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.

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.

OHSU Biomedical Researchers Urge Legislature To Demand Congress Fund Life-Saving Research

SALEM, OR - Biomedical researchers from OHSU testified in front of the House Committee on Rules on April 9th, advocating for House Joint Memorial 6 (HJM 6), which urges Congress to prioritize strong annual federal funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). HJM 6 further urges Congress to increase investments in cutting-edge medical research through grants from the NIH to research institutions.

New Avenues For Youth Workers Settle First Contract

5.png

PORTLAND, OR - After over 16 months bargaining their first contract, New Avenues for Youth (NAFY) workers have reached a tentative agreement with management on a three year contract, averting a one day unfair labor practice strike scheduled for April 1st.

NAFY workers serve some of the Portland area’s most vulnerable youth, assisting them in finding housing, education and job training.

“The fear is constant and overwhelming.” Workplace risk is high and safety is low according to a new report

SALEM, OR – Understaffing, extreme overtime and lack of safety protocols are creating untenable situations in the workplace, based on member survey results released today by Oregon AFSCME in their report, Unsafe on the Job. The report was released as more than 100 members came to the capitol to share their stories and call for action.
The survey findings of more than 520 AFSCME members showed:

Public Defenders Respond to DA Vasquez’s Harmful Remarks on Public Defense Crisis

PORTLAND, OR – Newly sworn-in Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez recently referred to Oregon’s public defense crisis as a “work stoppage” in an OPB interview. AFSCME Locals 2805 and 3668, representing staff attorneys, investigators, case managers, legal assistants, and office staff of Multnomah Defenders, Inc and Metropolitan Public Defenders, refute this characterization as harmful and blatantly false.

SACU Workers Launch Vote of No Confidence Against ODHS Director

Workers from the Stabilization and Crisis Unit (SACU), represented by Oregon AFSCME Local 1264, have announced a vote of no confidence against Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Director Fariborz Pakseresht.