Report on SEIU 503 Activities and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Publication Date: July 25, 2025

Executive Summary

This report details recent activities undertaken by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 503, analyzing their impact through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key areas of focus include advancements in labor rights, policy changes affecting persons with disabilities, legislative advocacy for infrastructure jobs, and initiatives promoting social inclusion. These actions demonstrate a strong commitment to achieving decent work, reducing inequalities, and building sustainable communities.

1.0 Labor Relations and Economic Advancement

1.1 Homecare and Personal Support Worker Contract Agreement

A tentative agreement has been reached between SEIU 503 and the State of Oregon, marking a significant step towards enhancing labor conditions for homecare and personal support workers. The agreement is pending ratification by union members.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The proposed contract includes historic provisions that directly support Target 8.5 (full and productive employment and decent work for all) and Target 8.8 (protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments).
  1. A proposed wage increase of $3 per hour over the contract’s life.
  2. Strengthened protections for worker training and development.
  3. Secured funding for continued healthcare benefits.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) & SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By ensuring fair compensation and healthcare for care workers, who are predominantly women, the agreement promotes economic security, reduces income inequality, and supports the well-being of a critical workforce.

2.0 Policy and Legislative Advocacy

2.1 Rule Change for Persons with Developmental Disabilities

Effective July 15, 2025, the Oregon Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS), has implemented a permanent rule change.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: This policy revision allows individuals receiving developmental disability services to retain paid support while traveling internationally. This directly aligns with Target 10.2, which aims to empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of disability. It ensures continuity of care and enhances the freedom and mobility of persons with disabilities.

2.2 Advocacy for Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Jobs

SEIU 503 has actively campaigned to address a legislative funding shortfall that threatened the employment of nearly 500 ODOT members. Union advocacy resulted in the delay of layoffs and the scheduling of a special legislative session to address transportation funding.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The union’s actions to prevent layoffs directly contribute to employment security and economic stability for affected workers and their families.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure & SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By fighting to retain ODOT jobs, the union ensures the continued maintenance and safety of Oregon’s transportation infrastructure, which is critical for sustainable community development and economic activity.

3.0 Social Inclusion and Equality Initiatives

3.1 Commemoration of Disability Pride Month

July was recognized as Disability Pride Month, coinciding with the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This initiative highlights the ongoing fight for equality and inclusion.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The commemoration serves to raise awareness and advocate for the rights of the 15% of the global population living with disabilities. The establishment of a new Differently Abled Caucus within the union provides a formal platform to advance this work, aligning with Target 10.3 to ensure equal opportunity and end discrimination.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The ADA is a landmark piece of legislation that exemplifies the creation of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

3.2 Participation in Portland Pride Parade

SEIU 503 members participated in the Portland Pride parade to demonstrate solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality & SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: This public display of support promotes a society where all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, are included and respected. The union’s Lavender Caucus is a key driver of this work, contributing to the broader goal of achieving social inclusion for all.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article addresses this goal through its focus on homecare workers and services for people with disabilities. The tentative agreement for homecare workers includes “continued health care funding,” which supports the well-being of the workers. Furthermore, the rule change allowing paid support for people with developmental disabilities while traveling ensures “continuity of care,” which is essential for their health.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  This goal is connected through the article’s support for the LGBTQ+ community, as shown by the participation in the Portland Pride parade and the promotion of the “Lavender Caucus.” The article states, “We’re proud to contribute to a state where people can be themselves, express themselves, and love who they love,” which aligns with creating an inclusive society and ending discrimination.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  This is a central theme. The bargaining for a new contract for homecare and personal support workers, which includes a “$3/hour raise,” directly addresses fair wages and decent work. The fight to save nearly 500 ODOT jobs through a special legislative session is a clear effort to promote full and productive employment.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article strongly emphasizes reducing inequalities for persons with disabilities and the LGBTQ+ community. It celebrates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), promotes a “Differently Abled Caucus,” and highlights a rule change that allows people with developmental disabilities to receive support while traveling internationally. The participation in the Pride parade also supports the inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This goal is relevant to the section on ODOT workers. The article mentions that the failure to pass a “critical transportation funding passage” not only led to layoffs but also impacts the safety of Oregon’s roads. The union’s advocacy aims to “secure the funding needed to keep ODOT jobs and our roads safe.” Additionally, the article notes that for some laid-off workers, this meant “losing their housing provided by ODOT,” touching upon the issue of adequate housing.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article showcases the importance of strong institutions (like unions) and participatory processes. The union’s actions—bargaining, member voting (“Your Voice. Your Contract. Your Vote.”), and political advocacy (“members sent emails to their legislators”)—demonstrate responsive and inclusive decision-making. The reference to the ADA as a law born from “relentless activism” highlights the role of legislation in promoting equality and justice.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

   The agreement’s provision for “continued health care funding” for homecare workers directly supports this target by ensuring they have access to healthcare.

2. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.

   The negotiation for a “$3/hour raise” for care workers and the effort to prevent the layoff of “nearly 500 SEIU 503 Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) members” are direct actions toward achieving decent work and full employment.

3. Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.

   The entire premise of the union (SEIU 503) bargaining for a “fair contract,” ensuring “stronger training protections,” and advocating for laid-off workers embodies the protection of labor rights.

4. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

   This is addressed by the rule change allowing paid support for people with developmental disabilities during travel, the celebration of Disability Pride Month, and the union’s participation in the Portland Pride parade to support the LGBTQ+ community.

5. Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard.

   The article celebrates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as a “Victory for Disability Rights” that was passed to make public spaces accessible, directly aligning with this target.

6. Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.

   The advocacy for a “critical transportation funding passage” to “keep our roads safe” connects directly to maintaining a safe transport system.

7. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

   The article calls for members to vote on the tentative agreement (“Make your voice heard. Cast your vote”). It also describes how members influenced policy by sending emails to legislators and speaking to the media, which led to a special legislative session being called.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Wage Increase: The “$3/hour raise” for homecare workers is a specific, quantifiable indicator of progress towards better pay (Target 8.5).
• Jobs Saved/Protected: The “nearly 500 SEIU 503 Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) members” at risk of being laid off is a numerical indicator for measuring employment stability (Target 8.5).
• Healthcare Provision: The “continued health care funding” is a qualitative indicator of progress towards ensuring health coverage for workers (Target 3.8).
• Policy and Rule Changes: The permanent change to ODDS administrative rules allowing paid support for people with disabilities during international travel is a concrete policy indicator of promoting inclusion (Target 10.2). The passing of the ADA is a historical legislative indicator (Target 10.3).
• Political Participation: The number of members who “cast your vote” on the contract and the number of “emails to their legislators” are measurable indicators of participatory decision-making (Target 16.7).
• Population Statistics: The statement that “About 15% of people worldwide live with disabilities” is a statistical indicator that provides context for the importance of disability rights and inclusion (Target 10.2).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: seiu503.org