. If re-elected, I'll work tirelessly to continue that prog ress. I'll apply my integrity, talent, and tenacity toward reaching our vision of justice for all working people. Collective Bargaining: With twenty years of experience negotiating over 100 contracts, I'm tough at the table and skilled at organizing our members' power to support our contract priorities. I've been co-chief bargainer for DAS and Homecare, and I've advised negotiators for nearly all of our other contracts. Contract Administration: I have extensive experience handling grievances and arbitrations and training others in those areas. I've worked to build strong steward and leadership networks, which enable us to stand up for members' contract rights every day, through grievances and worksite organizing. Internal/External Organizing: I work constantly to recruit and mentor member leaders. I strive to make both long-term activists and brand-new leaders welcome and appreciated. I think that is reflected in our increased levels of member participation in the union. During my tenure, we have welcomed 20,000 new members into our ranks. Doubling our membership means a stronger voice for all of us. Political Activity: Under my leadership, we have: • Elected a worker-friendly legislature that funded DAS/OUS contracts with fully-paid health insurance and raises greater than inflation; • Gained union rights for child care and adult foster care providers; • Won statutory workers'compensation for homecare workers; • Increased staffing requirements in nursing homes; What is the biggest single issue the union will be facing during your term? • Held politicians with bad votes on PERS and other important issues accountable to our members; Oregon's Vision. SEIU must shape it. Lead the fight for fair Tax Reform, Universal Health Care and Quality Services. • Significantly increased our number of CAPE contributors. How would you propose to resolve it? I'm proud of our union's website and printed materials. I am interested in exploring more use of technology in communications, and I believe that one-on-one communication is the single best way to get people involved. Activating our greatest resource, our members to get politically involved and educate others on the issues. It gives us, not a guarantee but at least a fighting chance, to win justice. Demonstrate that 503 is not a "special interest" group unless you believe that workers and families are a special interest. Other information to support your candidacy: Hard working and credible. I can disagree without being "totally disagreeable". Members must have confidence in our union's leadership, my hope is I have earned that confidence and can serve you well as a person of character, conviction and common sense. In conjunction with the Secretary-Treasurer, maintains financial and other records and monitors fiscal health of the union. Serves or designates someone to serve as a member of our union's negotiating teams; Barbara Casey for this office? Represents the union throughout the community, within our International Union and in coalitions, and with the media, in conjunction with the President, who serves as chief spokesperson; and Communications: Statewide Officer Statements We elect the Executive Director, President, Vice President, Secretary- Treasurer by secret ballot in statewide elections every two years. Every active member is eligible to run for statewide office. Except for Executive Director, statewide officers are limited to two two-year terms. Nominations opened in January and will close at 5:00 pm Friday, August 22 at General Council. Under SEIU 503 Constitution and Bylaws, candidates intending to run can submit statements in June to be included in the July edition of the SEIU 503 Voice. These five individuals submitted statements by the deadline (this year June 13). Each candidate was asked to respond to a set of questions and topics in a total of 400 words or less. Statements are printed as submitted. Candidates had 24 hours to proof them for accuracy. They and any other candidates who come forward will have the opportunity to submit another statement that will accompany the ballots mailed to every member in September, within one month of the close of General Council, August 23. Nominations forms for statewide office can be accessed on line at www. seiu503.org or by contacting your local field office or SEIU Headquarters. Forms should be returned to SEIU Headquarters in Salem, Attn: L DeLauder or emailed to hersheye@ opeuseiu.org or delauderl@opeuseiu. org prior to General Council or turned in by 5 p. m., August 22 at General Council in Eugene. Ballots and candidate statements will be prepared and mailed to eligible voters September 19. Completed ballots should be mailed to Ryder Elections Services in Bend, Oregon. Ballots will be counted after 5 p.m, October 14. Candidates will be notified of results, which will be posted at www.seiu503. org October 15 and published in the next issue of The 503 Voice. Fiscal Management: Along with the Finance Committee, I work hard to ensure that we are fiscally responsible in expending our members'dues dollars and overseeing our union's budget. Staff Supervision: While I never forget that the members are the union, I respect the critical role staff play in furthering our goals. That respect underlies all of my actions as a supervisor. July 2008 3
