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On January 27, 2024 nearly 100 union members, leaders, and staff gathered at the Oregon Labor Center for a day-long training designed to increase the effectiveness of Oregon Labor’s ability to plan, organize, and execute strikes and credible strike threats in order to secure collective bargaining wins. With workers in attendance representing every sector of our state’s diverse workforce and economy, this event is sure to have an impact on contract negotiations to benefit thousands of Oregonians. Strike School began with inspiring and informative remarks from Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor and Secretary-Treasurer Sarina Roher, RN highlighting the vast potential of Strike School as well as encapsulating the many victories the Labor Movement won in 2023 through strikes and strike threats. “Strike School was a first for Oregon Labor and it certainly won’t be last,” said Graham Trainor, Oregon AFL-CIO President. “When unions from across the state spanning industries like healthcare, education, manufacturing, retail, and the building and construction trades come together we always see incredible advancements in our fight to build a fair and just economy for all working people.” Participants learned about building contract action teams, using contract campaigns effectively, ramping up pressure through leverage strategies, communicating with the public, preparing to strike, and ratifying contracts.  After a day of training, networking, sharing best practices, and enjoying the spirit of solidarity, participants left feeling ready to fight for their members and to continue to build greater power for Oregon’s working class.

The Oregon Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) cordially invites you to join us for a month-long recognition of Black excellence in conjunction with the Pacific Northwest Labor History Association, Portland Rising, Oregon AFSCME, and AFRAM/SEIU Local 503. The primary focus is health care. February 1, 2024 at 6:00pm: Welcome address and podcast of AFSCME President Emeritus William Bill Lucy and the CBTU Under 40 Committee Click here for Zoom link February 8, 2024 at 6:30pm: Black Relevance in Politics Forum Click here for Zoom link Moderated by Vincent Blanco Jr. Panel: Representative Janelle Bynum, Washington State Labor Council President April Sims February 15, 2024 at 6:30pm: Health Care Forum Click here for Zoom link Moderated by Vincent Blanco Jr. Panel: Senator James Manning, Representative Travis Nelson February 22, 2024 at 6:30pm: Labor History Workshop Oregon AFL-CIO: 3645 SE 32nd Ave., Portland, Oregon Co-sponsored with Pacific Northwest Labor History Association AT THE RIVER I STAND Presenters: Marcus Widenor, Associate Professor Emeritus, Labor Education and Research Center (LERC), UO Rajeev Ravisankar, former President, GTFF-AFT Local 3544 February 29, 2024 at 7:00pm: Movie Night SEIU 503 Office: 525 NE Oregon St., Portland, Oregon Co-sponsored with Portland Rising and AFRAM/SEIU Local 503 Two Short Films I Am Somebody The Politics of Race and Medicare for All Health Care Forum Moderated by Vincent Blanco Jr. Panel: State Representative Travis Nelson, Oregon AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Sarina Roher, RN

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. Click here to subscribe to the Oregon Labor Dispatch weekly emails. Keep up with the latest from Oregon’s unions: Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Upcoming Events 🪧 READY-TO-STRIKE: Break the Dam! We are the Tide! Sunday, January 28, 2024 at Noon at Terry Schrunk Plaza in downtown Portland PCC Administration's delays at the bargaining table are forcing their AFT-represented  full & part time faculty and academic professionals to consider a strike. Join faculty, academic professionals, students, and supporters to push through the status quo and fight for a better community college. Click here to make a donation to PCCFFAP’s strike fund to ensure they are ready to strike if needed. 📢 PFSP Practice Picket Sunday, January 28, 2024 at Benson High School in Portland PPS classified workers have entered medication and are fighting for a fair contract that offers living wages and safe, dignified working conditions. Join PAT, SEIU, DCU and ATU members in support of PFSP rank and file members to demand Portland Public Schools invest in its lowest paid workers. 📖 Support SEIU Local 503 Members at Oregon’s Public Universities Thursday, February 8, 2024 at Noon SEIU-represented workers at all seven of Oregon’s public universities will hold practice pickets to call attention to their fight for a fair contract. These workers play an essential role in the operations of Oregon’s higher education system and deserve to work under a contract that meets their needs.  Click here to learn more about their campaign, how you can get involved, and to register to attend a practice picket at a university near you!  You can also sign a petition to show support if you’re unable to attend a picket. ✈️ AFA-CWA Worldwide Day of Action Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 11:00am at Portland International Airport On February 13, Flight Attendants from around the world are coming together to bring their collective struggle to the public eye. Together, they’re taking a stand against widespread corporate greed and fighting for the contracts they’ve rightfully earned. Click here to RSVP. Take Action 🩺 Support Nurses at Sacred Heart Home Health and Hospice Join the Oregon Nurses Association in standing up to PeaceHealth's corporate executives to hold them accountable to the community. Let PeaceHealth know you support local health care and local health care workers by sending a message to PeaceHealth's corporate executives demanding that they invest in our community's health and offer home care nurses a fair wage. Click here to take action. ⚠️Sacred Heart Home Care Strike Support home care nurses in Lane County as they go on strike starting February 1 through February 13.  The picket line will run from 7:00am to 7:00pm daily at the PeaceHealth Riverbend Annex in Springfield. Click here to visit ONA’s website for all the information you need to stay updated on the strike. PeaceHealth executives in Washington are abandoning local patients and putting their own profits ahead of patients’ needs … AGAIN. From heartlessly closing University District–leaving Eugene without a hospital–to handing corporate executives multimillion dollar raises during the pandemic, PeaceHealth’s corporate executives are cutting health care again so they can cash in. How to support the strike: Sign the public petition Donate to the strike fund Sign up for a strike shift Additional resources & actions: Frequently Asked Questions Social Media Toolkit Review bargaining updates for the workers at Sacred Heart Home Care Services 👉🏼 Must Read National Union Membership Grew By 139,000 in 2023 as Unions & Workers Continue to Win January 24, 2024 | Oregon AFL-CIO “...the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its annual report on union density. The report shows that national union membership grew overall by 139,000 in 2023. We also saw union membership in the private sector increase by 191,000 members, and the majority of new members are under the age of 45. The increases in membership are part of a strong resurgence of organized labor which also resulted in over 900,000 union members winning double-digit wage increases through new contracts last year.” The ‘Year of Labor’ in 2023 was just the beginning January 22, 2024 | Labor Tribune From AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler: “When people ask me why the Labor Movement just had its most dynamic and successful year in a generation, I tell them about workers like Alicia — people whose lives changed because they stood together with their co-workers. For all the talk about macro trends and economic factors, the driving force behind the “Year of Labor” was simple: Being in a union makes your life better. We’re in a moment of profound uncertainty and disillusionment across this country. Americans are fed up with politicians, institutions and the status quo.” Oregon Labor First Student Drivers In Oregon Organize With Teamsters January 24, 2024 | International Brotherhood of Teamsters “Congratulations to the newest Local 324 members,” said Chris R. Muhs, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 324. “First Student workers are essential to the Silverton community, and we look forward to getting to the bargaining table to secure a strong first supplemental agreement for these hardworking men and women.” Librarians in Oregon share concerns about dangers at work (video) January 17, 2024 | NBC News “Librarians in Oregon shared concerns about the dangers at work including harassment, public nudity and violence involving weapons. Valerie Castro talks about safety options that are on the horizon to help workers feel safer.” Laborers Local 483 wins wage hikes for zoo and parks workers in tentative deal with Metro January 8, 2024 | Northwest Labor Press “Laborers Local 483 reached a tentative agreement with Metro that will increase wages and paid time off for roughly 250 workers at the Oregon Zoo and regional parks.” Firefighters, utility crews battle winter storm, fatigue to respond to increase in service calls January 20, 2024 | KGW “ Throughout the Portland metro area, first responders and crews have done essential work to clean up after the storm, restore power and save lives. Below-freezing temperatures and ice made this work even more challenging.” 