Oregon AFL-CIO
Encyclopedia
The Oregon AFL–CIO is a federation of labor unions in the U.S. state
of Oregon
that promotes the rights of working people in the electoral and legislative arenas on the local, state and national level. It is an affiliate of the national AFL-CIO
. In the past several years, the Oregon AFL–CIO has played a leadership role in Oregon's ballot initiative process, working in coalition with other labor unions, businesses and community groups to defeat several conservative ballot measures like paycheck deception and Taxpayer Bill of Rights
(Measure 48
). They have also played a lead role in several ballot measure victories, including passing a minimum wage
initiative (Measure 25
) in 2002 by a 3-1 margin. Oregon's minimum wage increased to $7.80 an hour on January 1, 2007, due to its automatic cost of living adjustment.
Other top issues include affordable health care
, Social Security
and other retirement
security, workforce development
, right-to-organize, and more. Headquarters are in Salem, with a second office in Portland
.
, the AFL-CIO community affiliate. As an umbrella organization, the Oregon AFL–CIO represents the common interests of its members, who, by virtue of their membership in affiliate unions, are also members of the organization.
Amalgamated Transit (ATU)
Asbestos Workers (AWIU)
Auto Workers (UAW)
Bakery Workers (BC&T)
Boilermakers (IBB)
Bricklayers
(BAC)
Communications Workers (CWA)
Electrical Workers (IBEW)
Elevator Constructors (IUEC)
Farm Workers (UFW))
Fire Fighters (IAFF)
Glass Molders Pottery (GMP)
Government Workers (AFGE)
Iron Workers
Laborers (LIUNA)
Letter Carriers (NALC)
Longshore & Warehouse (ILWU)
Machinists (IAM)
Musicians (AFM)
Office & Professional
(OPEIU)
Operating Engineers (IUOE)
Oregon Nurses Association
Painters (IUPAT)
Plasterers
Plumbers & Pipefitters (UA)
Postal Workers (APWU)
Professional & Technical Engineers
(IFPTE)
Roofers
Sheet Metal Workers (SMWIA)
Stage Employees (IATSE)
State County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
Steelworkers (USWA)
Teachers
(AFT)
Transport Workers (TWU)
UNITE-HERE
Utility Workers (UWUA)
Woodworkers (IAM)
The Executive Board consists of 31 members from the federation’s affiliate unions and Central Labor Councils.
There are 9 full-time staff members at the Oregon AFL–CIO. Administrative staff are represented by Office and Professional Employees International Union
Local 11, and professional staff are represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Local 48.
On November 17, 2006, the Northwest Labor Press
reported that:
Other priorities for the 2006 general election were re-electing Governor Ted Kulongoski
, defeating Measures 41 and 48, and achieving a majority of pro-working families candidates in the State Legislature
. All of these objectives were accomplished.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
that promotes the rights of working people in the electoral and legislative arenas on the local, state and national level. It is an affiliate of the national AFL-CIO
AFL-CIO
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
. In the past several years, the Oregon AFL–CIO has played a leadership role in Oregon's ballot initiative process, working in coalition with other labor unions, businesses and community groups to defeat several conservative ballot measures like paycheck deception and Taxpayer Bill of Rights
Taxpayer Bill of Rights
The Taxpayer Bill of Rights is a concept advocated by conservative and free market libertarian groups, primarily in the United States, as a way of limiting the growth of government...
(Measure 48
Oregon Ballot Measure 48 (2006)
Oregon ballot measure 48 was one of two unsuccessful ballot measures sponsored by the Taxpayers Association of Oregon on the November 7, 2006 general election ballot. Measure 48 was an initiated constitutional amendment ballot measure...
). They have also played a lead role in several ballot measure victories, including passing a minimum wage
Minimum wage
A minimum wage is the lowest hourly, daily or monthly remuneration that employers may legally pay to workers. Equivalently, it is the lowest wage at which workers may sell their labour. Although minimum wage laws are in effect in a great many jurisdictions, there are differences of opinion about...
initiative (Measure 25
Oregon Ballot Measure 25 (2002)
Ballot Measure 25 of 2002 increased Oregon's minimum wage from $6.50 to $6.90 per hour and required an annual increase to compensate for inflation in future years. Inflation is measured by the consumer price index. , the minimum wage in Oregon is $8.50 an hour. The measure was approved in the...
) in 2002 by a 3-1 margin. Oregon's minimum wage increased to $7.80 an hour on January 1, 2007, due to its automatic cost of living adjustment.
Other top issues include affordable health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
, Social Security
Social Security (United States)
In the United States, Social Security refers to the federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program.The original Social Security Act and the current version of the Act, as amended encompass several social welfare and social insurance programs...
and other retirement
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
security, workforce development
Workforce development
Workforce development is an American economic development approach that attempts to enhance a region's economic stability and prosperity by focusing on people rather than businesses. It is essentially a human resources strategy...
, right-to-organize, and more. Headquarters are in Salem, with a second office in Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
.
Membership and affiliate unions
The Oregon AFL–CIO represents more than 135,000 working men and women in Oregon, including 90,000 members of affiliate unions (listed below) and 45,000 members of Working AmericaWorking America
Working America is an allied organization of the AFL-CIO which works to build alliances among non-union working people. Working America is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization which provides workers who are not union members input into the policies, goals, and legislative efforts of the AFL-CIO...
, the AFL-CIO community affiliate. As an umbrella organization, the Oregon AFL–CIO represents the common interests of its members, who, by virtue of their membership in affiliate unions, are also members of the organization.
Amalgamated Transit (ATU)
Asbestos Workers (AWIU)
Auto Workers (UAW)
Bakery Workers (BC&T)
Boilermakers (IBB)
Bricklayers
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers is a labor union in the United States and Canada which represents bricklayers, pointers/cleaners/caulkers, stone and marble masons, cement masons, plasterers, tilesetters, terrazzo and mosaic workers...
(BAC)
Communications Workers (CWA)
Electrical Workers (IBEW)
Elevator Constructors (IUEC)
Farm Workers (UFW))
Fire Fighters (IAFF)
Glass Molders Pottery (GMP)
Government Workers (AFGE)
Iron Workers
Laborers (LIUNA)
Letter Carriers (NALC)
Longshore & Warehouse (ILWU)
Machinists (IAM)
Musicians (AFM)
Office & Professional
Office and Professional Employees International Union
The Office and Professional Employees International Union is a trade union in the United States representing 110,416 white-collar workers in the public and private sector....
(OPEIU)
Operating Engineers (IUOE)
Oregon Nurses Association
Painters (IUPAT)
Plasterers
Plumbers & Pipefitters (UA)
Postal Workers (APWU)
Professional & Technical Engineers
International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers
The International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers , AFL-CIO & CLC, is a diverse labor union representing more than 80,000 women and men in professional, technical, administrative and associated occupations in the United States and Canada. Their members are employed by federal,...
(IFPTE)
Roofers
Sheet Metal Workers (SMWIA)
Stage Employees (IATSE)
State County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
Steelworkers (USWA)
Teachers
American Federation of Teachers
The American Federation of Teachers is an American labor union founded in 1916 that represents teachers, paraprofessionals and school-related personnel; local, state and federal employees; higher education faculty and staff, and nurses and other healthcare professionals...
(AFT)
Transport Workers (TWU)
UNITE-HERE
Utility Workers (UWUA)
Woodworkers (IAM)
Officers, board and staff
- Tom Chamberlain, a retired Portland fire fighter, was elected President of the Oregon AFL–CIO in October, 2005.
- Barbara Byrd, PhD, a teacher and facilitator at the University of OregonUniversity of Oregon-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
, is the Secretary-Treasurer.
The Executive Board consists of 31 members from the federation’s affiliate unions and Central Labor Councils.
There are 9 full-time staff members at the Oregon AFL–CIO. Administrative staff are represented by Office and Professional Employees International Union
Office and Professional Employees International Union
The Office and Professional Employees International Union is a trade union in the United States representing 110,416 white-collar workers in the public and private sector....
Local 11, and professional staff are represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is a labor union which represents workers in the electrical industry in the United States, Canada, Panama and several Caribbean island nations; particularly electricians, or Inside Wiremen, in the construction industry and linemen and other...
Local 48.
Weekly Update
Every Wednesday since 1999, the Oregon AFL–CIO has published a newsletter called the Weekly Update, which includes information and commentary on labor issues on the local, state and national level.Labor 2006 campaign
Like other state affiliates of the national AFL-CIO, the Oregon AFL–CIO ran a comprehensive voter education and mobilization campaign for the November 2006 election called Labor 2006. More than 900 member-volunteers mobilized on the campaign. The state federation executed 200,000 phone calls, distributed 65,000 worksite fliers and knocked on 7,000 doors. Voter turnout among members of the Oregon AFL–CIO’s affiliate unions was 78.2%, compared to 68% of the general electorate.On November 17, 2006, the Northwest Labor Press
Northwest Labor Press
The Northwest Labor Press is a newspaper which covers the American labor movement in the Pacific Northwest.The newspaper covers union organizing campaigns, contract negotiations, strikes, and news about labor unions in Oregon and southwest Washington....
reported that:
- In Oregon SenateOregon State SenateThe Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
races, 92 percent of candidates endorsed by the Oregon AFL–CIO were elected.
- In Oregon HouseOregon House of RepresentativesThe Oregon House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 60 members of the House, representing 60 districts across the state, each with a population of 57,000. The House meets at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem....
races, 82.5 percent of Oregon AFL–CIO-endorsed candidates won, including six union members. (One of these successful candidates was longtime Oregon AFL–CIO Secretary-Treasurer Brad WittBrad WittBradley "Brad" Witt is a Democratic member of the Oregon House of Representatives for District 31, representing most of Columbia and parts of Clatsop and Multnomah counties, since his appointment in January 2005....
, incumbent State Representative.)
Other priorities for the 2006 general election were re-electing Governor Ted Kulongoski
Ted Kulongoski
Theodore R. "Ted" Kulongoski is an American politician, who served as the 36th Governor of Oregon. A Democrat, he has served in both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly, as the state Insurance Commissioner, the Attorney General, and an Associate Justice on the Oregon Supreme Court.-Early...
, defeating Measures 41 and 48, and achieving a majority of pro-working families candidates in the State Legislature
Oregon Legislative Assembly
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. The Legislative Assembly is bicameral, consisting of an upper and lower house: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms; and the House of Representatives, with 60 members elected to...
. All of these objectives were accomplished.