The Oregon Labor Dispatch: Oct. 22, 2026
STRIKE UPDATE
City of Corvallis Workers Ratify Tentative Contract Agreement
Oct. 22, 2026 | Oregon AFSCME
After six days on strike, City of Corvallis workers, represented by Oregon AFSCME Local 2975, have reached a tentative contract agreement with the City of Corvallis. Read more here.
GET THE FACTS: WORKERS AGAINST DRAZAN
Support WorkerS
Canvass for SEIU 503 Member Chelsea Alionar for Keizer City Council!
Chelsea is running for Keizer City Council Position #4 because she believes Keizer is ready for transparent elected leadership who prioritizes the needs of everyday people. She's focused on responsible budget management, preserving our green spaces from unnecessary development, and maintaining city services to keep our community safe and thriving. Learn more here.
The AFT, in consultation with our partners in the Twin Cities, passed a resolution demanding the Minneapolis-based business speak up against the atrocities being committed by ICE. After Target refused to heed the demands of Twin Cities organizers and stand up to ICE, the AFT passed another resolution urging members to shop locally instead of at Target. Find alternative stores here.
Starbucks Workers United baristas have inspired people all over the world in their fight for a better future at one of the biggest global brands. Five years and 700 union wins later, Starbucks is still refusing to finalize a fair, first union contract with reasonable pay, hours, staffing, and protections. That’s why now, working people and their allies across the nation are stepping up to back baristas.
Upcoming EventS
October
Join Union members from the Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, to make sure union members turn out to vote. We have many really close races this season that will impact critical services, protections, and rights across our state. RSVP for upcoming canvasses here!
De-Escalation & Street Safety Training (Online)
Oct. 27 at 6:30pm
Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO Training & Education Coordinator Juli Ray Joy will walk you through the best practices and practical tools for De-Escalation and Street Safety in this 1.5 hour training. Check out our other upcoming trainings here!
Must Read
Teachers union says Silver Rail shooting "reaches deeply into our entire community"
Oct. 15, 2026 | Central Oregon Daily News
Read the joint statement from the Bend Education Association and Oregon Education Association following the tragedy at Silver Rail Elementary last week.
Oregon city workers strike for fair pay, affordable health insurance
Oct. 21, 2026 | Oregon AFSCME
AFSCME members who keep Corvallis, Oregon, running are approaching the second week of their strike after city management walked out of bargaining last week.
NOTE: Workers have ratified a tentative agreement. Read more about the TA here.
Oregon Labor News
More than 800 city of Portland workers poised to strike
Oct. 19, 2026 | OPB
Some 800 Portland city workers could strike as soon as next month — and that number could nearly double by December if another city union approves a strike next week.
Nurses union: Drazen hospital safe staffing comments at Medford debate raise ‘serious questions’
Oct. 21, 2026 | Rogue Valley Times
ONA says remarks put ‘hospital executives’ interests ahead of the needs of patients and frontline healthcare workers’; Drazan says current law creates ‘more paperwork, added costs’
Federal News
Democratic-Aligned Groups Sue Over Federal Crackdown on Voting
Oct. 21, 2026 | The New York Times
A coalition of Democratic lawmakers and campaign committees filed a lawsuit on Wednesday asking a federal judge to impose a sweeping halt to efforts by the Trump administration to control various aspects of election administration ahead of next month’s midterm elections, describing a “pattern of intimidation” by the federal government.
Oct. 19, 2026 | Common Dreams
As the Trump administration makes plans to task private debt collectors with going after millions of student borrowers in default on their federal loans, officials are reportedly pushing for the effort to begin after the midterm elections—as they grapple with the fact that many supporters of President Donald Trump are likely to be affected.