With the recent legislation cutting PERS, Oregon has had yet another debate about public employee retirement. Time and time again, we struggle to define that conversation by the people impacted, not the dollars and cents in the budget. In truth,…

July 28 Cast Your E-Ballot on the Proposed Contract Voting is now open! This Monday, State members received their electronic ballots through email, and the votes are coming in. Voting to ratify a contract is one of the single most…

“Union brothers and sisters stand united, our fight is not over. It has just begun, and we will prevail,” said SEIU Local 503, OPEU President Karla Marks to a roaring crowd of thousands in front of the state capitol building…

On our inaugural episode of Stronger Together, the official podcast of SEIU Local 503, we hear from our Executive Director Melissa Unger about our vision is for the next five years as a union. Next, we hear from Adam Napier,…

As we have confronted a range of challenges, from difficult court cases to anti-union attacks, SEIU 503 has not only persevered, but thrived. Now we have come together to unveil a five year strategic plan, one that will guide all…

It was only a few years ago that marriage was not equally available to all Americans, domestic partner relationships lacked clear benefits that married couples were offered, and people were regularly encouraged to hide their relationships when at work. It…

  Fifteen hundred state, personal support, homecare, and public services workers came together on Monday, May 20th at a historic rally to push for fair contracts and investments in public services.  Members of SEIU Local 503 from across Oregon marched…

For the past seven months, I have been honored to serve as executive director of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 503, Oregon’s public employee and care provider union. As I reflect on our incredible history, I’m also worried about…

For the past seven months, I have been honored to serve as executive director of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 503, Oregon’s public employee and care provider union. As I reflect on our incredible history, I’m also worried about…

There’s real trouble brewing in the 2018 election right here in Oregon. “Dark-money” groups are pouring millions of dollars into ad campaigns that paint public employees and care providers in a bad light. We need to push back with the…