Dignity Oregon

On February 16, people from around the state came together for our first-ever lobby day focusing on legislation affecting people with developmental disabilities and mental health issues. Homecare workers and adult foster home providers were joined by consumers to meet with their legislators at the capitol. Click here to watch videos from this empowering day of action.

Join providers from around the state at our first-ever Support Service Providers Bargaining Conference: Bringing Dignity Home

We will be coming together for the first time as a union on June 26 to plan our future and elect our bargaining team. Join providers from across the state to celebrate forming our union and to discuss the steps we will take to stand for our clients and the services we provide. We will elect bargaining team delegates and make plans to build a strong voice for support services. Register for the bargaining conference here.

For more information about the bargaining conference, contact Melissa Magana at 503.581.1505 x217 or maganam@seiu503.org.

Important note: For general questions about Dignity Oregon, there is a new phone number: Please call 1.800.452.2146 and ask for a care provider organizer in your area.

On June 2, the Employment Relations Board counted our ballots and determined that an overwhelming majority of providers voted to form our union.

Now that we are officially union, we have an opportunity to build a united and strong voice for our families, our clients and ourselves.

This month, we will continue to fight to protect the services our families and clients depend on. We will also take the next steps toward negotiating with the state. This won’t be easy, but if we all work together, we can achieve our goals.

“I’m elated from winning our union, and thankful for all the providers who worked so hard for this victory. I look forward to working with other providers to keep the dignity of our clients, who most definitely deserve it.”

—Lana Nelson, Douglas County Provider

There are four things you can do today to help bring the strength needed to fight for our programs and show providers are standing together to prepare to bargain with the state:

1. Make your voice heard at the bargaining table

If you have not completed a bargaining survey, please do it today. This is also an opportunity to nominate fellow providers to represent us in bargaining. Bargaining team members will use the survey results to develop proposals to the state for preserving and improving support service programs. Complete the survey here.

2. Become a member

Fill out your membership application today. You should receive a membership application in the mail early next week (beginning about June 6.) You can also download a membership application here.

“I’m sending in my membership application today so I can be united with other providers to advocate for the people we care for.”

—Rose Rogers, Coos Bay

3. Make your voice heard in the Oregon legislature

Make sure to check the box for CAPE on your membership application. CAPE is SEIU’s member-driven, issues-based voluntary political fund. When you contribute to CAPE, you help make provider voices heard in the Oregon legislature, so we can effectively advocate for critical programs and services.

4. Join providers from around the state at our first-ever Support Service Providers Bargaining Conference: Bringing Dignity Home

We will be coming together for the first time as a union on June 26 to plan our future and elect our bargaining team. Join providers from across the state to celebrate forming our union and to discuss the steps we will take to stand for our clients and the services we provide. We will elect bargaining team delegates and make plans to build a strong voice for support services. Register for the bargaining conference here.

For more information about the bargaining conference, contact Melissa Magana at 503.581.1505 x217 or maganam@seiu503.org.

Important note: For general questions about Dignity Oregon, there is a new phone number: Please call 1.800.452.2146 and ask for a care provider organizer in your area.

Ballots go out today!

Over the next couple of days, support service providers should receive their ballots from the Oregon Employment Relations Board to vote for their union.

When you receive yours, please take a few minutes to fill it out and get it back into the mail to the ERB as soon as possible. Detailed voting instructions here.

Over the years, we’ve faced a lot of challenges, and we’ve come a long way in our struggle for dignity and inclusion.

John Halsey and Steve McMahon: 1976 and today

Joining together will give us the strength we need to continue that work.

“I’ve been caring for Steve for 35 years. Back then, I built a homemade mobility device to help keep both of us included in our community. Today, I’m joining with thousands of Oregon care providers in voting to form a union with SEIU. Please join me in voting yes.”

—John Halsey, Multnomah County

Support service providers, clients, and families still face a lot of challenges as we work for independence and dignity. When we get together, we can find solutions to any challenge we face. As family members and support service providers for seniors, people with developmental disabilities, and people with mental illness, we are coming together to form our union. Join us in voting YES!

Watch a video created by Oregon support service providers: