Decades of underinvestment and escalating attacks on higher education are hurting workers and students across Oregon. Higher education workers are organizing like never before to protect our campuses, defend educators and students, and win the investments our communities need. Our collective action has never been more critical, and we can’t stop now.

On Saturday, October 11th, higher education workers from AFT-Oregon, SEIU 503, OEA, Oregon AAUP, OSEA, AFSCME Council 75, and APSOU will gather at Western Oregon University for the 2025 Oregon Higher Education Labor Summit. Throughout the day, we’ll explore and discuss key topics around higher education funding, legislative and organizing goals, and building the cross-union relationships that make us stronger. 

AFT-Oregon Labor Day Events

Join AFT-Oregon leaders and members Labor Day - Monday, September 1 at 9am for a breakfast and rally at Glenhaven Park, 7900 NE Siskiyou St, Portland, OR 97213 (next to McDaniel High School.)

This event will launch Oregon Rising’s coordinated labor and community campaign against fascism and for a livable planet, strong schools, housing and worker justice, affordability and dignity for all.

Oregon Rising is a newly formed network of labor and community groups convened to build coordinated labor actions across our state inspired by the Minnesota Week of Action in 2024 and the Tennessee for All coalition. It was initiated by Jobs with Justice and Portland Association of Teachers and AFT-Oregon and PSU-AAUP are on the coordinating team.

Oregon’s 2025 legislative session has officially wrapped, and AFT-Oregon is proud to share our 2025 End-of-Session Report. Inside, you’ll find an overview of the legislative session, a breakdown of our policy and budget priorities, highlights of member engagement and advocacy efforts, and the outcomes of key bills and funding decisions.

This session was shaped by major challenges, from a bleak state budget landscape to growing federal threats to public programs under the Trump administration. The moment called for bold leadership, but widespread caution and a lack of political will among lawmakers held back progress on critical reforms and legislation. Despite this, AFT-Oregon members showed up with strength and persistence throughout the session. Together, we fought for increased funding for public education, protections for workers, and policies that advanced economic and social justice for all Oregonians.