On this episode of The Voice of Oregon’s Workers we talk with policy experts about Senate Bill 592, the Keep Oregon Workers Safe Act. This legislation is vitally important to improving workplace safety in Oregon, and as you’ll hear on the episode will increase penalties for employers who don’t address unsafe working conditions as well as provide ot…

On this month’s episode of The Voice of Oregon’s Workers we bring you a captivating panel discussion from the 2022 Oregon AFL-CIO convention titled The Clean Energy Future MUST Be Union Made. The panelists on this episode are Ranfis Villatoro from the Blue Green Alliance, Rick Levy, President of the Texas AFL-CIO, Carol Zabin from the UC Berkeley L…

Join us on this month’s episode of The Voice of Oregon’s Workers as we talk local politics with Lane County Commissioner Laurie Trieger, candidate for County Commission Dawn Lesley, and head of the Lane County Central Labor Chapter Jeff McGillivray! Local politics, especially at the county level, has tremendous impacts on the lives of working peopl…

On this month’s episode of The Voice of Oregon’s Workers we talked with Melissa Busch, a registered nurse, union member, and candidate for the Oregon Senate in Senate District 16. Melissa is running to represent communities across the North Coast and the Lower Columbia River areas, including Scappoose, Astoria, Seaside, Tillamook and Warren where s…

On this month’s episode of The Voice of Oregon’s Workers we sat down with Christina Stephenson, the Oregon Labor endorsed candidate for Oregon’s Labor Commissioner! A working mom and longtime advocate for workers’ rights, Christina Stephenson advanced to the general election in November following a successful campaign in the May 2022 primary electi…

Joining us for this month’s podcast is State Representative Dacia Grayber, a union firefighter who represents House District 35 and who was named the 2020-2021 Oregon AFL-CIO Freshman of the Year for her leadership and advocacy on behalf of Oregon’s workers in the legislature. Links to items discussed in this episode: Oregon Labor Candidate School …

On this month’s episode of The Voice of Oregon’s Workers we talk with the Oregon AFL-CIO Political and Legislative team about the 2022 Oregon Legislature. Learn about Oregon Labor’s priorities, how the upcoming election will impact the session, and what it takes for an idea to become a law in Oregon. The Oregon Labor Movement is ready to advocate f…

Television and video productions create the stories that we all love, from Hollywood blockbusters to runaway cult classic television shows. The wave of strikes and strike authorizations now known as Striketober was significantly propelled this month by IATSE members across the country and in Oregon demanding several on and off-set basics: Fair wage…

After three weeks on the picket line, BCTGM Local 364 President Jesus Martinez remains committed and set to get a fair contract with his members at the Nabisco factory in Portland. With solidarity in actions held at Nabisco factories and distribution centers nationwide, as well as international actions, Local 364 is making Oregon Labor history by h…

Our latest podcast dives into two inspiring union organizing campaigns in Oregon: The Oregon Interpreters in Action, who voted yes to join Oregon AFSCME and were recognized by the State of Oregon on April 23 and the staff of our own Oregon State Legislature who voted yes to join IBEW Local 89 a month later on May 28 and soon made national headlines…

On this episode of The Voice of Oregon's Workers we met with five leaders from Oregon's entertainment unions. The unions behind stage, film, television, radio, sports and more - IATSE, AFM, SAG-AFTRA and others are all revered for their incredible members’ work. The entertainment industry shut down due to the pandemic for many, and for others drast…

On the March 2021 episode of The Voice of Oregon’s Workers, we’re pulling together research, legislation, and Oregon’s building and construction trade unions to talk about Oregon’s Prevailing Wage Rate law. Prevailing Wage ensures building and construction trades workers employed on public projects are paid fairly, and have access to benefits. Oreg…

In this episode we discuss how Oregon unions and worker advocates are approaching social and racial justice and the intersection of the fight for civil and economic rights. Get the inside scoop on how Oregon AFSCME is training members to be advocates for social and racial justice, and learn more about the Oregon AFL-CIO’s vision for a truly antirac…

