Dignity, May 01, 2012, Page 10, Image 10

Bargaining Update,
continued from front cover
to stop cuts to homecare senioS
services. Our hard work helps
fund a $53 Million budget hole.
March 2012-Present: Mediation
Progress, During mediation
we reached agreements on key
items like policy consistencies
for Personal Support Workers,
wage overpayment protections,
and protecting paid time off for
homecare workers. After months
of publically calling on the
Governor to take action tb stop
2,200 workers from losing health
insurance, we successfully restore
eligibility for qualified homecare
workers to 80 hours a month.
May 2012: Arbitration Hearing
Members and allies fill the rotunda at the State Capitol to call on the legislature to fund services.
Concludes. Our Union and the
State present our respective cases
to a neutral third party arbitrator
provide coverage across the entire state!
to decide in on either all of the State's
and the comparison of other workers
Our proposal would maintain Kaiser level
proposals or all of our final proposals.
who provide similar services, among
health benefits that went into effect •
The issues discussed in 6 full days of
other factors. She will issue a decision
January 2012 and expand those levels
arbitration hearings were:
by June 15, but repeatedly urged both
of benefits to workers who currently
sides to return to the negotiations.
are insured through ODS. Our team
Wages for Personal Support Workers:
We are free to negotiate and reach
presented how the State's contribution
Our Union proposes for all personal
a settlement at any time before the
to health insurance would likely mean
support workers'wages to be increased
arbitrator makes her final decision.
dramatic benefit level reductions.
to at least $10.20/hour and for any
worker making above $10.20 to also
Next Steps:
Union Power: Members are the lifeblood
receive a small bump in their wages. .
Don't forget to vote. The work begins
of our union. The State's proposal would
The State is proposing a wage floor
today to build a strong pro-worker
limit the ability for most represented
only in the PC20 program.
majority In the legislature who will
workers to be dues paying members
fight for the services we provide. Click
and participate fully in our Union. Union
Worker Voice in Our Health Care: We
here for a fist óf SEIU 503 endorsed
membership means our voice counts,
are proud of efforts to build a health care
candidates.
we have a vote in our leadership, and it
program from scratch that now insures
demonstrates our power to make future
approximately 4,500 workers. We
want a keep^ strong voice to ensure
Talk to other care providers in your
improvements. The State's proposal
area! Stay tuned for rnorê information
also wouldn't provide regular data to
members maintain quality, affordable,
on how this summer you can join
our Union about who we represent—
and accessible health care coverage.
other members throughout thastate
standard information provided by most
The State proposes that ¡twill administer
to talk about the importance of voter
Employers.
health insurance without specifying how
registration and union involvement.
workers Will have any input.
For the arbitrator's decision, she will
For more information, contact a
consider each side's arguments about
Health Care Coverage: We historically
bargaining team member or call‘d
how our proposals support the welfare
convince Kaiser to offer a statewide plan
your organizer: 800-331-9892.
of the public, the State's ability to pay,
for eligible homecare workers—the first
the ability to retain a qualified workforce,
time in Oregon that Kaiser has offered to
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