Solidarity with BERG — Point of Action #13: Create a Program to Increase Selection of Black-Owned Vendors at OHSU

To the BERG: Our union sees, recognizes and values the incredible leadership and perseverance of our Black colleagues at OHSU. We stand in solidarity with the BERG. AFSCME Local 328 has been reflecting as a union, and we recognize our ability to do much better. 

As stated in our December 2020 letter to the OHSU Black Employee Resource Group, AFSCME Local 328 has committed to stand and bear witness to the BERG’s letter sent to OHSU leadership and the board of directors on August 31, 2020, which called out concerns around OHSU’s racist practices, particularly those impacting Black employees. This month we address the 13th of the BERG’s 14 Points of Action, which is to:

Create a measurable program for outreach to, increased participation of and ultimately increased selection of Black-owned businesses in the procurement and contracting of operational services, professional services and materials and supplies for OHSU. Require Black-owned business participation in subcontracting in primary contractor agreements. Publish specific progress at least twice a year (Black-owned business vendor participation in dollars spent as compared to total procurement dollars spent — 10% increase is a starting goal). End ties with vendors or contractors when it becomes known that they do not align with OHSU’s stated antidiscrimination and related values. 

In response, in June 2020, OHSU announced the termination of its laundry-services contract with the Oregon Correctional Enterprises, stating that it would “begin the process of transitioning away from” OCE. Our assumption is that OHSU did not break its contract immediately. We’re unaware of whether or not the process has been completed. Has OHSU finally terminated its relationship with OCE? If not, why not, and when will this happen? If so, who is the replacement vendor now being used for OHSU’s laundry services? 

We are also curious about the status of the task given to Logistics to identify an expert to help OHSU develop a plan to create a supplier-diversity program. The stated goal was to have this completed by April 2021. An OHSU Now search about this program generates no results. Has the task been completed? When and where was the announcement made to the OHSU community? Was an announcement at least made to the OHSU board of directors? 

OHSU’s response to BERG also stated that Design and Construction would be requiring all prime and general contractors to develop and implement specific anti-racism training for their employees and project teams at the beginning of all construction projects. While we understand that OHSU may choose to place trust in contractors to do the right thing, we are curious whether Design and Construction is aware of the National Association of Minority Contractors- Oregon and the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs, two local organizations that highlight Black and other minority-owned businesses. Knowledge of organizations such as NAMC-Oregon and OAME can help spread the wealth of work throughout the community.

Lastly, there was mention of Campus Services having developed and distributed an Unconscious Bias Discussion Guide for its managers. This guide was intended to be used to facilitate discussions in staff meetings or employee-engagement activities. Is the guide still being used? Has any effort been made to ensure that other managers have access to and use this guide? Has Campus Services developed the anti-racism discussion guide that was referenced in this OHSU Now post? If so, where can it be found? If not, why not?

We understand that OHSU trusts its directors, managers and supervisors to follow through on the OHSU’s missions as leadership intends. We also understand that, quite often, this does not happen. Indeed, over the course of writing this series of articles about BERG’s 14 Points of Action, we’ve had trouble finding evidence that OHSU has followed through on many of the promises made in its response to BERG. If progress were being made, surely OHSU would have proudly announced it on OHSU Now.

AFSCME Local 328 continues to hold the entire OHSU community accountable (including but not limited to members of our bargaining unit, OHSU leadership, students and researchers) to do their part — individually and collectively — in remaking OHSU into an anti-racist institution. In order for this to happen, we must all be accountable and demonstrate transparency. As such, we stand with the BERG and their call for OHSU to create a program to increase the selection of Black-owned vendors for services and supplies at OHSU.