2024 Elections Biden Receives U.A.W. Endorsement With Conference Speech January 24, 2024 | The New York Times “The United Automobile Workers union endorsed President Biden on Wednesday, delivering an influential boost as he faces a battle against former President Donald J. Trump to win the support of labor groups.” Republican Chavez-DeRemer courts union endorsements in reelection bid January 23, 2024 | Oregon Capital Chronicle “Chavez-DeRemer hasn’t sought an endorsement from Oregon AFL-CIO, or the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, the statewide union that represents more than 300,000 Oregonians, a spokesman said.” Strikes & Collective Bargaining 700 Culinary union workers at Strat reach deal January 24, 2024 | Los Vegas Review Journal “Culinary Local 226 members at a north Strip casino reached a tentative agreement with employers, the union announced late Tuesday. The hospitality union representing about 700 employees at The Strat negotiated a five-year deal with improvements on wages, work quotas, protections from technology and more.” Minnesota Strikes Show Growing Militancy Among Food Workers January 23, 2024 | Jacobin “Late last month, 500 grocery workers went on strike in Brainerd Lakes, Minnesota. The strike exemplified the growing militancy in the United Food and Commercial Workers, who mounted successful strike threats against employers across the state last year.” ‘We’re not just numbers, we’re not robots, we’re people’: Workers at Sky Harbor strike over job conditions January 23, 2024 | Cronkite News “Workers employed by SSP America at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport walked out on strike Tuesday morning in response to alleged labor-law violations. UNITE HERE Local 11, the union that represents the strikers, filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board for alleged “unilateral changes” made to the SSP America payroll system.” Southwest flight attendants vote to authorize strike as pilots ratify new contract January 23, 2024 | Long Beach Business Journal “Unionized flight attendants for Southwest Airlines, one of the nation’s largest air carriers, voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to authorize a strike following years of failed contract negotiations. The announcement comes the day after Southwest pilots ratified a new contract. According to Transport Workers Union of America Local 556, the union that represents the Southwest flight attendants, 98% of workers voted in favor of the strike, which “sends a strong message of solidarity to “Southwest Airlines Management.” Hollywood Unions Show Solidarity As American Federation Of Musicians Enters Negotiations With AMPTP January 23, 2024 | Deadline “The Hollywood unions are throwing their support behind the American Federation of Musicians as it begins its contract negotiations with the studios. The AFM entered into negotiations with the AMPTP for its new collective bargaining agreement on Monday, fighting for many of the same things the WGA and SAG-AFTRA did during last year’s dual strikes, including AI protections, increased wages, and improved streaming residuals.” Organizing The Texas Tribune Is Unionizing January 24, 2024 | The Austin Chronicle “Just under six months after the Texas Tribune weathered its first-ever round of layoffs, staff announced this morning that they are unionizing with the NewsGuild-CWA and asking for voluntary recognition from management by January 31. CEO Sonal Shah sent an email to staff 15 minutes after management was made aware of the union, writing, “Our response is simple. If Tribune employees want to be represented by a union, we will respect their right to representation… We respect our colleagues’ right to collectively bargain.” Labor & Technology What labor advocates want from AI policy January 22, 2024 | Politico “Ask AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler what she wants from the federal government on artificial intelligence, and her first answer isn’t a surprise: Strengthen collective bargaining rights, like, generally. “Through every industrial revolution, labor has been the force that has harnessed the technology and channeled it in a way that’s productive and safe,” Shuler said in an interview this month, speaking from a summit alongside the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.” Taxes Reports Expose Deep Harms of Corporate Tax Cuts and 'Trickle Down' Ideology January 23, 2024 | Common Dreams “Two new reports published Tuesday by the Roosevelt Institute argue that robust corporate taxation is key to creating a strong economy and improving the well-being of families and children—objectives that have been undermined in the decades since the Reagan era by regressive tax cuts enacted on the false premise that benefits would "trickle down" to the rest of society.” Reproductive Justice AFL-CIO: Reproductive Rights Are Worker Rights January 22, 2024 | AFL-CIO “Equal access to contraception and reproductive health care, regardless of where someone works or lives, is essential to workers’ fundamental freedoms and economic security. The 51st anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision is a solemn reminder that reproductive health care rights are also worker rights.” Graphics to Share

Yesterday the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its annual report on union density. The report shows that national union membership grew overall by 139,000 in 2023. We also saw union membership in the private sector increase by 191,000 members, and the majority of new members are under the age of 45. The increases in membership are part of a strong resurgence of organized labor which also resulted in over 900,000 union members winning double-digit wage increases through new contracts last year. In Oregon, density and membership numbers saw a decrease.  This is partly a result of higher rates of vacancies in public sector employers, with nearly one-fifth of state positions vacant as of April 2023. Another contributing factor to the decrease in density in Oregon is the high rate of employment, with July 2023 seeing Oregon’s non-agricultural employment surpass 2 million workers for the first time.  While union organizing efforts were 10% higher in Fiscal Year 2023 than the previous year, the rate of workers joining labor unions was not as high as job growth and numerous vacancies in the public sector. Additionally, the BLS report does not include workers who have yet to bargain a first contract which discounts a significant portion of newly organized workers. “2023 was a continuation of an encouraging trend in our country and our state: Workers are not just standing together in the thousands to join and start unions, they are winning,” said Graham Trainor, Oregon AFL-CIO President. “Workers have had enough of poverty wages, meager benefits, and not getting the dignity and respect they deserve on the job. The density numbers from 2023 are not telling the full story of how workers built power last year. Support for unions, especially from young workers, is at a generational high with no signs of slowing down as more and more working people see the life-changing potential of holding a union card.” While the annual BLS report provides a necessary and helpful benchmark for tracking union density, further examples serve to show the full picture of how labor unions and workers gained influence in 2023: Polling data shows that 71% of Americans support unions, the highest level in nearly 60 years, with 88% of young people showing support for unions. The nonprofit and federal sectors saw large increases in union membership among professionals in 2023, with membership growing by 13 percent and 5 percent, respectively. Additionally, school administration was an occupation category that saw a large bump in union membership in 2023, growing by 14 percent. There is a clearly defined economic advantage to being a union member. Workers in unions made, on average, 11.4% more than workers without unions. This gap is one of the primary reasons unions have record support right now, especially given the economic pressures of inflation and personal debt many families feel daily. “Unions in Oregon grabbed headlines and inspired workers statewide in 2023 through a series of strikes, successful organizing drives, and victorious contract negotiation campaigns.” said President Trainor. “The remarkable achievements of Oregon unions not only strengthened the labor movement across the state but also set a precedent for solidarity and collective action, leaving a lasting impact on the state's workforce. Their efforts sparked a renewed sense of empowerment among workers, advancing a culture of activism and advocacy for better working conditions.” In 2024, the Oregon AFL-CIO will continue to facilitate and encourage union organizing every step of the way, while continuing to offer unwavering support for workers engaged in ongoing collective bargaining campaigns.  These efforts include significant investment in organizing, expansion of training efforts for affiliated unions, expanding organizing efforts into new industries, and increasing Federation support for union campaigns, strikes, and actions.

The Oregon AFL-CIO, the statewide federation of labor unions representing over 300,000 working Oregonians and 288 affiliated local unions, has endorsed Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (Oregon CD-1) and Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (Oregon CD-6) for reelection to Congress.  Both Congresswomen earned the Oregon AFL-CIO’s endorsement because of their strong voting records in Congress which have demonstrated a persistent advocacy for workers as well as satisfactory completion of a detailed questionnaire about future priorities in office. “Oregon Labor is proud to stand behind Congresswomen Bonamici and Salinas in their campaigns to continue to represent Oregon in Congress,” said Graham Trainor, Oregon AFL-CIO President. “Both of these incredible leaders not only have strong pro-worker voting records, but they each possess a passionate spirit of advocacy for working families and supporting labor unions.  Leaders like Congresswomen Bonamici and Salinas are essential to our mission to build a fair and just economy for all. The Oregon AFL-CIO’s COPE (Committee on Political Education) Board will make additional endorsements throughout 2024, including on Congressional candidates, ballot initiatives, statewide elected officials, and state legislative candidates.  The Oregon AFL-CIO operates the largest independent voter outreach program in Oregon and is prepared to educate and mobilize Oregon’s workers to support the federation’s endorsements in the 2024 Primary and General elections.

