Federation

May-June 2013

News

Members “Spring” Into Action

Convention Highlights 6 Acosta elected to MESD board 10

Members tackling issue of 11student debt crisis

Milestones: 12 Cecil is new AFT-Oregon Chief of Staff

AFT-Oregon welcomes classified 2staff into Local 6020 (AFTOCUE)

Union discounts for summer travel 2

WOU faculty, staff and students unified 3

UO Faculty to University: 5Make faculty a priority

AFT-OREGON

HAS MOVED!

Page 2

Page 2 Federation News May-June 2013

Federation NewsVol. 13, No. 2May-June 2013

Federation News is published six times annually by AFT-Ore-gon, AFT, AFL-CIO, 10228 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland, Oregon 97219.

David Rives, PresidentBelinda Reagan, Executive Vice-PresidentRodger Gamblin, SecretaryRuth Kosto, TreasurerLouise Currin, Vice-President Political Action

VICE-PRESIDENTS Vickie BrumitJohn CoppKelly CowanEd DegrauwDeborah HallBryce PeakeLarry ReaneyKatie StoferSteve WojcikiewiczJoel Yoder

LIAISONS (without vote)Val Jack, Retiree ChapterElex Tenney, Local 5017, Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health ProfessionalsTim Stoelb, Local 6732, Oregon School Employees Association

David Cecil, Chief of StaffJillian Smith, Managing Editor

Moved? Tell your Local

Member address informa-tion changes should be made

with the Local union office or officers responsible for membership records.

Locals are responsible for reporting and updating mem-bership information directly to the national office. AFT-Oregon uses address informa-tion provided by Locals to AFT for printing and labeling newsletters and member information. Prompt changes are important.

AFT-Oregon welcomes classified staff in AFTOCUEClassified employees at Oregon Coast Community College have chosen Local 6020 (AFTOCUE) as their union representative. Union authorization was given by a majority of these employees who signed cards to have a second unit added for the union representing faculty at the college.

The Employment Relations Board confirmed authorization cards signed by a majority of employees and certified the new unit in May. A bargaining team is now preparing for negotiations of a first contract.

AFT Northwest Leadership Forum offers a variety of training opportunities to help leaders strengthen their skills. AFT-Oregon, AFT Washington, OFNHP and OSEA are co-hosting this event, scheduled for July 11-14, in Vancouver, Washington.

In addition to weekend-long courses, the Forum will feature brief seminars on Thursday and Friday.

Visit www.aft-oregon.org, to register online and view a brochure which includes course and seminar descriptions, registration information and hotel information. Then, register online today! Deadline for registration and payment is June 30, 2013. Hotel reservations must be made directly with the Vancouver Hilton by June 19, 2013.

Strengthen your skills at AFT NW Leadership Forum

Member BenefitsGoing somewhere this summer?

Memorial Day kicked off the summer travel season. Plan the perfect vacation with great deals from Union Plus.• Car Rental Bargains—Save as much as 25% with Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, National

and Avis. Don’t miss out on additional limited-time savings! • One-Night Condo Stays—You don’t have to stay a week to get 15% off condo stays at fun

destinations with your Union Plus discount. • Vacation Tours, Entertainment Deals & More—Visit the Union Plus Travel Center for savings

on theme parks, baseball and theater tickets, worldwide travel and more. • Special new savings on theater tickets and more—support your fellow union member actors

and artists. • If you’re planning road trips, don’t forget your Union Plus Motor Club discount too. • And, finding a union hotel is easy with the UNITE HERE app. Visit your app store from your

smart phone, or find the guide at: www.hotelworkersrising.org/HotelGuide.All these great deals and more can be found on the AFT Member Benefits page by visiting:

www.aft.org.

AFT-Oregon has MOVED as of Friday, June 7, 2013

AFT-Oregon has moved to its new building! Please add this new address to your records.

10228 SW Capitol Hwy.Portland, OR 97219

May-June 2013 Federation News Page 3

AFT-Oregon members “spring” into actionThis spring, AFT-Oregon members have rallied at the capitol and on campuses, and have voiced their

concerns to legislators at events. Here’s a summary of recent action taken by members.

