We are an organization of more than 55,000 women and men who, by joining together, are fighting to create a just and vibrant society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We believe that everyone who works should be able to provide for themselves and their families.
That’s why we are proud leaders in the Fair Shot For All coalition.
In the 2015 legislative session, we worked with the coalition to fight for changes that will give every Oregonian the opportunity to succeed. SEIU Local 503 members were proud to lead the way on retirement security. Nearly half of all Oregonians have no employer-sponsored retirement plan. As a result, many are at risk of living in poverty when they retire.
We fought to address this problem by helping pass HB 2960, which created a state-managed retirement plan for people who don’t have one at work. This new opportunity to save for the future will put thousands of Oregonians back in charge of their financial future.
In the next legislative session, we will work to raise Oregon’s minimum wage. The current minimum wage is not enough to live on. An Oregonian working full time for $9.25 an hour earns just $19,240 a year. No matter where you live, that’s not nearly enough to afford the basics like housing, food, and childcare. Underpaid Oregonians and their families need a raise—and they need it now.
SEIU Local 503 members prepare for a lobby day in Salem, Oregon.