Making History in Seaside: The 59th Oregon AFL-CIO Convention

Oregon AFL-CIO
Sep 23
9 min read

Updated: Sep 29

Solidarity is Our Strength

The 59th Biennial Oregon AFL-CIO Convention wrapped up on Saturday, September 6, after two full days of fired-up speeches, powerful union solidarity, and delegates and guests from across the state coming together as the largest gathering of Oregon Labor in the state. With nearly 400 participants including delegates, alternates, and guests, this was the largest Oregon AFL-CIO convention in over thirty years. It wasn’t just a milestone in numbers, but in the energy, hope, and spirit of solidarity in the room.

From opening bagpipes to closing marches on the Seaside Promenade, the convention was full of moments of celebration and strategy. Workshops and panels tackled everything from climate jobs and economic justice to reproductive, racial, and workers’ rights; political allies and labor leaders alike stepped up to report victories. Our 2025 convention affirmed not just where Oregon labor has been, but what we are ready to do next as a stronger, more united, and more determined movement.

Convention News Coverage

Whenever hundreds of union members, leaders, and staff come together we make headlines! The 2025 Oregon AFL-CIO was no exception, and we are proud to have generated a variety of media coverage during our time in Seaside:

Oregon unions back Equal Rights for All measure, aiming to amend state constitution

September 6, 2025 | KATU

“At the 2025 biennial Oregon AFL-CIO Convention, union delegates from across the state voted overwhelmingly to endorse the Equal Rights for All ballot measure.”

Hundreds gather in Seaside for union rally

September 6, 2025 | The Astorian

“Over 200 union members and workers spilled out onto the sidewalks of Seaside Saturday for an “Oregon Labor Takes on the Billionaire Takeover” rally. Moments before, the union members had concluded Oregon’s AFL-CIO biennial convention. Most of the union members then left the Seaside Convention Center and marched along the Promenade carrying signs and shouting slogans of “Workers over billionaires.””

Strength through Solidarity (Guest article from President Trainor)

September 17, 2025 | Northwest Labor Press

“This year’s convention, the largest gathering of the Oregon labor movement, couldn’t have come at a more consequential, albeit challenging time. While over 15,000 Oregon workers have joined or formed new unions in just the last two years and though we celebrated together historic wins and gains and progress made, working people in this country are under attack by billionaires and a federal government run by and for them.”

2025 Oregon AFL-CIO Convention Report

September 19, 2025 | Northwest Labor Press

“It began 1 p.m. Sept. 5 with bagpipes, an honor guard, and a minister’s blessing, and ended late a day later with a march to a beachside promenade. The 2005 Oregon AFL-CIO convention drew 245 delegates and 80-some honorary delegates and guests to the Seaside Convention Center, and the goal above all was for attendees to leave inspired.”

Press Release: Oregon’s Unions Pass Resolution to Endorse Equal Rights for All Ballot Initiative

September 6, 2025 | Oregon AFL-CIO

At the 2025 biennial Oregon AFl-CIO Convention, delegates from unions across the state overwhelmingly voted to pass a resolution endorsing and committing to help support the Equal Rights for All ballot measure to make explicit in Oregon’s constitution protections for sexual orientation, gender identity, and affirming the right to make our own decisions about our marriage, our reproductive health, and healthcare.

Press Release: Oregon Labor Movement Unanimously Endorses Boycott Against Windmill Farms Mushrooms

September 6, 2025 | Oregon AFL-CIO

At the 2025 biennial Oregon AFl-CIO Convention, delegates from unions across the state unanimously voted to pass a resolution endorsing a boycott of Windmill Farms mushroom products in support of United Farm Workers (UFW) members that have been demanding union recognition for over three years from the Sunnyside, Washington farm.

Inspiring Guest Speakers

One of the highlights of the convention was the powerful lineup of guest speakers who brought inspiration, urgency, and solidarity to the stage. From elected leaders championing pro-worker policies to union members sharing frontline stories, each voice reinforced the central theme of building strength through unity. Their remarks connected the fights happening in workplaces and communities across Oregon to the broader labor movement, reminding delegates that when we stand together, we can win real change for working people.

