The Voice of Oregon's Workers : Recent Episodes
Oregon AFL-CIO
The Voice of Oregon's Workers is a monthly podcast from the Oregon AFL-CIO - the statewide federation of unions representing over 300,000 working Oregonians. Each month, The Voice of Oregon's Workers will highlight the people and organizations who are changing the way working people stand together.
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 other critical improvements to workplace safety regulations. Advocates from PCUN - Oregon’s farmworkers union, Oregon AFSCME, and the Oregon AFL-CIO discuss what dangers workers are facing on the job and how SB 592 will help increase safety in every workplace in our state.
Guests
- Catie Theisen. Political & Legislative Director for the Oregon AFL-CIO
- Ira Cuello-Martinez, Policy Advocacy Director for PCUN, Oregon’s Farmworker Union
- Odalis Aguilar-Aguilar, Political Coordinator for Oregon AFSCME
Learn More & Get Involved
- To learn more about Oregon Labor’s 2023 legislative priorities, please visit: https://www.oraflcio.org/legislativepriorities
- If you’d like to help get involved by contacting your legislators about SB 592, please contact us here: https://www.oraflcio.org/contact-us
- Learn more about Senate Bill 592: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Measures/Overview/SB592
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 Labor Center and Micah Mitrosky from the IBEW.
In Oregon and across the country, we recognize that the clean energy future is upon us and as union members, we have a strategic and moral imperative to be at the center of those conversations. Climate change and its policy responses touch all of us as workers and clean energy can and should affect us all. We must make sure that workers are at the table, forming policy solutions that will work for all of us – from fair and just job transitions and retraining to making sure clean energy jobs are union jobs with fair pay, good benefits, and the safest working conditions possible.
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 people in Oregon. With the midterm elections just around the corner, it’s important that voters understand why voting all the way down the ballot matters and why who sits on county commissions has an impact in their lives.
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 she lives with her family. She’s a graduate of the Oregon Labor Candidate School, a unique program which provides union members with the skills they need to run for office.
Races like Melissa’s are of the utmost importance to Oregon’s workers. We need to elect champions who will fight for policies that put working families ahead and who will defend the progress we have made in building a fair and just economy for Oregon’s workers. Melissa is one of those champions, and we’re proud to feature her on our podcast!
Connect with her campaign by visiting https://www.melissafororegon.com/
Learn more about the Oregon Labor Candidate School by visiting http://www.oregonlaborcandidateschool.org/
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 election. She’ll need the support of Oregon’s Labor Movement and working people across the state to win her election, and that’s exactly what we are planning to do this fall.
The Labor Commissioner is in charge of the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries - or BOLI for short - the state entity responsible for protecting Oregon’s workers’ rights on the job. That includes everything from enforcing minimum wage and prevailing wage laws to protecting against discrimination and harrasment on the job. As you’ll hear on the podcast, Christina’s experience, priorities and passion make her the perfect candidate to run BOLI.
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
Emerge Oregon
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 for legislation that builds a fair and just economy for all workers in Oregon during the 2022 legislative session. We know that as the pandemic continues to disrupt our lives, it’s more important than ever to ensure workers have modern protections and are supported as much as possible - especially workers from marginalized communities and the essential workers who have kept Oregon running. Our legislative priorities for the 2022 legislative session are a road map to a better Oregon for working people, and we’re excited to get to work to make it happen.
To learn more about Oregon Labor’s 2022 priorities, please visit https://oraflcio.org/2022legislativepriorities
To receive action alerts about the legislature, please visit https://oraflcio.org/sign-up
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 wages and rest breaks to name a few. While their contract was settled with a recent tentative agreement at the bargaining table, Striketober continues. We’re seeing workers stand up and fight for fair contracts across the county, and basic workplace safety is critical for a fair contract.
Tragically, the need for ever present safety on film productions was demonstrated by the tragic on-set death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins last week. As we know, when experts are hired and workers have a voice on the job, workplace safety improves and that idea has become part of the national dialogue in the past week.
