Oregon Public Broadcasting

Scores of protesters marched outside the offices of the City of Portland Monday. They're upset about union negotiations with the state.

Kristian Foden-Vencil / OPB

Home-care workers around the state are taking a leaf out of the Occupy play book. They're holding demonstrations to protest a lack of progress in their pay and health care contract negotiations.

The executive director of the  Service Employees International Union Local 503, Heather Conroy, says the state wants them to take a two-year wage freeze and lose some of their paid time off.

"We're headed to mediation and we look forward to the help of a mediator to try to help move us forward and to get the governor to stop these shameful cuts," Conroy said.

About 20,000 Oregonians help people stay in their homes by shopping for them, cleaning the house and providing hands-on health care.

Union members have been working without a contract since June 30th.

The governor's office was unable to comment on the home care workers’ complaints by air time.  The state budget has developed a $300 million hole since the legislature approved the current two-year spending blueprint.