Image provided by: SEIU Local 503; Salem, OR
About Dignity (Salem, OR) 200?-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2019)
DIGNITY Care Provider Spotlight Terry Haydon, Corvallis Many of the leaders who have built our union to become the powerful group of homecare and personal support workers we are today come from incredibly diverse backgrounds. This is true of Terry Haydon, The Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee who helped to build our system of union districts that has helped to raise up the voices of care providers from around the state. Terry spent years as a school teacher before getting involved as a “live in” care provider in 1999, providing supports for his domestic partner. Terry was dead set against the union when he was approached by an organizer in 2000, right when the union was just starting to get organized. He had come from an anti union family, but within an hour he had changed his views and joined the fight to make the state recognize their bargaining unit. “I made a 180 degree turn and became active. What really got me mobilized was that they were looking to get medical insurance, and I didn't have any at that time,” said Terry. In 2008, Terry worked to really revamp the way that representation happened, working out nine districts to have better representation for rural areas and regular regional meetings. From there he has become involved in all aspects of the union, including joining several committees with the Oregon Homecare Commission, the board for the Homecare Benefits Trust, the Homecare Council, and becoming the Chief Steward for Homecare, among other leadership roles. The victories around winning healthcare, which he did not have before the union came along, saved his life. In 2013 he went into the hospital with a serious intestinal blockage and had to undergo major surgery. “If it had been ten years prior I would have been saddled with a massive bill or died. The insurance has literally been a life saver,” said Terry. enjúgate In his free time, he enjoys going on cruises with his partner, and is continuing his participation in his union as a member of the bargaining committee. He is committed to seeing homecare continue as a solution for working families in Oregon, and carrying us through to getting holiday pay and a fair retirement system. Rose Pumphrey> Salem In 2015, a neighbor asked Rose if she would come over to sit with his wife for a short time so she wouldn’t be alone while he went to the grocery store. Soon the visit became a routine. When her neighbor’s part-time homecare worker moved away, he asked Rose to take over his wife’s care. That was the start of Rose’ journey as a homecare worker and a member of SEIU Local 503. Rose attended a SEIU new employee orientation, joined the union, took the training courses offered, and began getting more and more involved in her union. She was even elected by her fellow homecare union members to be a delegate at the 2018 SEIU Local 503 General Council. She’s grateful for her union, not only because of better wages, benefits and training opportunities, but because her union is like family to her. She says, “It’s great to be a member of SEIU. I have no family here, they are in Alaska, so I like the comradery and sense of community I get through involvement with my union.” Rose speaks four languages and volunteers at union meetings doing language translation. "I like people,” she says, I’ve made many friends. I have other people I can relate to. We are doing the same kinds of jobs and it’s nice to get feedback and share stories. We even trade recipes!” Prior to coming to Oregon, Rose lived in Alaska for 28 years. “In Alaska they do not have a homecare union,” Rose said. "When I found out we had a union here, I was excited to learn more. Now, since I’ve been part of the homecare workers union, I’ve seen nothing but good things. My union advocates for me, protects my rights. They have my back. If I didn’t have my union, I’d be on my own. I don’t mind my dues. It’s a minimum for all the benefits we get.” She has two daughters, and both went to OSU. She fell in love with Oregon when visiting and knew she wanted to retire here. Her daughters have both moved back out-of- state, but she makes the trip to visit them twice a year. In her free time, Rose spends even more hours caring for others. She volunteers at the senior center in her town, the public library, the women’s shelter and assists at warming shelters for the houseless each winter. In Roses’ words, “It’s all a labor of love. It’s not about money. It’s about love.”
