Image provided by: SEIU Local 503; Salem, OR
About Dignity (Salem, OR) 200?-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2019)
LOCAL 503 SEIU JUNE 2019 DIGNITY Oregon’s Homecare & Personal Support Worker Newsletter SEIU Members Help Pass Historic Revenue Bill, Set Up Wins At Bargaining Table D.C. Politicians Issue "Rule” Attacking Homecare and Personal Support Workers After years of working hard for revenue reform, Oregon just passed a bill raising $2 billion in new revenue from large corporations. The bill will improve education and other public services throughout Oregon, put our members in a better position to win at the bargaining table, and bring balance to a tax code that has long asked regular people to pay more than their fair share, while big corporations got away with bottom-of-the-barrel tax bills. The politicians at the Center for Medicaid Services in Washington, D.C. issued a new rule today specifically attacking working women who care for seniors and people with disabilities. Thousands of SEIU 503 members came together to make this victory possible. Over 6 years, we changed the narrative through our support of Measure 97, advocated for bills during the 2017 legislative session, and helped elect a State Legislature that prioritized revenue reform. This game-changing $2 billion investment in education will stabilize the budget and create opportunities to invest in the vital services our members provide. In March, the Oregon Legislature told agencies to expect 5% cuts across the board if there is no new revenue. Now we have to hold legislators and management to their promise to reverse these cuts and instead make investments in public services across the state. Winning big at the legislature puts us in prime position to win at the bargaining table. 9 of 10 SEIU 503 members are bargaining this summer. Additional revenue translates to higher State agency budgets, a better position for University funding, and more resources for the homecare and personal support worker program. We need to make sure we capture this moment, and send a strong message to legislators that our work is not done, their work is not done, and it’s now time to adequately fund the essential services our members provide. The rule is designed to stop homecare workers and personal support workers from choosing to have union membership dues and benefits payments deducted from their paychecks. This practice, also known as "payroll deduction," is commonly used to pay for health insurance or contribute to a retirement plan, and is the way most union members - including teachers, police officers and firefighters - pay their union dues. The rule would also prohibit homecare and personal support workers from participating in “I don’t think any politician should decide what you can and can’t do with your money. If you choose to be part of your union, that’s your right and your choice, just like every other worker in Oregon. I’m fighting back. We have created a new membership card that protects your union membership and benefits.” Rebecca Sandoval, Homecare Worker, Medford sb «. SIMIO W an automatic retirement savings program like OregonSaves. Winning an employer-funded retirement plan is one of our top priorities and this rule would block one of our best pathways. This new rule is a transparent attempt to interfere with our ability to win higher wages, better training, and basic benefits like healthcare and paid sick time. These things are crucial to ensuring quality homecare for seniors and people with disabilities in Oregon. Homecare workers are going to challenge this ruling in court. We’re hopeful that the courts will side with workers, but we need to stick together and sign the new membership card in case they rule against us. No politicians should be able to tell a person what they can and can’t do with their money. It’s our union. Our pay. Our choice. Go to http://bit.ly/JoinUs-HC and fill out your new membership card to protect your union membership and benefits!
