News

(Reprinted from Local 3544 (GTFF)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Teri Del Rosso, PR Coordinator: 315.552.8359
Richard Wagner: member.communications@gtff.net

Eugene--The 1,500-member Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation (GTFF) authorized our leadership to call for a strike in response to unsatisfactory contract offers from the University of Oregon Administration. Following the Administration's refusal to continue to negotiate financial packages last week, our membership called for a strike authorization vote Friday night and, over the last four days, 98% voted in favor of authorization.

Because the

Toby Dittrich, Local 2277 (PCCFFAP) member and physics instructor at Portland Community College was honored this week by the Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield, Massachusetts, for co-invention of the “breakaway rim.” This invention revolutionized professional basketball, and made careers of many players by allowing them to show off their fancy moves, including “slam dunking” the ball, without shattering the backboard. It  has also provided safety for millions who play the game for recreation.

Dittrich, along with Arthur Ehrat (Virden, IL) both received patents on the breakaway rim and were

“This last year has been a wake-up call for many in Oregon’s labor movement,” said David Rives, AFT-Oregon President in his State of the Union address to convention delegates. Rives was referring to AFT-Oregon members’ response to a recent threat of an anti-worker ballot initiative which was ultimately withdrawn.

“AFT-Oregon worked tirelessly with locals to mobilize our members. Staff developed and conducted trainings for worksite leaders, and locals mobilized their members with an urgency we hadn’t seen before,” said Rives. It was inspiring to see a level of activity, and we don’t want to lose

Ramon Ramirez, President of the Northwest Treeplanters and Farmworkers United (PCUN) and CAUSA brought a message of the importance of community engagement and solidarity among unions. AFT-Oregon delegates will consider a resolution this weekend in support of PCUN’s campaign to ensure safety on Oregon’s roads by expanding access to driver’s licenses to all Oregonians, 16 and older.

Ramirez shared a collaborative event where members of PCUN and Local 2278 (WOUFT), who represent faculty at Western Oregon University sold strawberries tended by PCUN members on the WOU campus last summer. The goal

Chief petitioners for Initiative Petitions 1 and 9—the anti-worker initiatives—as well as the chief petitioners for several revenue-raising initiatives, have withdrawn their proposed initiatives for the 2014 ballot.

Governor Kitzhaber worked with business and labor leaders to have the initiatives removed in order to move forward with revenue reform efforts to fund public services. We have the third largest class sizes in the nation and essential support services in our schools are cut to the bone. Oregon ranks the fifth lowest in higher education funding, with that burden being shifted to

Members from Local 111 (PFSP), AFT-Oregon Retirees and AFT Local 5017 (OFNHP) helped to make Presents from Partners’ Holiday Toy Drive a smashing success. Over 240 kids participated this year. Many are homeless, or their families are struggling to keep a roof over their heads, with little opportunities.

“I feel so fortunate that we are able to take part in this event each year. It truly represents the spirit of the season when you see the joy on the faces of these children, who have so little, as they meet Santa, stuff stockings and choose gifts for themselves and their parents,” shared Belinda