SOS Campaign Update: We Stood Our Ground!
Local 88 Siblings
Today, the Save Our Services (SOS) campaign took a massive step forward. On April 16, 2026, dozens of AFSCME members and staff from Local 88, Local 1790 (Social Services and Behavioral Health), Local 189(City of Portland) and Local 3769 (Prosper Portland), organized by Oregon AFSCME showed up in force at the County Board of Commissioners meeting to send a clear, undeniable message: Our community’s life-saving direct services are not for sale and not for cutting; protecting the represented union workers who deliver them is a moral imperative that we will not compromise.
Here is a link to watch all the amazing testimonies from our union siblings! https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Direct Service Workers Lead the Charge
The highlight of the morning was the courage of our front-line, direct services workers. One by one, our siblings stood up and directly challenged the Chair and the Commissioners. They spoke truth to power, sharing the devastating reality of what these proposed budget cuts would mean for the vulnerable residents our represented union members serve every day
These workers didn’t just testify; they challenged the Board Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and the county commissioners to look beyond the balance sheets and see the human impact of their decisions. By standing together, we made it impossible for them to ignore the essential nature of the work AFSCME members perform.
Why We’re Fighting
The SOS campaign was launched to prevent devastating layoffs and program closures. We are a coalition of workers who refuse to let the County and City balance their budgets on the backs of the most dedicated public servants and the communities that rely on us.
What’s Next?
This is just the beginning. Our energy today proved that when we organize, we win. We must keep this momentum alive as the Chair releases the final budget.
Complete the SOS Survey: If you haven’t yet, fill out our survey to share how cuts would impact your specific department. Save Our Services Funding Advocacy survey link
Date: Tuesday, April 21st Time: 9:30 am to 1:30pm Location: 1221 SW Fourth Avenue, Second Floor Auditorium, Portland. City Budget Committee Meeting: Mayor’s Proposed Budget Hearing.
LET’S FILL THE ROOM WITH AFSCME MEMBERS!!!
Date: Thursday, April 23rd Time: 9:00 am Location: 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland This Multnomah County Commissioners Board Meeting is critical because it serves as the formal Budget Committee meeting to approve the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget.
LET’S FILL THE ROOM WITH AFSCME MEMBERS!!!