Faculty members of Local 2278 (WOUFT) joined with students and staff at Western Oregon University to hold a unity rally on May 22, 2013. Emily Plec, Local 2278 (WOUFT) president said the goal of the event was to “alter the ‘divide and conquer’ mentality that it’s either student tuition or employee wages. That one has to come at expense of the other.”

“Today we are standing in solidarity to say it’s about investment in higher education. It’s about making universities affordable for students and accountable to employees who serve students every day,” said Plec.

WOU President Mark Weiss surprised attendees by speaking at the event. “Funding levels for higher education are 30 percent less than six years ago. “We must urge Governor Kitzhaber and the Legislature to re-invest in higher education by returning that 30 percent to our budgets, instead of the proposed three percent.”

“It was wonderful to hear President Weiss speak about his efforts to stand up for students, faculty and staff at Western,” said Plec. “He has often taken the position that if we lower student tuition then we can’t pay additional wages for staff and faculty. So we invited him to our rally to encourage him to work with us to think beyond that false dichotomy and really push for better funding from the state,” she said.

“We need to show a united front on this important issue for Oregon,” said Steve Gibbons, Local 2278 (WOUFT). “Disinvestment in Oregon’s education system has meant we make it up in tuition. It would be great for students to not have extreme debt when they graduate from college—that only hurts our economy. We also have tremendous faculty and staff who are underpaid,” he said.

Special Guest Speaker Rep. Michael Dembrow brought news from the legislature which included release of budget for the next biennium.

“The latest revenue forecast came out a lot better than expected,” said Rep. Dembrow. “This is my fifth year in the legislature. In my first session we had to cut $4-billion from the budget. In my second session we cut $3-billion. So to get a budget forecast that was up almost $300-million—that was good.”

WOU Faculty, Staff and Students Unified for Higher Education

Steve Wojcikiewicz, AFT-Oregon Vice-President and Local 2278 (WOUFT) member was among the numerous faculty members who marched with staff and students at WOU to show solidarity for higher education issues.

AFT-Oregon leaders including President David Rives, Executive VP Belinda Reagan, and incoming VP Jeff Grider were joined by OSEA members Jane Carlson and Jay Osborne for the Women’s Leadership Luncheon hosted by Congressman Earl Blumenauer.

“I was thrilled to once again receive an invitation to attend Rep. Earl Blumenauer’s annual Women’s Leadership luncheon,” said Reagan.

Guest speaker Congresswoman Cheri Bustos from Illinois spoke at the community event about the importance of women running for office, and ongoing anti-worker attacks she faces in Congress. She also said that she couldn’t have won her election without the support of labor. Guests were also treated to a surprise vocal performance by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici.

“It’s truly heartening to know that a young, female, Union supporter, like Rep. Bustos, successfully converted a formerly ‘red’ congressional seat to ‘blue.’ She gives me hope for a brighter political future!” said Reagan.

Members inspired by Women’s Leadership Luncheon

AFT-Oregon Executive Vice-President Belinda Reagan with OSEA member Jane Carlson at the Women’s Leadership Luncheon.

More action stories on Page 4

Page 4 Federation News May-June 2013

AFT-Oregon members rally to support immigrants

Daniel Holder, Danny Ritter, Ashley Bromley and Eric Coker were among the Local 6069 (CGE) members to join CAUSA for Immigrant Spring in Oregon on Wednesday, May 1, at the state capitol.

“A major aspect of May Day is demanding dignity and respect in the workplace. Immigrant workers’ undocumented status makes them particularly vulnerable to exploitative work that denies them their much deserved dignity and respect. So I came to this rally in solidarity with immigrant workers and to demand dignity and respect for immigrant workers, which will only come in the form of comprehensive immigration reform,” said Coker.

“This legal limbo is untenable. Too many people are being exploited and hurt,” said Ritter of his reason for standing with immigrants.

Immigrants, labor unions, businesses, students, members of LGBT communities, women, children, Latinos, and allies called for driver’s license access for ALL immigrants. They also rallied in support of federal legalization with a path to citizenship for ALL 11 million undocumented immigrants.

