The 503 voice. (Salem, OR) ????-current, August 07, 2009, Special Election Edition, Image 2

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The 503 voice., August 07, 2009, Special Election Edition, Image 2

Image provided by: SEIU Local 503; Salem, OR

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Newspaper Page Text■■■ Board of Director Election Candidatels] for BOARD OF DIRECTORS SEAT 9-Nursing Home Judy Byers Valerie K. Martinez Salem, OR Salem, OR I want our nursing home members to have a voice on the 503 Board of Directors and also to be able to communicate to 503 nursing home members decisions that are made at the Board of Directors. Qualifications: I am the Vice President and chief steward at Windsor Health & Rehab. I also want to be a part of the decision making process to give more nursing home workers a voice on the job through their union and to build political power. This is also a position where we can advocate for safe working conditions and quality care for our residents. Our relationship with our administrators has to be a partnership, but we have to be treated with respect. If elected I will serve as your representative and do my very best to be your eyes and ears, with your help and support. I would appreciate your vote. Union Experience: General Council, alert training, steward training, grievance training. Goals for SEIU: To help the union grow and become more productive. Goals for sector: To become larger. Biggest issues and how I'd resolve them: Health care, better wages, being active & getting others involved. Other info: I am a go getter, liking to get involved, meeting new people. Candidatels] for BOARD OF DIRECTORS SEAT 11-Adult Foster Care Patricia (Patty) Jones Gary B. Lane Dallas, OR Eugene, OR Qualifications: Since 1991 I have participated in foster care meetings. Listening to providers motivated me to improve foster care. I have served adult foster care providers on the board of ACPO for ten years, six years as President. Qualifications: I have worked hard since the formation of this bargaining unit. I have written articles that we have negotiated for in bargaining. I have served as a messenger for providers with information about AFC bargaining. I have been on several committees to insure that all providers are well represented. I have marched and lobbied for issues pertaining to AFC. I do not profess that I "know it all" but will find out and work hard to represent you. Union experience: I am a second generation union family. My father was in the Teamsters and my husband is in the Carpenters'union. Goals for SEIU 503: My Goals for my sector region are to get the word out to providers in my area. I want them to understand all we have accomplished and all that we hope to achieve in our next bargaining session. I want to help them unite and hopefully meet periodically to discuss issues for upcoming meetings. Biggest issues and how to resolve it: I think the biggest issue our local will face during my term is no health care. I will continue to serve on the bargaining team and to continue to write the articles (or help write) that address our need for full coverage health insurance. Other information: I have been involved since the conception of this unit. I served as Co-Chair to our bargaining team this past session. I have helped organize members, attended outreach contact meeting and have been a AFH provider since 1997, first as a relative provider for my mother, then as a licensed SPD provider since 2000. Union Experience: SEIU action has greatly improved foster care provider's ability to affect real change for ourselves and our residents. Elected co-chair Contract Bargaining Team during the first and second contract sessions. Attended both local and state meetings. Spoke strongly, at the 2008 National Care Giver Conference, against the policy of some states who pay zero service pay. Helped establish fair union dues for providers. Attended the SEIU state conference. Spoke at the national SEIU Executive Board celebrating Oregon providers helping to grow SEIU to over two million members. Why I seek Board of Directors office: I wish to represent the interests of all providers to SEIU-503 and SEIU national organization. My Goals: Establish a foster care provider web site that will enable potential residents to easily locate a foster home that meets their needs. Publish newsletter focused on helping foster care providers remain informed about financial, educational, and practical solutions for our business. Continue to pursue Medical Insurance and Liability Insurance options for providers. Current issues: Secure Medical Insurance for Oregon providers. Force states that refuse even token service pay, for their care providers, to pay a living wage. Encourage voluntary dues payment to ensure we keep our raises. End discrimination against DD residents and providers: DDS has a policy forcing DD residents to be evicted to create an "In Crisis" condition. DDS allows evaluation of current care needs and service pay to occur only for "In Crisis" clients. This practice needs to be stopped.This is a clear discriminatory practice against only DD clients. AMH (Addictions and Mental Health) and APD/SPDS/SDSD (Adults and People with Disabilities) clients are not evicted before care needs and associated service pay are evaluated. I will continue to apply political pressure until we end this discrimination policy.