The Oregon Labor Dispatch is a weekly email and blog series designed to keep Oregon’s workers informed of the latest news about unions, worker power, and much more. Each week, we bring you a curated selection of news stories, graphics, and information about upcoming events and actions. When Oregon’s Labor Movement is connected, updated and informed we are able to be stronger advocates for all working Oregonians.
If you have a news story, event or action you’d like to see featured in the Oregon Labor Dispatch please email us at communications@oraflcio.org.
Take Action
CERTAINTEED STRIKE IN PORTLAND: Yesterday, workers at CertainTeed Roofing who are represented by LiUNA Local 737 went on strike over unfair labor practices. The company is refusing to bargain in good faith with their workers to reach a resolution. When workers go on strike, we must act. It’s up to Oregon’s unions and working people to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the striking workers until they reach a fair contract with their employer. The strike at CertainTeed is no exception, and we hope you support the workers on strike. Here’s how you can help:
Visit the picket line: LiUNA Local 737 members will be picketing 24 hours a day through the weekend. The picket line is located at CertainTeed Roofing, 6350 NW Front Ave, Portland, OR 97210
Share a graphic on social media: Share the graphic below on your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram feeds to help spread awareness about the strike and encourage others in your network to join the picket line.
OSEA RALLY AT BEAVERTON SCHOOL BOARD: Join us for a rally to celebrate diversity over division in Beaverton schools with OSEA Beaverton Chapter 48! Our schools are for everyone, but anti-inclusivity groups have been disrupting school board meetings -- reminiscent of what's been seen in Newberg and other districts. Their hostility threatens the safety of students, staff and community members. We are gathering to show our solidarity, rain or shine, ahead of the next Beaverton School Board meeting!
Beaverton School District is an ally in creating an inclusive school environment. This is NOT a rally against the school district.
February 27 at 6:30pm
Beaverton School District Administrative Office: 1260 NW Waterhouse Drive, Beaverton OR 97006
PETITION: Help build a brighter future for workers and the community at Portland State University. https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/psu-has-a-bright-future
SEND A LETTER Tell Your Lawmaker to Cosponsor the FAIR ACT! Federal wages and salaries need a substantial adjustment both to restore the living standards of federal employees and to help agencies recruit and retain a federal workforce capable of carrying out the crucial missions of our government. Not only are federal employees paid less than our counterparts in the private sector and state and local government, but our wages and salaries DO NOT begin to keep up with the cost of living. It's time for lawmakers to show their support for the folks that keep our federal government running by cosponsoring the FAIR ACT.
Black History Month
Feb. 22, 2023 | People’s World
“There was one big agreement by a panel of top Labor Department officials, union leaders, and rank-and-file Black workers: Unions are the road to a decent standard of living and good jobs for Black Americans and critical to the struggle to overcome the impact of centuries of ingrained racism in the U.S.”
MEMBER PROFILES: During the month of February, the National AFL-CIO is lifting up Black union siblings who make our movement stronger. Click here to access a folder of graphics of profiles of Black union siblings who have been highlighted by the National AFL-CIO so far this month - and be sure to check out our Facebook feed for more profiles of Black union members as Black History Month continues!
Oregon Politics
Lawmakers must center workers Feb. 15, 2023 | Northwest Labor Press
By Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor: “Between now and June, lawmakers have an opportunity, and an obligation, to deliver on many of these policies if we are to continue to make progress towards our shared vision—one where Oregon’s economy is fair and just for ALL working people. The Oregon labor movement stands united in our mission to make this the best state for working people, and our 2023 legislative priorities are a central component to that work. With a guiding value of solidarity, working people and our movement will never stop the march towards a brighter future, and we look forward to partnering with lawmakers in the coming months to deliver on this worker-centered agenda.”
Strikes
Feb. 22, 2023 | Economic Policy Institute
“Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show the number of workers involved in a major strike activity in the United States was 120,600 in 2022, an increase from 80,700 in 2021. However, this is not a complete picture of strike activity in 2022.”
Feb. 22, 2023 | Fast Company
“There may be only 365 days in a year, but workers collectively were on strike for nearly 4,500,000 days in 2022, according to new research from the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations.”
Feb. 18, 2023 | The Philadelphia Inquirer
“Temple University has reached a tentative agreement with the union representing its 750 graduate student teaching and research assistants after an 18-day strike that began Jan. 31.”
Labor & Community
Feb. 19, 2023 | The New York Times
“Thomas R. Donahue, the second in command to Lane Kirkland, president of the A.F.L.-C.I.O. for 16 years, and briefly his interim successor in an era of relentless union membership declines and diminished influence by organized labor in American life, died on Saturday in Washington, D.C. He was 94”
Immigration
Feb. 17, 2023 | Fast Company
““One of the things that perpetuates unsafe conditions in the workplace is that workers are intimidated into staying quiet,” says Shannon Lederer, director of immigration policy for the AFL-CIO. “And one of the most potent threats that employers use is the threat of immigration enforcement.””
Wage Theft
Feb. 16, 2023 | The Oregonian
“Sen. Ron Wyden, along with Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, sent a letter Thursday to Fred Meyer’s parent company, Kroger Co., accusing the supermarket giant of “widespread and unresolved wage theft.””
A Fair & Just Economy
Feb. 22, 2023 | CNBC
“AFL-CIO chief economist and Howard University economics professor William Spriggs says that the impact of discrimination against Black employees is less acute when the labor market operates at full employment. He tells CNBC how the Federal Reserve can close the racial wealth gap and how an economic slowdown might affect Black workers.”