First in the Nation!

Adult Foster Care Providers

Adult foster home care providers represented by Local 503 of the Service Employees International Union have negotiated an historic one-year agreement with the State of Oregon, becoming the first such workers in the US to win a union contract.

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Off to a Flying Start

More than 160 leaders representing over 20,000 members in units of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services and the Oregon University System gathered in Clackamas July 26 to begin planning for bargaining for new contracts in 2009.
SEIU 503 Vice President Sonya Reichwein from Driver and Motor Vehicle services  chaired the daylong conference. Bargaining surveys were distributed. For the first time this year DAS and OUS surveys are also available online. All members are encouraged to share their views.

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9 Hats in the Ring

Nine members of SEIU 503 have filed to run for four statewide officer positions. Ballots and candidate statements will be mailed Sept. 19 and are due Oct. 14.   See rules and timelines governing state wide officer elections.  

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SEIU 503 Endorses, Stands on Ballot Measures

SEIU Local 503 has made endorsements in local, state and federal races and taken stands on ballot measures.

Endorsements
Ballot Measures

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Welcome! Pinnacle South Hills Workers

Craig Mahaffey and Friends

With 48 of 64 workers at the South Hills facility in Eugene signing union cards, the employer recognized SEIU 503 as bargaining agent - the 24th nursing home to affiliate with the union.

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SEIU HEALTH CARE TOUR HITS OREGON

A nationwide SEIU Health Care Caravan is making two stops in Oregon en route to the Democratic and Republic National Conventions, focusing on health insurance profiteering in Salem Aug. 5 and family health in Portland Aug. 8.

Read the report: “Insuring Health or Insuring Profit?”

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New Contract Just the Start

SEIU 503 members at CODA — Comprehensive Options for Drug Abuse — have ratified a new one-year contract improving wages, benefits and working conditions—and immediately set their sights on further improvements.
"We fought harder this time and we got more," said Becky Woodward, a member of the bargaining committee. "It shows us what we can do when we’re informed and organized and act like a union!"

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OR Adopts Nursing Home Standards

New standards prompted by SEIU 503 increase the number of assistants in nursing homes, allowing members to improve care of residents.

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