Image provided by: SEIU Local 503; Salem, OR
About The 503 voice. (Salem, OR) ????-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2008)
S E IU 2 Million Strong— and Growing .’ J , J k j SEIU kicked off its 24th International Convention last month in San Juan, Puerto Rico with the news that membership has surpassed SEIU 503 convention delegation two million— more than doubling in size in the past dozen years. For delegates from SEIU 503 and 3,500 colleagues from locals large and small, the announcement set the stage for passage of an ambitious Justice for All platform--an organizing and political plan with the goal of restoring balance in our society between people who work and people with wealth. "We want to win a better future for all working people,"said Andy Stern, International President of SEIU. "And it's going to take the active voice and participation of our union members to bring Justice for All to the millions more workers who are not yet represented by a union. We've doubled our size in 12 years. It took courage, persistence and a lot of organizing for us to reach this milestone. And I say today what I said 12 years ago: this is just the beginning." In his president's report, Stern revealed that by implementing the divisions'plans, at its next convention SEIU would become the largest union representing private sector workers in North American history and "for the first time be the largest state, county and municipal workers union in the Americas," meaning "purple will lead the public sector." The Justice for All plan commits members to continue to build strength by uniting at least a half million more not-yet-union workers in the core industries of healthcare, property services and the public sector over the next four years. For a complete rundown of convention highlights, log on to www.seiu2008.org/. 48 Win Union Scholarships A total of 48 members and relatives have qualified for SEIU 503 scholarship awards for the 2008-2009 academic year — 24 $500 awards for students entering college and 24 $750 grants for continuing students. Active, laid-off or retired members, their spouses, domestic partners and children or grandchildren less than 25 years of age when they enter college are eligible for the scholarships as are dependents of deceased members. They are awarded to undergraduates who can demonstrate both academic qualifications and financial need. Applications for the 2009-10 academic year will be available in December on line at the Oregon Student Assistance Commission website — www.getcollegefunds.org — or from any Oregon college financial aid office and most Oregon high school counseling offices. Here are this year's recipients, their SEIU 503 connection, college and anticipated major field of study: Kate Allen, DHS, continuing at Portland State, social sciences Rachael Barrows, daughter ofThomas Barrows, DAS, entering Pacific Lutheran, education and history Julie Blikstad, daughter o f Jennifer Blikstad, Employment, entering George Fox, nursing Benjamin Bodenmiller, son o f Donald Bodenmiller, ODFW, entering Oregon State, computer science Amanda Boice, daughter o f Linda Boice, Employment, continuing at Nevada-Reno, pre-med Jerry Boice, son o f Linda Boice, Employment, continuing at Nevada- Reno; undecided Bonny Chang, DHS, entering the U. of Washington, social sciences Amelia Clay, daughter of Nancy Clay, DCBS, entering U. o f San Francisco, social sciences and international relations Lindy Layton, daughter o f Craig Clayton, ODOT, continuing at OHSU, n ursing Brandon Crawford, son o f Leonard Crawford, WOU, entering Willamette U., philosophy, languages Deirdre Crowell, DHS, continuing at Oregon Tech, mechanical engineering, mathematics and statistics Kasimera Dehart, daughter of Stacy Dehart, UO, entering Portland State, psychology Caitlin Easter, daughter o f Carol Easter, DHS, entering U. o f Oregon, English, biology Kendra .George, daughter of Paul George, DHS, entering Western Oregon U., education Wende Glimpse, daughter o f Richard Glimpse, ODOT, continuing at Emporia State, library science Davida Grimes, daughter of John Grimes, ODOT, entering Lewis & Clark, English Donna Harris, PSU, continuing at Portland State, education, community development Amanda Hartley, daughter o f Julie Hartley, ODOT, entering SW Oregon CC, engineering Julie Hauser, wife o f Allen Hauser, PSU, continuing at Portland State, education Travis Heide, son o f Katherine Heide, WOU, entering U. of Oregon, business Mideon Hoffman, son o f Susan Freedman, Homecare, entering Oregon State, business Benjamin Hulburt, son o f Joseph Hulburt, ODFW, entering Oregon State, construction engineering, business Elizabeth Kean, daughter of Robert Kean, Marion County, continuing at George Fox, education Alysaa Koida, daughter o f Kristin Engelbretson, PSU, continuing at U. o f Puget Sound, international relations Kayann Layton, daughter of Rene Layton, Wallowa County, entering Mt. Hood CC, dentistry Eric Learning, son o f Gary Learning, ODOT, continuing at Oregon Tech, civil engineering Azalea Lewis, daughter ofTerrena Lewis, DHS, entering Lewis & Clark, psychology Melissa Linville, OSLP, continuing at U. o f Oregon, special education Kortney Loosli, daughter of Ryan Loosli, DHS, Brigham Young, Music LaDawn Lowe, Justice, continuing at Portland State, human resources, marketing Ryan McGoldrick, son