News

HCI Union Bargaining Updates

We are thrilled to announce that our union bargaining team is back to contract negotiations with the State of Oregon!

100s of Health Care Interpreters Received the Bonus!

Health Care Interpreters work every day to help people in our communities get the care they need.

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 House Joint Memorial 6 (HJM 6), which urges Congress to prioritize strong annual federal funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). HJM 6 further urges Congress to increase investments in cutting-edge medical research through grants from the NIH to research institutions.

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 day unfair labor practice strike scheduled for April 1st.

NAFY workers serve some of the Portland area’s most vulnerable youth, assisting them in finding housing, education and job training.

“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 report, Unsafe on the Job. The report was released as more than 100 members came to the capitol to share their stories and call for action.
The survey findings of more than 520 AFSCME members showed:

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.

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

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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.

Benton County Workers Strike Over Unfair Wages

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Benton County workers represented by AFSCME Local 2064, will go on strike today, Wednesday, November 13th at 6:30am. After months of bargaining for a fair contract, county workers are going on strike for wage increases and safety protections.