General Updates
- Introduce new statewide union organizer. Ian Meagher-Public Sector Field Organizer, SEIU Local 503, OPEU 971-285-2056
- In relation to possible layoffs, HR has worked closely with employees and the chief union steward to reduce the impacts of this budget shortfall. HR has been working with impacted employees to find placement in vacant positions where necessary, although not all employees will have a landing pad. The anticipated layoffs are currently between 5 and 7 people and those employees should have their official notices distributed this week, if not already. Through this process they are working to reduce any impacts from bumping rights by finding positions or encouraging employees to apply to other positions prior to implementing a layoff effective July 1st. At any time, HR can review your resume in workday and help with mock interviews regardless of whether or not you are impacted by layoffs. Any specific questions about your particular position should be sent to Michelle jones or our union steward email
- ODOT bargaining team is still looking for photos of dirty gear, dirty personal vehicles and rough roads that ODFW employees drive on as part of their work duties. Please share these photos asap to the steward Gmail account. Sign up for the rally in Salem as described by our presenters
- Use comp time and personal business leave before the end of the biennium (i.e., end of June). Recurring seasonals should have PB move with them to new position, this has to be done manually in workday and can lead to errors. Double check that you have PB you are owed and reach out to HR immediately if you lost yours during your position switch.
Special guests to Discuss Bargaining- Sarah Heinsohn and Angela Ward
How bargaining works-Elected Bargaining Delegates reviews surveys and determines what to take to the table. Started at the end of December 2024 by discussing ground rules with Management. March 2025: Bargaining Proposals out to management and management proposals submitted to labor bargaining. Try to settle by Mid July. Current contract expires June 30, 2025.
See the most recent and past bargaining proposals from union and management here.
SEIU proposals
- COLAs to have CPI (Consumer price index), would result in keeping up with the cost of inflation.
- New steps for topped out employees.
- Healthcare. Proposed going to 0% (dropping the 1%) and keeping 5%. Health care costs have gotten so high that the state subsidized contributions are too high for the state to continue to pay. Expect higher deductibles, copays, and less coverage. Take this survey to Protect State and Higher Ed Worker Healthcare!
- Proposed two new holidays
- Proposed vacation leave to be equal with management
- Proposed allowing people who have high level of vacation to be allowed to cash out 1/quarter rather than 1/yr
- Proposed increasing leave by 8hrs for people who are 100% in the office
- Change how seasonals are employed by the agency. Shift to year round employment.
Management proposals
Remove the discrimination process in Article 22. Remove ability to file grievance based on discrimination.
Switch to bi-weekly pay. Document everyone as hourly and stop forecasting (want actual hours to be paid after the fact). Effort to make our pay match Workday’s structure. Switching to bi-weekly should help with mid-month tax issues. Will get taxed on half your being paid
State budget announced yesterday (5/14/2025) so can now initiate further bargaining on economic proposals. Bargaining timeline goal is to settle this contract by mid July.
ODFW Specific Bargaining
- Removing use of personal vehicles requirement for job
- Removing requirement for CDL for low paying positions
- Uniform allowance increases for seasonals. Remove contract language around job class structure.
SEIU Contract Specialist: Abigail Spagle - Contract Specialist, ODOT Coalition, spaglea@SEIU503.org, cell- 971-301-2957. Abigail is available for specific agency needs for contract work.
