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PAGE 4 | November 6, 2015 | NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS 54 th C onvention of the O regon AFL-CIO RESOLVED ORGANIZED LABOR’S EMBRACE: Oregon Gov. Kate Brown exchanges a hug with Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain Oct. 25 after convention delegates vote unanimously to endorse her re-election. ority for the February 2016 short leg- islative session. This convention was also noticeably might be that dues become entirely vol- untary for all public employee union younger and more diverse than prior members nationwide. In the doomsday conventions. The Oregon AFL-CIO has scenario, once public-sector unions are been busy making allies, and at the con- weakened, union foes would follow up vention, it showed. Representatives of with legal assaults on private sector and civil rights, immigrant, and environ- mental groups filled building trades unions, panels and workshops much as they did in — and spoke on the Wisconsin. “Even if we win in 2016, convention floor as Leaders of the two the fight won’t be over guests of credentialed biggest state workers … Some observers are union delegates. unions—Service Em- “The labor move- calling the attack on ployees International ment must be part of Union (SEIU) Local workers and unions not the larger movement 503 Executive Direc- just a crisis, but a sus- for social and eco- tor Heather Conroy tained crisis, not just a nomic justice,” and Oregon AFSCME series of single problems United Steelworkers Executive Director we’re going to have to International Vice Ken Allen — said President Fred Red- solve … but a systemic they’re not waiting for mond told delegates. the court decision; the and continual struggle.” “We’ve got to stand two unions, once ri- — Oregon AFL-CIO Secre- together and win to- vals, are working tary-treasurer Barbara Byrd gether.” more closely than ever Delegates were together, and both are treated to an hour- reaching out to repre- sented workers to make the case for long debate by candidates for Oregon Secretary of State [See article on Page continued support of the union. Already, a business-funded anti- 5]. And they resolved to endorse Gov. union group has set up shop in Oregon, Brown for re-election in 2016. Locked-out Steelworkers at ATI in and is knocking on the doors of SEIU- represented home care workers to sug- Albany got a boost at the convention. At the convention welcome party, it gest they quit their union. Yet for all the threats, the mood was announced that State Rep. Dan among delegates was optimistic: This Rayfield (D-Corvallis) will introduce a year the Oregon Legislature passed a bill in February to extend unemploy- statewide paid sick leave mandate that ment benefits for locked out workers to national AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer 12 months (up from the current six Liz Shuler told delegates is a model for months). And delegates twice passed the nation. And the biggest debate at the the hat, raising over $2,700 for the ATI convention was an enviable debate to workers and striking Iron Workers at be having: whether to get behind a $15 Instafab. “As long as we fight there is hope,” or $13.50 statewide minimum wage. In the end delegates opted for “all of the Chamberlain said. “This is our moment above”—and heard commitments of in history. Let’s fight for a change.” support for raising the minimum wage from Gov. Kate Brown and House Speaker Tina Kotek. Kotek said passing SEE MORE PHOTOS OF THE CONVENTION: a minimum wage increase is the top pri- Flickr.com/photos/nwlaborpress From Page 1 Anti-worker trade votes Members of Oregon’s Congressional delegation who supported Fast Track legislation will get no endorsement or contribution from the Oregon AFL-CIO in the 2016 election cycle. But the federation will reconsider for those who oppose the Trans Pacific Partnership. Black lives matter The Oregon AFL-CIO commits to the principle that “Black Lives Matter,” and will hold at least one racial justice workshop for unions in 2016. It will also petition the National AFL-CIO to choose Portland as the site of one of a series of Race and the Labor Movement town hall meetings it’s planning. Raise the minimum wage The Oregon AFL-CIO resolves to support the highest minimum wage possible, affecting the most workers possible, phased in as quickly as possible through legislation and/or a ballot