Homecare Workers’ Historic Founding Convention
Over 120 homecare workers and clients from around Oregon came together for the historic
Founding Convention of Homecare Workers Union, Local 99 in Salem on January 26 and 27.
With over2,000 members statewide, the new Local is organized as a part of a national
campaign with over200,000homecare workers within Service Employees International Union.
he Founding Convention was the first statewide gather
ing of homecare workers and clients. People from as far
away as Eastern Oregon and the South Coast came to
participate in the two days of action. We learned about the
campaign and the legislative and organizing challenges we face
on the path to better wages, decent benefits, and higher quality
of care for our clients. We had an opportunity to visit with other
homecare workers, and to share our stories and our hopes.
On Friday, homecare workers and clients flooded the
Capitol, meeting with legislators, urging them to implement
Ballot Measure 99 and support the Homecare Commission.
On Saturday, homecare workers adopted the Constitution
and By-Laws that will govern our Local and opened nomina
tions for 15 elected leadership positions that will make up the
Homecare Council, Local 99 (see page 7).
Fellow homecare workers from Local 250 in California
came to share the history of their struggle and victories and
how they improved wages and benefits under their union
T
contract (see story, below).
Homecare union members and clients left with renewed
commitment to organize other homecare workers in their com
munities and to continue to press the legislature to implement
BM99. We also pledged to stand together in our campaign to
ensure respect and dignity for workers and our clients.
Truly, our Founding Convention was a big step forward,
but there are many challenges ahead in our path to achieve a
fair contract. Our union is only as strong as we make it through
our membership and participation. If you are not a union
member, join today! It’s one of the most important decisions
you will make. Fill out the enclosed membership application and
mail it in. If you are already a member, get involved! It
will take commitment and hard work to build a strong union, but
together, we can improve our lives and the lives of our clients.
Contact Danica Finley in the Portland area at 800-527-9374 x 114
or email at finleyd@opeuseiu.org, or Andrew Barnes at
800-521-3446 or email at bamesa@opeuseiu.org.
California Homecare Workers Share Struggles and
Successes At Founding Convention
Helen Hall from Contra Costa, and Rosie Beyers from San Francisco,
homecare workers and union activists from SEIU Local 250, joined us to
share their experiences. Rosie, Union Vice President from San Francisco,
described how workers in her local went from minimum wage and no benefits
to their current union contract which includes $9.70/hour, plus medical and
dental insurance, and a pension plan. “It wasn’t easy. It took years of hard
work and action,” Rosie told the crowd. “When the County realized we were
not going to go away, things began to change. Today, because of our efforts,
the union has made a real difference in the quality of life for our members
and for the clients we serve.”
Helen shared a similar story. Contra Costa homecare workers
created a homecare commission, won a union election and bargained their
first contract about three years ago. Helen explained that not only do they
Helen Hall and Rosie Beyer
now receive better wages and benefits, but workers in her local get more
training and support to provide the quality of care their clients deserve. “It
took a lot of work and perseverance,” Helen said. “We sent letters and postcards to politicians. We went to lots of meetings, visited
and called lots of homecare workers. And in the end, WE WON!”
Helen and Rosie explained how they recently helped 9,000 homecare workers in Sacramento County join SEIU. “We sent
our members and staff in to help them win their union election,” Helen remembers. “Over 95% of the Sacramento caregivers voted
YES to join the union.”1
Not only were Helen and Rosie inspirational in sharing their successes in California, but they were inspired by our Found
ing Convention. As she left for the airport, Rosie said, “I can’t wait to share with my union what homecare workers are doing in
Oregon. We will definitely be back to help.”