Committee Spotlight: Political Action
Do you want to feel empowered after the past two years of apocalyptic news? If so, the Local 328 political-action committee wants you to join us! Being involved in politics as a union activist can help you, your family, your coworkers and other union members throughout Oregon. The basic concept of collective bargaining is that we are stronger together than we are as individuals — this concept applies to politics, too!
I asked current PAC members what they would say about the committee, and everyone had a variation on this idea: Being involved in our PAC gives you a voice in deciding what candidates and ballot measures our union endorses and supports in local and state elections.
That’s our plan for 2022: to help amplify our members’ voices in the political realm. We want to engage political candidates — Democratic, Republican or otherwise — in discussion about the issues important to AFSCME members at OHSU. Council 75, which comprises about 180 local and sublocal unions throughout Oregon, has organized multiple forums for members to ask questions of the candidates regarding the issues most important to AFSCME members.
Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in these events:
Local 328 Prep Meeting for Gubernatorial Candidates Forum, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, 6 p.m. — register here
Gubernatorial Candidates Forum, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. — register here (You don’t have to be present all day in order to participate!)
RD 1 & RD 3 Legislative Candidate Interviews, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, 9 a.m. — register here
In addition, Lobby Days are coming in 2022! These are days when our union has scheduled time with elected officials to discuss our concerns about current legislation being considered by the Oregon State Senate and House of Representatives and to advocate for legislation that should be under consideration. Stay tuned for more information about the dates for these Lobby Days — in the meantime, check out this video of Oregon AFSCME members speaking about their Lobby Day experiences.
Join us — we need your voice in the upcoming election year! If you have questions about any of these events or would like to get involved in our regular PAC meetings, please reach out to Jen Laverdure at politicalaction@local328.org.