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 in Hawaii need your help

AFSCME members in Hawaii urgently need our help.

Please donate to our union’s Fallen Heroes Fund so we can send help to members affected by the wildfires in Hawaii, particularly those in the island of Maui.

AFSCME nurses share worries about staffing crisis with Biden administration

AFSCME nurses from affiliates with tens of thousands of members in the health care sector met with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra this month to share their concerns about the nationwide staffing crisis that is putting health care workers and patients at risk.

AFSCME holds job fairs to recruit talented public service workers

As part of its Staff the Front Lines nationwide bus tour, AFSCME will be holding job fairs in cities across the country to recruit people who are interested in good, union jobs working in public service.

Staff the Front Lines bus tour stop in Minneapolis includes first hiring hall

MINNEAPOLIS – AFSCME’s Staff the Front Lines bus tour made a stop here today and featured the first hiring hall of the summer.

Minnesota House Majority Leader Jamie Long and Deputy Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget Erin Campbell joined members of AFSCME Council 5 and AFSCME Council 65 to encourage Minnesotans to apply for open public service jobs.

The press conference took place outside Minneapolis’ United Labor Center, where a hiring hall took place this morning. Employers from eight Minnesota state agencies attended the event.

First stop for AFSCME’s Staff the Front Lines bus tour: Rochester, N.Y.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – AFSCME’s Staff the Front Lines national bus tour got underway Monday with a stop in this western New York city.

Mayor Malik Evans, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and New York Assemblymember Harry Bronson joined AFSCME Council 66 members to encourage New Yorkers to apply for open public service jobs.

AFSCME ‘Staff the Front Lines’ bus tour seeks to solve staffing crisis in public service


States, cities, towns and schools face a staffing crisis. Hiring for public service jobs has failed to keep pace with the private sector. In April, for instance, there were 833,000 job openings in state and local governments, according to data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In response, AFSCME is kicking off a national bus tour this summer to recruit talented, diverse and dedicated people to staff the front lines.

Oregon State Workers Reach Tentative Agreement on Historic Contract

Salem, Oregon — In a landmark move that signifies the power of union action, state workers represented by Oregon AFSCME have reached a tentative agreement on their new contract with the State. This agreement brings unprecedented Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increases for the state workers amidst the rapid rise in inflation and the current statewide staffing crisis.

AFSCME: Supreme Court student loan ruling shows ‘contempt’ for working people

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday rejected the Biden administration’s landmark plan to forgive up to $20,000 for millions of student loan borrowers.

In a statement, AFSCME President Lee Saunders said, “Today’s decision is yet another example of this court’s contempt for working families.”