FROM LEFT: Daniel Holder, Danny Ritter, Ashley Bromley and Eric Coker, Local 6069 (CGE) members at CAUSA event on May 1, at the state capitol.

Joel Lupro, a Local 3922 (PCCFCE) member who works as a property control assistant at PCC Rock Creek, was one of many members who stepped up to the microphone at a May town hall to ask legislators about finding stable revenue options to fund our schools and community colleges.

“I think we have a revenue problem, not a spending problem. So, I asked what happened to the proposed increase in the “beer tax,” since the idea hadn’t been raised in 10 years,” said Lupro. “My son is a freshman at Liberty High School so I’ve seen firsthand the effects of budget cuts including larger class sizes and outdated computer labs. Parents have also been asked to purchase textbooks for classes,” he said.

AFT-Oregon members from Locals 2277 (PCCFFAP), 3922 (PCCFFAP), 4671 (HCU) and 111 (PFSP) turned out for the May town hall hosted at Liberty High School in Hillsboro. Representatives Ben Unger, Joe Gallegos and House Speaker Tina Kotek provided a brief legislative update from Salem and took questions from workers, parents and community members concerned about the future of education in Oregon.

Audience members raised concerns about unfunded mandates, common core standards, and current legislation which would jeopardize retirement benefits for public workers.

Lupro to legislators: We have a revenue problem, not a spending problem

FROM LEFT: AFT-Oregon members Jaime Rodriguez, Joe Lupro, Bethany Schaffner, and Eric Weyrauch attended a Town Hall meeting with legislators in May to voice their concerns about the need for restored funding for schools.

Members “spring” into actionContinued from Page 3

May-June 2013 Federation News Page 5

UO Faculty call for University to make faculty a priority

Community leaders, students and supporters of United Academics (UA) at the University of Oregon (UO), rallied May 7 to call for university administrators to act on their claim that faculty are “top priority” for the university. The crowd of some 125 people chanted “Contract This Term” and cheered as bargaining team members advocated for University representatives to work with faculty to reach tentative agreement on a first contract.

“Thank you for being here today,” Yvonne Braun, Professor of Women and Gender Studies and UA negotiations team member, told supporters. “It’s important that the Administration see that ALL faculty, staff and students support these negotiations.”

Throughout contract negotiations, the Administration’s representatives have repeatedly asserted that faculty are a “top priority” at UO. However, despite the fact that UO currently has a surplus of $110-million, average faculty salaries are 7-19% below comparator universities across the nation.

“The University of Oregon is paying subpar salaries to both non-tenure track and tenure track faculty. This makes it difficult for us to recruit and retain top quality faculty,” said negotiating team member Deborah Olson, Instructor of Special Education.

UA’s bargaining team has been negotiating with the UO Administration for a first contract since November 2012. The union represents tenure track faculty, non-tenure track faculty, adjunct faculty, research assistants, and postdoctoral researchers at the University of Oregon.

“The Administration’s proposals do not reflect a commitment to high quality research and instruction at the University of Oregon,” according to Scott Pratt, Professor of Philosophy, member of the UA bargaining team, and former Department Head and Associate Dean for Humanities.

Faculty representatives from the United Academics organizing committee have called on the Administration’s negotiating team and the Gottfredson administration to prioritize faculty raises. To date, the administration has declined to do so.

Yvonne Braun, bargaining team member thanks crowd for their support.

UO Faculty during May rally (From Left): Debra Merskin, Journalism and Communications; Alexandre Albert-Galtier, Romance Languages; and Karen McPherson, Romance Languages.

Page 6 Federation News May-June 2013

Delegates to Convention he 2013 AFT-Oregon Convention in April approved resolutions on issues ranging from lowering student debt, increasing public funding of post-secondary education and support of health care for all Oregonians, to insuring voting rights for all Americans and improving revenue streams through tax fairness. David Rives was elected to a third term as AFT-Oregon president , and Belinda Reagan returns as Executive Vice-President. Here are highlights from this year’s convention.

