Sixty-three workers employed by Volunteers of America (VOA) Oregon will vote next month whether to unionize with Oregon AFSCME.
The workers staff a pair of in-patient residential alcohol and drug treatment facilities in Portland where addicts undergo six months of court-ordered treatment for addiction — a 52-bed facility for men and a 35-bed facility for women.
“They’re the front-line line caregivers for folks that are in great need,” says union organizer Corey Nicholson. “They deserve a livable wage and respect.”
Right now VOA pays residential counselors $10 to $12 an hour — barely above the minimum wage, which is now $9.75 for the Portland area. Some workers have had no raise in years, and some salaried employees complain of unpaid overtime.
“No one should be making $10 an hour doing the kind of challenging work we do,” says Henry Lauer, an administrative coordinator at the mens residential center.
Lauer and Nicholson say many employees are former addicts themselves and are deeply committed to their work. But workers haven’t felt like they’re listened to by management. And high case loads and too-high turnover mean less time with clients.
“When conditions of employment improve, the client outcome improves,” Lauer said. “If we become successful, it’s ultimately going to benefit our clients.”
So far, management hasn’t actively campaigned against the union. Nicholson said she hopes they’ll remain neutral and respect employees’ right to decide for themselves.
The vote will be held in person Sept. 14 and also by mail, with ballots due Sept. 28.
AFSCME represents Volunteers of America employees in New York and New Jersey, as well as workers in Portland at Central City Concern, Transition Projects, and Janus Youth Programs who do similar work.
