News

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

New Avenues For Youth Workers Settle First Contract

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

“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

AFSCME Members Voice Support for Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act

AFSCME members sat down with congressional lawmakers last week to share stories about how the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act would improve communities and empower workers.

Trump Budget Disinvests in America’s Future

Through a budget proposal announced this week, President Donald Trump continues his attacks on vital programs for working families, including Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

And rather than invest in America’s future, he seeks to disinvest, proposing deep funding cuts to programs in education, environmental protection, disease prevention and more.

At AFSCME’s Iowa Coffee Caucus, Candidates Champion Public Services and Unions

If you followed every Democratic presidential primary debate and read the candidates’ positions on every topic and watched the AFSCME Public Service Forum held in August, you might think there is nothing left to know about the men and women vying to be the next president of the United States.

Join a Union. Your Wallet Will Thank You.

Here’s a big reason to join a union – a bigger paycheck.New numbers from U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show just how much of a difference a union makes in terms of worker pay.

Help Our Sisters and Brothers in Puerto Rico

On a normal day, Sandra Pacheco, an administrative assistant in Puerto Rico’s Department of Transportation and Public Works, begins her day at 7 a.m., filing paperwork for her colleagues in the field. It’s a job that Pacheco, who is president of her local, AFSCME Local 3889, Council 95 (Servidores Públicos Unidos de Puerto Rico), does with pride and dedication.

2020 Minimum Wage Hikes to Benefit 7 Million Working People

The new year brings good news for millions of working Americans. Nearly 7 million of them are in line to get pay raises this year thanks to state and local minimum-wage hikes.

Workers Win: ‘Cadillac Tax’ Repealed

Working people won a major bipartisan victory this week with the permanent repeal of the “Cadillac tax.” This ill-advised and misleadingly named tax threatened the health care security of millions of working people—pushing employers to hollow out benefits while driving up deductibles and copays.

Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor responded to the news:

Caught in Limbo: AFSCME Member Struggles with Student Loan Forgiveness

As a public librarian for the Philadelphia Free Library, Sheila O’Steen embodies what we think of when we imagine a public service worker. Every day, she interacts with members of her community. Whether her patrons are young or old, affluent or impoverished, O’Steen shares knowledge and information with everyone she serves.