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Welcome to SEIU Local 49, from President Meg Niemi
On behalf of our entire membership, I would like to welcome you to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 49. As a member of SEIU 49, you are part of a vibrant and democratic organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of working families. We are over 15,000 healthcare workers, janitors, and security officers in Oregon and Southwest Washington who are coming together to win livable wages, affordable healthcare benefits, and job security, and to create a more just society.
Happy Labor Day
Labor Day gives us a chance to reflect on the importance of the work we do and that the pandemic has shown the world what we already knew—WE ARE ESSENTIAL.Over the challenging past three years, we have shown when we come together as Black, Brown, and white workers we can demand and win change. SEIU 49 healthcare workers, janitors, airport workers and security officers have not only provided essential services and kept our communities safe, healthy and clean, we have had a strong rallying cry that it’s time for employers to Respect Us, Protect Us, and Pay Us.
VICTORY! Samaritan North Lincoln Members Win Strong 3-Year Contract
At Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital (SNLH), a strong majority of us voted to approve the agreement with Samaritan management on a new union contract.115 of us united—including ER Techs, Pharmacy Techs, Certified Nursing Assistants, Respiratory Therapists, Physical Therapists, Radiologic Technologist, Surgical Techs, Phlebotomists, Social Workers and Operating Room Custodians—in our drive to raise staffing and safety standards, improve healthcare for our patients and staff, increase our wages, and expand education funding.
Six ABM Janitors Celebrate Graduating the Green Janitor Education Program
We have been collaborating with Unico Properties LLC to bring the Green Janitor Education Program to downtown Portland. Recently we celebrated six janitors of ABM Janitorial at the Moda Tower completing the program!
The Green Janitor Education Program provides education in green building practices to meet the latest energy, water, and green initiative standards. It covers topics like: Energy efficiency, Recycling, Waste management, Water conservation…and other sustainable and green cleaning practices
2021 SEIU 49 Highlights
In 2021, we demanded that employers Respect Us, Protect Us, Pay Us!
We ran fast, pushed hard, and remained united across our Union in order to improve the lives of working families in Oregon and Washington. Take a moment to sit back and enjoy our successes and victories with our 2021 SEIU Local 49 Highlights video. #StrongerTogether
VICTORY! L49 Members at Planned Parenthood Settle Groundbreaking, First Union Contract
Members at Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon came together and voted overwhelmingly to approve a groundbreaking, first union contract, in effect until June 30, 2025.By remaining and united throughout our campaign, we won:
Well-deserved raises with a 15% average
Guaranteed minimum wage of $18/hr
Annual across-the-board raises
Paid employee insurance premium coverage
Matching retirement contributions
Improved communication and staffing support
Strong diversity initiatives
Access to the SEIU & Employer Education Fund
Respect for their Union
McKenzie-Willamette Healthcare Caregivers Take a Stand for Patient and Worker Safety and Win
Healthcare workers at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center who are members of SEIU Local 49 voted overwhelmingly to approve a settlement with McKenzie-Willamette management on a new Union contract. The nearly 300 workers—including ER Techs, Pharmacy Techs, Certified Nursing Assistants, Respiratory Therapists, Physical Therapists, Radiologic Technologist, Surgical Techs, Phlebotomists, Social Workers and Operating Room Custodians — were united in their commitment to raise staffing and safety standards, improve healthcare for patients and employees, increase wages, and receive pandemic protections.
Hospital Workers at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center launch 5-day Unfair Labor Practice Strike Advocating for Patient Care and Safety
Springfield, OR – Hospital workers who are members of SEIU 49 gathered, marched, chanted, and spoke out on their first day of a 5-day strike. Hospital caregivers made the difficult decision to strike following a breakdown in discussions with management over patient and worker safety issues. Workers maintain that management remains far from resolving key priorities to settle a fair union contract that would provide market rate wages, healthcare workers can afford to use, and COVID protections like paid time off and recognition bonuses.