Expect More Attacks On Unions This Year

by: Peter Starzynski, Campaign Manager, Keep Oregon WorkingThe 2016 Legislative Session has come to a close, and Oregon workers have won big: Thanks to the hard work and dedication of a broad coalition led by labor groups, community advocates and our legislative leaders, Oregon now has the highest minimum wage in the country! This is a huge victory for working families, and we are once again leading the way when it comes to policies that work for everyday Oregonians.While we couldn’t be happier about the passage of the minimum wage increase, we know that when we win these big fights, corporate interests strike back. We’re expecting the big businesses who fought the minimum wage increase to redouble their efforts to attack working families, both at the ballot and in the courts.Attacks at the Ballot: IP 62 and IP 69In addition to the landmark minimum wage increase, another recent event is making it more likely that we’ll see even greater attention placed on anti-worker attacks. The unexpected death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia all but assures that the Friedrichs decision, which would have dealt a blow to unions nationwide, won’t be decisively determined in 2016. This means the forces behind that court case will do what they’ve done for decades: refocus on the state level. In Oregon, that means ballot measures.Anti-worker interests are more committed than ever to run ballot measures that would cut wages and benefits for Oregon workers. Corporate lawyer Jill Gibson, who is representing the timber industry on IP 69, recently told Oregon Public Broadcasting in response to Scalia’s passing: “There wasn’t as much need to do it before, but now it’s critical.”In case you need a refresher on the two anti-worker initiatives making their way to the November ballot, IP 62 is Nevada millionaire Loren Parks’ initiative, which would make it harder for unions to organize in the state by allowing for “free riders” and limiting the activities members pay for. IP 69 would make it harder for unions to organize and would actually require that employers discriminate between union and non-union employees.The Oregon Supreme Court will be issuing their decision on the ballot titles for these two measures soon, which means you’ll soon start to see paid circulators hitting the streets. If you see anyone collecting signatures for either initiative, please collect as much information as you can and fill out this petition report as soon as you’re able to.What You Can DoWe need you to stand with us now more than ever. There are three things you can do:

1. Take the pledge to stand with us and fight back against the attacks facing Oregon workers.
2. Talk to your co-workers and friends about these initiatives, and ask them to take the pledge, too — we need more working Oregonians to stand with us and fight back.
3. Let us know about any anti-worker activity you see or hear about! Whether it’s signature collection for anti-worker initiatives, Freedom Foundation representatives showing up at your worksite, or getting anti-worker flyers in the mail, you can help us stay on top of what our opponents are up to by filling out this form.

In solidarity,Peter Starzynski, Campaign Manager, Keep Oregon Working