measure. It will also encourage affiliated unions and their members to volunteer and support actions organized to support the $15 minimum wage ballot initiative. Make corporations pay their fair share The Oregon AFL-CIO supports Initiative Petition 28, aimed at the November 2016 ballot, which would increase the corporate minimum tax on companies with over $25 million a year in sales, and use the funds to pay for education, healthcare, and senior services. It also encourages affiliate unions to participate in signature gathering efforts, contribute to the campaign, and promote the ballot measure. Invest in transportation The Oregon AFL-CIO supports passage of a transportation infrastructure financing plan based on the proposal brought forward in 2015 by Oregon Transportation Forum. ELECTED President:Tom Chamberlain, Fire Fighters Secretary-treasurer: Barbara Byrd, American Federation of Teachers-Oregon Vice presidents: Ken Allen, Oregon AFSCME; Jeff Anderson, UFCW Local 555; Kelly Bach, International Association of Fire Fighters; Paul Goldberg, Oregon Nurses Association-AFT; Jon Hunt, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757; John Mohlis, Oregon State Building Trades; David Rives, AFT-Oregon; Gary Young, IBEW Local 48; Noel Willet, Machinists District Lodge W24 Executive Board members: Dan Clay, UFCW Local Housing crisisThe Oregon AFL-CIO acknowledges there’s an affordable housing crisis, and will work in coalitions to make solving it a campaign issue at the state level. No more starving students Oregon AFL-CIO supports legislation to change state and federal eligibility rules for food stamps so grad student employees are no longer barred. Currently, students must work at least 20 hours a week to be eligible, but Oregon universities prohibit graduate teaching and research assistants from working more than 19.6 hours a week. Free community college Oregon AFL-CIO supports legislative efforts to promote access to two years of post-secondary education in the state of Oregon at no cost to students. Ban the box The Oregon AFL-CIO calls for the elimination of criminal history screening questions on initial employment, housing, and financial aid applications — as part of a larger goal of reducing discrimination against people with a criminal history. High stakes testing The Oregon AFL-CIO opposes any legislation or statewide policy that links teacher merit pay to high stakes testing. Save the Postal Service The Oregon AFL-CIO calls on the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors to offer non- bank financial services to residents, especially in underserved and underrepresented communities — along the lines of recommendations outlined by the Inspector General. ONLINE EXTRA: The final text of all the resolutions, as passed by delegates, will be available at oraflcio.org. 555; Chip Elliott, Machinists District Lodge W24; Jim Falvey, National Association of Letter Carriers; Bruce Fife, American Federation of Musicians; Harold Fleshman, Oregon Nurses Association-AFT; Jim Gourley, United Steelworkers; Jeff Klatke, Oregon AFSCME; Drew Lindsey, IBEW Local 280; Amanda Schroeder, American Federation of Government Employees; Ken Saether, Communications Workers of America; Al Shropshire, Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 290; Dave Tischer, Laborers Local 737; Nelda Wilson, Operating Engineers Local 701; Brian Dunsmore, American Postal Workers Local 28. HONORED Legislator of the Year State Rep Paul Holvey (D-Eugene) Rookie of the Year State Rep Rob Nosse (D-Portland) Labor 2014 (Oregon AFL-CIO electoral effort) Most volunteer shifts Oregon AFSCME, AFT-Oregon, IATSE Local 28, IBEW Local 48, Iron Workers Local 29, Laborers Local 296, NALC Branch 82, OSEA, UFCW Local 555, United Steelworkers Outstanding participation Zack Culver of Laborers Local 296 Leadership in the workplace flier program Willy Myers, Columbia-Pacific Building Trades Leading By Example Award IATSE 28 President Rose Etta Venetucci, for showing up to every event with 10 percent of her members Union organizing Largest private sector organizing victory Oregon Nurses Association, at Providence Newberg Medical Center Largest public sector organizing victory AFSCME, at Douglas County Juvenile Department Most innovative industry campaign UFCW Local 555 for organizing cannabis workers Best long-term leverage campaign UNITE HERE’s campaign at the Portland airport HMS Host and World Duty Free
