- Labor Movement and Engagement:
Steve Emerson opened the meeting by highlighting broader opportunities to engage in the labor movement. He encouraged members to get involved in initiatives beyond the immediate workplace. He shared information about a meeting on October 28, 2024, focused on labor leaders in the Philippines, where participants could learn about challenges and solutions on the ground. Emerson stressed that even small actions like attending this event, while multitasking, could have a significant impact and increase collective power. He also mentioned upcoming meetings with staff from Senator Merkley's office to discuss a resolution passed by our union regarding the situation in the Philippines. https://www.tinyurl.com/1027laborsol - Budget Reductions:
Steve thanked those who had submitted personal stories on how proposed 10% budget cuts to the agency would impact their work, the agency, and Oregonians. He emphasized the power of storytelling to influence decisions, noting that while facts and numbers help, emotional narratives are what truly move people. He encouraged anyone affected by the cuts to share their stories through the union steward email, as these could potentially be shared with legislators. He mentioned that these stories, while public, might lead to follow-up requests for phone calls or face-to-face meetings with legislators. odfwunionsteward@gmail.com - Bargaining:
Emerson reminded members about the importance of submitting ideas for bargaining and emphasized that if members do not submit their ideas soon, it will be difficult to incorporate them into proposals. He noted that our union can negotiate over wages, benefits, and working conditions, and invited members to fill out a form to share their bargaining priorities. Additionally, Emerson and Francesca Edmonds introduced a petition to support CDL drivers, specifically those transporting fish for the agency. The petition aims to secure a differential for these drivers, recognizing their additional responsibilities and the strain of maintaining a commercial driver's license (CDL). Members were encouraged to sign the petition and support the effort to gain fair compensation for CDL drivers.
https://forms.office.com/r/XYc2zYZSB0 - Contract Action Team (CAT) Program:
Francesca Edmonds explained the importance of the CAT program, which stands for Contract Action Team. CAT members are vital for organizing at the workplace level, ensuring that communication about union activities comes directly from coworkers. Francesca stressed that coworkers are more likely to engage with the union if they hear directly from peers rather than through official emails or texts. The goal is to have a CAT member at every worksite to keep union members informed and engaged, particularly in organizing and bargaining efforts. - Reclassifications:
Steve Emerson provided a detailed guide on how members can request a reclassification if they believe they are being underpaid for their job duties. He broke down the steps, which include updating position descriptions and comparing their duties to similar roles in other agencies. Emerson noted that connecting with employees in higher classifications doing similar work could strengthen the case for reclassification. He emphasized that our union has the right to request information from the agency to investigate potential contract violations and that members should work closely with union stewards when pursuing reclassification to ensure they present a compelling case. - Science Program Restructuring:
Emerson addressed ongoing concerns about the restructuring of the science program within the agency. He shared that management had been vague and uncommunicative about their plans, leaving staff feeling uncertain. Our union has submitted an information request to management, which allows us to request detailed information about changes that could affect workers. The goal is to ensure transparency and give staff a voice in decisions that impact their jobs. Emerson encouraged staff affected by the restructuring to reach out if they wanted to be involved in discussions and expressed the union’s commitment to ensuring that workers have a seat at the table during this process. - Employee Surveys and Pay:
There was discussion about the recently released employee engagement survey, which had been pushed by our union to include a section for long-form comments. Although management was resistant to making significant changes to the survey, Emerson noted that our union had successfully advocated for the inclusion of this comment section to capture employee feedback. Emerson also mentioned a Workday survey sent by our union regarding two key issues: moving to biweekly pay and transitioning salaried employees to hourly pay. He expressed concerns that these changes could negatively impact lower-paid employees, especially those who rely on steady monthly paychecks for rent and other essential expenses. Emerson strongly encouraged members to fill out the survey to ensure their voices are heard on these critical issues. Search your work email for your survey link. - Q&A and Closing:
In the final portion of the meeting, attendees raised various concerns, including pay equity appeals and the restructuring of seasonal positions. Emerson emphasized that our union would continue to advocate for fair treatment of employees, including following up on any appeals and ensuring that seasonal employees receive clarity on their job status amid restructuring. Emerson concluded the meeting by reiterating the importance of staying engaged and connected, both with the union and with each other, as a means of building power and ensuring that members' voices are heard.
Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing work of our union in preparing for bargaining, addressing budget cuts, and advocating for members’ rights in the face of agency changes and restructuring efforts.
