DHS

Kenya Richard - DHS/OHA,Gary Durbin - Employment, Gina Santacroce - DHS/OHA, Heather Fairchild - DHS/OHA, and Jack Graham  - DHS/OHA. Standing; Donna Bradley - Employment, James Burke - DHS/OHA, Catherine Stearns - DHS/OHA Co-Chair, Gregg Baird - DHS/OHA, Cindi Houston DHS/OHA, Tia Fraser - Employment, Steve Demarest - Employment, Co-Chair, Lisa Donoho - SEIU Staff and Bobbie Muncrief - SEIU Staff
Who we are…
For the purposes of bargaining, members who work for state agencies are divided into four coalitions: DHS, Institutions, ODOT, and Specials. The DHS Coalition includes the Employment Department, the Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Human Services (DHS).


DAS bargaining update: 6/10/2013

We started to make some progress on language issues at the bargaining table last week. We reached a tentative agreement on telecommuting that will increase opportunities for people whose jobs are flexible enough to allow working from home. In addition, …

DHS/OHA Bargaining Update: Making Headway at the Table

%%FIRSTNAME(Greetings)%%, On Monday, May 20, we met again with management and we tentatively agreed (TA’d) on five more proposals.The best news from this meeting is that we moved management away from its proposal that requires you to use a steward …

Frequently Asked Questions: State’s “6% Buy-Out” Concept

What is the 6% pick-up and how did it come to be? Prior to 1979, state workers paid 6% of our wages towards PERS.  In bargaining in 1979, we accepted the state’s proposal to pay the 6%, which increased member …

DHS/OHA Bargaining Update: Forging Ahead at the Human Services Coalition Table

On Monday, May 6, we met with management again to move forward on our proposals to improve our working conditions. We have had some success at the table, but we still have some work ahead of us. Management gave us …

SEIU Local 503 Executive Director Heather Conroy issued the following statement in response to the recent DHS audit:

In Department of Human Service Self-Sufficiency offices throughout Oregon, two state employees do the work of three: Due to inadequate funding, there has been a hiring freeze for years despite increased caseloads. Yet, despite utterly inadequate staffing levels, public workers manage to …

DHS coalition update: management wants an end to 4/10 schedules

We had an interesting night at the bargaining table. Both SEIU and Management passed package proposals but did not reach an agreement at this point. Proposals passed include several Letters of Agreement: • Article 49.1M-03072 – Trial Service Disability Analysts, …

Fair for a Fair Economy: Sunday May 19

Join us on May 19 in Portland for a Fair for a Fair Economy. We will educate the public about the services we provide and let the Governor and legislature see we are united for quality jobs and services.

DAS Bargaining Update: Take Action on Healthcare & Healthy Workplaces

In bargaining this week, we presented proposals to compensate members impacted by the “step slide,” continue the work of the HEM committee, and to implement an anti-workplace bullying policy. It is now up to management to respond to these proposals. …

Human Service Coalition bargaining update 4/4/13

Slight changes in language could lead to additional cost savings for the State of Oregon Highlights of our Human Services negotiations were testimony regarding hardship transfers and lateral transfers from Self Sufficiency workers and presentations regarding Letters of Agreement for …

State rebuffs proposals to improve services and get Oregon’s money back

In bargaining this week we again pushed hard on issues that we heard from you were important; specifically, we made extensive arguments for our proposals that address alternate work schedules, flexing, telecommuting, and trauma training for all employees.  In addition, …

It’s Time to Get Down to Business

Human Services Coalition Bargaining Update, 3/14/13 On Monday we passed the remaining proposals we plan to bargain over for the Human Services Coalition. In the next few months we will continue to move forward to create a better future for …

Bargaining begins for the Human Services Coalition

Coalition bargaining opened with our statement to management that we are the ones who provide services to vulnerable Oregonians. We believe there can be a better future for the people we serve and that a better future cannot be obtained …

Bargaining Update: Return to Economic Security NOW!

The Bargaining Team spent last week traveling throughout the state, meeting with workers from every agency and region. And, no matter where we went, the message was the same: members are demanding a return to economic security, for us and …

PERS Update with Q&A

Current and future retirees who are union members are closely watching the PERS debate unfold at this session of the Oregon Legislature, which just kicked off on Monday, Feb. 4. Lawmakers heard a first reading Monday of a bill to …

State worker bargaining update 1/31/13

This past weekend, our bargaining conference in Eugene brought together an enthusiastic group of bargaining delegates from around the state. Kristen Crowell, Executive Director of We Are Wisconsin, shared with the delegates why working in coalition with other workers is so important …

Wayne Ground awarded strong-man certificate

Catherine Stearns, President of Local 200, honors sublocal 203 Chair Wayne Ground with a strong-man certificate. Wayne stood strong in their Labor Management Committee and won the right for members to meet with the district manager to solve some long-standing …

DAS bargaining kicks off!

We kicked off 2013 negotiations Jan. 9 with an opening statement by Executive Director Heather Conroy. Heather set the tone of bargaining by making it clear how workers are feeling. “We have workers who are sick, demoralized, fearful and angry,” …

Help win a Fair Contract! DAS/OUS regional strategy meeting schedule

DAS and OUS members are invited to regional meetings we will be convening during 2013 to hear report backs from bargaining, get updates on our priorities at the State Capitol, and plan actions to win a fair contract. Who should …

Portland rally this Saturday urges government to fully fund public services

We’re used to seeing giant anti-austerity demonstrations in Europe, but on Saturday, Nov. 3, Portland-area community and labor groups will declare “enough is enough” by organizing a first-of-its-kind demonstration right here at home against government austerity cuts. The rally begins …

DHS/OHA Executive Board holds first-ever statewide Stewards’ Council

Training needs, future goals and issues specific to stewards were on the agenda at the first Stewards’ Council meeting held Saturday, Oct. 6, in Salem. Stewards from locations all over the state received training on Weingarten and Garrity rights from …