CODA worker Rebecca Woodward
A message from front-line addictions worker and SEIU 503 member Rebecca Woodward about why her work is so important:
“I work in the milieu of CODA, which means I monitor the ins and outs of the facility. So, I’m the very first person a client meets when they come into residential treatment and I help them with their day to day life as they come into sobriety.
“I continue to work at CODA because that’s where I got clean. That’s where I changed my life. That’s where I learned how to live differently. And, I want to help other people learn to live differently. I have seven and a half years clean and I’ve worked at CODA for the past five years. Watching other people change has, I think, helped me keep in touch with my sobriety and recovery. It’s important having me at CODA knowing that other people can change because I changed.”
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Rebecca is one of 70 SEIU Local 503 members who work at CODA Inc. They provide mental health, drug and alcohol counseling, for inpatient and outpatient clients and participate in the drug court for Washington County. Since April, they have been in bargaining for a new union contract.
The main goal for these front-line addictions workers is to decrease the rate of turnover at CODA. Currently, over a third of the staff have worked there a year or less. This high turnover rate is not conducive to supporting the clients. The clients need and expect consistent support from CODA employees in order to reach their goals of a healthier lifestyle.
In order to reduce turnover and provide the high quality care their clients deserve, workers are pushing to maintain yearly step raises, to respect longevity, to keep the costs of monthly health insurance at their current, reasonable levels and for an additional $25/month for staff that have qualified for their CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counseling). Unfortunately, management is proposing a wage freeze, an increase in the employee’s portion of monthly health insurance premiums, and a freeze on the bonus for CADC qualified staff.
Click here to sign our petition and show your support for workers at CODA!
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