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.

“You Can Do It!” AFSCME Celebrates a Free College graduate!

Oregon AFSCME Local 3669 member Marissa Franklin finished her Associate’s Degree in Business Management earlier this year—for free.

Franklin achieved this via the AFSCME Free College Benefit, an online program that is sadly no longer available as of December 2024. This program allowed union members and their family members to study remotely for their certificate, associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree at no cost.

City of Portland Workers Overwhelming Vote To Authorize Strike

PORTLAND, OR - Following numerous reported cases of illegal interference by City of Portland managers in an attempt to disrupt these employees' legally protected right to vote to strike, over 86% of District Council of Trade Unions (DCTU) members voted to authorize a strike.

City of Portland Accused of Interfering With DCTU Strike Vote

PORTLAND, OR - With the District Council of Trade Unions (DCTU) in the midst of their strike vote, numerous City employees reported illegal interference by City of Portland managers in an attempt to disrupt these employees' legally protected right to vote to strike.

Oregon’s Labor Movement Issues Statement on Recent CDC Guidance Changes

Last week’s decision, followed by this week’s lackluster update by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to change guidance, and Federal OSHA’s decision to abandon protections for healthcare workers in the midst of the most transmissible surge of the pandemic is abhorrent, shortsighted, and irresponsible and makes workers in every sector of our economy less safe. To choose economic “needs”  over the health, safety, and lives of frontline workers, the very people who have kept our economy and communities running to date is dangerous and unnecessary.

Family child care providers announce new state contract

Today Oregon Child Care Providers Together, Local 132 of Oregon AFSCME, announced a new contract with the state of Oregon that went into effect January 1, 2022. Under the contract, more than 2,100 family child care providers will receive new access to health services, free continuing education and trainings, and increased payments to care for children of low-income parents. The contract also calls for the state to establish a path to provide health care coverage and retirement benefits for family child care providers.

Lines For Life Workers File for Union Representation

PORTLAND, OR - A strong majority of the over 160 eligible staff at Lines for Life, a 24-hour crisis line non-profit based in Portland, submitted union authorization cards with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in late December, culminating in a union vote set for February.

Oregon AFSCME Endorses Lamar Wise In SD15

Oregon AFSCME’s member-led Board is proud to endorse Lamar Wise to succeed Senator Chuck Riley.

“Lamar has a proven commitment to the labor movement and has spent his career fighting for and alongside communities of color, young people and working people to increase access to healthcare, education and affordable housing. His experience and knowledge is exactly what Oregon needs to get back on track” said Oregon AFSCME President Elizabeth Goetzinger.

In remembrance of a beloved member, Damon Millican

We are saddened to report  that on November 13th, our Oregon AFSCME family lost Damon Millican.