Joining our podcast this month to discuss Striketober, workplace safety and what it means to work on films as a union studio mechanic is cdavid cotrill, Southern Business Agent for IATSE Local 488.
Hosted by Oregon AFL-CIO Communications Director Russell Sanders
Introduction by Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor
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 holding the line. Listen to learn how you can help support Local 364 and how this strike is inspiring the next generation of workers to stand together.
Click here to donate to the Local 364 Strike Fund
GUESTS
Jesus Martinez, President, BCTGM Local 364
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 as the first state legislative staff union in the country.
These wins are part of a wave in our country: Workers are gaining long overdue leverage from employers, union favorability remains at the top of a 50 year peak, and half of Americans would join a union if given the chance.
Learn More
- Oregon Interpreters in Action:http://interpretersinaction.org/
- Oregon AFSCME: https://www.oregonafscme.org/
- Union for Oregon Legislature Staff: https://orlegstaff.joinibew.com/
- IBEW Local 89: https://ibew89.com/
- Learn more about joining or forming a union at your workplace: https://oraflcio.org/why-join-a-union
Guests
- Emmerson Hamlin, Oregon Legislative Staff
- Kien Truong, Oregon Legislative Staff
- Nathan Soltz, Oregon Legislative Staff
- And Tony Ruiz, Organizer for IBEW Local 89
- Ruth Erickson, State Interpreter
Credits
- Hosted by Russell Sanders, Oregon AFL-CIO Communications Director
- Intro by Graham Trainor, Oregon AFL-CIO President
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 drastically changed how their work is done. Oregon's entertainment unions' efforts to support members impacted by the pandemic and historic wildfires over the past 13 months are nothing short of incredible.
GUESTSRose Etta Venetucci, Business Agent , IATSE Local 28
Amanda Sager, President, IATSE 154
Bruce Fife, President, AFM Local 99 & national Vice President for AFM
Cdavid Cottrill, Business Agent, IATSE Local 488
Michelle Damis, President, SAG-AFTRA Portland
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.
Oregon and many other states have a serious need for public works projects: Our aging school and government buildings are in need of retrofitting and updates to ensure we can keep folks safe from diseases like COVID-19. Our roads, bridges, water systems, electrical grids and other infrastructure are in need of repair and modernization. As we tackle these challenges, it’s critical that we make sure the people doing the work have fair compensation packages.
Guests
- Robert Camarillo, Executive Secretary for the Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council
- Frank Manzo IV, Policy Director of the Illinois Economic Policy Institute
Links to topics discussed in this episode
- 2021 Oregon Labor Lobby Day, April 8 on Zoom
- Oregon State Building & Construction Trades Council
- Illinois Economic Policy Institute
- Oregon Senate Bill 493
- The Impact of Oregon’s Prevailing Wage Rate Law: Effects on Costs, Training, and Economic Development
Labor Education and Research Center, University of Oregon - Oregon Prevailing Wage Law information page
- American Society of Civil Engineers
- American Society of Civil Engineers 2021 Oregon Report Card
Credits
- Hosted & Produced by Russell Sanders, Communications Director, Oregon AFL-CIO
- Introduction by Graham Trainor, President, Oregon AFL-CIO
PAID FOR & AUTHORIZED BY THE OREGON AFL-CIO
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 antiracist and equitable labor movement.
- To learn more about Oregon AFSCME, please visit www.oregonafscme.org
- To learn more about the Oregon AFL-CIO & find racial justice resources for your union, please visit www.oraflcio.org/racialjustice
Guests
- Celeste Jones, Strategic Alignment Director, Oregon AFSCME
- Graham Trainor, President, Oregon AFL-CIO
Credits
- Hosted & Produced by Russell Sanders, Communications Director, Oregon AFL-CIO
- Introduction by Graham Trainor, President, Oregon AFL-CIO
PAID FOR & AUTHORIZED BY THE OREGON AFL-CIO
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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 - this year. We discuss priority bills, the threat of violent extremism at the capital, and how union members can make a huge difference in passing critical policies by speaking out.
