Portland, OR – Professional workers at Legacy Emanuel, Mount Hood, and Randall Children’s Hospital have voted to form unions with Oregon AFSCME. The elections resulted in overwhelming victories: Emanuel workers voted 93 to 14 in favor, Randall workers voted 57 to 2 and Mt. Hood workers voted 52 to 1.
These wins mark a major step forward for frontline healthcare professionals fighting for a stronger voice in the workplace, improved staffing, and better working conditions across the Legacy Health system.
“This is our chance to codify what we love about working at Emanuel, as well as what changes we would like to make so we feel supported and can better serve our patients. For example, I know a lot of us, including myself, would like to improve the process for getting APL (Accrued Paid Leave) approved so staff can take their well-deserved time off, especially when those requests need weekend coverage,” said Joseph Matter, Social Worker at Legacy Hospital.
“Now that we’ve voted to form our union with AFSCME, we’re excited to start the bargaining process for a contract that puts workers and patients first,” continued Matter.
“Legacy workers made it loud and clear: they want a voice, respect, and a real say in the decisions that impact their patients and their lives. We’re proud to welcome them into Oregon AFSCME. With over 40,000 represented workers, we’re building a movement for better workplaces across every sector in this state,” said Joe Baessler, Executive Director of Oregon AFSCME.
With the addition of Legacy’s professional workers, Oregon AFSCME continues to expand its presence in healthcare and beyond. Now representing more than 40,000 members statewide, AFSCME is the fastest-growing union in Oregon—advocating for stronger contracts, safer workplaces, and better outcomes for both workers and the communities they serve.
