Lobby Day Connects

We met Legislators who are supportive and good listeners at the Capitol on 3/17. To quote Rep. Bob Jenson "it's pretty tough times" but also provided hope in what is budgeted for Natural Resource agencies.

For specifics HB 2123 that would allow the Department to provide legal protection to firefighters alleged to have committed a crime in the course of fire suppression activities passed out of Committee with amendments. The first step in the long journey to become a law.

Bargaining will be no less of a journey.

We bargain next on Monday night 3/21 starting at 5:30P at ODF Salem Headquarters. The work capacity test is on the agenda.

Central Oregon Firefighters Take a Bow

Last night a tentative agreement was reached that will allow seasonal employees not currently employed to apply for Agency internal promotions. Certain conditions apply. This is how bargaining is supposed to work, identify a problem or need, communicate a solution, and then bargain towards it. Thanks for bringing it forward Central Oregon Firefighters.

Next bargaining meeting is Monday, March 21 at ODF Headquarters in Salem where the Work Capacity Test will be a focus. Dinner at 5:30pm, bargaining at 6:30pm, Tillamook and Clatsop rooms.

Future bargaining dates: April 4, April 18

All Proposals In

Finally an opening to change the Work Capacity Test. Last night union and management traded WCT proposals. Union's focus to have physician co-pays paid; Management's focus to remove the physician note option when the WCT cannot be physically "passed". What do you think?

This will be a focus of bargaining on March 21st when we meet at ODF headquarters in Salem. The meeting starts at 5:30P. Being present to listen, think, share and decide will be important.

Next ODOT coalition bargaining is March 7 starting at 5:30P at ODOT Human Resource Center in Salem.

Foresters You've Got to Talk More Than Trees

At our statewide meeting we reviewed bills about Forestry in Oregon. They went from cut more trees to create conservation areas, protect forestry firefighters from alleged criminal charges to limit expenditures from the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund. What does that mean to you?

You don't need a tent to make a political statement but you do need to participate in our Lobby Day for Natural Resource Agencies on March 17th, contact your organizer for more details. The Local will pay for your companion's part of lodging if needed, we're family friendly.

Other dates: Coalition bargaining February 28, March 7, March 21

Possibility Thinking, Problem Solvivg Stewards Wanted

Efficiencies and change that works will be needed to give Oregon's forests the protections expected from Oregonians. Stewards are needed to help grow the ideas of empowered co-workers to feel secure and share what they know. Becoming a Steward is a great way to grow your own leadership skills. Ask our Statewide coordinator Lisa or me how to become one.

See you at the next Statewide Forestry meeting February 19, 10am, Portland Field Office.

Encouraging leadership, safety, fairness and recognizing success

It felt like bargaining had started as Forestry met with others in the ODOT coalition to craft contract proposals for the 2011/ 13 contract on January 15th. Leadership, success, safety and fairness all themes to weave words around in a period of change and opportunity. See what our proposals look like at the Bargaining Conference, January 30th.

Other dates of note:

Purple up on January 25th
ODOT Coalition bargaining February 7th
Forestry Local statewide meeting in Portland, February 19th
ODOT Coalition bargaining February 28th

What will your job look like in 5 years?

Boots, incident lodging, hazard pay or something else.

What do you want your job to look like in 5 years?

These are the questions as contract language is being prepared for our next round of bargaining beginning in February 2011. Language will be prepared on January 15th at SEIU headquarters in Salem.

Should employees who work in Salem be allowed to bump employees who work in the Districts/Area if programs are combined?