Presidents Message
By 085 President, Johnny Earl
Housing Bonus
Congratulations to our Housing Staff for the one time bonus of Appreciation given to them at the end of April. This bonus was in appreciation for all the hard work done last summer for the 2022 World Track and Field Championships. As I’m sure we all can remember, it was all hands on deck. That meant mandatory overtime several weekends in a row in July and August of 2022. The event was a success because of a true team effort between the employees in the Housing Department with assistance from the Campus Planning and Facilities (CPFM) custodial staff.
Last fall, the CPFM staff received a onetime Appreciation Bonus for the work they did during the Games, although Housing didn’t. It was my role as a member of the 085 executive team, and also as a member of the CPFM custodial team that worked alongside the Housing staff, to ask why they didn’t receive a bonus as well. Even last fall, in an appreciation luncheon hosted by the President’s office, I asked the past President and Vice President of Finance and Administration if the Housing staff was going to receive a one time bonus as well? It was starting to become a real point of frustration to our members in Housing. Not only did they feel passed over by management again, but they also felt disrespected by management again for all the hard work they had been doing not only last summer, but over the last two years during the pandemic – all while being short staffed. It’s hard for those working in Housing -or anywhere on campus- to watch management build new dormitories, and to feel these inflationary times eat into our buying power at the grocery store. Someone even asked me if the University prized building over paying people a decent wage? The answer to that question will come in this upcoming Bargaining campaign this Fall.
The acknowledgement of the above-and-beyond work of our colleagues in housing via a bonus in the April paycheck was perfect and greatly appreciated as we head into another busy summer conference schedule. My experience with bonuses is that you may not get one every year, but they are a true sign of appreciation. I would like to quote our last President Michael Schill, “The best way to show people that you appreciate them is giving them money.” I agree with his statement but I would like to also add that we worked for it, we asked for it, and we won it.
Sincerely,
Johnny Earl
President|
Local 085, UO
SEIU 503
LOCAL PRESIDENT CHANGE.
Our President, Stephanie Prentiss, has left the University. See her farewell letter below. Please join us in welcoming Johnny Earl as Interim Local 85 President! Johnny has served our local for more than 20 years and was most recently elected as our Vice President. In accordance with our local’s bylaws, Johnny will step into the position of President until new elections next spring. You can reach him at johnnyearl59@gmail.com
STEPHANIE’S FAREWELL MESSAGE
Hi wonderful and amazing UO SEIU Local 85 members! I’m writing this to you to say thank you for your support, votes, feedback, and being amazing humans. I’m leaving the university to take an Organizer position with SEIU 503, and I will miss you all. I’m still in Eugene and may pop in to say hi now and then. I encourage you all to grow our union here at UO and support the phenomenal leadership that Johnny and the team provide. Stay safe, and be active participants in our union for your families and your co-workers. And know your power! In solidarity, Stephanie Prentiss