Usiog UDioD Power to Make a Difference in Salem
The outlook was uncertain. In the
weeks before the 2012 legislative
session, our members and the
Oregonians we serve had reason for
deep concern. Once again we heard
calls for deeper cuts to services in
order to close a revenue shortfall
topping $306 million.
rotunda for the Day of Action on
February 20—perfectly timed
to coincide with final budget
negotiations. Thousands rallied in
support of services and schools, in
an event jointly sponsored by SEIU
503, Oregon Education Association
and other allies.
The budget for seniors and people
with disabilities was shy more than
$50 million and the state proposed
eliminating healthcare for half our
homecare providers who now receive
it. But we fought back big-time.
What's next?
We used the political process. SEIU
503 members including Homecare
Worker Kit Good (Salem) weighed
in with compelling testimony
at legislative hearings, offering
proactive solutions.
We published a new edition of the
"Moving Oregon Forward" report
and pressed for implementing
our recommendations showing
alternatives to cutting jobs and
services. The first sign that all this 1
work was paying off camé when
legislative leaders proposed a budget
framework that included our ideas
for balancing the budget without
sacrificing many jobs.
Build a Strong, Pro-Worker Majority
in the House and Senate
We must continue to build political
power, especially in the legislature.
This fall the entire House and half
the Senate is up for re-election.
The May primaries and November
general election will determine how
well working families do in 2013 and
the years to come. Our chance to
negotiate good contracts depends
on the outcome of these elections.
It is critical that we have legislators
in office with the backbone to take
on big business and pass long term
revenue solutions.
Please sign up for CAPE, and
volunteer to help worker-friendly
candidates get elected.
Prepare for 2013 Contract
Negotiations
We must begin preparations for next
year's contract negotiations now.
But we needed people power to
You help build the power of your
make these proposals stick, and
union when you lead as a local union
our members delivered. We wrote,
officer or a CAT (Communication
phoned and picketed the Governor
Action Team) Leader. You help biiijft
and even staged a sit-in at hi$ Salem
the power of your union when you
office, urging fair treatment for care
stand together with other members
providers and other frontline workers. to deal with injustices. You help
We joined forces with AARP and
build the power of your union when
the Oregon Health Care Association
you stay informed and speak out
to buy billboards, radio spots and
about what's right. The day-to-day
newspaper ads, and lobbied jointly
work we do now will help lay the
for long-term care for seniors and
groundwork for the tough contract
people with physical disabilities.
fight we will face in 2013. And
we must be ready to demand the
And we turned out en masse with
respect we deserve.
our allies and flooded the Capitol
Developmental Disabilities
Awareness Month
March was "Developmental
Disabilities Awareness Month,"
and the Oregon Council on
Developmental Disabilities held
their annual celebration and awards
ceremony in the state capitol
building on March 28. Governor
John Kitzhaber took part in the
celebration and read a proclamation
designating the observance.
This year's theme was to celebrate
self-advocacy and the self-advocates
in Oregon. Self advocates have
become a force in Oregon and
throughout the world with their
theme of "Nothing about us without
us." Oregon self-advocates have
worked in the legislature, served on
committees and workgroups and are
valued members of the DD Coalition,
DD Council, and numerous boards
and commissions throughout the
state.
At the event, the council introduced
its annual awareness poster. State
Representative Sara Geiser and
her son Sam helped to unveil the
2012 OCDD poster promoting and
highlighting self-advocacy. The
poster theme this year was "I have a
voice!"
DD Champions
included self
advocate Laddie
Read and
Representative
Vicki Berger, who
received awards
for their advocacy
and long-time
commitment
Laddie Read
to the DD
community. Their awards read,
"Your advocacy has had a lasting,
positive effect on the quality of life
of Oregonians with developmental
disabilities and their families."