News

AFT-Oregon Holds 2018 Convention

Over 150 assembled delegates, members and guests held the AFT-Oregon Convention on May 4-6, 2018, in downtown Portland. Delegates debated policy on education, legislative and social justice issues, all of which helps set the direction for AFT-Oregon in the coming years.

Oregon State University Faculty Win Majority Support for Union

Oregon State University Faculty Win Majority Support for Union
Official Filing Sets Path for Collective Bargaining and a First Contract for 2,400 Faculty

CORVALLIS, Ore.—A decisive majority of faculty at Oregon State University have declared their support for unionization in an official petition filed today with the Oregon Employment Relations Board.

Under Oregon’s public sector labor law, union certification can be achieved when a petitioned-for bargaining unit is supported by a majority of signed authorization cards, a process known as “card check.” There are more than 2,400 faculty at OSU.

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Grad Workers Union Signs Tentative Agreement with Portland State University

Signed Agreement a Major Step in Establishing New Union

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, March 2, 2018

PORTLAND, OR — Today, the Graduate Employees Union of Portland State University, AAUP-AFT (GEU), representing approximately 800 graduate assistants, signed a tentative agreement document with university administration officials.

The tentative agreement, upon ratification by GEU members and the university, will establish a first contract with the university and lead to GEU becoming chartered with the American Federation of Teachers–Oregon and American Association of University Professors–Oregon.

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HB 3170 Passes Oregon House

Oregon’s public university research faculty are one step closer to having a voice in their workplace. Yesterday, the Oregon House of Representatives passed AFT-Oregon's priority bill for the session, House Bill 3170, by a bipartisan vote of 36-23. Now that this bill has passed the House, it will move to the Oregon Senate.

This important bill will give public university research faculty the same ability to join a union and collectively bargain that other Oregon university faculty have.

Because they are currently prevented from joining or forming a union, these faculty members have no say in

Statement of David Rives, President of AFT-Oregon, on the Closure of ITT Technical Institute

“The news of the closure of ITT Technical Institute – including campuses in Salem and Portland – is devastating for ITT students, staff, and their families. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time. For those seeking help, a variety of resources are available through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Division. Additionally, Oregon’s Higher Education Coordination Commission is currently working with ITT and local colleges and universities to determine possible credit transfer options.

The failure of ITT reminds us

Jeff Grider, Executive Vice President and campus security officer of Portland Community College Federation of Classified Employees, Local 3922, helped AFT issue a groundbreaking report on racial equity.

It’s been a busy week for AFT-Oregon educators. Not only are classes in full swing, but members are making efforts to engage their coworkers to grow power in their workplaces.

These efforts have not gone unnoticed. AFT President Randi Weingarten visited Oregon because she wanted to see this organizing in person.

“This is the most effective antidote to Friedrichs I can imagine.” President Weingarten said.

Collectively bargaining a contract is never easy especially when that contract affects more than 1,200 educators and their families. There are many details to work out from benefits to basic day to day tasks. Just about anything and everything can affected by a contract, which is why it’s important every voice and every opinion is heard and considered.

AFT-Oregon local 4671 Hillsboro Classified United’s bargaining team takes this to heart. They're currently bargaining a new contract with the district, and hosting a bargaining blitz to keep members engaged and informed.

When workers stand together they can collectively raise their voices and fight back. Workers don’t need to be in the same classification or even union to support each other.

The workers of AFT-Oregon’s Portland State University Faculty Association local 3571 joined together with PSU classified workers from SEIU 503 Sept. 9 to call for the university to provide its workers with fair contracts.

It’s time to organize! Now more than ever, workers and unions need to organize together and take back our workplaces. Accurate contact information is the first step in a raising our voices. Update your data by clicking here.

AFT-Oregon Holds 2018 Convention

Oregon State University Faculty Win Majority Support for Union

Grad Workers Union Signs Tentative Agreement with Portland State University

HB 3170 Passes Oregon House

Statement of David Rives, President of AFT-Oregon, on the Closure of ITT Technical Institute

PCCFCE's Jeff Grider helps issue groundbreaking report on racial equality

AFT President Randi Weingarten visits AFT-Oregon members

Hillsboro Classified United local 4671 hosts bargaining blitz

PSUFA stands with SEIU 503, fights for a fair contract

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