State of the UnionOrganizing and collaboration key to future success

“AFT is now in the strong position that the UAW once was and we have to be the leaders in labor organizing,” President Rives told delegates.

David Rives, AFT-Oregon President told convention delegates that as we aim for the future, we must draw from the lessons of our past in his State of the Union address. He highlighted AFT-Oregon’s organizing success in the past year, and activities around community engagement and collaboration with other labor unions to face the challenges of the future and grow the union movement.

President Rives said organizing is AFT-Oregon’s top priority, and praised those who took part in the widely successful organizing campaigns since the last convention. “Thanks to the hard work of volunteers, members and staff, I’m proud to announce we gained 2,500 new AFT-Oregon members in the last year. That’s an increase of close to 25 percent in our membership.”

He also shared news of affiliation with AFT national by the National Federation of Nurses. Its state chapter, the Oregon Federation of Nurses represents 10,500 members in the state.

President Rives told delegates that more organizing in the private sector is needed to secure the future. “We have to help organize and rebuild the house of labor in the private sector. I serve on the organizing pilot committee of the Oregon AFL-CIO, and we are developing some innovative ways to organize in the retail and service sectors, at ways to create new unions for unstable workplaces with high turnover and little employment stability.”

Rives shared attacks on the horizon and said our past has prepared us for the coming battle. “We are facing two payroll deduction and a right-to-work initiatives on the ballot. We will have to reach beyond our union base to win this battle. That means working with some non-traditional partners on common issues,” he said.

“AFT-Oregon is organizing in a time of declining numbers in union membership. We have a strong political program that activates our members to make change. We are engaged in our communities, and ensuring the voices of our members are heard in our schools, on campuses and in the legislature, while other states are imposing top down corporatization of education,” said Rives. “We’re working with affiliates and partners to create strong political fronts. These actions will ensure that we withstand the assault on the union movement and emerge an even stronger, more vibrant union.”

May-June 2013 Federation News Page 7

2013 Officer Election Results

President: David Rives, Local 2277 (PCCFFAP)Executive Vice-President: Belinda Reagan, Local 111 (PFSP)Secretary: Bryce Peake, Local 3544 (GTFF)Treasurer: Michael Morrow, Local 2277 (PCCFFAP)Vice-President Political Action: Steve Wojcikiewicz, Local 2278 (WOUFT)

Vice-Presidents:Vickie Brumit, Local 3972 (SWOCCCF)John Copp, Local 4754 (UECGCC)Kelly Cowan, Local 3571 (PSUFA)Devin Hunter, Local 4671 (HCU)Bernadette Kapocias, Local 3190 (SWOCCFT)Dana Rognlie, Local 3544 (GTFF)Tim Taylor, Local 111 (PFSP)Kevin Weitemier, Local 6069 (CGE)

Delegate to Oregon AFL-CIO Convention: Emily Plec, Local 2278 (WOUFT)

Student debt crisis, voter rights and adequate funding for school positions top delegate action

Convention delegates took action on top issues such as the student debt crisis, voting rights for all Oregonians and adequate funding for school positions at the 61st AFT-Oregon convention in April.

After working hard in the past decade to eliminate initiative fraud, AFT-Oregon members have now turned their attention to voter rights. The resolution came on the heels of numerous incidents around the country which have interfered with voters ability to cast ballots in recent elections. The resolve calls for “AFT-Oregon and its affiliates go on record in support of actions that help ensure that voting is “free, fair, and accessible for all Americans.”

Delegates also deemed the student debt crisis and access to quality higher education a top priority with a resolution which calls for AFT-Oregon to continue support for all efforts to lower student debt, and for stable education funding. They also passed a resolution which demands that support staff be paid for the extra time needed to accommodate testing reporting requirements in schools.

AFT-Oregon has updated its website to include governing and audit documents, as directed by a new bylaws amendment approved by delegates. They also approved a constitutional amendment which limits service in the office of AFT-Oregon president to five, two-year terms.

