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

The Michael Arken Scholarship

The Michael Arken Scholarship

     In 2018 the chapter established the Michael Arken scholarship to honor the chapter’s founding President and long-time leader.

         Every year a $1,000.00 award is made to a student who is a relative of an AFSCME member.

         The winner is selected by the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission for the Oregon Student Access Completion on behalf of the chapter. 

         To date scholarships have been awarded to:

2018 – 2019    Opal Richenberg

2019 – 2020    Kiera Dwyer

Scholarship application process

Shane Kreger thanks AFSCME Retirees for Scholarship

Dear Michael Arken and Oregon AFSCME Council,

Thank you so much for your continued support. I can tell by how much you have invested in my education that you believe in my ability to become someone great using my education.

Without this scholarship, it would be hard to find transportation to and from work and school. Time can be constrained by money, so you are helping me reach my goal of using my time to research environmental issues, explore my hobbies, and participate in on campus organizations and clubs.

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.

University of Pennsylvania libraries staff win union election, extending wave of unionization

Philadelphia – Penn Libraries staff, unionizing as AFSCME DC 47 Local 590 Penn Libraries United, announced this fall the results of their August election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board.

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. 

Benton County Workers Strike To Continue For Third Day

Benton County workers represented by AFSCME Local 2064, will continue their strike today, Friday, November 15th, for the third day. Workers will congregate outside the Benton County Courthouse at 8am and march to Madison Avenue Building where union and county bargaining representatives will meet for their final day of mediation. Mediation is being held off County property so no one has to cross a picket line. At the same time, the Benton County Commission will meet following their canceled meeting Thursday.

Benton County Commission Cancels Special Labor Negotiations Meeting At Last Minute

In the middle of the Benton County workers’ strike, the Benton County Board of Commissioners canceled a special meeting focused on discussing the ongoing contract negotiations with AFSCME Local 2064.

Between canceling the meeting and the slew of unfair labor practices the union has filed, the County is employing a law firm seemingly intent on elongating the strike.