1st Contract in Woodburn

French Prairie Workers Reach Agreement

Newly organized workers have reached agreement on a first contract at Pinnacle’s French Prairie Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Woodburn, the 26th nursing home in Oregon under contract with members of SEIU Local 503.
 
Workers at a 27th home, Farmington Centers’ Laurelhurst Village in Southeast Portland, have voted overwhelmingly to join the union and are in negotiations.
 
The French Prairie contract includes wage increases retroactive to the first of the year with another increase in October plus these features:
•  time and a half or double time for extra shifts, wage adjustments and bonuses for eligible workers based on longevity, andextra pay for out of class pay and new shift differentials;
• non-discrimination language affirming the right of employees to speak languages other than English on breaks, in casual conversation, and to residents who speaks the same language as well as employer pay for courses for employees to improve English proficiency or learn other languages;
• union rights including a presence at employee orientation, a union information binder in the break room, nd formation of a labor-management committee.

SEIU 503 organizer Samuel Davila, who led the bargaining team, praised the efforts of members Patti Collins, Michaeline Davis, Felipa DeTorres, Armando Fernandez, Loralee Hooper, and Lisa Seitz for their patience at the table and leadership in the workplace.