President Biden’s Build Back Better plan presents us with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fundamentally change the lives of millions of Americans, lift families out of poverty, and build a recovery that centers working people, people of color, women, immigrants, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Climate Justice, Fair Shot for All (Economic Justice), Public Safety Reform and Police Accountability

Hospitals, clinics, and skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes) are only as strong as the people who work, day in and day out, to support patients and residents. Staffing shortages decrease quality outcomes for patients and increase the risk of worker injuries, burnout, and low job satisfaction.

Access to quality, affordable, equitable health care is a human right. Thanks to Oregon’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act, about 5-6% of Oregonians lack access to health insurance, a historic low. However, it is clear that our health care system does not work for many Oregonians. We continue to close this gap to ensure that everyone has access and to work for changes that improve health equity.  

Even though most public employees earn less than they would in the private sector, they believe in serving our community. In the past, they were promised a secure retirement in exchange for their service. But now, that retirement is under attack.

Public sector jobs are some of the last remaining jobs that provide a secure retirement and good health care benefits. Tens of thousands of Oregon families are better off as a result. That’s worth fighting for.

Our universities have misplaced their priorities, choosing to focus on administrative bloat, athletics, and capital construction projects over providing a quality, affordable education and good jobs. 

Every aspect of the state budget impacts SEIU members and their families, no matter where they work or live, whether it’s for a state agency or for a hospital or nursing home. We fight for a state budget that supports working families.

When workers are able to join together in a union, everyone benefits. Full-time women workers in unions earn 30% more than their non-union counterparts, and Black union workers are 13% more likely to have health care than non-union workers. These benefits support workers and their families to be more financially stable, and access to improved training and benefits also contributes to better outcomes at work. 

Oregon state and local governments should create policies and laws to raise job quality standards, benefit working Oregonians and their families, strengthen our economy, and reduce the risk to state and local governments that contract for janitorial, private security, and laundry/uniform services.