- Video update for June 23, 2025
- Read the update
- Bargaining Proposals
Bargaining Update #19
Glossary
SB: Senate Bill
FY: Fiscal Year
CIU: Complaints Investigation Unit
This week we did not meet the County at the table and instead had an all-day caucus to work on counter-proposals, which we’ll share more on next week. Our next bargaining session with the County will be on Thursday, June 26th; you can click on this link to register as an observer.
Did You Know?
- SB916, which would enable qualified workers to receive unemployment benefits during an active strike, has passed the House and the Senate and is now awaiting Governor Tina Kotek’s signature for adoption.
- The Multnomah County budget for fiscal year 2026 was finalized with amendments on June 12th, 2025.
- Per the Multnomah County budget that was finalized on June 12th, funds will be shifted from the CIU to fund a gender-neutral bathroom near the Commission Boardroom and to expand the Homeless Mobile Intake Team that provides Medicaid long-term care eligibility and case management to individuals with persistent and severe mental illness.
- AFSCME Local 88 has been pushing back against CIU for years due to its re-traumatizing investigations and how it’s been used as a tool of relation by managers against employees.
- With support from county commissioners, 5.01 FTE School Based Mental Health Consultants will be restored, thanks in part to reducing a Program Supervisor position.
- Per the Multnomah County budget that was finalized on June 12th, funds will be shifted from the CIU to fund a gender-neutral bathroom near the Commission Boardroom and to expand the Homeless Mobile Intake Team that provides Medicaid long-term care eligibility and case management to individuals with persistent and severe mental illness.
Union Highlights:
- Public Budget Hearings. Watch your fellow County represented staff advocate for a better budget on the County Board Youtube page. Budget hearings were held May 14, 21, and 28.
- The Union’s Stop the Layoffs petition was sent to the County Board on June 10 with 921 signatures.
- Local 88 Vice President Hilary Zust testified to the County Board on June 12 to stop the layoffs (you can watch at about 1 minute 28 here).
Action Items & Events
- June 25, 1pm, Virtual: Labor’s Community Service Agency will host two virtual Layoff Transition Assistance Information Sessions for Impacted Employees. Learn about Unemployment Insurance, Health Insurance Options, WorkSource Resources, Career Counseling, 2-1-1, and more.
- This session is cost-free to all laid off workers, contact (natalie.schraner@multco.us) to register.
- https://www.afscmelocal88.org/2025/06/labors-community-service-agency-hosting-layoff-transition-assistance/
- June 26-28: Many Local 88 leaders and members are engaging in outreach to non-members this week/ weekend, we have a goal to reach 88% membership. We are calling on all members to engage in the bargaining process and that starts with strengthening our local. Building our Union power is how we will win a fair contract.
- June 28, 6-8 pm, Line Dancing for Labor Pride: Director Park, 815 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205, USA. Join us to celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride and worker solidarity, and have a rootin’-tootin’ gay old time with some line dancing in the park!
- This event will raise funds for Outside/In, which provides wraparound behavioral health services to Portland’s most vulnerable residents. There will be a silent auction with some incredible prizes, and all proceeds will go directly to supporting the work that our fellow AFSCME siblings do for our community! RSVP here so the organizers know much food and beverage to prepare.
- June 30th from 6:30-7:30: Virtua Member Action Team Meeting. Come join us as we continue to organize for our worker’s rights and a fair contract. We need you! Our membership is only as strong as our engagement.
Our counters can be found in our published proposals folder for everyone to read in more detail. Please keep emailing the Bargaining Team at bargaining@afscmelocal88.org with your questions and concerns. If you want to watch us bargain, sign up to be a Bargaining Observer! Follow Local 88 on Instagram and Facebook and check out the AFSCME Local 88 website to stay up to date on all our Local’s news.
Finally, in the midst of continued and escalating local and global violence, we acknowledge the chaos, pain, fear and uncertainty that this brings. While many of us have teams or programs that are changing drastically, we see the employees who are being laid off and the 25 members who took an early retirement to save jobs for others. We see you and we are still fighting to establish a workplace that will take ownership over the impact of these changes to our workforce. We appreciate you reading our updates, observing our bargaining sessions, and repping your Union pride in Green. These actions make a difference! Organizing and leaning into community is the way we strengthen our collective power.
Stay strong and stay united!
