Take Action

We may only have a few issues on the ballot (or nothing at all, depending on where you live!) this November, but Labor in Ohio is in the fight of their lives.  That means we need you to help phone-bank and get out the vote in Ohio:

November 1st and 7th
from 2:30 – 5:30

The Oregon AFL-CIO (new) Portland Office
3645 SE 32nd Ave, Portland 97202

For more info, please contact Jess Giannettino.

Defend Collective Bargaining in Ohio

Last March, Ohio’s State Legislature passed Senate Bill 5, revoking collective bargaining rights for public workers across the state.  As we have seen in Wisconsin, an attack on workers’ rights does not happen without resistance.   When SB 5 cleared Ohio’s Legislature and was signed into law, the labor movement moved to repeal it.  The same energy seen in massive demonstrations and marches last spring has now shifted to phone banks and canvasses to spread the word that the middle class must stand up to anti-worker legislation.

Stand with Ohio, and stand up for our brothers and sisters across the country and help us wipe SB 5 off of Ohio’s map.  See this week’s Take Action for information about phone-banks happening here in Oregon that will put you in the middle of Ohio’s fight by calling union members in Ohio to get out the vote.  An injury to one is an injury to all: let’s all come together and take back our collective rights in Ohio – because we can’t afford to let anyone’s rights anywhere fall without threatening us all.

In Other News...

Occupy Portland Marches Again

On October 6th, Occupy Portland began with thousands taking to the streets in downtown Portland.  The march ended with hundreds of protestors occupying several downtown parks, representing the rest of the 99% in our collective fight.

It’s time to take back to the streets and remind everyone that the 99% is not just the representatives standing our ground in parks and empty lots across Oregon and the nation.
Next Wednesday, October 26th, at 5:00pm the 99% will march again in downtown Portland.  Meet us at Director Park as we stand together to call out Wall Street and the 1% of Americans who hold much of our collective wealth.  Look for more information about the march in next week’s early-afternoon Update.

Town Hall: Jobs and the Economy

Turning out to your representatives’ town halls is the best way to remind them about the issues that matter.  Next week, if you live in inner-SE Portland you have a special opportunity to not only talk to a worker-friendly legislator at her town hall, but to also hear from Oregon AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Barbara Byrd.  Join Oregon Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum along with Barbara Byrd and Hawthorne Auto Clinic owner Jim Houser for a discussion on jobs and the economy. 

The town hall will be held next Tuesday, October 25th, at SEIU local 48 (3536 SE 26th Avenue, Portland) from 6:00 – 7:30pm.