For the first time in Oregon AFL-CIO history, we live streamed as many of our guest speakers as possible during the convention. Click the links below to watch each speech:

Celebrating 2025 Oregon Labor Awards

The convention also took time to honor the remarkable leaders, unions, and campaigns that drove progress for Oregon’s workers over the past two years. From the halls of the Capitol to the shop floors, hospitals, and classrooms, this year’s awardees embodied what it means to fight for fairness, justice, and solidarity. Legislative champions, tireless organizers, and political powerhouses were recognized for their achievements—whether by advancing bold pro-worker policies, building unstoppable campaigns, or standing strong on the picket line. Together, these awards celebrated not only individual and organizational accomplishments, but the collective strength of a movement that continues to grow, adapt, and win for working people across our state.

LEGISLATIVE AWARDS

Legislator of the Year: Representative Dacia Grayber

For your herculean effort to uplift and protect Oregon’s workers during the 2024 and 2025 Legislative sessions.

Working Class Warrior: Senator Kathleen Taylor

For your steadfast commitment to Oregon’s workers throughout the 2024 and 2025 Legislative sessions.

Freshman of the Year: Representative Lisa Fragala

For your tireless advocacy on behalf of Oregon’s workers during your first session in the Oregon State Legislature.

Legislative Platinum Winners

Majority Leader Kayse Jama
Senator Chris Gorsek
Majority Leader Ben Bowman
Representative Lesly Munoz
Representative Willy Chotzen
Representative Jason Kropf
Representative Travis Nelson
Representative Rob Nosse
Representative Nathan Sosa

POLITICAL AWARDS

Aida Aranda “Women Leading in Labor” Award: Donna Marks, BCTGM Local 364

For your incredible advocacy in the halls of power to make the state better for workers across your industry and throughout Oregon.

Tom Chamberlain “Working Class Hero” Award: Brooke Hill, Oregon AFSCME

For consistently mobilizing members, leading by example, and building power for working Oregonians throughout the Labor 2024 political program.

Oregon Labor Lifetime Champion: Robert Westerman, Business Manager, IBEW Local 932

For a career of leading the way in building the Labor Movement’s advocacy and political power and embodying the spirit of solidarity.

Phenomenal Phone Banking: Oregon Nurses Association

For completing the most phone bank shifts throughout the Labor 2024 political program.

Door Knocking Powerhouse: LiUNA!

For completing the most canvass shifts throughout the Labor 2024 political program.

Political People Power: SEIU Local 503

For completing the most canvass and phone bank shifts throughout the Labor 2024 political program.

ORGANIZING AWARDS

Organizing Powerhouse: Oregon AFSCME

In recognition of the historic organizing campaign with Research Workers United at OHSU.

Organizing Powerhouse: Oregon Nurses Association

In recognition of trailblazing organizing victories at three Legacy hospitals and throughout the healthcare system.

Building Power Together – University of Oregon Campus Labor Council:

Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation, AFT Local 3544
United Academics of the UO, AAUP/AFT Local 3209
SEIU Local 503, Sublocal 085
UO Student Workers, UAW Local 8121

For creative collaboration through coalition to win strong contracts and foster a culture of solidarity across the UO campus.

Innovations in Organizing: OFNHP, AFT Local 5017

For your relentless work in organizing Labcorp workers, building power and unity across Oregon’s healthcare landscape, and improving the lives of contracted-out workers who provide invaluable services to our state and region.

Innovations in Organizing: SEIU Local 503

For taking on a comprehensive campaign to build power within the long-term care industry by driving policy innovations, winning bold organizing victories, and empowering workers to win a brighter future.

STRIKES & WORK STOPPAGES

Holding the Line: Coalition of Graduate Employees, AFT Local 6069

In recognition of the graduate teaching and research assistants who went on strike for nearly four weeks at Oregon State University to win better wages and secure crucial benefits and job protections.

Holding the Line: IAM District Lodge W24

In recognition of the Machinists who stood strong for 53 days against Boeing and secured a fair contract for their members through courage, solidarity, and determination.

Holding the Line: Oregon Nurses Association

In recognition of more than 5,000 ONA members who stood strong for 46 days across Providence hospitals in the largest healthcare strike in Oregon history.

Holding the Line: Oregon AFSCME

In recognition of the hundreds of AFSCME-represented county workers who won strong contracts after five days of striking at both Yamhill County and Benton County.

Holding the Line: UFCW Local 555

In recognition of the brave UFCW Local 555 members who held the line at Kaiser facilities and Portland-area Fred Meyer stores, standing up for fairness and winning stronger contracts.