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. Click here to subscribe to the Oregon Labor Dispatch weekly emails. Keep up with the latest from Oregon’s unions: Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Take Action 🩺 Support Nurses at Sacred Heart Home Health and Hospice Join the Oregon Nurses Association in standing up to PeaceHealth's corporate executives to hold them accountable to the community. Let PeaceHealth know you support local health care and local health care workers by sending a message to PeaceHealth's corporate executives demanding that they invest in our community's health and offer home care nurses a fair wage. Click here to take action. 🗽 Tell Lawmakers to Fund the People's Budget in 2024 The People's Budget is a roadmap for building a just and equitable Oregon that works for everyone. The People's Budget outlines clear funding priorities based on the needs and voices of Oregonians across the state. By investing in critical programs and services, we can create a future where everyone has the opportunity to flourish. Tell Lawmakers to Pass the People’s Budget. 👉🏼 Must Read In 2024 it’s still better in a union January 18, 2024 | Northwest Labor Press From Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor: “What lies ahead for labor in 2024?  Will the momentum gained by working people in 2023 continue into the new year? Was last year just the beginning of even more exciting and powerful wins for the working class?  Much has been discussed about 2023 being such a historic year for working people and the labor movement, and now all attention has turned towards the coming year and what it will hold.” Oregon & PNW Labor Another 600 employees unionize at OHSU January 18, 2024 | Northwest Labor Press “Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) announced Jan. 5 that another unit of employees at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) is ready to join. The unit consists of over 600 nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and physician associates (conventionally known as physician assistants). Collectively the workers are referred to as “advanced practice providers.” They work at OHSU locations across the state, including Portland, Eugene, The Dalles, and Klamath Falls. ONA already represents more than 3,000 registered nurses at OHSU.” Union members pack hearing on renewable fuel refinery January 18, 2024 | Northwest Labor Press “Construction union members, officers, and staff packed the Columbia County Courthouse Jan. 10, completely filling a hearing room and an overflow room. They were there to send a message of support for a proposed renewable diesel refinery at the Port Westward Industrial Park in Clatskanie. Rainier Mayor Jerry Cole and other community members also spoke in support.” WSU ASEs strike, quickly win tentative agreement January 17, 2024 | The Stand “...Academic Student Employees at Washington State University hit the picket lines at all campuses and extension centers after they failed to reach agreement with WSU Admin by their strike deadline. Soon after the strike began, the WSU Coalition of Academic Student Employees-UAW (WSU-CASE/UAW) bargaining team announced they reached a Tentative Agreement with Washington State University, after WSU administration made key, last-minute concessions that secured a fair agreement.” Tentative Agreement with UO halts GTFF strike January 16, 2024 | Daily Emerald “On Monday, Jan. 15, GTFF announced that it had reached a tentative agreement with the University of Oregon on a new 3-year contract, avoiding a large-scale graduate employee strike that was slated to begin on Wednesday, Jan. 17. According to GTFF, the deal will bring a substantial pay raise to graduate employees, raising the minimum wage of half-time GE’s to $2,550 a month in the first year. Those raises are set to be retroactive to the beginning of fall term back in September 2023.” Keeping MLK’s Dream Alive King's dream: rooted in labor’s rising January 15, 2024 | Raw Story “This Martin Luther King Day comes just weeks after a year that’s been dubbed "the year of the strike" because in 2023 there were well over 300 such work stoppages involving 450,000 union workers willing to take the risk of walking out on their employer — a 900 percent increase from just a few years earlier.” At MLK conference, unionists strategize on organizing the South January 16, 2024 | People’s World “Unionists at the AFL-CIO’s annual Martin Luther King conference, held January 12-14 in Montgomery, Ala., tackled what one panelist called a decades-long problem for the labor movement: Organizing the South.” 'Union members help people, whether on the shop floor or out in the community' January 12, 2024 | Forward Kentucky The AFL-CIO’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference began on Friday “at a crucial moment for the labor and civil rights movements, as workers across the country are organizing at historic rates for dignity, respect and justice, both on the job and in our communities,” says the AFL-CIO. “We are facing unprecedented attacks on our rights from politicians and judges who would rather put the interests of corporations over the needs of working people.” Department of Labor Biden’s Acting Labor Secretary Su critiques corporate greed January 17, 2024 | People’s World “It’s a presidential election year, and that means Cabinet secretaries often deviate from official duties to laud their presidential bosses, while the secretaries speak out on the hustings. Which is what Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su did on January 12 in addressing the AFL-CIO’s Martin Luther King commemorative conference—but with a difference.” Bargaining Nearly half of SoCal hotels involved in local strike have reached tentative deals with workers January 12, 2024 | Los Angeles Times “The new year has brought more progress in contract talks between Southern California hotels and the union that represents their workers. Unite Here Local 11 this week secured tentative agreements with four more properties in Los Angeles County. The union announced a deal with the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica on Monday. The union said Friday it had also secured deals with Sheraton Universal, Line Hotel and 1 Hotel West Hollywood.” Musicians Set to Begin Contract Negotiations With Studios On AI, Streaming Priorities January 12, 2023 | The Hollywood Reporter “The American Federation of Musicians will soon go into contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers with asks that cover many of the same subjects as actors and writers. The negotiations are set to take place on Jan. 22 through Jan. 31, excluding the weekend, with a rally planned for the first day of talks in front of the AMPTP headquarters. The contract under discussion, which covers musicians working on dramatic TV and film scoring, was originally set to expire in November, but was extended by six months amid the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.” IATSE Chief: Workers “Ready to Fight” in Upcoming Contract Talks With Studios January 9, 2024 | The Hollywood Reporter “IATSE international president Matthew Loeb did not rule out a potential 2024 crew strike when several of his union’s contracts come due this year in an appearance on Tuesday. “Nothing is off the table, and we’re not going to give up our strength and our ability because they [studios] think they sapped us and everybody’s bank account got sapped because they were unreasonable for months and months,” asserted the crew union leader of his organization’s upcoming Basic Agreement negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, set to start in early March. “” The Courts US Supreme Court Rejects Alaska's Bid to Let State Workers Avoid Union Dues January 16, 2024 | U.S. News & World Report “The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday turned away Alaska's bid to revive a Republican-backed policy to make it easier for state workers to opt out of paying union dues in the latest case aimed at limiting the influence of unions representing public-sector employees.“ Workplace Safety & Workers’ Rights AFL-CIO Praises Biden Administration for Protecting Workers’ Rights January 18, 2024 | AFL-CIO “Every worker, regardless of immigration status, deserves a safe and fair workplace free from exploitation. This announcement supports our efforts to ensure that immigrant workers who take action to help enforce our labor laws will be protected from retaliation.” Nurses at University of Chicago Medicine demand staffing, safety improvements January 15, 2024 | Yahoo! News “Nurses at University of Chicago Medicine held an informational picket Monday, calling for their demands to be met. They are calling for action on staffing, safety and the settlement of some additional contract disputes. The nurses union says it has been at the bargaining table for three months with no progress.” Organizing Denver Art Museum Staff Move to Unionize January 16, 2024 | ArtForum “Workers at the Denver Art Museum (DAM) on January 11 publicly announced their intention to unionize under the auspices of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Cultural Workers United Council 18.” Second Wells Fargo branch employees vote in favor of a union January 12, 2024 | Reuters “Wells Fargo (WFC.N) employees at a branch in Daytona, Florida, voted in favor of joining a union on Thursday, making it the second branch at the bank to do so. Last month employees at Wells Fargo's Albuquerque, New Mexico, branch voted to join the union.” Workers at Disney’s Traveling Lab Vote to Unionize With the Animation Guild January 12, 2024 | The Hollywood Reporter “Animation workers at Disney‘s Traveling Lab have voted to unionize with the Animation Guild in a move that continues to expand the union’s membership outside of the L.A. area. Out of nine ballots counted in a National Labor Relations Board election on Thursday, nine workers at the Lab — who live outside of L.A. County but work on Walt Disney Animation Studios projects — voted to join the subsidiary of crew union IATSE.” Labor & Community LCSA: 200 bags of toys January 18, 2024 | Northwest Labor Press “Labor’s Community Service Agency (LCSA) collected more than 200 bags of toys in December for the annual Presents from Partners Toy Challenge — with more than half of the donations coming from the top-two donors.” Graphics to Share

