News

Oregon State Workers Demand Recognition of Indigenous People’s Day as a Paid Holiday

Salem, OR — For the third consecutive bargaining cycle, Oregon state workers represented by Oregon AFSCME have called on state leadership to honor Indigenous People’s Day with a paid holiday.

Alyssa’s Grievance Victory Started with Notes | Oregon AFSCME Member Story

When Alyssa Ledesma first joined Oregon AFSCME Local 328, she did it on the advice of a colleague, without knowing how helpful having a union can be.

Member Action Saves DEQ Program

In Oregon, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the state agency responsible for restoring and maintaining the quality of our air, land, and water.

Thank you!

This action has come to a close but we appreciate your activism in fighting to protect city and county jobs.

Victory for SACU: Workers Fight Back Massive Cuts

In a major win for workers at the Stabilization and Crisis Unit (SACU), represented by Oregon AFSCME Local 1246, workers successfully pushed back against devastating cuts proposed in the Governor’s Recommended Budget for 2025–27. 

The Governor’s recommended budget slashed SACU’s funding in half, which would shutter half the residential homes and eliminate 372 jobs. Even more alarming, ODHS proposed a drastic shift in the mission of SACU without input from the people who matter most: the residents, their families, or the staff who care for them every day.

AFSCME Local 88 To Multnomah County Commissioners: Stop the layoffs!

Portland, OR – Speaking in front of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners, Oregon AFSCME Local 88 Vice President Hilary Zust spoke out against proposed layoffs, highlighting the county’s stronger than expected financials.

“Laying off staff right now is unnecessary and harmful, especially when County financial results consistently turn out better than what’s forecast” said Zust, a Human Service Investigator in DCHS Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Legacy Emanuel, Mount Hood and Randall Workers Vote Overwhelmingly to Unionize

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.

Public Defense Workers Sound Alarm Over Multnomah County Budget Cuts That Threaten Community Stability

Portland, OR – Public defense workers represented by Oregon AFSCME are warning that proposed cuts to the Multnomah County budget will gut critical programs that serve some of the county’s most vulnerable residents. At risk are the Partners for Justice (PFJ) Case Managers—who provide life-stabilizing support for people navigating the criminal justice system—and Community Law’s eviction defense, immigration defense, and expungement programs, which serve hundreds of low-income residents each year.

City of Portland’s Decision to End Union Contract With Safe Rest Village Will Create Client Care Disruptions

5.png

Oregon AFSCME is deeply concerned by the City of Portland’s recent announcement to transfer the contract for the Multnomah Safe Rest Village (MSRV) from Sunstone Way—a unionized service provider—to Urban Alchemy, a non-union organization with a troubling record as both an employer and a service provider.

This decision jeopardizes critical services for some of Portland’s most vulnerable residents, threatens the jobs of union workers committed to trauma-informed care, and raises serious questions about the City’s support for ethical, safe, and sustainable solutions to homelessness.

Oregon AFSCME Statement on Termination of OHSU/Legacy Merger

l189_news_image.png

Oregon AFSCME and AFSCME Local 328 stand with the workers of OHSU and Legacy, who work tirelessly to provide Oregonians and visitors from around the globe, world-class health care treatments, preventative care, and conduct life changing research.

Over 300 Legacy workers voted to unionize with AFSCME prior to this announcement. Oregon AFSCME has a 40 year track record bargaining strong contracts for OHSU workers and other health care and behavioral health professionals across Oregon.

Stop The Attacks on DEQ

5.png

The recent cyber attack on the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) could have been prevented. We know this because Oregon AFSCME represented members warned the agency that there was a danger to the security of DEQ’s system, and those concerns were ignored.