I just got word that our worst fears have happened...

Seasonal Bargaining:
Local 483 have been bargaining with the City of Portland for healthcare for the Seasonal Maintenance Workers for over three months now. The city council unanimously is committed to providing healthcare for these workers. To be exact, we had three votes from this council for healthcare for better than a year, but still the Bureau of Human Resources keeps dragging their feet on this issue.

Our position at the table has been, and continues to be, that this low wage workforce is at risk. They are just one accident or one illness away from disaster!

I just got word that our worst fears have happened. Steve Sisomphou, a Seasonal Maintenance Worker in his first season, working in irrigation for Portland Parks and Recreation had a medical emergency. Steve, a single parent with two young children, noticed his son, Vincent, wasn’t feeling well.

He had hoped, like most parents do, the tummy ache and high fever would subside with rest and fluids. As a Seasonal Maintenance Worker with the City of Portland Steve does not have healthcare or a livable wage. Steve decided, as any parent would, his son’s health was more important than the financial impact of going to the emergency room without healthcare.

It was a choice Steve would never have had to make, had the City of Portland not dragged their feet in providing a health care package that was promised a year ago. The City of Portland should be ashamed.

Vincent was diagnosed with salmonella poisoning. Steve was given a $6,000.00 medical bill.
Because the City has abdicated its responsibility to its own Seasonal Maintenance Workers, we are stepping up. The Local has set up a tax-free emergency account in Steve’s name and the E-Board has voted to donate our quarterly charity donation to this account and is asking our members to donate to this account as well. Please support Steve and Vincent by sending donations to:

Labor’s Community Service Agency, Inc.
1125 SE Madison Suite 103-B
Portland Oregon 97214
Earmark the donation for Steve Sismphou’s Medical Account.

- by Richard "Buz" Beetle

Business Manager Laborers Local 483