"Change, that's our world"

State Forester Doug Decker spoke at the State Forests Conference/ meeting and opened with what was one of the meetings themes "change, that's our world".  Other words of the day were, jestingly, "golden opportunity" and "prior approval".  But there was a lot of truth in all of those catch phrases as the baby boomers retire and a State Forest Management plan is developed.

One cominality for the Oregon Dept. of Forestry and our Union is leadership and leadership development.

Leadership to navigate changes, leaders to fill promotional opportunities and those to lead in the workplace.  There is a "golden opportunity" for leaders and those who want to become one.

The Department has more leadership development programs than most, seek them out, and if accepted study hard.  Our Union also has leadership positons avialable, and the front line is the workplace Steward.  In October 2014, the Forestry Local clarifed the steps to becoming a Steward and those steps can be found here in our Local's ammended by-laws:  http://forestry629.blogspot.com/2014/11/forestry-statewide-meeting-dalles.html
Being a Steward will help develop your leadership skills setting and running worksite meetings, solving problems and when necessary representing your co-workers.  There is also training available like the Contract Enforcement classes listed on the SEIU 503 website:  http://www.seiu503.org

Forestry Local leadership elections will also be in early 2016, "change, that's our world".

Forestry Statewide - Minutes from October 10, 2015 Meeting

The Forestry Local had its fall meeting in Prineville on October 10, 2015, starting about 0900 and finishing about 1330.

From 0900 to 1000 members were invited to call in for a "virtual town hall", and were invited to stay on the line for the remainder of  the meeting.

President's Message: Dave Wells encouraged the leadership to continue developing member involvement and also notified that he will not be running for President of the Local in 2016.

Local Business: The financial status of the Local, required leadership disclosure statements and special General Council vote increasing the Retiree Local's annual dues were discussed.

Contract Updates: Recent changes to the SEIU 503/ DAS contract were discussed.  These changes included an increase in the boot reimbursement, temporary employees employed as FICCs will be paid for their rest and lunch breaks and letters of intent to clarify the rest and rotation period and compensation for tree fallers.  The contract will be available on-line in November and in print form in early 2016.  Joint DAS/ SEIU 503 contract information sessions are scheduled in October and SEIU 503 contract enforcement trainings are being held in November in Salem and at other times around Oregon.  More information is here: 

https://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fseiu503.seiu.org%2Fpage%2Fs%2Fnovember-13-14-contract-enforcement-salem&ust=1444574887680000&usg=AFQjCNHsQrA_phryrRfOt9TAsX15eYKkBQ

Membership:  SEIU 503 will be holding a membership drive in October and November.  The effort will include worksite and possible home visits and phone calls.  There are many ways to join, using the paper form and the new online form which is available here:  http://seiu503signup.org/  Membership means more and that is most often seen in our contracts and workplace respect.  If you are not a member and unsure of how to join contact any of your elected leadership or Mike Bray our Local's SEIU 503 organizer.

Revenue Reform:  Mike Bray presented SEIU 503's proposal to raise revenue for Oregon programs.  A signature gathering program is beginning and will be concluded July 2016.

Local Elections: Current Local officers were appointed as the nominating committee and charged with finding candidates for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and General Council alternates.  The election is likely to be in January 2016 to meet officer installation prior to General Council in August 3-6, 2016.

Labor/ Management: L/M agenda items were fielded in preparation of agenda development Monday, October 12th.  The next meeting is October 15th.  Agenda items identified included developing definitions for rest and rotation and rest and recovery, how the new holiday following Thanksgiving will be accounted and the tree faller committee.

Local Logo Items:  The Local will purchase pens and key fobs for distribution to increase our Local's visibility in the workplace and community.

Next Meeting: Our next statewide meeting is scheduled for Saturday, January 9th in Salem.