UPDATE GTFF reached a HISTORIC tentative agreement with the University of Oregon on January 15, 2024. ➡️ Click here to read more about their win. The Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation at the University of Oregon have declared their intent to strike on January 17 if a fair contract is not reached.  Here are five ways you can help support striking graduate workers: 🪧 Sign Up to Walk the Line with GTFF Click Here to Sign Up for a Picket Line Shift, Encourage Others to Join Check-in at Strike HQ (609 E. 13th Ave. in Eugene) Feel free to contact Miche with questions (971-998-8794) Bring a donation with you!  Click Here for a List of Goods GTFF Members Needs 📢 Attend the Rally on January 19 in Eugene Stand with the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation in their fight for a fair contract at a rally on Friday, January 19 at the EMU Amphitheater at the University of Oregon at 3:00pm. Speakers include AFT President Randi Weingarten! Click here to download a flier to help promote the rally. 💲 Donate to the GTFF Strike Fund The GTFF, a union representing more than 1,400 Graduate Employees at the University of Oregon, has been in contentious contract negotiations with the UO since March 2023. The UO’s refusal to provide a contract that enables GEs to live with dignity has pushed GTFF members to prepare for a potential strike. In order to prepare to hold the line for a fair contract, GTFF is asking for community members, GTFF alumni, fellow labor unions, and other allies to contribute to their Strike Fund. Click here to donate today. 🛒Donate Goods to GTFF Members Click Here for a List of Goods GTFF Members Need*(For Gift Card Donations: Safeway, Fred Meyer, and Albertsons Preferred) 📩 Tell the University of Oregon Board of Trustees: Don’t Cut Off Employee Healthcare! Take action to stand with the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation at the University of Oregon who are fighting hard for a fair contract and may face cuts to their healthcare by the Board of Trustees. Click here to write a letter to the Board in support of GTFF, it only takes a few minutes and will help make a tremendous difference in their campaign! Get the latest from GTFF Twitter / X Facebook Website

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. Click here to subscribe to the Oregon Labor Dispatch weekly emails. Keep up with the latest from Oregon’s unions: Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Graduate Employees (GTFF) Strike at U of O The Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation at the University of Oregon have declared their intent to strike on January 17 if a fair contract is not reached.  Here are three ways you can help support striking graduate workers: 🪧 Attend the Rally on January 19 in Eugene Stand with the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation in their fight for a fair contract at a rally on Friday, January 19 at the EMU Amphitheater at the University of Oregon at 3:00pm. Speakers include AFT President Randi Weingarten! Click here to download a flier to help promote the rally. 💲 Donate to the GTFF Strike Fund The GTFF, a union representing more than 1,400 Graduate Employees at the University of Oregon, has been in contentious contract negotiations with the UO since March 2023. The UO’s refusal to provide a contract that enables GEs to live with dignity has pushed GTFF members to prepare for a potential strike. In order to prepare to hold the line for a fair contract, GTFF is asking for community members, GTFF alumni, fellow labor unions, and other allies to contribute to their Strike Fund. Click here to donate today. 📩 Tell the University of Oregon Board of Trustees: Don’t Cut Off Employee Healthcare! Take action to stand with the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation at the University of Oregon who are fighting hard for a fair contract and may face cuts to their healthcare by the Board of Trustees. Click here to write a letter to the Board in support of GTFF, it only takes a few minutes and will help make a tremendous difference in their campaign! Take Action 🩺 Support Nurses at Sacred Heart Home Health and Hospice Join the Oregon Nurses Association in standing up to PeaceHealth's corporate executives to hold them accountable to the community. Let PeaceHealth know you support local health care and local health care workers by sending a message to PeaceHealth's corporate executives demanding that they invest in our community's health and offer home care nurses a fair wage. Click here to take action. 🗽 Tell Lawmakers to Fund the People's Budget in 2024 The People's Budget is a roadmap for building a just and equitable Oregon that works for everyone. The People's Budget outlines clear funding priorities based on the needs and voices of Oregonians across the state. By investing in critical programs and services, we can create a future where everyone has the opportunity to flourish. Tell Lawmakers to Pass the People’s Budget. Oregon Labor & Politics Oregon’s tax system weighs more heavily on the poor than anyone else January 9, 2024 | Oregon Center for Public Policy “Oregon’s tax system remains inequitable,” said Daniel Hauser, Deputy Director of the Oregon Center for Public Policy, who examined the report. “Our tax system should reduce Oregon’s record-high levels of income inequality, but instead it makes it worse.” BOLI: A Year in Review January 5, 2024 | Oregon Labor Commissioner Christina Stephenson “During Labor Commissioner Stephenson’s first year in office, the Bureau of Labor and Industries has tirelessly worked to elevate Oregon’s status as the best place to live and work in the country.” Looking Forward The ‘Year of Labor’ in 2023 Was Just the Beginning January 9, 2024 | The Messenger From national AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler: “When people ask me why the labor movement just had its most dynamic and successful year in a generation, I tell them about workers like Alicia — people whose lives changed because they stood together with their co-workers. For all the talk about macro trends and economic factors, the driving force behind the “Year of Labor” was simple: Being in a union makes your life better.” Organizing ‘We don’t have a say’: workers join push to unionize flagship Volkswagen plant January 11, 2024 | The Guardian “Fresh off its victories over the US’s three biggest domestic automakers, the United Auto Workers (UAW) is going all out to unionize Volkswagen’s flagship plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.” UAW announces union campaign at Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama January 10, 2024 | The Guardian “Over 30% of workers at the Mercedes-Benz plant outside of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, have signed union authorization cards, the United Auto Workers (UAW) announced on Tuesday. The news is another significant boost to the UAW’s plans to unionize non-union auto workers throughout the US after securing historic contracts for workers at the big three US automakers last year.” Strikes Culinary Union sets strike deadline for 21 properties January 9, 2024 | 8 NBC News Now “ Another strike looms for Culinary Union 226 that would impact nearly 8,000 resort workers at Las Vegas properties. On Monday, the union set a strike deadline of Feb. 2 to reach agreements with 21 independently owned Strip and downtown properties including Circus Circus Hotel, Sahara Las Vegas, Circa Resort, Virgin Hotels, and more. The contracts at those properties expired in June 2023.” Labor Law Push to dissolve union at Starbucks in Mall of America blocked by federal labor board January 10, 2024 | Minnesota Reformer “The National Labor Relations Board sided with the union representing baristas at a Starbucks in the Mall of America in Bloomington, blocking some workers’ petition to hold an election to oust the union. The action comes as labor regulators review allegations of unfair labor practices by the Seattle coffee giant.” Employees, not ‘independent contractors’: Labor Department cracks down on