Discussed in this episode:
- 2021 Oregon Labor Lobby Day
- Rep. Dacia Grayber shows how to get engaged in the legislative process on her twitter page
- Northwest Accountability Project
- Rep. Mike Nearman makes national headlines for letting rioters into the Oregon Capitol
CREDITS
Guests
Jess Giannettino Villatoro, Oregon AFL-CIO Political Director
Catie Theisen, Oregon AFL-CIO Lead Political & Policy Specialist
Hosted & Produced by Russell Sanders, Oregon AFL-CIO Communications Director
Introduction by Graham Trainor, Oregon AFL-CIO President
PAID FOR & AUTHORIZED BY THE OREGON AFL-CIO
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 lessons learned in 2020 will help push the Oregon Labor Movement to new heights in 2021 and beyond.
Discussed in this episode:
- Phone Bank for Georgia Senate Races: https://bit.ly/oregon2georgia
- Learn about Oregon OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard for COVID-19, report workplace violations, and more: http://www.oraflcio.org/osha
CREDITS
- Hosted & Produced by Russell Sanders, Oregon AFL-CIO Communications Director
- Introduction by Graham Trainor, Oregon AFL-CIO President
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 deeper and deadly racial inequality.
On this episode of The Voice of Oregon's Workers we bring you to a virtual town hall held on July 24 with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor, and a panel of frontline workers to discuss why the HEROES Act can't wait any longer.
Learn more & take action: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/heroesact?source=oraflcio
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, and building an incredibly inspiring and crucial movement from the ground up.
To support Black-led organizations mentioned in this episode, please visit the following links:
- Rose City Justice: http://rosecityjusticecrc.org/
- Black Resilience Fund: https://www.blackresiliencefund.com/
- Portland African American Leadership Forum: https://www.paalf.org/
- Unite Oregon: https://www.uniteoregon.org/
Episode Credits:
- Guest: Lamar Wise, Political Coordinator, Oregon AFSCME
- Introduction by Graham Trainor, President, Oregon AFL-CIO
- Hosted & Produced by Russell Sanders, Communications Director, Oregon AFL-CIO
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 raising the minimum wage, expanding paid sick leave, creating a paid family medical leave program, and passing a historic law protecting workers from sexual harassment and discrimination at work. Learn more at Shemiafororegon.com.
The Oregon 2020 Primary Election is one week away! Ballots are due by 8pm on Tuesday, November 19. Click here to learn more.
Guests:
- State Senator Shemia Fagan, Candidate for Oregon Secretary of State
- Jess Giannettino Villatoro, Political & Legislative Director, Oregon AFL-CIO
Credits:
- Hosted & Produced by Russell Sanders, Communications Director, Oregon AFL-CIO
- Introduction by Graham Trainor, President, Oregon AFL-CIO
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 advocating for the safest workplaces possible.
- If you’re on Facebook please join us at noon for the ceremony by clicking here.
- If you’re not on Facebook, you can watch the video on YouTube by clicking here.
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 by Russell Sanders, Communications Director, Oregon AFL-CIO
- Introduction by Graham Trainor, President, Oregon AFL-CIO
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 go above and beyond to serve their communities.
Links Discussed in this Episode:
- Take Action to Protect U.S. Postal Service Employees: https://oraflcio.org/actions/2019/12/18/protect-our-postal-service
- Learn More About NALC Priority Congressional Bills and Resolutions: https://www.nalc.org/government-affairs/nalc-priority-congressional-bills-and-resolutions
- Leave Positive Feedback About Your Letter Carrier:
Go to www.usps.com, scroll down to the bottom, under ‘Helpful Links’ click on ‘Feedback’ and follow the prompts.
