AFSCME Local 88 is opposed to the County’s announced plans for layoffs. They are bad for workers, bad for our government, and bad for the communities we serve. We are fighting for you and the programs that you provide. Unfortunately, we don’t develop the budget and therefore we have few tools to prevent these cuts, but we will fight for you at every opportunity. We will argue to preserve every job, keep every worker, and save every program. Even if the County moves ahead with cuts, we will make sure that any resulting layoffs are handled fairly and in strict adherence to our collective bargaining agreement. And moreover, in the course of bargaining, we will be proposing language to improve job security for County workers.
Actions we are taking
- We are advocating against layoffs and program cuts and are enforcing the contract.
- Our leadership and stewards are attending layoff committees to make sure management is following the contract, treating represented workers fairly, and asking the hard questions.
- We are reaching out to other unions and asking them to support our workers in this struggle.
- We are attending board meetings and meeting with commissioners to advocate for our workers.
- We are reaching out to County commissioners, asking them to prevent layoffs. Read the letter we sent
What you can do
As we advocate for our impacted workers, we want to share with you ways that you too can advocate. It is all of us working together that will give us the best results. Here’s what you can do:
Write emails, letters and make calls to County Commissioners
We consistently hear from the County Commissioners that they want to hear from workers directly. Here are some guidelines and suggestions and a listing of all the commissioners and their contact information.
DO:
- Contact them to ask them to prevent layoffs, preserve staff and keep programs.
- Email or write on your own time and from your personal email, etc. Do not use County resources.
- Share with them your name, where you work, what you do and how layoffs will impact you personally, your family and your colleagues.
- Tell them how layoffs will impact the work/services you provide in the community now and in the future.
- Be heartfelt and explain to them in a way that they can understand without them being subject matter experts.
Do Not:
- Use acronyms.
- Assume they know about your position or cuts.
- Suggest cuts to other workers or programs.
- Use abusive language or make any kind of threats.
County Chair and Commissioners and their contact information
- Jessica Vega Pederson, Multnomah County Chair
mult.chair@multco.us or Jessica.vegapederson@multco.us
Phone: (503) 988-3308, x 83308 - Megan Moyer, District 1
District1@multco.us or meghan.moyer@multco.us
Phone: (503) 988-5220, x 85220
Mobile: (971) 421-2698 - Shannon Singleton, District 2
District2@multco.us or shannon.singleton@multco.us
Phone: (503) 988-5219, x 85219
Mobile: (971) 421-2033 - Julia Brim-Edwards, District 3:
District3@multco.us or julia.brim-edwards@multco.us
Phone: (503) 988-5217, x 85217 - Vince Jones-Dixon, District 4
District4@multco.us or vince.jonesdixon@multco.us
Phone: (503) 988-5213, x 85213
Mobile: (971) 469-7689
Attend board meetings on Thursdays - Give public testimony on the impact of layoffs and program cuts
Our Vice President, Hilary Zust and Treasurer, Cindy Sierra are attending every Thursday Board Meeting to represent Local 88.
If you would like to attend as a member of Local 88, please reach out to Hilary (vicepresident@afscmelocal88.org) or Cindy (treasurer@afscmelocal88.org) and they will help you sign up to attend.
- If you want to attend during your work hours, ask Hilary and Cindy if you qualify to have the union pay for your time while you testify. Testimony and meeting attendance is generally on your own time.
- Wear green or union t-shirts.
- Learn more about Board Meetings.
Reach out to other organizations or places that will be impacted by your work and encourage them to reach out to the county commissioners to advocate and support the work that you do or your program does. Here is a flyer that you can share with concerned citizens, and other advocates on how they can reach out and advocate about keeping essential programs and staff and prevent staff leaving or being laid off.