bosses’ misclassification abuse January 10, 2024 | People’s World “The AFL-CIO praised the new curbs on independent contractors when DOL issued its draft of this new rule this past October. “By restoring commonsense rules to determine who is an employee, and making it harder for employers to intentionally misclassify their employees as independent contractors, DOL’s announcement will increase protections and expand benefits to so many working people who have been subjected to corporate work-arounds,” federation President Liz Shuler said then.” Millions of gig workers could qualify as employees under new Biden-era rule January 9, 2024 | The Washington Post “Millions of gig workers, janitors, home-care workers, construction workers and truckers could be considered employees rather than independent contractors under a final rule announced Tuesday by the Labor Department. The rule effectively expands the reach of federal labor laws that require employers to extend certain benefits and protections to workers classified as employees. Those include the right to the minimum wage, overtime pay, unemployment insurance and Social Security benefits — which employers are not required to provide to independent contractors.” At least five states are considering requiring full minimum wages for tip earners this year January 6, 2024 | NBC Bay Area “Five states are deciding this year whether to ditch the practice of paying workers who earn tips less than the minimum wage. And activists say they’re bringing that fight to at least as many others, framing it as a key cost-of-living issue in an election year. Ballot measures pending in Michigan, Arizona, Ohio and Massachusetts, and a bill being reintroduced in Connecticut would eliminate a longstanding two-tiered pay system for tip-earning hourly workers like restaurant servers and bartenders, who earn a lower “subminimum” wage than their nontipped counterparts.” Shortcomings in US labor law and its impact on union's first contracts December 20, 2023 | Street Roots “According to a recent Gallup poll, 71% of Americans approve of labor unions, the highest approval rating since 1965. And worker organizing has led to unionization of stores at a number of well-known, profitable companies. The problem is that many of these new unions have yet to win a first contract. One important reason: national companies like Starbucks, Amazon, REI and Trader Joe’s, as well as local companies like New Seasons and Voodoo Donuts, are taking advantage of shortcomings in US labor law to drag out the negotiating process until workers either give up or worker turnover undermines support for the union.” Labor & Technology SAG-AFTRA and AFL-CIO Host 5th Annual Labor Innovation & Technology Summit to Empower Tomorrow’s Workforce January 10, 2024 | AFL-CIO “Today, the AFL-CIO, the AFL-CIO Technology Institute and SAG-AFTRA co-hosted their fifth annual Labor Innovation & Technology Summit. Across two days, the Summit convenes movement leaders and working people to discuss and develop strategies to ensure ethical technology adoption and center workers at the heart of emerging technologies.” Video game workers need to further unionize in 2024 January 9, 2024 | The Manitoban “2023 was great for gamers. An incredible amount of fantastic new video games were released, like Baldur’s Gate 3, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and far too many more to list. Many have called it the best year for video games in over a decade. However, as several media commentators have already pointed out, the year was also a terrible one for the people who make video games. Over 10,000 people were estimated to have been laid off in the video game industry over the past year, about 10 times the amount of layoffs in 2022.” Young Workers Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh suggests college athletes unionize after championship win January 9, 2024 | The Hill “University of Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh suggested that college athletes should unionize after his team won the national championship on Monday night. “The thing I would change about college football is, to let the talent share in the ever-increasing revenues,” Harbaugh said at a press conference Tuesday. “We’re all robbing the same train and the ones that are in the position to do the heavy lifting, the ones that risk life and limb out there on a football field are the players and not just, not just football players, student athletes.” Youth subminimum wages and why they should be eliminated January 8, 2024 | Economic Policy Institute “In states across the country, advocates and lawmakers are working to eliminate subminimum wages for low-wage tipped or disabled workers. Amid increased child labor violations and a growing movement to roll back protections for working youth, lawmakers should also work to eliminate youth subminimum wages. Age-based pay discrimination is unfair and harms workers of all ages.” Worker Safety & Health The American Cancer Society and IAFF Join Forces to Combat Cancer Among Firefighters January 9, 2024 | Medriva “In a significant stride towards combating the alarming rates of cancer among firefighters, the American Cancer Society and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) have joined forces. This collaboration aims to deliver targeted education and best practices to prevent and reduce cancer among firefighters, emphasizing early detection and regular screenings.” Plague of violence against transit workers must be addressed by federal action January 7, 2024 | The Hill By John Samuelsen, president of Transport Workers Union International: “All across the country, transit workers are outrageously getting attacked and abused every single day. They are being harassed, menaced, spat upon, beaten up — even shot and killed. According to data from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), in 2021 there were more than 345 assaults on transit workers — including bus drivers, station agents, track workers, cleaners and others who just showed up to work.” Twin Cities postal workers rally over reported spike in targeted robberies, assaults January 7, 2024 | KSTP “Letter carriers for the United States Postal Service (USPS) say violent crimes — namely assaults and robberies — against them have been through the roof in recent years. Union leadership for the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) at a rally on the steps of Minneapolis’ central post office on Sunday said U.S. Postal Inspection Service data shows there have been 2,000 attacks against letter carriers across the country since 2020.” Graphics to Share for MLK Day

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. Click here to subscribe to the Oregon Labor Dispatch weekly emails. Keep up with the latest from Oregon’s unions: Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Upcoming Events 🏤 Rally: Save the Postal Service & Postal Jobs Monday, January 8, 2024 | East Portland Post Office, 1020 SE 7th in Portland (map) Join APWU Local 128 and the Oregon Labor Movement to protest a massive transformation to the Portland area’s Postal Service that will cost workers their jobs and even close some neighborhood Post Offices. ✊🏽 The 2024 AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference January, 12 - 14, 2024 | Montgomery, Alabama The conference in 2024 will occur at a crucial moment for the labor and civil rights movements, as workers across the country are organizing at historic rates for dignity, respect and justice, both on the job and in our communities. Click here to learn more & register. Take Action 💲 Donate to the GTFF Strike Fund The GTFF, a union representing more than 1,400 Graduate Employees at the University of Oregon, has been in contentious contract negotiations with the UO since March 2023. The UO’s refusal to provide a contract that enables GEs to live with dignity has pushed GTFF members to prepare for a potential strike. In order to prepare to hold the line for a fair contract, GTFF is asking for community members, GTFF alumni, fellow labor unions, and other allies to contribute to their Strike Fund. Click here to donate today. 📩 Tell the University of Oregon Board of Trustees: Don’t Cut Off Employee Healthcare! Take action to stand with the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation at the University of Oregon who are fighting hard for a fair contract and may face cuts to their healthcare by the Board of Trustees. Click here to write a letter to the Board in support of GTFF, it only takes a few minutes and will help make a tremendous difference in their campaign! 🏫 Respect for Oregon Public University Staff Please take a moment to sign a pledge in support of the 4,500 classified workers at Oregon’s public universities in their campaign to win working conditions that help students succeed, and wages that allow them to support themselves and their families. Click here to sign on. Know Your Rights: New Oregon Laws in 2024 Many laws that passed during the 2023 session went into effect on January 1, including unemployment insurance protections for classified educators, improved school infrastructure safety and quality measures, firefighters apprenticeship programs and protections for childcare providers in rental properties. Learn more about these bills and the labor priorities that already went into effect by reading our report about the 2023 Oregon Legislature.  