News

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.”

Brumit noted that Local 3190 (SWOCCFT) member Anthony Collins, brought cross country students to the picnic and they

Scappoose classified employees win wage increases, more job security in latest agreement

Classified employees in the Scappoose school district will receive a boost in wages and increased job security thanks to a new two-year collective bargaining agreement reached in August. Local 3662 (SFCE) President Teresa Huff said the gain is a welcome change after previous bargaining sessions.

“We achieved a fair and reasonable agreement that gives raises for the first time in two years,” said Huff. “Management made a point to say these increases are not ‘value-based,’ and that our work is very important to the district,” said Huff.

Highlights include a step increase plus one percent COLA for

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.

“The changes in HECC are a positive move for Oregon, with community colleges and universities now working

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

Whereas, funding for education and assessment of a school is often based on a state’s, district’s or individual school’s data, even though this is often based on differing criteria which must be gathered, compiled and submitted to varying organizations and agencies by school faculty and staff; and

Whereas, some of

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.

Some of the topics included using new means of communications to keep members informed; working together with community groups on common causes; representing members in worksite and contract issues; using politics to build an

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.

With the help the testimony of Deborah Green and Yvonne Braun of United Academics this bill passed the House and Senate.

Payment Parity for NPs and PAs:

Legislature approves bill to give pay equity for some health care professionals

On the Governor’s desk is House Bill 290B, which gives pay equity to nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The bill, which was a priority for AFT affiliated Oregon Nurses Association, requires private health care insurance companies to reimburse nurse practitioners and physician assistants the same rate when providing identical mental health and primary care services.

“It’s a matter of fairness. Two nurse practitioners or physician assistants who have the training, ability, and scope to do the same procedure should receive equal payment and benefits for the work done,” said Senator Alan

WOU Faculty, Staff and Students Unified for Higher Education

Faculty members of Local 2278 (WOUFT) joined with students and staff at Western Oregon University to hold a unity rally on May 22, 2013. Emily Plec, Local 2278 (WOUFT) President said the goal of the event was to "alter the 'divide and conquer' mentality that it’s either student tuition or employee wages. That one has to come at expense of the other.”

Click here to view photos from the rally and march!

“Today we are standing in solidarity to say it’s about investment in higher education. It’s about making universities affordable for students and accountable to employees who serve students every

Classified employees at Oregon Coast Community College have chosen Local 6020 (AFTOCUE) as their union representative. Union authorization was given by a majority of these employees who signed cards to have a second unit added in the union representing faculty at the college.

The Employment Relations Board confirmed authorization cards signed by a majority of employees and certified the new unit in May. A bargaining team is now preparing for negotiations of a first contract.

UO Faculty during May 7 rally (From Left): Debra Merskin, Journalism and Communications; Alexandre Albert-Galtier, Romance Languages; and Karen McPherson, Romance Languages. Click here for photos from the rally.

Community leaders, students and supporters of United Academics, University of Oregon (UO), rallied on May 7 to call for university administrators to act on their claim that faculty are “top priority” for the university. The crowd of some 50 people chanted "Contract This Term!" and cheered as bargaining team members advocated for University representatives to work with Faculty to reach