Here is a list of titles for resolutions approved by convention delegates. Visit: www.aft-oregon.org to read the full text for each.• Employers Offering Health Care to All Employees• Funding and Sufficient Positions to Handle Reporting

Requirements• Lowering Student Debt and Increasing Public Funding of

Post-Secondary Education

• Support for Regulation of Reverse Mortgages • Support of Health Care for All Oregon• Ensure the Voting Rights of All Americans• Improving Revenue Streams Through Tax Fairness• Opposition of Legislation Which Allows Public Sector Jobs

to be Contracted Out to Private Industry• Resolution Against So-Called Academic Freedom Bills that

Undermine the Accurate Teaching of Evolution

Local 3571 (PSUFA) delegates check their ballots during the officers election.

Ushers Heather Maharry, Local 111 (PFSP) and Jeff Grider, Local 3922 (PCCFCE) check their numbers during a roll call vote on the convention floor.

Page 8 Federation News May-June 2013

Chamberlain: United workers movement is about "We The People"

Representative Dembrow: “Majority matters” in legislature

"We [unions] can and must change. For our union movement to change will require the realization that just one worker can't stand alone and change working conditions in the workplace. It takes a collective effort," Chamberlain told delegates during the Friday night session.

Tom Chamberlain, Oregon AFL-CIO President, told convention delegates that when united, “We the People” are a force to be reckoned with, as proven in the 2012 election victories. The lessons learned will be used for current and upcoming battles around PERS benefits, continued budget woes and a "Right-to-Work For Less" proposed initiative that will most likely qualify for the 2014 ballot.

Chamberlain highlighted the efforts of Oregon Strong Voice, an Oregon AFL-CIO project designed to bring local union staff, community groups, activists organizations for the poor, immigrants' rights, human rights and students together to develop a common local agenda.

"More often than not labor and communities have a common agenda. Working together we can build power

“Majority matters,” was the message brought by special guest speaker, Representative Michael Dembrow to convention delegates. Dembrow, who is a long-time member and former officer of both AFT-Oregon and Local 2277 (PCCFFAP), highlighted successes in the legislature. He also asked delegates to pause for a moment of silence in memory of Bill Fritz, who recently passed away. Fritz helped to organize Local 2277 (PCCFFAP) as an OFT Field Representative.

Rep. Dembrow recalled promises he made last year to delegates. “When I spoke here last year, I promised that if AFT could step up and help get a majority of Democrats elected, we’d be able to pass legislation that matter to members. “I promised that we could hold off a push to compromise PERS. And, I promised that if there were changes in the governing boards for higher education then we would make sure the board would include students, faculty and staff.”

He praised AFT-Oregon members for their volunteer efforts on campaigns. “AFT-Oregon and AFT stepped up to

and influence for workers at the local level building grassroot strength electing pro-worker candidates," he said.

According to Chamberlain, in addition to community outreach, unions are collaborating on projects within the community, and sharing organizing strengths.

"We have developed an organizing model that is built on trust," said Chamberlain. "We now have a forum where unions can bring their organizing targets without fear that another union will jump the target. It's a forum where we share resources and develop strategy," he said.

Chamberlain said these new strategies will be key to the success of the labor movement in the future.

"A united workers movement isn't about party, it's about 'We the People.' A broad coalition of unions, community groups, students and activists that will hold elected officials accountable and force the change this nation so desperately needs," he said. "The only thing that stands in our way is us. It's time to stop acting like a union going it alone, and start acting like a union movement."

make a huge difference. I can’t tell you how much better this session has been because we are in the majority. We have been able to pass Tuition Equity—ten years after it was first introduced.”

“This session, I’m sponsoring legislation for public sector neutrality,” said Dembrow. “Public employees have the right to organize. And this bill would prohibit the employer from using tax dollars to interfere in that process. That bill will be subject to party line votes. But, as I’ve said, majority rules.”

Rep. Dembrow said that AFT-Oregon has come a long way in his 30 years of membership. “AFT

is now highly respected in Salem. Since Measure 5, the legislature is where the action is. If your organization isn’t doing right for you in Salem, you are in trouble. I can say that AFT-Oregon is doing a great job for you to make sure front line people are speaking to the issues. Your future is bright as long as people keep commitments and hold onto values,” he said.