Credits:
- Guests: David Norton, President, NALC Branch 82 and Suzanne Miller, Shop Steward and Newsletter Editor, NALC Branch 82
- Hosted & Produced by Russell Sanders, Communications Director, Oregon AFL-CIO
- Introduction by Graham Trainor, President, Oregon AFL-CIO
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 about CODE CWA
- Watch the Q Center workers announce their union
- CWA Local 7901 website, Facebook
- Portland Jobs with Justice website, Facebook
Credits:
- Guest: A.J. Mendoza, President, CWA Local 7901 and Communications Specialist, Portland Jobs with Justice
- Hosted & Produced by Russell Sanders, Communications Director, Oregon AFL-CIO
- Introduction by Graham Trainor, President, Oregon AFL-CIO
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-year degree’ or ‘the other four-year degree,’ a union apprenticeship is a time-honored way to learn a trade while earning a living. It’s a debt-free way of starting a career that is also critically important to our national, state and local economies.
- Click here to learn more about becoming an apprentice in Oregon on Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council’s website.
- Click here to learn more about why apprenticeships are important on North America’s Building Trades Unions’ website.
Guests
- Robert Camarillo, Executive Secretary, Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council
- Noah Jones, Apprenticeship Instructor, Cement Masons Local 555
Episode Credits
- Introduction by Graham Trainor, President, Oregon AFL-CIO
- Hosted & produced by Russell Sanders, Communications Director, Oregon AFL-CIO
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 Arrivals) program and how unions, supporters and advocates can help with this important issue.
Learn more about immigration resources:
https://oregonimmigrationresource.org/
https://causaoregon.org/
Guests
- Denise Piza, Oregon Ready Coalition Manager, Causa Oregon
- Alma Raya Santana, Lead Organizer & Legislative Specialist, Oregon AFL-CIO
Credits
- Introduction by Graham Trainor, President, Oregon AFL-CIO
- Hosted & Produced by Russell Sanders, Communications Director Oregon AFL-CIO
On this episode of The Voice of Oregon's Workerswe 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 Waterfront by the Portland Aerial Tram on Tuesday, November 19th from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
- Share this podcast on social media using the hashtag #Blue4GRU
- Learn more about GRU by clicking here.
Guests
- Danielle Matheison
- Sam Papadakis
- Alina Krollenbrock
Credits
Introduction by Graham Trainor, Oregon AFL-CIO President
Hosted & Produced by Russell Sanders, Oregon AFL-CIO Communications Director
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 Sloane, AFSCME 3580 (they/them/theirs)
- Sam Hughes, UFCW 555 (they/them/theirs)
- A.J. Mendoza, CWA 7901(he/him/his)
- Moderated by Dominic Lopez, Basic Rights Oregon (he/him/his)
Credits:
- Produced and recorded by Russell Sanders, Oregon AFL-CIO Communications Director (he/him/his)
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: Tom Chamberlain, President, Oregon AFL-CIO
- Hosted & Produced by Russell Sanders, Communications Director, Oregon AFL-CIO
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 wave of activism and collective action that is sweeping Oregon and the country.
Guests
- Matt Hilton, President, AFSCME Local 328
- Michael Stewart, Vice President, AFSCME Local 328
Credits
- Introduction by Tom Chamberlain, President, Oregon AFL-CIO
- Hosted by Graham Trainor, Chief of Staff, Oregon AFL-CIO
- Produced by Russell Sanders, Communications Director, Oregon AFL-CIO
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 campaign, please visit
https://ufcw555.salsalabs.org/standwiththeworkersoflocal555/index.html
Credits
- Guests:
Dan Clay, President, UFCW Local 555
Kelley McAllister, Communications Director, UFCW Local 555
Melody Gramley and Ann Poff, UFCW Local 555 members - Introduction by Tom Chamberlain, President, Oregon AFL-CIO
- Hosted by Graham Trainor, Chief of Staff, Oregon AFL-CIO
- Produced by Russell Sanders, Communications Director, Oregon AFL-CIO
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 the city work. Although these budget cuts were passed, this fight for fairness and key public services continues.
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
- Penchants could be eliminated for new hires
Guest
- Tom Chamberlain, President of the Oregon-AFL-CIO
Credits
- Introduction by Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain
- Hosted by Oregon AFL-CIO Chief of Staff Graham Trainor
- Produced by Oregon Lee Helfend
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 strong voice for Oregon's workers.
