Positive Sign?

State Drops Provocative “Re-opener” Clause in DAS Bargaining

Earlier this month, delegations of SEIU 503 members went to work site managers with a message for senior executives that the state’s treatment of its workers at the bargaining was unfair, unreasonable, and unacceptable. Above: Members from DHS Winema in Salem.

Usually, our contracts last for two years, and members have the security of knowing that whatever is in the contract can’t get worse during those years. This year, however, management proposed a re-opener clause, which would have meant that the State, part way through the contract, could demand that we renegotiate key contract terms, including those affecting health care.
So SEIU 503’s bargaining team sensed some progress in the latest round of talks when the state dropped its proposal for a mid-term “re-opener” that had outraged workers. “While we are still light years away from a settlement, we think the State’s decision to back off its re-opener proposal is a step forward,” said SEIU 503 bargaining chair Kermit Meling. “It certainly seems to affirm that when our members speak as one we are heard loud and clear.

The state’s proposal for a two-year term came during two days of bargaining in Salem that produced two other small contract language improvements from the union’s perspective—expanded and liberalized access to bereavement leave and a 50 percent increase (from 20 minutes to 30) in the union’s role in new employee orientation.

“In and of themselves, these minor provisions don’t represent a major breakthrough,” Meling said. “But given how badly things started off this year, even small improvements count for something.

“We just have to keep making the point that while our members are willing to share in the sacrifice required of us all, it is unfair and unwise to demand disproportionate cuts in the extent and quality of state services at a time when they are needed more than ever.”

Bargaining got off to a rocky start this year when the state twice proposed the framework for an early settlement on a two-year contract and each time withdrew its proposal, blaming economic uncertainty. Then, when more traditional bargaining ensued, the state proposed a series of regressive measures including 26 unpaid furlough days (15 of them on holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Labor Day), a salary freeze, suspension of step increases, and elimination of the top step in our salary scale.  

But no proposal drew more immediate or universal outrage than the demand that the all provisions in the contract—including its most basic provisions—be made susceptible to a “re-opener” after one year.

In actions across the state, delegations of SEIU 503 members went to work site managers with a message for senior executives that the state’s treatment of its workers at the bargaining was unfair, unreasonable, and unacceptable.

Bargaining is scheduled to resume April 6.

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