Central Table Update 8/18/09

Contract Ratification Ballots Are in the Mail!
Please vote as soon as you get your ballot and remind your co-workers to vote as well!!
At the SEIU Bargaining Conference on Saturday Aug. 15, elected SEIU Local 503 bargaining delegates and members in attendance voted unanimously to recommend ratification of the tentative agreement. During an open microphone session, conference participants shared their belief that this settlement, combined with a legislatively approved budget that minimizes layoffs and cuts in services, is a victory for fairness. While acknowledging the sacrifice that the contract entails, speaker after speaker expressed the belief that this contract is as good as was possible—and a little better than expected—in the context of very tough economic times.

More details on the tentative agreement and answers to frequently asked questions about steps and furloughs
(scroll down to bottom of page for frequently asked questions)

Photos of the bargaining conference

Ballots will be mailed Tuesday (August 18). All represented workers will receive ratification ballots. Fair share payers must complete the enclosed membership application in order for their ballots to be counted because only members vote on contract ratification. Ballots are due September 8th.

Although we have reached a tentative agreement with DAS, our fellow SEIU state workers in the Oregon University System are still at the table and they are facing a long hard fight for fairness.

Not only do OUS negotiators still want up to 24 unpaid furlough days for classified employees, far more than in our settlement with DAS, they also continue to insist on a contract modification that would allow management to impose UNLIMITED unpaid furloughs at will. In addition, OUS is demanding a two-year pay freeze and refusing to include in this round of bargaining our newest OUS members - the PSU recyclers. Rather than bargaining their issues along with the rest of the contract, OUS wants to delay and bargain separately.

These proposals are outrageous. We must take a stand. Please call Chancellor George Pernsteiner at (503) 725-5703. Tell him to be fair to classified workers: Withdraw the proposal allowing unlimited furlough days and settle a fair contract that treats all state workers equally. Please also sign the online petition to the Chancellor.