Hillsboro, OR Library Workers Want a Union

 Library workers in Hillsboro, OR reported to the City Council on April 20th that a majority of employees had signed union authorization cards to form a union and organize with AFSCME Council 75, the Hillsboro News Times reports.

Employees are hopeful that the city with voluntarily recognize their union and point to the city's stated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as a reason to allow library staff to have a voice in their work place. It is unclear if the city will voluntarily recognize the union, however.

Oregon State University Workers Talk Strike

Classified employees at Oregon State University — the secretaries, food service workers, physical plant operators and other support staff — say they’re getting left behind economically and could go on strike if they don’t get a better contract....

article by Bennett Hall

http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/osu-workers-talk-strike/article_90cd63a0-d700-5bad-bef6-33018eef1b51.html

New Contract for Milwaukie Library Workers Includes Living Wage for All City Workers

Library and other city workers in Milwaukie, Oregon have ratified a new contract that includes wage increases and increased time off during the holidays. The previous contract expired in July. The workers are members of AFSCME City of Milwaukie Local 350-5.

Part of the contract negotiations included prompting by the union for the city to pay all of its workers a living wage. From the article:

“We’ve talked about community based bargaining for a long time to make the workplace a better place whether you’re part of the union or not,” said Milwaukie’s Reference Librarian Sarah Lander, secretary for the board that coordinates about a dozen AFSCME groups countywide. 

Mayor Mark Gamba agrees with the calculations of activists of $15 as number that would constitute a minimum hourly living wage.

“The issue was keeping us from being able to complete negotiations with the union,” Gamba said. “So (the resolution) was both an expedient way to move that issue off the table while making a statement to the state that we believe the minimum wage should be a living wage.”

No Confidence Vote for Treasure Valley Community College President

The Treasure Valley Education Association, the union representing faculty and librarians at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Oregon, has issued a vote of no confidence in the college's president. The union cited hiring practices and a lack of transparency among their concerns.

Strike Averted at Oregon State Universities

Library workers and other classified workers at Oregon state universities have reached a tentative agreement with administration and will not be going on strike. Details of the agreement can be found here.

Workers at Oregon Universities Postpone Strike Date

SEIU Local 503, the union representing library staff and other classified workers at public universities in Oregon, has postponed its strike date by one week in response to progress in negotiations with administration. The new strike date is September 30, the day classes begin at the university. Issues include wage increases and proposed changes to the salary scale timeline.