Weekly Update: Where Will YOU Be on Saturday?

Where Will YOU Be on Saturday?

Take Action

As our legislators head back to Washington, D.C., where industry lobbyists are waiting, ready to convince them to pass health care reform that doesn't really help many of the hundreds of thousands of families that have called for reform, it is crucial that they hear from real people.

Join us, this Saturday, at Terry Shrunk Plaza in downtown Portland, as we call on our legislators to pass meaningful reform. We'll hear from Attorney General John Kroger, local health care professionals and business owners, and Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain. Meet at Terry Shrunk Plaza, 1200 SW 3rd Avenue, Portland, at 10 am on Saturday.

Healthcare Update

What's the Difference? Co-ops vs. a Public Option

Lately, co-ops have been taking center stage in the health care debate. We've heard that support for a public option is dwindling, and that the co-op is the compromise answer. But we've got news for national cable TV talk show hosts and nay-sayer-reporters: middle-class America still supports reform, and they still support a public option. Here are the top five reasons we support the public option over co-ops:

• A public option would have national pooling; co-ops would only be run at the state or regional level; the bigger the pool the more costs are driven down.

• If every state had even just one co-op that would be 50 administrative structures instead of one administrative system for a public option.

• Four of the five committees that will write our healthcare reform support a public option.

• The public supports a public option.

• Establishing new co-ops would be costly, newly-established organizations won't have the clout to negotiate affordable rates with doctors and hospitals; in areas where co-ops can't overcome these obstacles consumers would be left with the same old choices that aren't working now.

Do you want to stand up for health care reform? Come down to the health care rally this Saturday at Terry Shrunk Plaza in Portland at 10 am.

In Other News...

Get Involved! New AFL-CIO Constituency Groups

In an effort to make sure all our members' voices are heard, the AFL-CIO has officially recognized various constituency groups over the years. In Oregon we've had chapters of some of these groups come and go, but for the last few years we haven't had any constituency groups. As we continue to address new, complicated issues, we are encouraging union members across the state to get involved and re-form constituency groups so that everyone's voice can be heard.

Here is what you need to know:

Constituency groups represent populations that have traditionally been less involved in union leadership. For a complete list of constituency groups and what they work for nationally, check out the AFL-CIO website.

In Oregon three groups are forming this fall. If you're interested in getting involved contact your local union leadership, or email Secretary-Treasurer Barbara Byrd.

CLUW (Coalition of Labor Union Women) is a place for women in the labor movement to talk about how they've gotten involved in their organizations, and to look at how union policies specifically effect women in the workplace.

LCLAA (Labor Coalition for Latin American Advancement) helps union members from Latino backgrounds get involved in their unions and ensure that their unions address the issues that matter to Latino workers.

There are two national organizations representing African American workers - the A. Phillip Randolph Institute (APRI) and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU). African American union members in Oregon will have to decide which organization they would like to affiliate with. Both groups ensure that unions policies don't discriminate against members from different backgrounds and work to bring issues that affect African American union members to the forefront at work, in the union hall, and through their unions' political work.

Unions in the News - LIUNA Hopes for Jobs on Downtown Upgrade

With 30% unemployment, not uncommon among building trades unions these days, LIUNA 296 welcomed the news that the federal building in downtown Portland was due for an upgrade. The building was selected to receive stimulus package money designated for "high performance green building modernization and improvement." Check out the story, including quotes from LIUNA 296 Business Manager Kenny Morgan, at the KGW website.