How DAS Bargaining Works

SEIU Local 503, OPEU, bargains for about 17,000 State workers from more than 30 different agencies in nearly 500 different job classifications. In order to address the concerns of such a large and diverse group, we bargain at four coalition tables and one central table.

The Coalitions

The coalitions are groups of workers from agencies with similar work environments. They are:

DHS Agencies Coalition
ODOT Coalition
Institutions Coalition
Special Agencies Coalition

At these tables we bargain issues such as work schedules, overtime scheduling, uniform and tool provisions. In our contract these are the articles with decimal numbers (23.2; 90.1; 122.3; 61.5; etc).

Each Coalition has an elected chair. The Special Agencies Coalition has Co-Chairs because of the large number of covered agencies. The Institutions Coalition also has Co-Chairs: one co-chair represents employees who are prohibited from striking; and one who represents employees who are able to strike. To find out which coalition your agency is in there is a list on page iv of the contract.

The Central Table

At the central table we bargain provisions which affect all employees like wages, insurance, vacation accrual rates and holidays. In our contract these are contract articles with whole numbers ( 2, 27, 31, 66, etc.). The Coalition Chairs represent employees in their Coalition at the Central Table.

Central table sessions are normally held during the day and members are welcome to attend. Coalition bargaining sessions are held in the evening hours. Bargaining usually occurs in Salem.