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DELEGATE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTSConstitutional AmendmentsPeter Callero, Local 2278 (WOUFT), ChairBelinda Reagan, Local 111 (PFSP)Frank Goulard, Local 2277 (PCCFFAP)Bob Baldwin, Local 2417 (LCCEF)Fred Brick, Local 3190 (SWOCCFT)Michael Dreiling, Local 3209 (UAUO)Chrissy Verpoorten, Local 3432 (WVCCF)Joe Henry, Local 3544 (GTFF)Kelly Cowan, Local 3571 (PSUFA)Jean Garside, Local 3922 (PCCFCE)Colleen Keen, Local 3972 (SWOCCCF)Devin Hunter, Local 4671 (HCU)Heather Gillespie, Local 4912 (LCCSSA)Shannon Andrews, Local 6069 (CGE)Shaun Cain, Local 6200 (AAP)Economic Issues Part 1Steve McAllister, Local 3544 (GTFF), ChairTim Taylor, Local 111 (PFSP)Michele Catena, Local 111 (PFSP)Shirley Geiger, Local 2277 (PCCFFAP)Steve Gibbons, Local 2278 (WOUFT)Eldon Hardenbrook, Local 2278 (WOUFT)Chris Pitton, Local 3432 (WVCCF)Krista Abrahamson, Local 3544 (GTFF)Meaghan Emery, Local 3544 (GTFF)Jeffrey Ewing, Local 3544 (GTFF)Malori Musselman, Local 3544 (GTFF)Richard Wagner, Local 3544 (GTFF)Doug Crow, Local 3571 (PSUFA)Joel Lupro, Local 3922 (PCCFCE)Charles Magers, Local 3922 (PCCFCE)Michael Cole, Local 3972 (PCCFCE)Anna Marca, Local 3972 (PCCFCE)Meg Coryell, Local 4912 (LCCSSA)Roshan Adhikari, Local 6069 (CGE)Rebecca Budesky, Local 6069 (CGE)Richard Lau, Local 6069 (CGE)Chris Mihiar, Local 6069 (CGE)Gloria Ambrowiak, Local 6069 (CGE)Economic Issues Part 2Jeff Grider, Local 3922 (PCCFCE), ChairJohn MacDuffee, Local 111 (PFSP)Linda Mendel, Local 111 (PFSP)Luke Wisher, Local 111 (PFSP)Corrinne Crawford, Local 2277 (PCCFFAP)Becka Morgan, Local 2278 (WOUFT)Roxanne Watson, Local 2417 (LCCEF)Daniel Brouse, Local 3190 (SWOCCFT)Bruce Evans, Local 3209 (UAUO)Holly Paddock, Local 3209 (UAUO)Gina Psaki, Local 3209 (UAUO)Phil Mayo, Local 3544 (GTFF)Peter McKay, Local 3544 (GTFF)Brianna Bertoglio, Local 3544 (GTFF)Annie Caruso, Local 3544 (GTFF)Scott Parsons, Local 3571 (PSUFA)Gary Smith, Local 3571 (PSUFA)Dean Pfaender, Local 4671 (HCU)Michelle Pennock, Local 4912 (LCCSSA)Stephany Chacon, Local 6069 (CGE)Clint Mattox, Local 6069 (CGE)Nikki Wiseman, Local 6069 (CGE)Ally Stacey, Local 6069 (CGE)DeAnna Timmerman, Local 6200 (AAP)Human Rights Part 1Emilie Young, Local 3922 (PCCFCE), ChairMichael Fried, Local 111 (PFSP)Stephen Siegel, Local 111 (PFSP)Cheri Spanier, Local 111 (PFSP)Trina Hing, Local 2277 (PCCFFAP)Elizabeth Curry, Local 3544 (GTFF)Jon La Rochelle, Local 3544 (GTFF)Kristen Reinhardt, Local 3544 (GTFF)Dana Rognlie, Local 3544 (GTFF)Jonathon Turbin, Local 3544 (GTFF)Shawna Meechan, Local 3544 (GTFF)Gus Skorburg, Local 3544 (GTFF)Elisabeth Davidson, Local 3922 (PCCFCE)Collette Keele, Local 3922 (PCCFCE)Bethany Schaffner, Local 4671 (HCU)Rich Collins, Local 6069 (CGE)Julian Geisel, Local 6069 (CGE)André Habet, Local 6069 (CGE)Drew Hatlen, Local 6069 (CGE)Janet Jacquier, Local 6069 (CGE)Jessica Keune, Local 6069 (CGE)Human Rights Part 2Kevin Weitemier, Local 6069 (CGE), ChairMichelle Batten, Local 111 (PFSP)Michael Rocha, Local 111 (PFSP)Joann Rosevear, Local 111 (PFSP)Ryan Arditi, Local 111 (PFSP)Norma Lawson, Local 111 (PFSP)Domingo Urrutia, Local 111 (PFSP)Minoo Marashi, Local 2277 (PCCFFAP)Denise Brinkman, Local 2417 (LCCEF)Juanita Devereaux, Local 3209 (UAUO)Frank Veltri, Local 3209 (UAUO)Theo Hawley, Local 3544 (GTFF)Alison Kaufman, Local 3544 (GTFF)Jessica Neafie, Local 3544 (GTFF)Patrick Greiner, Local 3544 (GTFF)Shawna Bechtel, Local 3922 (PCCFCE)Sandra Kennemer, Local 4671 (HCU)Juan Muglia, Local 6069 (CGE)Traben Pleasant, Local 6069 (CGE)Eric Coker, Local 6069 (CGE)Daniel Farber, Local 6069 (CGE)6Sean McGregor, Local 6069 (CGE)Thomas Morrill, Local 6069 (CGE)Kris Osterloh, Local 6069 (CGE)Amir Azarbakht, Local 6069 (CGE)Joe Corsini, Local 6200 (AAP)Legislative IssuesJaime Rodriguez, Local 2277 (PCCFFAP), ChairFrank Acosta, Local 111 (PFSP)Glenn Johndohl, Local 111 (PFSP)Heather Maharry, Local 111 (PFSP)Ira Erbs, Local 2277 (PCCFFAP)Nick Hengen-Fox, Local 2277 (PCCFFAP)Christine Manning, Local 2277 (PCCFFAP)Peter Seaman, Local 2277 (PCCFFAP)Joel Alexander, Local 2278 (WOUFT)Bryan Dutton, Local 2278 (WOUFT)Marleena Pearson, Local 2417 (LCCEF)Karen Creighton, Local 3209 (UAUO)Matthew Loewen, Local 3209 (UAUO)Natalie Brenner, Local 3544 (GTFF)Dave Grych, Local 3544 (GTFF)Erin Moberg, Local 3544 (GTFF)Eleanor Wakefield, Local 3544 (GTFF)Marilyn Sbardellati, Local 4912 (LCCSSA)Stephanie Parreira, Local 6069 (CGE)Chris Foertsch, Local 6069 (CGE)Beatrice Moissinac, Local 6069 (CGE)Araby Belcher, Local 6069 (CGE)Alisha Jones, Local 6069 (CGE)Louise Currin, Local 8035RElections CommitteeColleen Keen, Local 3972 (SWOCCCF), ChairGloria Ambrowiak, Local 6069 (CGE)Juanita Deveraux, Local 3209 (UAUO)Shawna Bechtel, Local 3922 (PCCFCE)Phil Mayo, Local 3544 (GTFF)Marleena Pearson, Local 2417 (LCCEF)Michele Catena, Local 111 (PFSP)Credentials CommitteeDana Rognlie, Local 3544 (GTFF), ChairChrissy Verpoorten, Local 3432 (WVCCF)Annie Caruso, Local 3544 (GTFF)Dean Pfaender, Local 4671 (HCU)Scott Parsons, Local 3571 (PSUFA)Sergeant At ArmsFrank Acosta, Local 111 (PFSP)Nick Hengen-Fox, Local 2277 (PCCFFAP)Shawna Meechan, Local 3544 (GTFF)Bethany Schaffner, Local 4671 (HCU)Chris Mihiar, Local 6069 (CGE)Gus Skorburg, Local 3544 (GTFF)

state of the unionAFT-Oregon has entered a pivotalpoint in the last several years. Wehave completed large-scale organizingprojects, welcomed new staff membersto our team, saw our first strike sincethe 1990s, and we are embarking on ourlargest internal organizing effort ever.Our members have built apowerful political presence in thestate and we have been successful instrategizing and growing in the labormovement. Our union is in the bestshape it has ever been.That’s reassuring because we arepoised to face a likely landscape of antiunion laws.While we have grown andestablished a strong sense of unityamong our members, we are facingsome of the biggest threats to unionswe have seen since the pre-collectivebargaining era almost a half centuryago.All the good our members haveaccomplished is taking place againsta growing threat to union rights. Weare facing two ballot measures in theNovember 2016 election that wouldtake away our right to collect dues(fair share fees) from every employeewe represent in the bargaining unit.By removing the obligation for everyemployee who enjoys the protections ofthe union contract to pay fees to supportthe union, our opponents aim to weakenour ability to represent workers, tohave a voice in the workplace, and toadvocate for a fair and just society.This is going to be a monumentalfight to ensure that voters see that socalled “right to work” laws are antiworker. Not only are we facing thisthreat on the ballot in Oregon, it is alsobefore the Supreme Court of the UnitedStates.The case, Friedrichs v. CaliforniaTeachers Association, is a challenge tothe landmark 1977 Abood. decision thatupheld the right to collect fair sharefees. There is a strong probability thatthe Supreme Court will rule against ussome time in 2016 in Friedrichs v. CTAand remove the right to fair share feesnationwide.David RivesAFT-Oregon PresidentThe union movement is seeing astronger level of attacks this year. Ouropponents have gotten smarter andthey have even more money to fundtheir attacks. The labor movement is thechief force behind social and economicjustice issues, like raising the minimumwage and enacting sick leave for all. Thelabor movement’s quest for a societywith shared prosperity is opposedby those who want to accumulate allprofits for the top 1 percent.By weakening unions andtherefore the major supporters ofworkers’ issues, as our opponents havedone in other states like Wisconsinand Michigan, they are then able toput politicians into power who candismantle public education, healthcare,and public infrastructure.We can prepare ourselves forthis by building power in our union.We have established a new position inAFT-Oregon for an internal organizerto work with our locals to increase andsustain membership. In addition, ournational affiliate, AFT, is devoting staffand resources to the internal organizingprogram in our state.Building power in our localsmeans a solid program of contactingnon-members and turning theminto members. Merely sending ane-mail or putting a flyer in a mailboxis not sufficient. We need face-toface interaction with our co-workers,whether in the workplace or at theirhomes. It may take several attempts toconvince a person to join our cause.Then we have to sustainmembership—keep our membersengaged in our union and our causes.Worksite leaders need to be trainedand active in their departments orbuildings. Members need to be involvedat whatever level of participationthey find most fulfilling—whetherparticipating in meetings, joining inbrown bag lunches, wearing shirts andbuttons, signing petitions, contactingtheir legislators, volunteering for unionor community events, even bringing apotluck dish to the union picnic.Local 2277 PCCFFAP engaged their community by volunteering at a local food bank.Photo by Justin Buchanan7

