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AFT-Oregon will continue fight to protect members' retirement security

Dear Members,

After slashing PERS benefits by $800-million last spring, Oregon’s legislature has added insult to injury this week by making additional cuts to cost-of-living (COLA) adjustments for PERS retirees in a special session called by Governor Kitzhaber. Overtime, these laws will raid PERS pensions of $4.6 billion in benefits and create a future of uncertainty for seniors who held up their end of the bargain by working hard to provide quality education and other vital public services for our communities.

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AFL-CIO Trumka tells delegates the union movement is for ALL workers

Trumka told delegates to the AFL-CIO convention that union workers must join with the millions more who are without representation to build real power and take back America.

"Our job is to create a new working class movement--strong enough to lift all workers in this country," he said. CLICK HERE to view his keynote speech to delegates in September, 2013.

UO faculty ratify first contract

Faculty at the University of Oregon, represented by United Academics, ratified their first contract which included increased job security and an average 11.75 percent in salary increases--a remarkable achievement for a first agreement.

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Members were out in force to celebrate Labor Day

AFT-Oregon members joined their local labor councils to celebrate workers in annual labor day picnics. Vickie Brumit, Local 3972 (SWOCCCF) president attended the Coos Bay/North Bend celebration.

“It was wonderful to see our Local members increase their participation by attending this important event,” said Brumit. “We had great music, kids’ games—a good time was had by all. Each year, we also do a food drive at the picnic, and offer a free meal to needy families in the community.”

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Rives and Goulard appointed to Higher Ed. Commission

David Rives, AFT-Oregon President was among the nine voting members of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) confirmed by the Senate in September. Frank Goulard, Local 2277 (PCCFFAP) President will serve on the commission as one of five non-voting members.

Community Colleges were added when HECC was re-chartered by the Oregon Legislature in 2013. This addition is significant because they will now be aligned with universities, instead of K-12 schools as they were in the past.

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2013 resolutions passed by convention delegates

Resolutions Adopted by Convention

 

Resolution No. 2013-1

Funding and Sufficient Positions to Handle Reporting Requirements

Whereas, America’s schools are under scrutiny from state education departments, legislatures, and Congress with mandates intended to improve student success; and

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2013 AFT NW Leadership Forum offered something for everyone

Over 100 union leaders from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Nevada attended a four-day training on union skills at the third annual AFT Northwest Leadership Forum, July 11-14, in Vancouver, Washington.  AFT-Oregon and AFT Washington developed the event, along with AFT Local 6732 (OSEA) and Local 5017 (OFNHP), to develop skills for leading and building the union. 

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2013 Legislative Summary

Public Sector Accountability: HB 3342, the Public Dollars Accountability Act, will keep public employers from spending money to either promote or deter unions in their workplaces, as well as ensuring that our state laws around union organizing are enforced uniformly.

This bill is important since many public employers have hired union-busting law firms and consultants to interfere with their employees’ self-determination in organizing efforts.  

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