May-June 2013 Federation News Page 9

Jaime Rodriguez, Local 2277 (PCCFFAP) was awarded the John Connor Award during the 2013 AFT-Oregon Awards Dinner. Rodriguez was honored for his tireless volunteer work on various AFT-Oregon political action activities. He is currently seeking election to the Hillsboro School Board.

“I’m very appreciative of the honor. And with ongoing support we can continue the labor movement forward,” said Rodriguez.

Locals were also honored for membership and political action. Celebrating anniversaries were Local 6200 (AAP), 10 years; and Locals 2417 (LCCEF) and 3190 (SWOCCFT), 40 years. Master of Ceremonies, Belinda Reagan, AFT-Oregon Executive Vice-President also read a statement from Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, recipient of the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Public Awareness.

2013 Awards (for the year 2012)

John Connor Memorial Award• Jaime Rodriguez, Local 2277 (PCCFFAP)

Outstanding Contribution to Public Awareness• Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici

Treasurer’s Award• Gail Conard, Local 3662 (SFCE)

Political Action Awards• Local 3571 (PSUFA): Highest Percentage Increase in

Voluntary Individual Contribution• Local 2277 (PCCFFAP): Highest Numerical Increase• Local 2278 (WOUFT): Highest Number of Voluntary

Contribution• Local 2278 (WOUFT): Highest Average Contribution• Local 2278 (WOUFT): Highest Total Contribution

Membership AwardsNumerical Growth• Local 2417 (LCCEF)• Local 6069 (CGE)

Percentage Awards• Local 2417 (LCCEF)• Local 6069 (CGE)

100% Voluntary Membership• Local 3432 (WVCCF)• Local 3466 (BMFT)• Local 3662 (SFCE)

ScholarshipsCarl J. MegelJohnathan Crandall, son of Mindy Crandall, president of Local 6069 (CGE). Johnathan will attend University of Oregon this fall to major in molecular biology.

Albert F. ShankerLauren Orr, daughter of Michelle Orr, Local 111 (PFSP). Lauren is attending Linfield College and plans on studying abroad in France this spring.

Shirley J. GoldFrank Acosta is a member of Local 111 (PFSP), who recently was elected to a seat on the Multnomah Education Service District Board. He attends Corban University and plans to pursue a Masters in Education.

Scholarships and Awards: AFT-Oregon honors its best

Johnathan Crandall thanked delegates for the Albert F. Shanker scholarship. Crandall has been accepted into the Honors College at the University of Oregon.

Jaime Rodriguez, Local 2277 (PCCFFAP) was honored with the John Connor Memorial Award.

Page 10 Federation News May-June 2013

Acosta elected to Multnomah Education Service District Board

Leaders urge Oregon to recover $100-million stolen by banks

AFT-Oregon is among a coalition of labor, progressive, and community leaders in Oregon calling for Governor Kitzhaber and other state officials to pursue a lawsuit against participating banks for return of more than $100-million to the State of Oregon, lost due to bankers’ manipulation of the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR). The losses were uncovered in a new analysis conducted by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) researchers.

AFT-Oregon President David Rives told the crowd, “This was the biggest financial scandal in history and no one was prosecuted for it.” “We need to make sure banks are held accountable for their theft, instead of placing the burden on working families.”

The findings are based on monthly investment data

reported by the State Street Bank, the custodial bank for the State of Oregon. A claim would need to be promptly filed before the federal five-year statute of limitations further hurts Oregon’s chances

of recovering damages, which are shrinking by about $3-million each month.

SEIU President Rob Sisk said, “We believe this is the first time such losses have been quantified for an

individual state. A lawsuit would open a new front in the effort to hold LIBOR bankers accountable as the first action alleging securities fraud. We need to pressure Governor Kitzhaber to go after the guilty,” he said.

Between 2007 and 2010, the U.S. Dollar LIBOR panel allegedly fixed rates to optimize banking profits at the expense of such state clients as the SAIF Corporation and the Oregon Public Employee Retirement Fund. The 16-member panel included Bank of America as well as Citibank and JP Morgan Chase.