We’re kicking off 2021 with an inside look at how Oregon unions plan to make progress for workers in our state legislature! Oregon AFL-CIO Political Director Jess Giannettino Villatoro and Lead Political & Policy Strategist Catie Theisen share their depth of advocacy experience and what they expect to see happen in Salem - even if it’s all on Zoom …

On our last episode of the year, we talk with Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor to look at how Oregon’s unions stepped up in 2020. From winning for workers at the ballot box to advocating for workplace safety measures against COVID-19, it has been a year of standing together - united against the challenges of 2020. We also discuss how the les…

America faces a crisis on three critical fronts: a public health pandemic, an economic free fall and long-standing structural racism. Working people need safe jobs, economic security and freedom from systemic racism. Delivering on economic essentials included in the HEROES Act is an absolute minimum requirement for stopping the free fall into even …

On our June 2020 episode of The Voice of Oregon’s Workers, we catch up with Lamar Wise, a Political Coordinator with Oregon AFSCME and an organizer on the frontlines of the Black Lives Matter movement with Rose City Justice. Learn about how Black Lives Matter demonstrators are adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic, linking protests to local policies, a…

On this month's episode, we interview State Senator and candidate for Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan! A proven progressive champion with a long history of fighting for working people, Senator Fagan puts advocating for workers first and has earned the Oregon AFL-CIO's endorsement for Secretary of State. Her work as a public servant includes …

On April 28th, we remember and mourn the Oregonians who died on the job as a result of workplace injuries and illness in 2019, and we recommit ourselves to protecting working people from injury and disease on the job. This issue has never been more relevant than it is right now amidst a global pandemic, and Oregon’s unions will never stop advocatin…

Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor and Oregon AFL-CIO Political Director Jess Giannettino Villatoro talk about Coronavirus COVID-19, how the spread of it is impacting working people, and what you can do, right now, to help frontline workers. For resources, ways to take action, and more please visit www.oraflcio.org. Credits: Hosted & Produced …

On this episode of The Voice of Oregon’s Workers we talk with David Norton, President of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 82 and Suzanne Miller, Shop Steward and editor of Branch 82’s newsletter. We discuss the importance of defending the rights and dignity of Letter Carriers, the latest threats in Congress, and how NALC members g…

On this month’s episode we catch up with A.J. Mendoza, the President of Communications Workers of America Local 7901 to talk about creating inclusivity in the labor movement, organizing workers at non-profits, why video game workers are fighting for a union, and much more! Links to campaigns and organizations mentioned in this episode: Learn more a…

On the final 2019 episode of The Voice of Oregon’s Workers we talk with Robert Camarillo, Executive Secretary for the Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council and Noah Jones, Apprenticeship Instructor for the Cement Masons Local 555 about registered apprenticeship programs through Building Trades unions. Often called ‘the original four…

On this month’s episode of The Voice of Oregon’s Workers we talk with Denise Piza from Causa Oregon and Oregon Ready, and Alma Raya Santana from the Oregon AFL-CIO to discuss the work happening in Oregon to defend the rights of immigrants. We discuss the potential changes to Public Charge, the future of the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arriv…

On this episode of The Voice of Oregon's Workers we talk with three incredible Graduate Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University about their fight for a fair contract and what it means to stand together for dignity and respect as Graduate Researchers United. How to Support Graduate Researchers United Attend a picket in Portland at the SW…

On this month’s episode we’re bringing you a panel discussion from the Oregon AFL-CIO Convention which adjourned on Sunday, September 22. The panel includes a video which can be viewed here. The panel covers the importance of using a workers’ preferred pronouns and how unions can embrace this step toward greater inclusivity. Panelists: Zackariah Sl…

On this episode of The Voice of Oregon's Workers we catch up with Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain who, in a few short weeks, will be retiring. Tom talks about his path to becoming President, how the Oregon union movement has changed under his leadership, and how today's workers can stand together to build tomorrow's power. Credits Guest: T…

On this month’s episode we talk to the leaders of AFSCME Local 328. Local 328’s nearly 7,000 members make the Oregon Health and Sciences University run and they have just declared impasse in bargaining for the first time in over 20 years. Learn about how Local 328 is organizing and fighting for a fair contract, and how their struggle is part of a w…

