December 2025

Beware of Spam and Phishing

It has come to our attention that spam and phishing emails are now being sent out using Jenn Mower’s name. These may be asking members to pay dues or just trying to get you to respond to their email by having a single question in the body or a link. Do not click on any links or respond to any of these emails.

Please know that AFSCME will never reach out to you to ask for money or dues in this way, ever. Be diligent and please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Know Your Contract! Trivia

Here we will be hosting a monthly trivia contest! Email your trivia response to communications@local2831.org for a chance to win a gift card!

One winner will be drawn every month.

True or False: There will be no changes to any medical benefit plans in 2026.

Union History

The Seattle General Strike of 1919 was a pivotal moment in US union history with a work stoppage by 65,000 people in support of shipyard workers who had been locked out of their jobs when they tried to demand higher wages.

In the years prior to the strike, the area had seen a 400% increase in union membership while wages had stayed stagnant. The strike happened just months after the end of WWI with as many as 110 local unions supporting the general strike.

During the strike, a collaborative was formed among the striking workers that acted as counter-government for the city. The collaborative collected garbage, distributed food, and striking Army veterans created an alternative police force to maintain order.

Unfortunately, the strike was branded as “un-American” and contributed to the Red Scare of 1919 and 1920.

Committee Corner

The Communications Committee continues to work out how often newsletters should be sent. While we do not want to spam your in-boxes with emails we also know some information can be time sensitive. We are trying to balance newsletters with free-standing emails. We also are going to begin the migration from Mailchimp to Action Network for emails in November so keep your eyes out for that.

The Constitution Committee is now meeting regularly and have done their first review of the language in the constitution. We are researching language in other constitutions before coming back for our next meeting. We will also be addressing and updating the policies and procedures.

The Patient Access Workgroup committee has met 2 times and there have been some changes to who is sitting on that committee. They are currently in discussion with the County about provider panel sizes and how panels are currently organized.

Upcoming AFSCME Trainings

Oregon AFSCME provides a number of Union related free trainings each month. The full schedule can be found here: https://oregonafscme.org/trainings

Topics include Stewards training, Beyond Bias training, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission training and others.

Stewards Needed

We are currently looking for Stewards in the following departments:

Assessment and Taxation
Developmental Disability Services
Community Justice and Rehabilitation Services
Public Works
Technology Services

If you have questions or are interested in becoming a Steward, please reach out to Mary Troffaes, our Union 2nd Vice President by emailing communications@local2831.org or texting her at 541-337-6066.

Reminders:

All communications including teams and email on county computers are subject to transparency laws. Additionally, the county has access to any communications you have on your work computer or through work assigned emails. When contacting the Union with specific questions or concerns, it is best to do so through personal emails, calls or texts. You can find contact information for your Union Officers on the website here: https://local2831.org/officers

Or you can email us at communications@local2831.org. Please allow 1-3 business days for return emails at this address.