STATE OF THE UNIONIt is important to keep in mindThings are looking up for publicthat we will continue to carry out education. Revenue is increasing forour mission no matter what obstacles the first time in years, some membersthe law imposes on us. The rights of have already seen raises in salary, andpublic employee unions only received austerity budgets seem to be comingprotection under the Public Employees to an end. We are resisting efforts byCollective Bargaining Act in Oregon administrators to bring a corporatein the 1960s and 1970s.mindset to our schools and colleges.Our union, and other unions,Recently, members of theexistedlongbeforecollective Portland State University Facultybargaining laws and before fair Association, Local 3571, hosted “ventshare fees. It will no doubt be a tents” on campus to raise awarenessdifferent landscape than what we are among adjunct faculty about workingaccustomed to. We’ll need to engage conditions and ways in which theirand activate our members to a higher participation in the union can helplevel of involvement in our movement. improve the education profession.The union has to be far moreIn December, the members of Localthan an “insurance3544,Graduatepolicy” in caseTeaching Fellowssomeone ever haswentWe’ll need to engage Federation,a dispute withon strike for eightand activate ourtheirsupervisor.days to demandTheanti-unionthat the Universitymembers to a higherforces are alreadyof Oregon pay alevel of involvement in bottom tier salarygoingontheoffensive in somethatmettheour movement.”states and sendinguniversity’sownnotices to membersfigures for the costDavid Rivestelling them theyof living in Eugene,AFT-Oregon Presidentcan resign theirand also for fairPCCFAPP, Local 2277membershiptosick and parentalsave on union dues.leave.We have to beThe resistancecontacting, supporting, and engaging from the administration to these basicour members before they ever receive proposals was astounding. The newlyan anti-union notice.formed institutional board had onlyI joined leaders of Hillsboro been in existence for two years butClassified United, Local 4671, to visit it appears to be more concernedmembers in their homes to talk about with covering up scandals at thethe union and raise support for their university than in operating ancontract campaign.academic institution.To be honest, a few leaders wereThe resolve and tenacity ofa little hesitant about reaching out to the GTFF members were incredible,their fellow members on their doorsteps picketing and chanting during oneor in their living rooms, but it was a of the coldest and wettest months ofresounding success with many pledge the year. We prevailed and sent thecards signed and a renewed spirit of administration a message that graduateactivation in the union.employees are indeed employeesThe labor movement is working and are essential members of theirtoward a better society. We are proud institution who deserve to be treatedmembers of the Fair Shot Coalition, with respect.fighting for the economic and socialOn the political front, we werejustice issues of minimum wage, sick able to elect a majority of pro-labor, proleave, retirement security, an end to education candidates to the legislature.racial profiling, and banning the box.Governor Kitzhaber, who was not“TOP: Portland State University FacultyAssociation, PSUFA local 3571, set upvent tents around campus where fellowfaculty workers (and other educators andstudents) could come discuss workplaceissues and worker empowerment. Photoby Kristen Fitzpatrick BOTTOM: GTFF 3544members picket during the GTFF strikeDec. 2014. Photo by Justin Buchanan8