On this month's episode we sit down with UFCW Local 555 to talk about their fight for a fair contract and pay equity for thousands of grocery workers in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Take Action & Learn More To learn more about The Women of 555, please click visit https://www.ufcw555.org/the-women-of-555/ To sign a petition supporting UFCW's cam…

On this month's episode of The Voice of Oregon's Workers, we discuss the recent fight over the city of Portland's budget cuts to the Parks and Recreation Bureau. We sit down with an organizer and member leaders from Laborers' Local 483 who detail the recent campaign to defend key services that Portlanders depend on, and the important jobs that make…

On this episode of The Voice of Oregon's Workers, we sit down with Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain to discuss retirement security and our state's PERS system. To learn more about PERS and how to take action, visit KeepOregonsPromise Talking Points: Salaries could be cut by proposals Individual account program funds could be decimated Pench…

On this episode of The Voice of Oregon's Workers, we sit down with the Oregon AFL-CIO legislative team to discuss how Oregon's unions are leading the fight for working people in Oregon's Capitol Building. From fighting for the rights of all workers to strengthening unions, our efforts in Salem stand as an example of why the Oregon AFL-CIO is a stro…

On this month’s episode of the Voice of Oregon’s Workers, we sit down with Jeff Anderson, the Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 to discuss the historic wins they have made for workers’ rights and what the future holds for their diverse membership of 25,000 working people. Click here to learn more about UFCW Local 5…

On our last episode of 2018, Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain and Chief of Staff Graham Trainor sit down to discuss the wins, challenges and lessons learned from 2018 and how unions can tackle the challenges of 2019 while continuing to win for working people. Credits Introduction from Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain Hosted by Orego…

On this month's episode, we sit down with Oregon State Representative-Elect Rachel Prusak, House District 37, to discuss the results of the 2018 General Election and how Oregon can continue to build a road to prosperity for working people in the 2019 Legislative Session. Guests State Representative-Elect Rachel Prusak, House District 37 Credits Int…

On this month’s episode, we sit down with three dedicated union activists to hear about what inspires them to volunteer and learn more about the issues that motivate them to keep showing up to talk with voters. With just one week left before election day, Oregon’s unions are stepping up to get out the vote. To learn about Oregon AFL-CIO endorsement…

On this episode, we hear from Our Oregon Political Director Hannah Love and Oregon AFL-CIO Political Director Jess Giannettino Villatoro to learn about Oregon’s 2018 ballot measures and what voters need to know before filling out their ballots. Guests Hannah Love, Political Director, Our Oregon Jess Giannettino Villatoro, Political Director, Oregon…

Two champions for working people – State Rep. Rob Nosse who represents parts of South and North East Portland and State Rep. Teresa Alonso Leon who represents Woodburn join us to talk about their experience running for office and serving in the legislature as union members and advocates for working people. Click here to learn more about State Rep. …

Oregon’s union movement stands united against Ballot Measure 105, which would throw out Oregon’s existing “sanctuary” law. This law passed with strong bipartisan support and has been protecting Oregonians from unfair racial profiling for more than 30 years. On this episode, we sit down with the people leading the fight to protect sanctuary across t…

On the heels of the U.S. Supreme Court’s anti-worker decision in Janus v. AFSCME, we interview an organizer and a worker from Oregon AFSCME and the Solidarity Alliance of Social Services -the cutting edge of organizing campaigns that are building power for working people in the behavioral health and social services industry in Oregon. Click here fo…

This month we take a look at two historic campaigns happening right here in Oregon – Transportation Fairness Portland, a campaign to give Transportation Network Company drivers and community members a voice in how companies like Uber and Lyft operate within Portland; and the latest from the Burgerville Workers Union who made history by being the fi…

We discuss the radical roots behind May Day, the history of May Day marches and the fight for immigrants' rights in Oregon and look into the inspiring and crucial work being done at PCUN and Causa. Click here for information about May Day 2018 in Salem, Oregon Guests Reyna Lopez, Executive Director of PCUN Andrea Williams, Executive Director of Cau…