News

Biden forgives student loans for an additional 78,000 public service workers

AFSCME President Lee Saunders praised the White House’s announcement Thursday that the Biden administration will forgive student loans for an additional 78,000 borrowers — including many AFSCME mem

Today, we honor workers who died on the job

On Earth Day, celebrating AFSCME members in green jobs

Earth Day 2023: A Conversation with Arborist Shaun Abell

Every year on April 22 — Earth Day — communities across the globe celebrate our environment and commit to making it healthy for future generations.

This Earth Day, I’m thinking about the 50,000 AFSCME members who work in green jobs, protecting and caring for our planet. Whether they’re leading nature walks in our county or state parks, making public buildings more energy efficient and resilient to climate disasters, or making sure our waterways are clean, AFSCME members are at the heart of healthy communities.

Central City Concern and Oregon AFSCME Sign Neutrality Agreement

PORTLAND, OR, April 20, 2023—After negotiating a three-year collective bargaining agreement, Central City Concern (CCC) and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) have signed a Neutrality Agreement declaring non-represented employees have the freedom of choice on the question of whether or not to be represented by ​Oregon ​AFSCME. Over 300 of the 1,100 CCC employees are currently represented by AFSCME.

Mourning Joseph Johnson

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Oregon AFSCME mourns the senseless murder of former Correctional Officer, Joseph Johnson who was serving as a reservist with the City of Nyssa Police Department when he was killed this past weekend. Johnson is survived by his wife and two children, ages 12 and 14.

Johnson’s commitment to his community was unshakable.

OHSU Postdocs File for Union Representation With AFSCME

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April 13, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OHSU Postdocs File for Union Representation With AFSCME
Seek to join the over 8,000 Oregon AFSCME members at OHSU

PORTLAND, OR - Seeking greater respect and a seat at the table, a strong majority of approximately 240 eligible postdoctoral research staff at Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) submitted union authorization cards with Oregon AFSCME this week.

911 dispatchers keep saving lives, despite staffing shortages

 

911 dispatchers keep saving lives, despite staffing shortages

Rashawne Haynes. Photo by Anna Dang.

AFSCME launches ‘I AM Story’ podcast

On the 55th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., AFSCME releases the “I AM Story” podcast, which describes the working conditions faced by AFSCME sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968 – the year of their historic strike – and connects that seminal event to today’s struggle for economic and racial justice. The podcast also spotlights the ties between the labor and civil rights movements.

Four Months Later, Oregon State Employees Can’t Pay Their Bills Because of Ongoing Payroll Errors

PORTLAND, OR - Four months after a flawed implementation of the Workday payroll system, errors continue to plague Oregon’s state employees. Many state workers have reported missing or incorrect paychecks, as well as delays in receiving benefits and reimbursements.