state of the unionalways aligned with us on issues, hasresigned, and our new Governor, KateBrown, has taken office. She has astrong record of support for our issuesand I look forward to working with her.We were pleased to send fourleaders from AFT-Oregon, JaimeRodriguez, Michele Catena, EmilieYoung, and Frank Acosta, to an AFTpolitical bootcamp in Pennsylvaniawhere they worked to plan andcarry out a campaign to elect a proeducation governor.They have been able to put theseskills into practice in our state byleading many of our efforts in the pastelection, including visiting membersto talk to them in depth about theirconcerns and the importance ofgetting involved in political action tohelp their schools and their students.The economy is reboundingand we are working in the legislatureto increase budgets for education.Unfortunately, we are also expectingthe kicker to refund revenue, losing 350 million that could be reinvestedin our schools, colleges, anduniversities. We need true structuralrevenue reform in our state. AFTOregon is working with our partnersin Our Oregon to submit and passrevenue measures in 2016 that willhave the wealthy and internationalcorporations paying more of their fairshare of taxes.Our training offerings, WinterSchool in Newport and the NorthwestLeadershipForumhadrecordattendance. At Winter School we offeredmodular courses that gave participantsa chance to take a variety of coursesin union leadership. The LeadershipForum had participants from Oregon,Washington, Alaska, Utah, and Guam.It was the first AFT event I havebeen to without school teachers thatbrought the other four divisions of AFTtogether—Paraprofessional and SchoolRelated Personnel (classified), HigherEducation, Public Employees, andHealthcare. I look forward to anotherstrong offering at the LeadershipForum this summer.Locals have been workingwith groups to support causes thatbenefit the community. Members ofa local from Portland CommunityCollege, the Federation of Facultyand Academic Professionals, local2277 volunteered several shifts at theOregon Food Bank to package bulkfoods for distribution to families inthe area. Members of the PortlandFederation of School Professionals,Local 111, helped make the annualLabors Community Service AgencyHoliday Party a success by donatingand wrapping toys for children.Members of the Graduate TeachingFellows Federation, Local 3544, andthe Coalition of Graduate Employees,Local 6069, raised almost 8,000 for theLinn-Benton Food Share at the annualBrew Off event in Corvallis. Morelocals joined in to offer First Books tochildren in their community, includingUnited Employees of Columbia GorgeCommunity College, Local 4754, andGTFs and their supporters march in front of a University of Oregon campus building as adrumline plays Dec. 1. Photo by Justin Buchanan9“The challenges for usin the future aregreat, but we canmeet them.”David RivesAFT-Oregon PresidentPCCFAPP, Local 2277Scappoose Federation of ClassifiedEmployees, Local 3662.The challenges for us in thefuture are great, but we can meetthem. Unions have existed and thrivedwithout the protection of labor laws.AFT was formed by Chicagoschool teachers and chartered by theAmerican Federation of Labor in 1916.Our own Portland Federation of SchoolProfessionals, Local 111, was charteredin 1919, and there were enough localsto form AFT-Oregon in 1952. We werenot able to get our first collectivebargaining laws passed until the1960’s. Unions today form and grow instates with anti-labor laws.I know the values and principlesthat inspired me, and all of us, to jointhe union are the same for our potentialmembers. I am especially proud to be amember of the American Federation ofTeachers, one of the most progressiveand forward-thinking unions in thenation.I am looking forward to buildinga stronger AFT-Oregon, one that willengage more members and providea greater voice to championingeducation and a just society for all.I see these times as an opportunityto build power in our union and toshow that all working people wantto come together to work collectivelyfor a better future for all of us and ourchildren.That is where I see us in thenext year: more members, moreengagement, and more power. Byworking together, we will achieve that.