“The weight of fixing our economy should not be borne on the backs of workers,” said Tom Chamberlain, Oregon AFL-CIO President. “Ask Governor Kitzhaber to do the right thing to protect Oregonians.”

AFT-Oregon President Rives during LIBOR press conference in May.

Frank Acosta, Local 111 (PFSP), is the latest AFT-Oregon member to hold public office. Acosta was elected to the Multnomah Education Service District Board (MESD) in May. Decisions made by school and college board members can have a tremendous effect on the lives of members and their students. That’s why Locals worked hard to support worker-friendly candidates this election cycle. In addition to Local 111 (PFSP), here is a summary of Local activities for school board elections.

Local 2417 (LCCEF) supported Rich Cunningham for the Lane Community College Board.

Members of Local 4671 (HCU) held candidate interviews for the Hillsboro School District Board election.

Jaime Rodriguez, Local 2277 (PCCFFAP) member, was among those running for the board. “We were thrilled to have an AFT-Oregon member who understands and respects the work we do, running for our school board,” said Carol Conner, Local 4671 President.

Unfortunately, Rodriguez

lost his bid for election, but graciously thanked volunteers for their support and vowed to stay involved. “Everyone who donated their time and contributed funds and the those that voted for me I am grateful for your time and will be your biggest supporter should you need me for

anything,” said Rodriguez. “We ran a good campaign and stuck to our values for kids. I will stay active in pressuring the School board for resources for upgraded computers and allowing teachers the resources they need to be successful in the classroom.”

Members of Locals 3190 (SWOCCFF) and 3972 (SWOCCCF) in Coos Bay teamed with other labor unions and community groups to support a slate of union friendly candidates.

“Decisions made by your local school board directly impact your members’ jobs every day. Getting involved in the election process can increase your presence and strength in bargaining and in the workplace,” said Vickie Brumit, Local 3972 (SWOCCCF) President.

May-June 2013 Federation News Page 11

Passage of two bills affect members’ bottomline

SB 822, the PERS bill which will cap COLA for many retirees was signed by Governor Kitzhaber, despite AFT-Oregon’s opposition and concerns about its legality which could lead to a costly court battle.

A watered down version of HB 2456, the bill meant to address the revenue problem in Oregon by increasing taxes on big corporations and the wealthy in Oregon passed the House, and its fate now lies with the Senate. Instead of finding $275-million in new revenue, a substitution was made to greatly reduce the amount of money it would bring into play.

“Tuition Equity” will help students achieve American dream

Governor Kitzhaber signed the Tuition Equity bill into law. AFT-Oregon President David Rives praised the new law and members’ role in its passage.

“This will help some of the brightest, hardest-working students in our colleges and universities who have been unnecessarily penalized for circumstances that were beyond their control as young children. AFT-Oregon members have advocated for many years for tuition equity and we are excited to see this finally becoming a reality. This is a great victory in our efforts to offer an affordable, accessible education to all,” said President Rives.

“Tuition Equity” grants in-state tuition to students entering the Oregon University System if they attended elementary or secondary schools in the United States for at least five years immediately prior to receiving a high school diploma, graduated from an Oregon high school, and are actively working toward U.S. citizenship. The law will take effect for the 2013-2014 school year.

Dana Rognlie, Local 3544 (GTFF) VP Communications, is among a growing number of educators, staff and students fighting against skyrocketing tuition costs at public universities. They have joined forces at the University of Oregon to form the League of Educators and Students Slashing Tuition (LESS-T).

Their mission is to raise awareness about the ever-increasing rate of tuition, despite record enrollment at UO, where Rognlie is a graduate teaching fellow in the Philosophy department. Delegates heard from Rognlie about the LESS-T mission, in addition to recent and upcoming events during a convention workshop. Local 3544 (GTFF) has submitted a proposed resolution to address the issue of rising student debt.

