... legislative accountability report., January 01, 2009, Page 7, Image 7

First-Term Legislators We Helped to Elect
Are Emerging as Strong Labor Allies
SEIU members helped elect 10 new pro-labor legislators to the Oregon
House of Representatives in 2008. These legislators proved to be
champions on workers' rights and quality public services.
Representatives Michael Dembrow and Greg Matthews stood out as
especially strong leaders in the area of workers' rights, earning A+ grades
from SEIU for leading efforts to protect the rights of workers in general and
SEIU members specifically. Jules Bailey, Nick Kahl and Suzanne Van Orman also
earned an A+ for their leadership in the fight for quality public services and the
workers who deliver those services.
Bailey, Dembrow, Chris Garrett, Chris Harker, Kahl,
Matthews, Jefferson Smith, and Judy Stiegler all earned
straight A voting ratings. All SEIU-endorsed freshman
legislators voted to increase revenue and preserve vital
public services. This was particularly difficult for freshmen
legislators Brent Barton, Suzanne Van Orman, and Judy
Stiegler, whose districts have been in the hands of anti­
public service politicians for years and who could face
very difficult re-election campaigns.
Michael Dembrow
This session two union memberst Greg Matthews and
Michael Dembrow joined the ranks of the legislature,
bringing the total number of union members in the 2009
legislature to six. Other union members in the Legislature
included Representatives Brad Witt, Paul Holvey and
Larry Galizio (who left the House after the session to
join the Oregon University System) and Senator Diane
Rosenbaum. Dembrow and Matthews were strong
advocates for workers' rights and during their first
session. Rosenbaum championed paid family leave
and SB 519, which protects workers from involuntary
anti-union meetings.
Greg Matthews
Want to Run...?
Having union members in the Legislature has
dramatically improved the attitudes of their fellow
legislators toward workers' issues. What is still lacking
in the Legislature is an SEIU member who understands
the unique issues facing state workers and publicly
funded care providers. If you are interested in filling
that void, please let your organizer know!
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