Some of the new laws for 2024 include: SB 128: Allows Chaplains in correctional facilities to earn PERS SB 489: Unemployment insurance protections for Classified Educators SB 599: Allows home childcare providers to operate in rental properties HB 2294: Creates a registered apprenticeship program for Firefighters HB 3031: Improves School Safety Infrastructure And in case you missed it, Oregon workers are now better protected thanks to SB 592, employers with unsafe working conditions now face steeper penalties and improved inspections. To learn more about how these protections will impact your workplace, check out our blog post. Oregon Labor 2023: A Historic Year for Oregon Labor December 20, 2023 | Oregon AFL-CIO “2023 has been a banner year for Oregon Labor, and the success we saw is thanks to the hard work, dedication, and incredible efforts made by every union in Oregon.  From a windfall of legislative wins during the 2023 Oregon Legislature, to supporting unions on strike around the state, to winning in local elections, to an exciting and inspiring 2023 Oregon AFL-CIO Convention, we are proud and fired up by everything Oregon Labor has done together this year.” Looking Forward, Looking Back January 2, 2024 | Oregon Business Quote from Anne Tan Piazza, Executive Director, ONA: “The high point of 2023 for me was the activism undertaken by nurses and other health care workers to address Oregon’s safe-staffing crisis. The passage of HB 2697 was historic, not just for Oregon but for the nation, and sets an incredibly high bar for the rest of the country on how to ensure safe staffing in acute-care settings. Nurses across the state, and ONA members specifically, raised their voices on behalf of their patients and their communities in an unprecedented way, which resulted in the passage of a “best in the nation” staffing law that will save lives, retain nurses at the bedside and bring nurses back to work who had left due to unsafe working conditions.” Starbucks closed 3 Portland stores illegally, labor official alleges, seeking order to reopen them January 3, 2024 | The Oregonian “Federal labor officials are seeking to force Starbucks to reopen three Portland stores and others across the country that the coffee giant closed in 2022, saying the closures were intended to crack down on union activity.” This Portland labor advocate pioneered unionizing at the economic fringes. The nation is watching. December 29, 2023 | The Oregonian “Auto workers. Actors. Teachers. Nurses. Bursts of labor unrest, both nationally and locally, this year have cast a spotlight on unions and their ability to notch significant gains for workers who belong to them.” Looking Back on 2023, Looking Forward to 2024 Hollywood and auto strikes have workers and unions eager for more gains in 2024 January 3, 2024 | The Guam Daily Post “If 2023 was a historic year for workers with gains in pay and new contracts, how much longer can the momentum last in an economy that can’t decide if it is roaring or trudging along?” Labor Unrest in 2024 Poised to Leverage Union Contract Gains January 2, 2024 | Bloomberg Law “After a year of record-breaking strikes, expiring contracts in 2024 signal another significant but likely smaller potential wave of labor unrest. More than 1.1 million workers are covered by large union contracts that are due to end next year, according to a Bloomberg Law analysis of filings with the federal mediation service. “ Unions poised to capitalize on U.S. labor board rulings that bolstered organizing January 2, 2024 | Reuters “The coming year will reveal the full impact of a U.S. labor board's recent rulings that were seen as providing a major boost to union organizing and whether those changes can withstand legal challenges amid a series of high-profile labor campaigns.” Union momentum is strong heading into 2024 December 29, 2023 | Florida Courier From AFSCME President Lee Saunders: “AFSCME affiliates across the country have been a part of this wave of strike activity. From workers in Yamhill County, Oregon, to employees in the Morgan County, Ohio, school district, AFSCME members withheld their labor until their employer afforded them the respect they deserve.” Unions are the strongest in decades. Nearly a million Americans got double-digit raises as a result November 21, 2023 | CNN Business “Nearly 900,000 Americans sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner this week will have unions – and the double-digit pay increases they won – to thank. That’s how many unionized workers have won immediate pay hikes of 10% or more in just the last year, according to an analysis by CNN.” Union-Busting U.S. Senators Call On Non-Union Auto Companies To Stop Union-Busting January 4, 2024 | UAW “Today, 33 U.S. Senators are calling on 13 non-union auto companies to refrain from union-busting as over 150,000 autoworkers have launched campaigns to organize with the UAW. In a letter sent to the CEOs of the automakers, the Senators, led by Senators Peters, Stabenow, Padilla, Butler, and Brown stressed the importance of respecting workers’ right to form a union, and encouraged the companies to commit to neutrality in any organizing effort.” Labor History Elmore Nickleberry, Memphis sanitation worker who went on strike in 1968, dies at 92 January 3, 2024 | AFSCME “Elmore Nickleberry, Memphis sanitation worker who went on strike in 1968, dies at 92 Elmore Nickleberry, one of the original AFSCME sanitation workers who went on strike in 1968 to fight for fair wages, safer worker conditions, union recognition and dignity, has died in Memphis at age 92.” International Solidarity Nordic Workers Took On Elon Musk in 2023. Here’s What Could Happen Next January 2, 2024 | Portside “What began nine weeks ago with a group of mechanics in Sweden demanding that Tesla agree to collective bargaining has evolved into a broader fight for the Nordic region’s way of work and life. The stakes are high, too, for the carmaker and its CEO Elon Musk, the world’s richest man.” Standing Together & Organizing 'When we fight, we win': VP congratulates Culinary Union but workers' fight isn't over January 3, 2024 | KINV “Hundreds of Culinary Union Local 226 workers gathered Wednesday to hear a congratulatory message from the United States Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris' visit to Las Vegas comes on the heels of a historic employment deal made between three resort corporations: Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts and Wynn Resorts in November.” Board Game Cafe Workers Went on a Quest for a Union and Won January 3, 2024 | New York Times If an owner comes in and says, ‘We’re a family,’ you aren’t really going to buy that,” said Zev Anderman, a Hex & Co. worker. “That’s them trying to play nice so they don’t have to pay you more. But [in the union], I think we are a family.” Amazon, Starbucks worker unions are in limbo, even as UAW and others triumph January 3, 2024 | OPB “It was a triumphant year for workers. Part-time UPS drivers got 55% raises. Airline pilots 40%. And auto workers landed a 25% increase in pay plus additional cost of living adjustments. The wins were widespread, from Hollywood actors to nurses.” Unionized Staff at B&N Flagship Store Stage Walkout January 2, 2024 | Publishers Weekly “On December 22, unionized employees at the Barnes & Noble flagship store in Manhattan's Union Square staged a walkout over concerns about management's alleged refusal to bargain in good faith with their recently formed union.” Workplace Safety OPINION: How OSHA’s walkaround rule would save lives January 1, 2024 | St. Louis / Southern Illinois Labor Tribune From United Steelworkers President David McCall: “The USW is among many unions and pro-worker groups supporting the walkaround rule. The proposal also has the support of leading members of Congress and of Jordan Barab, a former deputy assistant secretary at OSHA, who wrote that the rule would “help workers come home alive at the end of the day.”” Graphics to Share

Many laws that passed during the 2023 session went into effect on January 1, including unemployment insurance protections for classified educators, improved school infrastructure safety and quality measures, firefighters apprenticeship programs and protections for childcare providers in rental properties. Learn more about these bills and the labor priorities that already went into effect by reading our report about the 2023 Oregon Legislature.  Some of the new laws for 2024 include: SB 128: Allows Chaplains in correctional facilities to earn PERS SB 489: Unemployment insurance protections for Classified Educators SB 599: Allows home childcare providers to operate in rental properties HB 2294: Creates a registered apprenticeship program for Firefighters HB 3031: Improves School Safety Infrastructure And in case you missed it, Oregon workers are now better protected thanks to SB 592, employers with unsafe working conditions now face steeper penalties and improved inspections. To learn more about how these protections will impact your workplace, check out our blog post.