POLITICAL ACTION 2014-152014 General ElectionWhile across the country thiselection saw progressive candidateslose ground in State and Federal races,Oregon held strong and expanded ourpro-worker, pro-education majority inthe state legislature.AFT-Oregon members came outto canvass and phone bank to ensurethe candidates who haveour backs on the issuesthat matter most to ourworking lives – likeeducation funding andunion rights – got toSalem.AFT-Oregonmembers also workedhard to defeat a ballotmeasure that wouldhave changed Oregon’sfundamentalvoting structure, making electionsmore expensive with fewer choices.In addition to winning in thiselection, AFT-Oregon’s campaignprioritizedlong-termpoliticaleducation and mobilization withinour membership. The members onthe Campaign Team knocked onhundreds of members’ doors to talkabout building our union’s strengthto make real advances this sessionin Salem, and prepare for the antiworker initiatives coming in 2016.2015 Legislative SessionAFT-Oregon is bringing backtwo bills this session to increase therights and voice of marginalizedhigher education workers. Graduateemployees at Locals 3544 and 6069have been in Salem several times tolobby for a graduate employee seaton university institutional governingboards. Adjunct faculty aremobilizing to pass a bill thatwould allow them to poolhours worked at multiplecolleges and universitiesto qualify for healthinsurance.Classifiedmembers also ralliedand testified onbills that limitschool districts’abilitytocontractoutThank youmembers who havetaken action!Lawmakers don’t know whateducators go through unless they’reinformed. These members took timeout of their day to testify in Salem. A bigthank you goes to: Devin Hunter, Local 4671, HCUDennielle Perry, Local 3544, GTFFShaun Cain, Local 6200, AAPBrianna Bertoglio, Local 3544,GTFFDrew Hatlen, Local 6069, CGELouise Currin, Local 8035R,RetireesJaime Rodriguez, Local 2277,PCCFFAPJonathan Turbin, Local 3544,GTFFShaun Cain, President Local 6200, informslegislators about the impact of the lossof shared services at Eastern OregonUniversity if HB2611 doesn’t pass.SAVE THE DATE!LOBBY DAY 2015April 20, 2015 - 8 a.m.Oregon State Library - Room 103250 Winter Street NESalem, Oregon 97301Register here:tinyurl.com/lobbyday201510

political action 2014-15public sector work, and to create atask force that will look at ways to getnurses back in our schools.Additionally, AFT-Oregon isadvocating for increased funding foreducation, from K12 through highereducation, and is supporting theFair Shot platform that will increaserespect in the workplace by raising theminimum wage and providing paidsick days for all.While the legislature is still insession at the time of this printing,it remains to be seen how theseissues will be resolved. AFT-Oregonmembers will continue to stand strongby testifying in Salem and grassrootslobbying at every opportunity.Local Political OrganizingAFT-Oregon Locals are buildingunion political activism by reachingout to more members about howwe are coming together to fight forrespect not only in the worksite, butalso at the state-wide level, wherecritical decisions get made everyday about education funding levels,workers’ rights, and education policy.Highlighted here are a few Locals’activities over the last year: GraduateTeachingFellowsFederation Local 3544’s Committeeon Political Education workedon several projects, including aunion political education blog,an international student surveyand resource guide, a unionsponsored Lane County-areacandidate forum, and a lobby dayfor graduate employees. United Employees of ColumbiaGorge Community College local4754 is fighting back againstlayoffs caused by budget shortfallsat the local and state-wide level.They are gathering letters frommembers and plan to sit downwith legislators to talk about theneed to put more money intoour education system so critical institutionslikecommunitycolleges in rural Oregon cancontinue to serve their students.Portland Community CollegeFederationofClassifiedEmployees local 3922 startedbuildinganOrganizingCommittee to do the work ofbuilding power in their union,including strengthening theircapacity to make change at thepolitical level. Member organizersare out talking to fellow membersabout getting involved in the fightto fully fund higher education anddemand respect in the workplace.United Academics local 3209’sCommittee on state and highereducation issues participatedin the Higher Ed Lobby Day inSalem, held a workshop withAAUP on legislative strategiesand are starting to discussfuture work on student debt,administrative transparency andaccountability.Higher Education Lobby Days Feb 11-12, 2015TOP LEFT: Some familiar signs might have made an appearance in Salem. Photo by Justin Buchanan BOTTOM LEFT: Graduate Employeespose for a photo after a lobby day. Photo by Julia Trist CENTER: Ja

AFT Direct Affiliates in Oregon Local 5017, Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (OFNHP) Local 6732, Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA) Local 5905, Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) AFT-Oregon Locals Inside: 10228 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland, Oregon 97219 PHONE: 971-888-5665 FAX: 971-888-5498 @AFTOregon /AFTOregon www.aft .