News

Oregon AFSCME Statement on Murder of Cascadia Mental Health Aide

July 18, 2023 - The horrific murder of Cascadia McCarthy Place Mental Health Aide, Haley Rogers has placed a spotlight on the issue of safety at one of Multnomah County’s mental health provid

Vaccine Mandate Letter of Agreement

Today, the 20th of September 2021, the District Council of Trade Unions, alongside PROTEC17 and LiUNA Local 483, has signed a Letter Of Agreement (LOA) that provides important rights for AFSCME Local 189 workers impacted by the vaccine mandate.

This agreement is now in effect. As part of the agreement we were able to bargain following additional rights beyond what the City initially proposed:

COVID19 Vaccine FAQ

COVID19 Vaccine Mandate FAQ
Learn more about Oregon AFSCME's response to vaccine mandates

A New Jersey member’s career grows thanks to the AFSCME Free College Benefit

The pandemic has led many of us to take stock of our lives and our goals. For AFSCME New Jersey member LaTrenda Ross, the pandemic ignited a long-held dream—starting her own life coaching business.

“I was thinking about revamping my whole entire life,” recalls Ross, a member of Local 2306. “I was looking out for things I want to do, things I haven’t been going after.”

DCTU, LiUNA Local 483, and PROTEC 17 Vaccine Mandate Town Hall Q&A Summary

On September 7th, 2021 the DCTU, LiUNA Local 483, and PROTEC17 held a multi-union town hall where we invited a panel of labor attorneys to address members' concerns related to the City of Portland's then-recently announced vaccine mandate. We were joined by Margaret Olney from Bennet Hartman, Kaitlyn Oldham of Tedesco Law Group, Dan Hutzenbiler of McKanna Bishop Joffe, and IBEW’s General Counsel Diana Winther. The following is a summary of these attorneys' responses to our questions, as well as excerpts from their direct answers (in blue).

Approval of labor unions continues to rise; is highest since 1965

More Americans approve of labor unions today than at any time since 1965, according to annual Gallup poll results released around each Labor Day.

More than two-thirds of poll respondents – 68% – approved of labor unions. That means a clear majority of voters views labor unions favorably. Among adults 18-34 years of age, 77% approve of unions. Support is also high among those with annual household incomes under $40,000.

DCTU Town Hall Bargaining and Mediation update - 8/19/2021

The bargaining team met with City Management last Thursday, 8/19/2021, in a mediation session proctored by Janet Gillman of the Oregon Employee Relations Board. We made progress on several articles — and even reached a tentative agreement on some click here for more details!

AFSCME President Saunders discusses organized labor’s role in workplace mental health

Our nation’s behavioral and mental health workers have helped families and communities deal with every imaginable crisis, including the opioid crisis, gun violence, homelessness and the coronavirus pandemic. But for far too long, their work has not been fully appreciated.

Central Table TA Reached!

A Tentative Agreement has been reached! Please note, this table only reflects major points of proposals. Not every aspect of every proposal is reflected on the site below, but it will be updated: https://www.oregonafscme.org/2021-central-table-bargaining-issues