Taking Action in Seaside

After the convention closed, delegates and union members carried their energy into the streets of Seaside for a rally and march that drew hundreds. With chants and banners declaring “Stop the Billionaire Takeover,” the march stretched from downtown storefronts to the beach promenade, uniting workers from across industries in a vibrant public show of strength. The rally underscored the convention’s central message: solidarity doesn’t stop when the gavel falls: it continues in our communities, where working people are ready to stand up together against corporate greed and for a fairer future.

Engaging Panel Discussions

The 2025 Oregon AFL-CIO Convention featured a robust series of panel discussions that put pressing issues for workers at the center of debate and dialogue. The opening panel, “Protecting Workers’ Rights & Keeping Oregon Union Strong,” brought together Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Labor Commissioner Christina Stephenson in conversation with labor law expert Terri Gerstein of the NYU Wagner School Labor Initiative. They spoke candidly about the challenges and opportunities in safeguarding workers’ rights at a time of heightened corporate attacks, underscoring how state-level enforcement and public leadership can bolster unions and ensure fair treatment for working people.

That same afternoon, the focus shifted to climate and jobs with a discussion titled “Climate Jobs Oregon: Building a Union-Centered Vision for the Clean Energy Future.” Moderated by Dr. Lara Skinner of Cornell’s Climate Jobs Institute, the panel brought together union leaders, policymakers, and industry representatives to chart a path where Oregon’s clean energy transition is built with union labor and family-supporting jobs. The conversation highlighted both the urgency of addressing climate change and the necessity of ensuring workers are at the table when clean energy policies are designed and implemented.

On Saturday, two powerful panels rounded out the convention. “Equal Rights For All: Bringing Workers to the Table” spotlighted union members organizing for LGBTQ+ rights, gender justice, and equity across workplaces, with panelists sharing how equal rights campaigns directly strengthen the labor movement. Later, “Oregon’s Care Economy: How Caregiving & Healthcare Make All Other Work Possible” centered voices from SEIU Local 503, Oregon AFSCME, and the Oregon Nurses Association, affirming that care work is the backbone of the economy. Together, these panels drove home a key message of the convention: whether the issue is rights on the job, climate action, or care infrastructure, Oregon’s labor movement is united in fighting for a future where all workers can thrive.

2025 Resolutions: Democracy in Action

Convention resolutions are where delegates shape the direction of Oregon’s labor movement for the next two years. They’re drafted and refined by union members and leaders, then voted on during the convention floor sessions showcasing true union democracy in action Each resolution reflects the priorities of working people: whether it’s protecting and expanding the right to organize, advancing racial and gender justice, or tackling climate change through worker-led solutions.

Convention resolutions both re-affirm our shared values as well as chart a concrete path for action. Once adopted, they guide the Oregon AFL-CIO’s legislative agenda, organizing strategy, and community partnerships. In short, resolutions are how the voices of nearly 400 delegates become a unified plan to build power for Oregon workers statewide. Below are the resolutions adopted by the 2025 Oregon AFL-CIO Convention:

Informative Workshops

Workshops at the 2025 Oregon AFL-CIO Convention gave delegates the opportunity to dig deeper into the big issues shaping our movement, turning inspiration into practical skills and strategies. Each session paired subject matter experts with union leaders and members, fostering hands-on learning and cross-union collaboration.

Our 2025 workshop lineup included:

Climate Jobs Oregon: A Worker-Centered Vision for the Clean Energy Future
Worker Well-being through a Psychologically Safe Work Environment
Uniting to Defend Our Immigrant Community
Protecting and Expanding Union Rights
Winning Equal Rights for All in Our Workplaces and Communities

Taken together, these workshops reminded participants that while the challenges facing workers are immense: climate change, unsafe workplaces, political attacks, and discrimination. But they also showed participants how unions are uniquely positioned to meet these challenges. They emphasized solidarity, resilience, and equipping leaders with tools to carry the fight for justice back into workplaces and communities across Oregon.

Thank You!

We could not have had such an amazing convention without the delegates, alternates and guests who attended, the speakers and facilitators who took time to join us, and the amazing volunteers who ran committees and other essential functions of convection. With our work for the next two years guided by our resolutions, the Oregon AFL-CIO is ready to continue our mission to build a fair and just economy for all working Oregonians.