of Steve McGoldrick, DHS, entering Gonzaga, business, biology Barbara Pearce, Homecare, continuing at Lane CC, nursing, public health Catherine Pickett, daughter of Steve Reinemer, City o f Beaverton, continuing at U. o f Portland, communication, business Craig Pruitt, Education, continuing at Corban Col., computer science Dignity and Respect: More than a Slogan by Joe DiNicola, President In 1861, when the United States was on the brink of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln said, "We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds o f affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus o f the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels o f our nature." At the 2008 SEiU International Convention in Puerto Rico divergent views and hard questions took center stage. What is the meaning of member democracy? Should individual SEIU affiliated locals (like SEIU Local 503, OPEU) retain the same level of independence as we have enjoyed historically? Or should we give up some of our local control and give SEIU International more authority to set strategy and enter agreements at the national level with employers like national hospital and nursing home corporations? When is it more efficient and effective to allow centralized national control, and at what point do members want to assert independence at the local level? 4 July 2008 President Lincoln's advice still may ring true and reminds everyone to reach higher to find "better angels"as well. Within our own union today, members say they feel as if there may be growing divisions about how our Local and the labor movement can move forward and continue a united fight for a better future for every worker. SEIU Local 503, OPEU members in Oregon face challenging questions. For example, is it a good strategy to reduce the amount of dues set aside for the strike and hardship fund and use that money instead for other program activities, like organizing more workers? Can contract enforcement still be effective for workers if we revise the way stewards and organizers handle member representation issues? Would using a new centralized "hotline" to handle member contract questions still protect contract rights? Have enough members had an opportunity to weigh in on those questions? While there are likely serious differences of opinion on these and many other topics, every member must recognize that we can only be successful when members debate and discuss issues in an atmosphere of mutual respect and concern for each other as co-workers and Jennifer Pruitt, daughter o f Craig Pruitt, Education, continuing at Masters Col., pre-med Jessica Pruitt, daughter o f Craig Pruitt, Education, continuing at Corban Col., international relations, religion Katelyn Rathelegurche, daughter o f the late Baron Rathelegurche, Linfield, business Jeremy Rayman, son o f Kathy Rayman, Jackson County, continuing at Southern Oregon U„ business lllaursa Rossiter, granddaughter of Mary Rossiter, Homecare, entering Art Inst o f Portland, fine arts Jenny Seward, daughter o f John Seward, Forestry, continuing at Willamette U., international relations, languages Mitchell Shelton, son of Allen Shelton, Wallowa County, entering Lewis-Clark, medical technology, biology Melissa Sweet, daughter of Minoo Sweet, DCBS, entering Lewis & Clark, liberal arts, human resources Krystal Toderick, daughter of Irene Chavez, DHS, entering Willamette U., physical therapy, pre-med Joseph VanDerNaald, son o f Wayne VanDerNaald, ODFW, entering Portland State, psychology, liberal arts Christopher Wagner, Forestry, continuing at Eastern Oregon U., education Adrienne Wise, daughter of Marjorie Wise, UO, entering Reed Coll, undecided Jessie Bostelle Memorial Scholarship Nicolle Lavelle, daughter o f Daniel Lavelle, UO, continuing at Portland State, graphic art, fine arts Toni Lowery Scholarship Richie Day, son of Hanteng Day, DHS, Dartmouth, economics, international relations equals.There can be no place in any union for retaliation, discrimination, coercion or bullying. It is never appropriate for union brothers and sisters to attack each other, nor is it appropriate to target any individual member or group of members. No one should engage in a campaign of personal destruction or intimidation over a difference of opinion. Dignity and respect are not just slogans for bargaining contracts or political campaigns. Members can't leave dignity and respect for each other at the threshold of the union hall. Dignity and respect are core union values. When members abandon fair and respectful debate and ignore the need to protect each and every worker's dignity and rights, then every union member is in jeopardy. SEIU Local 503, OPEU members are justifiably proud of what we have accomplished together. Members in every corner of Oregon fought for and won better wages and held a tough line to defend quality, affordable health care. Members made unprecedented gains at the ballot box. Thousands of workers in new industries joined SEIU Local 503, OPEU and our great union is stronger as a result. Success In the future means union members everywhere must continue to stand up for each other, each member must continue to look out for every other member and make sure the rights of every other member are always protected. That is when we can say we are truly, "Stronger Together."
