On Tuesday, February 25 nearly 200 union members from every sector of our economy and from throughout Oregon gathered in Salem for the 2025 Oregon Labor Legislative Conference and Lobby Day. It was an inspiring, uplifting, and action-packed day of legislative advocacy on behalf of working Oregonians!
After a warm welcome from Oregon AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Sarina Roher, RN, and an empowering speech from Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor on the vitality of Oregon Labor, attendees received a surprise visit from Governor Tina Kotek. Kotek hammered on the value of organized labor in Oregon, uplifting the incredible dedication of striking workers.
Attorney General Dan Rayfield also made an appearance, addressing concerns about federal threats affecting Oregon. Rayfield dissected the threats our state faces and assured workers that he would defend the state’s right to autonomously make decisions and protect Oregonians against the onslaught from the Oval office.
Hundreds of workers then took to the streets, marching to the steps of the capital to demand legislators support Senate Bill 916 to extend unemployment insurance to striking workers. Through downtown Salem, workers shouted “916, now!,” among other chants.
Labor Commissioner Christina Stephenson then spoke to attendees about the important work the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries does to protect workers through wage and civil rights claim investigations. Her speech preceded a BOLI budget hearing later that afternoon. Via House Bill 5015, BOLI is requesting an increase of nearly $22 million from the prior budget period. If the budget increase is approved, the bill would fund a 75 percent increase in staff capacity for its Wage and Hour Division, among other things.
Stephenson highlighted the desperate position the bureau is in, having to reduce the type of claims they are able to accept due to an overwhelming backlog of cases.
During lunch, Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives Julie Fahey and Oregon State Senate President Rob Wagner briefly greeted attendees and thanked them for coming to the capital to share their legislative priorities with elected officials.
Panelists spoke in more detail about these legislative priorities, ranging from protecting union members to workplace safety and standards.
Oregon AFL-CIO Deputy Political & Legislative Director Tan Perkins and IAMAW District W24 President / Directing Business Representative Brandon Bryant spoke about unemployment for striking workers.
ONA Director of Government Relations Paige Spence shared about hospital workplace violence and staffing, complimenting Oregon AFSCME Political Director Lamar Wise’s thoughts on behavioral healthcare safety.
Speaking to workplace standards and protections Alberto Gallegos from SEIU talked about creating a workforce standards board for long-term care workers to establish industry minimum standards for wages, hours, training, safety, worker protections, and other workplace issues. Ira Cuello-Martinez from PCUN similarly talked about House Bill 2548, which would create a farmworker standards board to set minimum standards for the industry such as wages, hours, benefits, job safety, and training.
Closing the panel, Chris Hewitt from LiUNA talked about building workforce standards for K-12 school construction. Bidders who enter into a PLA in connection with covered school projects are currently exempt from minimum requirements and compliance reporting.
The Lobby Day culminated in a blitz of meetings between union members and their elected officials to discuss the necessity of SB 916 to give UI to striking workers.
