Improved Work Capacity Test, Tentative Agreement Reached

A tentative agreement was reached on Tuesday 4/16/2013 on an improved version of the Work Capacity Test (WCT).  Management and Labor both brought changes to the bargaining table to solve some problems with the Test that received a major overhaul in 2011.  Now if someone misses a scheduled date for the WCT (and up to three others), perhaps due to a out of Oregon assignment, the Department will be able to provide the test using a person certified in First Aid/ CPR/ AED who is willing and able to provide assistance at the test site. Also changed is the re-imbursement rate for those who need to see a medical professional as part of the pre-screening process.  The rate following ratification of the contract will now be $50, to more accurately reflect the current cost of co-pays.

It is a true testament to the listening skills of both Labor and Management to come to this agreement.

Next scheduled dates for ODOT Coalition bargaining are April 30,  May 14 and May 28 at OPRD Headquarters in Salem.

The next Forestry conference call is Sunday evening, April 28th and participant call numbers are available from SEIU Staff Organizer Timothy Welp or Forestry Local President Dave Wells.

The spring Statewide Forestry Meeting is May 18, 2013 in Coos Bay.  We will be meeting from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Coos Bay - North Bend Labor Temple located at 3427 Ash Street, North Bend.

Save the Date, May 18th for Forestry Statewide Meeting

On May 18, 2013 the Forestry Local will hold it's next statewide meeting in Coos Bay.  We will be meeting in the Coos Bay - North Bend Labor Temple, located at 3427 Ash Street, North Bend.  Topic items are still being developed but will include support for the staff at the Coos District and developing a Seasonal Firefighter union orientation outline.  If you have other items that you would like to see on the agenda please forward them to any of your elected Forestry Leadership.
 
A call-in number will also be available for those who cannot make it in person.

The next Forestry Local conference call will be Sunday evening, April 14th at 1800.  For a call-in number contact Local President Dave Wells or SEIU Staff Organizer Timothy Welp.

Smaller Harvest, Little Trees and Fewer Staff in Coos District

Seven employees of the Oregon Department of Forestry received layoff notices on Monday, March 11^th as a result of the reduced harvest level now planned for the Coos District.  For the past 10 years their harvest had been between 25 and 30 million board feet (MMBF) and is now set at 15 MMBF.  This harvest will be primarily from younger and smaller trees similar to those removed from forests managed mostly for timber production by large private owners.  Previous harvests on the Coos District included trees that grew following forest fires in the mid to late 1800’s.

How will this effect Oregon’s rural economy?  From the timber harvest standpoint the loss of 15 MMBF of timber harvest equates to the loss of 165* direct forest sector jobs. These are the family wage jobs prized anywhere and cherished in rural areas.  There is also the threat to infrastructure like the mill in Douglas County that takes logs and turns them into timbers for timber frame homes.  Wood homes sequester carbon and these timber frame homes really look spectacular doing it.

These layoffs are also a big loss of skill from the Coos District.  One person who received a lay off notice has more than 30 years, and another more than 25 years of experience of working in Oregon’s Forests.  Others with homes and family face major changes in their lives and disruption in the communities where they live.

Please write your Oregon Legislator and ask them to help restore harvest levels on the Coos District and bring jobs back to Coos Bay.

* Oregon Forest Resources Institute 2012 Forest Report “Poised to Rebound”; 1 MMBF of timber harvested creates or retains 11 direct forest sector jobs.

Forestry Bargaining Began February 5, 2013

ODOT Coalition bargaining, of which Forestry is a part, began Tuesday night February 5th. At this and the next meeting scheduled for March 5th is where our proposals will be handed back and forth, with the real discussions on of the proposals coming March 19th.  Forestry specific proposals given to the Local from Management were clean-up language putting the current name of the Department of Forestry into the contract and a proposal to incorporate the Work Capacity Test in the body of the contract and make changes to the health and safety part of the test.  The Local did not have any proposals to share across the table.

Representing the Local were delegates Doug Firoved and Dave Wells, who were joined by member Jim Neuman.  Representing Management were Human Resource Generalists, Heidi Steiner and Dan Jones.  All members of the Local are invited to attend.

Bargaining is being held at the OPRD Salem Headquarters located at 725 Summer Street NE and the Coalition meets at 5:30 pm with actual face to face bargaining beginning about 6:30 pm.  The next meetings are scheduled for March 5 and 19, April 2, 16, and 30.  No dates have been scheduled into May.  A Forestry Conference call is scheduled for Sunday February 10th at 6:00 to discuss proposals and orgainize for the contract campaign, the phone number is available from welpt@seiu503.org.

Winter Forestry Statewide Meeting, January 27, 2013

Our next Forestry Local Statewide meeting will be held on January 27^th in Eugene at the Valley River Inn in conjunction with the biennial Stewards Conference and DAS/ OUS Bargaining Conference.  Our meeting will run from 0800 to 0900 before the start of the Bargaining conference set to begin at 0930.  Breakfast will be provided.

The primary focus will be to solidify/  re-establish local leadership and build communication pathways prior to the start of bargaining.

Registration information for the Stewards and DAS/OUS Conferences are available at the SEIU 503 website.

ODOT Coalition Bargaining is tentatively set to begin the evening of Tuesday, February 5^th in Salem.

Bargaining Surveys Look for Better Ideas

What are your priorities for our next contract, wages, health insurance, or something else?  Well now through November 1, 2012 bargaining surveys are available on-line at the SEIU 503 website or through your organizer to get your thoughts down in writing.

Do you have an idea that should be addressed at the bargaining table?  Two years ago Central Oregon Firefighters thought that Agency firefighters who were laid off in good standing should be able to apply for Agency Internal job offerings.  Using that idea, contract language was developed, considered at the bargaining table, and eventually adopted.  Without that initial idea none of that would of happened.

What are your ideas?

Forestry Statewide Meeting - October 14th in Eugene

The next Forestry Local 629 Statewide meeting will be on Sunday, October 14th from 10am to 1pm at the Eugene SEIU Office.  The office is located in the basement (not as bad as it sounds) of the Oregon Community Credit Union.

The agenda includes:

• What are your Bargaining ideas
• What will it take to be successful in our 2013 contract
• Report from our last Labor/ Management meeting
• For Seasonal Employees, what would you like to see on ODF's website?
• President's and Treasurer's reports
• Promotional item purchase

An optional pro-worker candidate phone calling will run from 1pm to 2:30pm.