Portland, OR – Speaking in front of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners, Oregon AFSCME Local 88 Vice President Hilary Zust spoke out against proposed layoffs, highlighting the county’s stronger than expected financials.

“Laying off staff right now is unnecessary and harmful, especially when County financial results consistently turn out better than what’s forecast” said Zust, a Human Service Investigator in DCHS Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

“We know the county has consistently outperformed budget forecasts, recording more revenue than forecasted and spending less than budgeted; and maintains the highest possible credit rating,” continued Zust.

Proposed alternatives include freezing manager salaries, cutting executive contracts and consultants, paring back non-personnel costs, reallocating funds from other parts of the general fund reserves, or shifting money from capital asset improvements to avoid layoffs.

“These layoffs can, and should be prevented. Multnomah County workers keep our communities safe, healthy and running when all else fails” said AFSCME Local 88 President Jackie Tate.

“In the face of financial, housing, public health and climate crises, the County is choosing to cut jobs that are there to address these exact crises” added Tate.

AFSCME Local 88 represents over 4,000 Multnomah County workers and is in the midst of bargaining their contract.

Oregon AFSCME is the fastest-growing union in our state, representing more than 40,000 workers, spread across worksites in every corner of Oregon. Our membership works at OHSU, cities and counties, for the State of Oregon, in behavioral health, and other sectors. We work for the public good of our state, and collectively, our union fights for economic and social justice for our members, their families, and all Oregon workers.