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. GuestsCatie Theisen. Political & Legislative Director for the Oregon AFL-CIOIra 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/legislativeprioritiesIf you’d like to help get involved by contacting your legislators about SB 592, please contact us here: https://www.oraflcio.org/contact-usLearn 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 SchoolEmerge 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/2022legislativeprioritiesTo 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 SandersIntroduction 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 GUESTSJesus 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 MoreOregon 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-unionGuests Emmerson Hamlin, Oregon Legislative StaffKien Truong, Oregon Legislative StaffNathan Soltz, Oregon Legislative StaffAnd Tony Ruiz, Organizer for IBEW Local 89 Ruth Erickson, State Interpreter CreditsHosted 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 28Amanda Sager, President, IATSE 154Bruce Fife,  President, AFM Local 99 & national Vice President for AFM Cdavid Cottrill, Business Agent, IATSE Local 488Michelle 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.GuestsRobert Camarillo, Executive Secretary for the Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council Frank Manzo IV, Policy Director of the Illinois Economic Policy InstituteLinks to topics discussed in this episode2021 Oregon Labor Lobby Day, April 8 on Zoom Oregon State Building & Construction Trades Council Illinois Economic Policy InstituteOregon Senate Bill 493The Impact of Oregon’s Prevailing Wage Rate Law: Effects on Costs, Training, and Economic DevelopmentLabor 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 CreditsHosted & 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 GuestsCeleste Jones, Strategic Alignment Director, Oregon AFSCME Graham Trainor, President, Oregon AFL-CIO CreditsHosted & 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 .

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 ProjectRep. Mike Nearman makes national headlines for letting rioters into the Oregon Capitol CREDITS GuestsJess Giannettino Villatoro, Oregon AFL-CIO Political DirectorCatie Theisen,  Oregon AFL-CIO Lead Political & Policy SpecialistHosted & Produced by Russell Sanders, Oregon AFL-CIO Communications DirectorIntroduction by Graham Trainor, Oregon AFL-CIO PresidentPAID 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/oregon2georgiaLearn about Oregon OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard for COVID-19, report workplace violations, and more: http://www.oraflcio.org/osha CREDITSHosted & Produced by Russell Sanders, Oregon AFL-CIO Communications DirectorIntroduction 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-CIOHosted & 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