Bargaining Begins, Next Dates Set

Bargaining began for sublocals of the ODOT Coalition (of which Forestry is a part) and the State of Oregon last night, February 3rd, in Salem.  Employee interests were represented by Brandon Ferguson and Jim Neuman.  According to Neuman an opening statement from the Coalition was read and in traditional form a tentative agreement was reached on one item, this time, removal of the State Fair from the bargaining agreement.

The remainder of the evening was used to review Letters of Agreement and set dates for a Coalition work meeting and next bargaining sessions.

A ODOT Coalition bargaining work session is set for Saturday, February 21 starting at 10:00 am at SEIU 503's Salem Headquarters.  For more information about this meeting and what will be discussed contact Dave Wells @ 503-801-8468

The next bargaining dates for the Coaliton and State will be February 17th, March 3rd, 17th, (24th if needed), and 31st, April 14th and 28th, and May 12th.  All meetings will be in Salem, possibility at Oregon Department of Forestry Headquarters and will begin at 5:00 pm.  Members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Forestry Statewide Meets at Bargaining Kick-Off

The Forestry Local held its Winter meeting in conjunction with our Bargaining Kick-Off on Sunday, January 25th at the DoubleTree Lloyd Center.  On the agenda were our regular business items and deciding who would present our coalition bargaining proposals at our first bargaining session on Tuesday, February 3rd.

For the presidents message I reminded everyone that during bargaining we will be representing Forestry employees  and outcomes should seek to solve problems and leave our members with hope.

Decisions made at our meeting include:

Our treasurer position is currently vacant and elections to select a new one will be made at our next Statewide meeting.

Purchasing aluminum water bottles was approved as a promotional item.  Distribution is anticipated in March or April.

A cell phone paid for by the Local will be acquired for Brandon's use.

To aid communication within the Local, the preparation of a listserv is being investigated to distribute e-mails.  If you are interested in getting on the list contact any of your Local's officers or your Organizer.

The Local's leadership will continue to build our membership, recruit Stewards and develop Contract Action Teams (CATS) to support contract negotiations.

Next Statewide meeting will be April 11 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm in Salem at a location to be determined.

Forestry Statewide Meeting, Sunday January 25th

The Forestry Local will be holding it's next Statewide Meeting on Sunday, January 25th from 8 to 10 am at the Double Tree near Portland's Lloyd Center.  We will be meeting in the Mt Hood room and are providing a call in option.  For the call in number contact me at (503) 801-8468 or our SEIU 503 organizer Mike Bray at (503) 408-4090.

An Agency of Choice, Firefighting Positions Open

First a thank you for the additional day of leave granted many employees of the Department of Forestry in recongintion of the last two very extended forest fire seasons. This action along with many others continue Forestry's recognition as being an "Agency of Choice" for the public services provided and commitment to the working guidelines for all employees.

The Oregon Department of Forestry has 46 different employment opportunities for seasonal, full time work within the forest firefighting program at differnent locations throughout Oregon.  This is your opportunity to see what it is like to work for an Agency of Choice and be part of an exceptional firefighting team.  More information is available at www.oregonjobs.org

Forestry Local Statewide Meeting, Sunday January 25th

The next Forestry Local statewide meeting will be Sunday morning from 8:00 to 10:00 am January 25th in Portland.  Our meeting will be held just before the SEIU Bargaining Kickoff held the same day.  Agenda items will likley include bargaining concepts developed to date.

For more information contact any of your Local officers or Mike Bray our staff SEIU 503 orgainizer.

A Little Better Holiday, A Good Time to Rest and Repair

What a year, almost 12 months of firefighting, substantial work towards a new Forest Management Plan, and decisions on the Elliott State Forest.  Our work never really offered any of us a break, and it was noticed. I heard that Legislator's were very supportive of the Department's work that you accomplished, a real recognition of a job well done.

If you can, take some time to reflect on, rest and repair those missed days with the ones you care for and cherish.  These are The Holidays, live and share the spirit.

For your Forestry Local, it is a time of rest too, but in a bargaining year that rest is always short lived.  Here are some dates where decisions will be made about your work environment, and as always your Forestry Local Leadership would like your input to help make the best decisions possible:

Labor/ Management, Tuesday, January 6th Salem

ODOT Coalition Bargaining Workshop, Friday, January 23rd Portland

Forestry Local Statewide Meeting, Sunday, January 25th 8-10am Portland

SEIU 503 Bargaining Kick-off, Sunday, January 25th 10 am - 4pm Portland

ODOT Coalition Bargaining, First bargaining session, Tuesday, February 3rd, 5 pm dinner, 6pm bargaining Salem

If you have questions about how to participate please contact any of your local officers.

Forestry is Part of the ODOT Bargining Coalition, Meeting November 15

Forestry Local 629 is part of the larger ODOT Coalition when it comes to contract negotiations and bargaining with the State of Oregon.  On November 15, 2014 the Coalition will meet in Salem at the Red Lion located at 3301 Market Street NE from 10:00 A to 2:00 P.  The purpose of the meeting will be to review Bargaining Surveys for contract proposals and identify supporters for proposals developed at our Statewide Meeting in The Dalles.

Contract proposals generally are not made public until they are handed across the negotiating table.  If you would like to keep updated on the proposals please let me know.