2023 has been a banner year for Oregon Labor, and the success we saw is thanks to the hard work, dedication, and incredible efforts made by every union in Oregon.  From a windfall of legislative wins during the 2023 Oregon Legislature, to supporting unions on strike around the state, to winning in local elections, to an exciting and inspiring 2023 Oregon AFL-CIO Convention, we are proud and fired up by everything Oregon Labor has done together this year. Let’s take a look back at the highlights, the victories and the campaigns that shaped Oregon Labor in 2023: 2023 Legislative Wins We started 2023 with the Oregon Labor Legislative Conference where union members, leaders and elected officials gathered to learn about Oregon Labor legislative priorities and find out how to get involved in the efforts to pass bills designed to build power and protect working people. Despite nine Senators essentially shutting down legislative action for six weeks of session, Oregon Labor racked up some monumental wins in the 2023 Oregon Legislature, including finally modernizing Oregon OSHA’s penalties to help make workplaces safer, changes in time-off coverage for medical appointments under workers’ compensation, historic investments in education and state infrastructure including the semiconductor industry, and significant wins for nurses and healthcare workers in safe hospital staffing levels, among many others. Click here to read in detail about how Oregon Labor’s priorities did in the 2023 session. At our convention in September, we recognized the legislators who went above and beyond in their support of workers.  Our 2023 award winners are: ➡️LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR: Representative (and union firefighter) Dacia Grayber, for her incredible support of Oregon Labor’s priority bills across the board. ➡️RISING STAR: Representative Nathan Sosa, for sending a clear signal in his first several legislative sessions and as vice-chair of the House Business and Labor Committee as a fighter for workers’ rights. ➡️SOLIDARITY CHAMPION: Senate Majority Kate Lieber, who proactively listened to and reached out to workers and our unions to understand our needs in an exemplary way. Click here to view the 2023 Oregon AFL-CIO Legislative Scorecard. The Oregon Labor Movement is incredibly thankful for every worker and worker advocate who shared their stories with elected leaders over the last year. All of Oregon Labor should be incredibly proud of the work we were able to accomplish together this legislative session! 2023 Special Election For the May 2023 Special Election, five Central Labor Chapters endorsed candidates for school boards, local offices, and local bonds and levies. To support these endorsements, the Oregon AFL-CIO created field and communications campaigns to educate and mobilize union members and labor-aligned voters to get out the vote. Electing union endorsed candidates and winning local bonds and levies is crucial to making Oregon a better and more just place for working Oregonians in every corner of the state. Engaging in smaller level races is important with many elected leaders starting their careers in public service on school boards and other local offices, and often making an impact over their many years in local politics. By supporting pro-worker, pro-union candidates earlier in their careers, and throughout them, we can continue to shift our state’s priorities towards building a fair and just economy for all. Organizing 2023 saw a flurry of union organizing campaigns in virtually every sector of our economy. To facilitate union organizing in Oregon, share best practices, and provide a space for networking and skill building we held the 2023 Oregon Labor Organizing Summit in Portland on May 24, 2023 - with plans to host annual summits focused on organizing and growth in the years ahead. The 2023 Organizing Summit’s theme, “Our Power, Our Time, Our Movement,” which focused on reinforcing the urgency of the moment and using organizing momentum to help cultivate an energizing atmosphere to inspire action. Participants heard from nationally recognized organizing experts, enjoyed a panel discussion about recent campaigns, sharpened their skills through engaging workshops, and were inspired to keep fighting by a keynote speech from national AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. 🗓️ Mark your calendars: The 2024 Oregon Labor Organizing Summit will be held on May 30, 2024 in Portland! Additionally, we launched a committee of organizing leaders aimed at collaborating, sharing resources, and building the pace and scale of organizing and growth.  We hosted the National AFL-CIO’s Organizing Institute with nearly 40 organizers and leaders aimed at honing skills and winning more campaigns.  And we continue to look for opportunities to bring unions together for joint trainings and convenings focused on expanding organizing capacity throughout the state. Supporting Strikes & Collective Bargaining If there’s one thing that stands out about Oregon Labor in 2023, it’s the wave of strikes that swept through our region. The Oregon AFL-CIO uplifted each strike by mobilizing union members and allies to walk picket lines, spreading the word about rallies and actions, helping distribute supplies to pickets, and working with elected officials to galvanize broader support for the strikes. Some of the highlights of our efforts to support unions on strike included: Oregon AFL-CIO officers speaking at ONA, UAW, IUOE Local 701, OFNHP, SEIU Local 49, and PAT picket lines Assisting the Oregon Nurses Association to spread the word about their historic five-day strike at Providence and potential but avoided strike at St. Charles in Bend. The creation of the Oregon Labor Strike Map, an informational graphic showing every picket line in the region to help direct support where it’s needed Coordinating with House Speaker Dan Rayfield to speak at a rally in support of striking IUOE Local 701 members in Corvallis and working with local media to generate news coverage of the event Placing Kaiser Permanente on the Oregon AFL-CIO “Unfair Employer / Do Not Patronize List” in support of UFCW Local 555 Helping unions including UAW Local 492, ONA, OFNHP, and AFSCME Local 1422 organize donations to their strike funds to help workers continue to fight for fair contracts 2023 saw more than just strikes - it saw historic contract wins in every sector of the economy, many of which were won by building a credible strike threat, taking a strike vote or holding practice pickets to remind the bosses who has the power.  Some wins, from healthcare to the auto industry to public services, have set a new standard and are improving the lives of union and non-union workers alike. Whenever a union in Oregon is facing a tough battle at the bargaining table, Oregon Labor stands behind them every step of the way until a fair contract is reached - because an injury to one of us is an injury to all of us. 2023 Oregon AFL-CIO Convention The 58th Biennial Convention of the Oregon AFL-CIO was held September 20th - 23rd, 2023 at the Riverhouse on the Deschutes in beautiful Bend, Oregon. With over 350 affiliated union delegates, guests and honorary delegates in attendance, our convention serves as the single largest gathering of Oregon Labor in the state and the spirit of solidarity was felt by everyone who joined us. Together, delegates proposed and approved an array of resolutions to guide the Oregon Labor Movement for the next two years, elected a strong slate of State Federation officers and Executive Board members, and heard from informative guest speakers, panelists, and workshop presenters. We held the 2023 Oregon Labor Awards Ceremony, where unions and elected officials were recognized for their achievements in building power for working Oregonians since our last convention in 2022. We ended the convention by mobilizing attendees and local community members to rally and march through downtown Bend in support of Central Oregon workers to support their fights for fair contracts. Click here to see photos and videos from convention, and to read more details about what was an incredible gathering of Oregon Labor. Looking Ahead 2023 was an incredible year for building power for Oregon workers - and 2024 is on course to be even better.  We’re excited to advocate for more worker protections and new laws to benefit workers in the 2024 Oregon Legislature starting in February, launch the Labor 2024 political campaign to get out the vote for Oregon Labor endorsements in the spring for the Primary election and in the fall for the General election, host the 2024 Oregon Labor Organizing Summit in May, and facilitate multiple trainings for our movement aimed at building our collective capacity and power. Beyond these events and campaigns, the Oregon AFL-CIO is ready to support our affiliated unions’ collective bargaining efforts and strikes should they happen, and do everything within our power as Oregon Labor to make progress for the working people of Oregon.  We know that together, we have unlimited power and the potential to bring real change to the lives of all workers. In 2024, let’s stand together and make the new year even more powerful and prosperous!

