HistoryIn 2000, Oregon passed Ballot Measure 99, supported by organized labor, creating the Oregon Home Care Commission. The creation of this home care commission was portrayed as way to improve quality. It was not made clear that the main purpose of the commission was to serve as the employer of record so the home care workers could be unionized.
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Oregon_Home_Care_Commission_Creation,_Ballot_Measure_99_%282000%29 In 2009, 3618 passed the legislature allowing for unionization of additional home care aides. http://www.docstoc.com/docs/81437997/SEIU---Oregon-Rehabilitation-Association According to their website, SEIU local 503 represents 11,000 Home Care Providers (PCAs). The union was able to negotiate some increases early on. The rate in the last contract was $10.20 per hour, the same rate as July 2008. Compare the 2007-2009 and 2011-2013 contracts: http://www.oregon.gov/dhs/spd/adv/hcc/docs/contract0709.pdf http://www.oregon.gov/dhs/spd/adv/hcc/docs/contract1113.pdf The bargaining unit consists of two groups of PCAs, Homecare Workers and Homecare Personal Support workers. The union has been able to negotiate limited health insurance benefits for some of the Homecare Workers. The Personal Support Workers do not appear to have any health insurance benefits. In this legislative report, in 2007 only 1/3 of those who qualified for the health insurance actually took advantage of it. http://www.leg.state.or.us/comm/sms/fis07/fsb0788a04-30-2007.pdf In order to qualify for the insurance, the Homecare Workers need to work at least 80 hours per month for at least two consecutive months. They must maintain at least 80 hours per month to remain eligible for health insurance. Only those not covered by existing health insurance qualify. http://www.seiu503.org/files/2011/08/SEIU_Homecare_Orientation_2010_web-1.pdf On July 18, SEIU announced that in light of the Supreme Court ruling in Harris v. Quinn, they would no longer collect fair share fees from nonmembers, even as they attempted to claim the ruling only applied to Illinois: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/politics/state-workers/2014/07/18/seiu-local-makes-home-health-workers-right-work/12832553/ |
Basic FactsUnion: SEIU
Dues: 1.7% + $2.75 per month Fair share fees: Authorized in union contract, suspended in aftermath of Harris v. Quinn Health Insurance: Yes, limited Contract: Yes, Active http://www.oregon.gov/dhs/spd/adv/hcc/docs/contract1113.pdf |
