Dignity, September 01, 2019, Image 2

DIGNITY
Homecare/PSWs Settle New Contract continued from cover
Retirement
We reached a landmark agreement with the State to create a
path toward retirement security. It’s a huge achievement that
will help improve the economic stability of our members, as
well as reducing turnover and improving the quality of care
that consumers receive.
The agreement will begin in 2020. We have a commitment
from the Governor and DHS to raise wages up to $0.77 per
hour (5% of the new $15 base pay) to fund participation in
OregonSaves. This is a groundbreaking retirement plan that’s
portable, meaning you can take the plan with you even if
you change jobs. The plan will be automatic, but workers will
have the option to opt-out.
The new policy spells out a process for reporting
inappropriate behavior to the Case Management Office. It
ensures that the worker will continue to get paid, but will
not have to go back into the home in question. In fact, no
workers will be asked to go back into the home in question
until the Case Management Office has done a follow up.
This historic policy will go a long way toward ensuring that no
homecare worker has to risk their paycheck just to feel safe.
Additional Highlights
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Fixing Late Pay Issues
Earlier this year, DHS admitted to issuing 10,000 late
paychecks in 2018. Clearly, their system isn’t working. That’s
why the bargaining team fought for and won a process for
compensating homecare workers when late payments are
not our fault.
In instances where the State has issued a payment late, the
State will compensate the worker a penalty fee equal to
$20 per calendar day for every day the payment is late, not
to exceed the gross amount of the late payment. This will
help compensate homecare workers, while also creating an
incentive to make sure we’re paid on time, every time!
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Maintained healthcare benefits.
New mandatory trainings will now count toward
professional development certification, allowing
workers to increase their pay above the $15 per hour
base amount.
We worked out agreements to EW issues around
exemptions for workers who don’t have internet access.
We won an agreement with the State to develop a
functional registry for homecare workers and clients to
connect in the 21st century. This will meet the needs
of both workers and consumers, by making it easier for
workers to have consistent employment and making it
easier for consumers to find care providers. The new
system will be jointly developed by SEIU and the State,
with a launch date of summer 2021.
For a link to the full Tentative Agreement Summary go to:
seiu503.org/care2019/
Anti-Harassment Policy
This is a first-in-the-nation policy, spelling out homecare and
personal support workers’ rights when they feel unsafe in
someone’s home. Many workers are in a vulnerable position
working in other people’s homes, and we need to be able to
call 911, report inappropriate behavior, and protect ourselves
without fear of losing our income or losing our provider
number.
A Facebook Group Just For Us!
Are you on Facebook? Check out our new Facebook group for
Homecare and Personal Support workers!
It’s a place to network with other care providers, get bargaining
updates and contract tips, and find other general information
about Homecare and your union.
Come join the discussion with caregivers across the state! Go
to: www.facebook.com/groups/SEIU503Homecare/
Next Steps:
Now we vote to ratifiy our new contract.
Ballots will be mailed the week of
October 7, so keep an eye on your mailbox!