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. Click here to subscribe to the Oregon Labor Dispatch weekly emails. Keep up with the latest from Oregon’s unions: Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Upcoming Events 🏤 Rally: Save the Postal Service & Postal Jobs Monday, January 8, 2024 | East Portland Post Office, 1020 SE 7th in Portland (map) Join APWU Local 128 and the Oregon Labor Movement to protest a massive transformation to the Portland area’s Postal Service that will cost workers their jobs and even close some neighborhood Post Offices. Take Action 📩 Tell the University of Oregon Board of Trustees: Don’t Cut Off Employee Healthcare! Take action to stand with the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation at the University of Oregon who are fighting hard for a fair contract and may face cuts to their healthcare by the Board of Trustees. Click here to write a letter to the Board in support of GTFF, it only takes a few minutes and will help make a tremendous difference in their campaign! 🔬 Support OHSU Graduate Researchers OHSU isn’t paying Graduate Researchers the wages they bargained for and are denying the union's grievances.  It’s time to tell OHSU to pay Graduate Researchers what they’re owed! Click send a message to the OHSU President and the Board of Directors and stand with the Graduate Researches United, AFSCME, at OHSU. 🚫 Tell Intuit Mailchimp: No Monkey Business! Quit Union Busting! Intuit Mailchimp recently decided to walk away from a podcast project with Pineapple Street Studios. Why? Because workers at Pineapple Street Studios workers chose to unionize with the WGAE. Now is the time for more union-made media, not less. Click here to send a letter to executives at Intuit Mailchimp. Oregon Labor Closing out 2023 with a UAW bump December 15, 2023 | Northwest Labor Press From Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor: “As we close out the year, it’s important to take stock in what made the year so special, so meaningful for working people, and so historic. But now it’s up to each of us to dig deep and use 2024 to harness what’s in front of us and realize the kind of transformational growth and gains that are within reach. Because history will look back on this era to tell its story. What will you do in 2024 to ensure that the story is Union Strong?” Oregon AFL-CIO Endorses House Speaker Dan Rayfield for Oregon Attorney General December 18, 2023 | Oregon AFL-CIO “At the December 7, 2023 meeting of the Oregon AFL-CIO’s Committee on Political Education (COPE) Board, leaders and representatives from unions in every community and sector of Oregon’s economy voted to endorse Oregon Speaker of the House Dan Rayfield to be Oregon’s next Attorney General.” Multnomah County and AFSCME sign union contract for dentists December 15, 2023 | Northwest Labor Press “About 20 Multnomah County dentists represented by AFSCME Local 88 ratified a new contract Dec. 6 after several months of negotiating and a strike authorization vote. The two-year agreement provides bonuses totaling $10,000, as well as a 5% raise retroactive to July 1, 2023. Dentists will receive 1% to 4% cost of living raises on July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, based on the local inflation rate.” Still no deal after Local 701 ends strike at Corvallis landfill December 15, 2023 | Northwest Labor Press “Mechanics who maintain equipment at the Coffin Butte Landfill in Corvallis ended their strike Nov. 13 after two months on the picket line. The seven workers — who voted Dec. 21, 2022, to join Operating Engineers Local 701 — walked out Sept. 11 to protest stonewalling by Republic Services in contract negotiations. They ended their strike with an unconditional offer to return to work and they continue to try to negotiate a first union contract.” Politics Biden Rule Mandates Collective Bargaining for Major Federal Building Projects December 18, 2023 | Common Dreams "The labor movement is putting high-wage, high-road labor standards into action and workers are rebuilding America, union strong," said the AFL-CIO. About 200,000 U.S. construction workers will benefit from new collective bargaining requirements announced by President Joe Biden and Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su on Monday, as the administration unveiled a final rule implementing an executive order that was introduced last year.” NABTU Applauds Biden-Harris PLA EO Regulation Announcement December 18, 2023 | North America’s Building Trades Unions ““North America’s Building Trades Unions applaud today’s announcement. This final step for the executive order on project labor agreements is welcome news for the responsible use of taxpayer dollars. Project labor agreements ensure that large-scale projects are completed on time, with the highest quality, efficiency, and safety.” It’s not too late to preserve American democracy—yet December 17, 2023 | AFT From AFT President Rani Weingarten: ”Let’s start with a thought experiment: A candidate for president is asked to reassure voters that he has no plans to abuse his power, break the law or use the government to go after people. The answer is a no-brainer, right? Of course, this isn’t a thought experiment; it’s the exact question Fox News host Sean Hannity recently posed to Donald Trump, to which Trump replied that he would be a “dictator,” but only on “day one.” Many in his party shrugged off the statement or dismissed it as a joke. Americans may be desensitized to Trump’s words, even when he says he would be a dictator, given the maelstrom of shocking statements he makes. But he has doubled down on this troubling declaration—the latest in a pattern of his authoritarian leanings.” AFSCME backs bill to strengthen our country’s public health nursing workforce December 14, 2023 | AFSCME “Public health nurses played a critical role in our country’s response to COVID-19, and they’ve been helping fight deadly diseases, expand health care equity and increase life expectancy throughout our history. That’s why AFSCME supports federal legislation to strengthen our nation’s public health nursing workforce. The twin House and the Senate proposals would help public health departments across our country recruit, hire, train and pay licensed registered nurses.” What 2023 Meant for Labor The Union Fight for the Future of Work—and the Democratic Party December 13, 2023 | Newsweek "That stereotype of the sort of industrial, hard-hat labor movement is an old stereotype," Shuler told Newsweek in an exclusive interview in which she shared new details of the AFL-CIO's plans to expand into the South and target clean energy and other emerging markets. "That's where the labor movement's challenge is. We're trying to actually expand and modernize, so we can be relevant and meet the needs of the future workforce." How labor unions found their footing in 2023 December 18, 2023 | Yahoo Finance “Labor unions enjoyed an extraordinary year in 2023. The president joined a picket line for the first time in history, the public broadly supported unions through a volatile economy, and a wave of high-profile strikes won significant bargaining victories for workers, signaling a resurgence of the US labor movement.” Collective Bargaining Yale grad students approve first union contract December 18, 2023 | WSHU “After a fight that lasted more than 30 years, graduate workers at Yale University approved their first union contract over the weekend. It passed with support from 99.4% of those voting. Local 33 of the union UNITE HERE will now represent the university’s 3,200 grad student employees. The contract, which runs through July 2028, includes improvements to health care, major raises, a comprehensive grievance procedure and improved benefits for families and dependents, among other gains.” More hotel workers agree to new deal with Marriott, Hilton December 16, 2023 | NBC “Workers at 10 hotels in Los Angeles and Orange counties have signed tentative agreements to end a long contract dispute that led to rotating work stoppages this year, union officials said Saturday. More than 1,700 housekeepers, cooks, dishwashers, servers and front desk workers signed the deal, according to Unite Here Local 11, which said 20 high-end Southland hotels have now signed new contract agreements.” Worker Wins: Best Contracts Ever December 15, 2023 | AFL-CIO “Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.” Strikes There were nearly 400 strikes in 2023, and experts think there's more to come: 'Nothing succeeds like success' December 19, 2023 | CNBC “Between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30, there were 393 strikes in the U.S. involving more than 500,000 workers, according to Johnnie Kallas, a Ph.D. candidate at Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations and director of the university's Labor Action Tracker. This year saw more work stoppages involving 1,000 or more workers than any year since 2013, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.” Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants Will Vote on Strike, Demonstrate Nationwide as Holiday Travel Takes Off December 19, 2023 | AFA-CWA “Alaska Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), will take a strike vote after mounting frustrations in mediated negotiations. This is the first time since the historic 1993 CHAOS Strike that Alaska Flight Attendants will vote on strike authorization. The vote announcement coincides with demonstrations at eight major airports nationwide as holiday travel takes off.” Renewable Energy OpEd: Why The Renewable Energy Industry Needs Unionizing December 18, 2023 | Long Island Press “Working in renewables could be a great job, but the industry needs a healthier balance of power between management and labor to make growth sustainable. These are the jobs of the future. They ought to pay a living wage, be safe, and be unionized.” Honoring Veterans Honored Forever: International President Martinez Dedicates IAM Military Veterans Monument December 14, 2023 | IAMAW “The IAM Veterans Monument has been dedicated to IAM members who have served their country with a ceremony attended by members, staff, veterans, local officials, and community members.  “The IAM is proud to have among the highest percentage of veterans in the entire labor movement,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr., a U.S. Naval Air veteran. " Labor Law NLRB Finds eBay Violated Worker Rights at Subsidiary TCG Player, Workers Demand eBay Bargain in Good Faith December 19, 2023 | Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA) “Region 3 of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has found merit with elements of the Unfair Labor Practice charges filed by Communications Workers of America (CWA). The NLRB’s decision affirms that eBay and TCGPlayer have broken the law in their responses to worker organizing.” Child Labor in America Slaughterhouse children: Child labor exposed in America’s food industry (Documentary) December 18, 2023 | NBC “In towns across America, children working in dangerous jobs in slaughterhouses is an open secret. Data from the Labor Department says that children are illegally working at alarming rates. NBC News takes you inside these slaughterhouses in an investigation that spans six states, two countries, dozens of interviews and thousands of pages of public records.” Buy Union Union-made gift ideas December 15, 2023 | Northwest Labor Press “Looking for gifts this holiday season? Buying union-made helps keep good jobs in the community, and lets you vote with your dollars for businesses that pay fellow workers a living wage with benefits. Union-made can be hard to find. Here are some ideas.” The 2023 Made in America Holiday Gift Guide November 20, 2023 | Alliance for American Manufacturing “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  The Alliance for American Manufacturing is thrilled to unveil the 10th anniversary edition of our Made in America Holiday Gift Guide, our annual list of American-made gift ideas from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.” Graphics to Share