Oregon AFSCME members aren’t afraid to make their voices heard. Last month, AFSCME members like you from across the state, stood up and spoke out for themselves and each other.
From the City of Canby to OHSU, to Grants Pass and Corvallis, Oregon AFSCME members are making a difference and fighting for what’s right.
Local 3694 Josephine County Workers: Members held a rally in Grants Pass outside a County Budget meeting calling for better wages to keep up with inflation, and better benefits and working condition provisions in their contract. Commissioners heard their voices loudly and clearly and local media showed up to cover the event.
“County employees deserve a liveable wage,” Keith Gibson, Local 3694 President, told a reporter on the scene.
Josephine County workers are going to stay active and engaged in their contract negotiations because they know when we stand together, we win!
Local 0350 City of Canby Workers: Everybody has a right to a work environment free of sexual harassment. Earlier this year, one of our members at the City of Canby bravely came forward with a serious allegation of sexual harassment by Councilman Scott Sasse. Following an HR investigation, their allegations were found to be true. Yet, he has refused to step down, and the rest of the City Council has not held him accountable. Fred Yungbluth, President of Oregon AFSCME, captured the essence of our call to action speaking at the council meeting in June when he said:
"In order to lead, there must be trust. When one of you breaks that trust, it is up to the rest of you to hold them accountable. True leadership comes from doing the right thing, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable. We are asking that you find the same bravery that our member did, and stand up for the dignity of all workers by expelling Councilor Sasse for his inexcusable behavior.” Sign the petition to remove Councilor Sasse from the council. These elected officials need to hear from you!
Local 2064 Benton County Workers: Members rallied with elected officials and community supporters outside the Benton County Courthouse calling attention to ongoing contract negotiations. While the County proposes raises of 4.5% over three years, we all know that is not enough to help us care for ourselves and our families with the rapidly increasing cost of living in our area. We will not accept a contract that undervalues our work!
“The county doesn’t seem to care to retain people,” said Local 2064 President Dawn Dale in response to the County’s 56% turnover rate.
OHSU: Facing layoffs and proposed benefit cuts, Oregon AFSCME Local 328 members turned OHSU’s recent board meeting AFSCME Green, coming together to advocate for fair treatment and job security. While OHSU has begun laying off upwards of 500 workers, OHSU President Dr. Danny Jacobs received an additional $700,000 toward his retirement, on top of his $1.6 million annual salary.
Jennie Olson, President of Local 328, expressed our position in a recent Willamette Week article: “‘It’s outrageous and immoral that OHSU is, on one hand, planning to lay off 500 hard-working people and reduce patient care, while writing checks’ to executives and boosting Jacobs’ retirement pay.”
National Attention to OHSU Unions - New Union Strength for Researchers: AFSCME represents more than 11,500 workers at OHSU, including some of our newest members - people who do and support lifesaving medical research.
Last month, AFSCME National President Lee Saunders joined us to celebrate the new OHSU Research Workers United Union. This was a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to advocate for fair treatment and better working conditions for the nearly 2,000 researchers at OHSU.
That day, another research local - Postdoc Workers United- were joined by President Lee Saunders as they marched to the office of Chief Research Officer Peter Barr-Gillespie and delivered a stack of petitions. As they negotiate for their first contract, the petitions call for OHSU to increase pay for these critical researchers and give them more job security. These expert researchers come to Oregon from around the world to help fuel OHSU’s profitable research center and work on cures for cancer and other diseases, but OHSU keeps them on contracts without adequate benefits and no reliable wage increases.
As we move forward, keep an ear out for the upcoming bargaining sessions for the research workers. They are gearing up to negotiate better wages, better benefits, and better working conditions. Additionally, the Postdocs are preparing for a potential strike, ready to stand firm and demand the respect and fairness they deserve. You can also donate to the Postdoc hardship fund here.
(AFSCME President Lee Saunders joined Postdoc Workers United and Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor in delivering a petition to Chief Research Officer Peter Barr-Gillespie)
Local 1546 - Lake Oswego City Workers: Last month Local 1546 members gathered at Lake Oswego City Hall, raising their voices for better wages and better working conditions as they bargain for a fair contract. Despite the city’s financial stability, their current wage proposals fall short.
“City employees have made extraordinary efforts to pull this community through recent crises,” said Scott Symer, President of Local 1546. “It’s time for the city to make us whole and provide a wage proposal that keeps us in line with inflation.”
Joined by City of Tualatin Local 422 members, the rally was a powerful demonstration of solidarity and we know it got the attention of city leaders. Together, we can demand and achieve the respect and recognition we deserve.
Our collective actions prove that when we stand together, our voices cannot be ignored. Our union is making an impact and demonstrating the power of solidarity. Thank you to everyone who has participated and supported these efforts—your strength and unity are driving positive change.
