News

Oregon Legislature Passes Historic Investment in Public Safety Workforce

Salem, Oregon - Oregon's 82nd Legislative Assembly passed HB 4045, the Public Safety Workforce Stabilization Act, an historic investment in Oregon's public safety workers..

OregonSaves Welcomes Childcare Providers to State Retirement Program with $5 Million Boost from American Rescue Plan Funds

The Oregon Retirement Savings Board and State Treasurer Tobias Read today announced that $5 million of dedicated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars are being disbursed by Oregon's Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) to fund the OregonSaves retirement accounts of more than 900 Oregon childcare service providers.

Celebrating Black History Month

The Oregon Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) cordially invites you to join us for a month-long recognition of Black excellence in conjunction with the Pacific Northwest Labor History Associ

Support OR AFSCME Members In Need

Oregon AFSCME members have been calling for a way to donate to their union siblings in need, and now we have a method to do so. 100% of the funds donated to Oregon AFSCME's Wildfire Relief Fund* will go directly to Oregon AFSCME members and their families affected by the wildfires.

Donate to the Oregon AFSCME Wildfire Relief Fund

Apply for FEMA Assistance

Ergonomics for Telework

Ergonomics for Telework

Most of us do not have complete home offices like we do at work, so telework can be a challenge. AFSCME wants to make sure you know the basics about how to keep yourself healthy while teleworking.

One of the best ergonomics guides for teleworking we have found is from Stanford University's Department of Environmental Health & Safety. This guide and short webinar was created to assist Stanford faculty and staff who are currently teleworking.

AFSCME Members Win Class Action Seniority Arbitration

City of Salem workers received a significant arbitration decision today that holds their employer responsible for violating their seniority in 2018 and 19.

How To Vote If You've Been Displaced By Wildfires

Displaced by wildfires?

Here's what you need to know about voting.

  • Displaced people have until October 13th to decide where they want their ballot sent.

Supreme Court Rules Against Workers

On Thursday, August 6th, the Oregon Supreme Court released their ruling on the lawsuit challenging SB 1049, the legislation passed that diverts a percentage of money that goes into members’ IAP accounts.

This unanimous decision, while disappointing, is narrow in scope, and affirms the previous ruling that the legislature cannot make changes to benefits you have already earned. It also clarifies that the legislature can make changes to benefits not yet earned.

Student Loan Forgiveness Success Story

AFSCME has many public-sector and non-profit members working to complete this complex program. Leigh McIlvaine, an Oregon AFSCME member working for the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development worked for a non-profit for over ten years, and recently transitioned to public employment, both of which qualify for student loan forgiveness.

For those interested in the process Leigh gives her insight and experience in the below interview: 

The State's Budget Projections

As you may have noticed, the Governor sent an email on May 12th about the upcoming state budget, where she asked all General Fund agencies to submit plans to reach an 8.5% budget cut for the current 2019-21 biennium. Because the cuts are targeted for the second half of the biennium, this 8.5% over the total biennium reduction is more like a 17% reduction.

These proposed cuts are an exercise and by no means anything close to final. The legislature will have a special session in June to debate these budget cuts before any cuts occur.