News

It’s back to school for support professionals

Every school and college support staffer who belongs to the AFT knows they’re in this line of work for their students, for each other and for their communities.

It stands to reason. They love the work. They are devoted to their students, fighting for resources that will help young people and communities thrive. They have each other’s backs. And they’re sticking with their union, which provides supports like professional development, as well as collective bargaining tools, free lesson plans and sources for books and supplies.

Here’s what some Oregon paraprofessionals and school-related personnel

If the case of Janus v. AFSCME is supposed to spell the end of unions– as corporate-funded shadow groups would have you believe - you wouldn’t have known it based on the actions of AFT-Oregon members, fellow union members, allied community groups, and elected officials.

Deirdre Mackey and her daughter, Grace Misztal, two beloved members of the AFT-Oregon family, were tragically lost on December 25, 2017, but their commitment to justice lives on. At the 2018 AFT-Oregon Convention, members unanimously approved a resolution to establish two social justice scholarships in honor of Deirdre and Grace.

Thousands of members of the American Federation of Teachers from across the nation gathered in Pittsburgh from July 12-16, 2018, at the 2018 National Convention. Click here to learn more.

Hundreds of proud members of the PCC Federation of Classified Employees (PCCFCE, AFT Local 3922) gathered to send a clear message to the Supreme Court and anti-worker organizations: they’re sticking to their union.

Over 150 assembled delegates, members and guests held the AFT-Oregon Convention on May 4-6, 2018, in downtown Portland. Delegates debated policy on education, legislative and social justice issues, all of which helps set the direction for AFT-Oregon in the coming years.

Oregon State University Faculty Win Majority Support for Union

Oregon State University Faculty Win Majority Support for Union
Official Filing Sets Path for Collective Bargaining and a First Contract for 2,400 Faculty

CORVALLIS, Ore.—A decisive majority of faculty at Oregon State University have declared their support for unionization in an official petition filed today with the Oregon Employment Relations Board.

Under Oregon’s public sector labor law, union certification can be achieved when a petitioned-for bargaining unit is supported by a majority of signed authorization cards, a process known as “card check.” There are more than 2,400 faculty at OSU.

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Grad Workers Union Signs Tentative Agreement with Portland State University

Signed Agreement a Major Step in Establishing New Union

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, March 2, 2018

PORTLAND, OR — Today, the Graduate Employees Union of Portland State University, AAUP-AFT (GEU), representing approximately 800 graduate assistants, signed a tentative agreement document with university administration officials.

The tentative agreement, upon ratification by GEU members and the university, will establish a first contract with the university and lead to GEU becoming chartered with the American Federation of Teachers–Oregon and American Association of University Professors–Oregon.

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HB 3170 Passes Oregon House

Oregon’s public university research faculty are one step closer to having a voice in their workplace. Yesterday, the Oregon House of Representatives passed AFT-Oregon's priority bill for the session, House Bill 3170, by a bipartisan vote of 36-23. Now that this bill has passed the House, it will move to the Oregon Senate.

This important bill will give public university research faculty the same ability to join a union and collectively bargain that other Oregon university faculty have.

Because they are currently prevented from joining or forming a union, these faculty members have no say in

Statement of David Rives, President of AFT-Oregon, on the Closure of ITT Technical Institute

“The news of the closure of ITT Technical Institute – including campuses in Salem and Portland – is devastating for ITT students, staff, and their families. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time. For those seeking help, a variety of resources are available through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Division. Additionally, Oregon’s Higher Education Coordination Commission is currently working with ITT and local colleges and universities to determine possible credit transfer options.

The failure of ITT reminds us

It’s back to school for support professionals

Members, Allies, and Electeds Rally across Oregon to Declare: “We’re Sticking with the Union!”

AFT-Oregon Honors the Lives of Deirdre Mackey and Grace Misztal with Social Justice Scholarships

The AFT Convention 2018: We care. We fight. We show up. We vote.

PCC Federation of Classified Employees Gather for Training, Solidarity

AFT-Oregon Holds 2018 Convention

Oregon State University Faculty Win Majority Support for Union

Grad Workers Union Signs Tentative Agreement with Portland State University

HB 3170 Passes Oregon House

Statement of David Rives, President of AFT-Oregon, on the Closure of ITT Technical Institute