- Learn more about our work in Salem:
https://oraflcio.org/salem - Learn more about our 2019 Labor Lobby Day on March 19:
https://oraflcio.org/lobbyday - Join our Legislative Action Team:
https://oraflcio.org/actionteam
Guests
- Jess Giannettino Villatoro, Oregon AFL-CIO Political Director
- Alma Raya Santana, Oregon AFL-CIO Lead Organizer & Legislative Specialist
Credits
- Introduction by Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain
- Hosted by Oregon AFL-CIO Chief of Staff Graham Trainor
- Produced by Oregon AFL-CIO Communications Director Russell Sanders
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 555.
Guest
- Jeff Anderson, Secretary-Treasurer, UFCW Local 555
Credits
- Introduction from Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain
- Hosted by Oregon AFL-CIO Chief of Staff Graham Trainor
- Produced by Oregon AFL-CIO Communications Director Russell Sanders
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 Oregon AFL-CIO Chief of Staff Graham Trainor
- Produced by Oregon AFL-CIO Communications Director Russell Sanders
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
- Introduction from Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain
- Hosted by Oregon AFL-CIO Chief of Staff Graham Trainor
- Produced by Oregon AFL-CIO Communications Director Russell Sanders
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 endorsements and other important voting information, please visit http://www.oraflcio.org/vote
Guests
- Nathan Stokes, Field Representative Supervisor, IUOE Local 701
- Willie Groshell, Vice President, Oregon State Association of Letter Carriers
- Karen Williams, AFSCME Local 3336
Credits
- Introduction from Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain
- Hosted by Oregon AFL-CIO Chief of Staff Graham Trainor
- Produced by Oregon AFL-CIO Communications Director Russell Sanders
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 AFL-CIO
Credits
Introduction from Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain
Hosted by Oregon AFL-CIO Chief of Staff Graham Trainor
Produced by Oregon AFL-CIO Communications Director Russell Sanders
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. Nosse’s campaign
Click here to learn about the Oregon Labor Candidate School
Guests
State Representative Teresa Alonso Leon, House District 22
State Representative Rob Nosse, House District 42
Credits
Introduction from Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain
Hosted by Oregon AFL-CIO Chief of Staff Graham Trainor
Produced by Oregon AFL-CIO Communications Director Russell Sanders
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 the state of Oregon.
Click here for information about Oregonians United Against Profiling
Click here for information about the Corvallis School District’s resolution regarding sanctuary
Guests
Cristina Marquez, Oregonians United Against Profiling
Sami Al-Abdrabbuh, Corvallis School Board member and a member of the Coalition of Graduate Employees at Oregon State University
Credits
Introduction from Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain
Hosted by Oregon AFL-CIO Chief of Staff Graham Trainor
Produced by Oregon AFL-CIO Communications Director Russell Sanders
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 for information about United We Heal Oregon
Click here for information about the Solidarity Alliance Social Services
Guests
Andrea Lemoins, Oregon AFSCME Council 75 Organizer
Ana Diodati-DuBoulay, mental health care professional
Credits
Introduction from Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain
Hosted by Oregon AFL-CIO Chief of Staff Graham Trainor
Produced by Oregon AFL-CIO Communications Director Russell Sanders
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 first federally recognized fast food union at now two locations in the Portland area.
Click here for information about Transportation Fairness Portland
Click here for information about the Burgerville Workers Union
Guests
Alma Raya, Oregon AFL-CIO Organizer
Enrique, a Portland-based driver for Lyft
Dylan Fitzwater, a member of the Burgerville Workers Union
Credits
Introduction from Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain
Hosted by Oregon AFL-CIO Chief of Staff Graham Trainor
Produced by Oregon AFL-CIO Communications Director Russell Sanders
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 Causa
Credits
Introduction from Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain
Hosted by Oregon AFL-CIO Chief of Staff Graham Trainor
Produced by Oregon AFL-CIO Communications Director Russell Sanders