News

President Rodriguez Comments on OCPP Report

AFT-Oregon President Jaime Rodriguez was quoted in a news release by the Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCPP) today. Citing “ample evidence” that corporations have been using aggressive tactics to avoid paying taxes, a report released by the OCPP urged the Oregon legislature to require large corporations to make public how much they pay in state income taxes and what tax breaks they use.

"Corporate tax avoidance undermines the well-being of Oregonians,” said Rodriguez. “It means less resources for education, health care, and other public services that benefit all Oregonians. These services

AFT-Oregon Executive Council Resolution on Labor Defending Democracy

On Nov. 6, 2020, the AFT-Oregon Executive Council passed the following resolution.

Labor Defending Democracy Resolution

Thanks to everyone who participated in Saturday's Winter Gathering 2021, featuring Oregon State Senator Kate Lieber. In case you missed it, you can watch this condensed video of the webinar.

AFT-OR Welcomes the 81st Oregon Legislature

As the Oregon Legislature commences their work this week on behalf of Oregonians, we are reflective of the historic nature of the 81st legislative body and its members. This will be the most diverse session in Oregon history, and we commend President Courtney and Speaker Kotek for their leadership in elevating the voices of BIPOC legislators to key committee and leadership roles within their respective Chambers. There is no doubt that legislators will have to grapple with many challenges amidst a global pandemic and national political strife, but AFT-Oregon and our over 16,000 members stand

AFT-Oregon Executive Council Letter on Black Lives Matter

We, the elected leaders of the American Federation of Teachers - Oregon, condemn the police murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, David McAtee, and the unconscionable killings of so many other Black people by police throughout our country’s history. Equity and justice are explicitly stated values of AFT-Oregon that we prioritize, and these brutal murders and attendant discrimination suffered by Black Americans are starkly opposed to these values.

#BlackLivesMatter

AFT-Oregon Delegates Help Pass Progressive Measures at AFT Convention

At the virtual AFT Conference held in July, AFT-Oregon delegates helped pass a raft of ambitious resolutions taking on the health, economic and racial justice crises our country faces, and envisioning a better America now and as we build back after COVID-19.

Oregon: Expansion of participation in retirement benefits

Current eligibility for public workers to quality for the Public Employees Retirement System in Oregon specifically excludes Oregon public university graduate employees and employees below 0.50 full-time equivalent. This resolution commits the AFT to advocate for expansion in public

AFT-Oregon Executive Council Letter on International Student Solidarity

We, the elected leaders of the American Federation of Teachers, Oregon, condemn the recent policies that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued on July 6th, 2020 regarding International Students attending universities in the United States of America. In their guidance for the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP), they have stated that international students attending online-only programs must leave the United States. Furthermore, for schools operating in a hybrid mode, international students must not take a fully online course load, and if they are, they must leave the

Faculty at Oregon State University have agreed to terms on a historic first union contract, at a time of unprecedented challenges to higher education. The faculty union, United Academics of Oregon State University, inked a tentative agreement May 28, 2021, covering 2,200 workers, to strengthen their campus through the power of collective action. Ratification is expected within days.

Petition to Protect and Strengthen Higher Education in the Post-COVID World

Some of our members at UAOSU have started a petition to Immediately Protect and Strengthen Higher Education for the Post COVID World. Please sign the petition.

Bob Rossi interviews Andrea Haverkamp of the Coalition of Graduate Employees (AFT) at Oregon State University on higher education today and how unions can function in that environment.