“We at LESS-T do not think education is an investment,” said Rognlie. “As American philosopher John Dewey once claimed, ‘Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.’ But that life should not be burdened with student loan debt, nor exhausted by attempting to balance a 40-hour work week to pay for full-time student tuition. These conditions hamper education, and therefore life itself. And that’s a logical syllogism.”

According to LESS-T, a student graduating this June will have experienced a significant increase in tuition since entering college freshman year. And, despite record enrollment and a surplus of $101-million, the UO continues to claim annual increases are necessary to “keep the lights on.” LESS-T encourages the community to ask, “Where does the money go?”

“It doesn’t go to paying educators or staff,” said Rognlie. “Graduate teaching fellows, who cover 31.5% of the teaching and grading at the University, are paid at or below the federal poverty line. The administration uses the high cost of our tuition waivers to justify this low pay for

Members tackling problem of student debt crisis

these graduate employees. Delegates to the AFT-Oregon convention passed a

resolution in April to tackle this problem. AFT-Oregon will host a work session in June 8 for Locals to learn more and develop a strategy. AFT-Oregon members have also shown support in recent actions. WOU professors Mark Perlman, Peter Callero and Steve Gibbons, Local 2278 (WOUFT) were among the AFT members who joined students in April for a higher education rally.

“I was proud to see so many of my students coming out and standing up for the need for better funding of higher education, and I was proud to join them,” said Perlman. “Education is not only a fundamental part of being human being, but the money we spend on it is an investment in future generations that pays great dividends.”

Graduate employees, faculty and staff joined students to rally for less tuition and stable funding for higher education in April.

Mark your calendar

July 4Fourth of July (office closed)

July 11-14NW Leadership Forum, Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver, WA

August 9-11Oregon AFL-CIO Summer School, University of Oregon, Eugene

September 2Labor Day (office closed)

September 26Oregon AFL-CIO Convention, Bend

Federation NewsAFT-Oregonaft, afl-cio

10228 SW Capitol Hwy.Portland, Oregon 97219

Find the link to become a fan of AFT-Oregon’s fan-page on facebook: www.aft-oregon.org

Non-Profit Org.US Postage PAIDPortland, ORPermit No. 1453

AFT-Oregon has MOVED!

AFT-Oregon moved to its new location on Friday, June 7, 2013. Please note our new address in your files.

10228 SW Capitol HwyPortland, Oregon 97219

Gonsalves takes position at Our Oregon

Kate Gonsalves, AFT-Oregon Political Action Organizer has taken a position with Our Oregon. Gonsalves was hired by AFT-Oregon in 2011 after doing political field work and lobbying for AFT Local 6732 (OSEA).

“It’s been a pleasure working as the Political Action Organizer for the members of AFT-Oregon,” said Gonsalves. “As a former educational employee, graduate student teacher and PCC alumni, I deeply relate to the challenges members face on the frontlines and am continually inspired by the dedication and difference AFT members make to our community.”

Highlights of Kate’s time at AFT-Oregon include helping to launch the Oregon Labor Candidate School, designing a new voter registration program, and winning election campaigns. “Working together with AFT members to elect Oregon’s first Congresswoman was an experience I’ll always be proud of,” she said.

Cecil is AFT-Oregon’s new chief of staffDavid Cecil, AFT-Oregon’s new Chief of Staff, brings over 13

years as a union leader, organizer, and labor relations specialist in AFT.

“I’m excited because there’s a lot of potential in AFT-Oregon,” said Cecil. “The Labor movement is at a crucial point in its history. And, the way to be successful in growing the union is to have active Locals with members who understand the value of their union, not just in the workplace, but in the community as well. I’m committed to helping AFT-Oregon Locals and members strengthen our union, and the movement as a whole.”

He served as a Local officer until 2002, when he applied for a staff position. As Organizer for Local 3544, Cecil was instrumental in helping members build a vibrant and active union. In 2011, he began work on the successful United Academics at UO organizing campaign, helping to form AFT-Oregon’s newest unit, which now represents 1,800 faculty at UO. He joined AFT-Oregon staff in August, 2012 as Labor Relations Specialist. Recently, he has assisted United Academics in their efforts to achieve a first collective bargaining agreement.