The Oregon Labor Dispatch: August 7, 2025
UPCOMING EVENTS
TODAY: Rally to Support Healthcare Workers at Kaiser
August 7 at Terry Shrunk Plaza in Portland at 6 p.m.
We’re standing in solidarity with 60,000 healthcare professionals nationwide in the fight for living wages, safe staffing, and a real voice on the job. This powerful event will feature healthcare workers, community activists, union siblings, and political leaders all coming together to demand better for caregivers and patients alike. Sign up now and be part of this critical show of solidarity!
Support Sunnyside Farm Workers
August 21 in Portland
Workers at Windmill Mushroom Farm in Sunnyside, Washington, joined by the United Farm Workers, (UFW), announced a boycott of Windmill mushrooms after more than two years of organizing for union recognition. Join PCUN and UFW’s action to support these workers!
Click here for more information.
TAKE ACTION
Reporters and photographers for The Bulletin and Redmond Spokesman in Oregon are negotiating a first contract. The current owners of The Bulletin want to lay off more journalists. Send a letter opposing these cuts and urging the Publisher John Carr and Carpenter Media Group CEO Tim Prince to propose a reasonable wage.
MUST READ
AFL-CIO Condemns Union-Busting at Veterans Affairs
August 6, 2025 | AFL-CIO
Every American who cares about the fundamental freedoms of working people should be outraged by this attack on workers’ ability to speak out and stand up at the VA. This union-busting decision is an ambush on the people who care for our country’s veterans and their right to stand together in a union, and will without a doubt harm the lifesaving services veterans desperately need.
Veterans’ Affairs Drops Recognition of Agency’s Largest Union
August 6, 2025 | Bloomberg Law
The decision “is another clear example of retaliation against AFGE members for speaking out against the illegal, anti-worker, and anti-veteran policies of this administration,” AFGE National President Everett Kelley said in a statement Wednesday. “We don’t apologize for protecting veteran healthcare and will continue to fight for our members and the veterans they care for.”
OREGON LABOR
Oregon unions secure pay raises, more remote work flexibility for state workers
August 6, 2025 | The Oregonian
After months of negotiations, state officials agreed to give 6.5% cost-of-living raises over the next two years to members of the Oregon chapters of SEIU and AFSCME, which represent the bulk of the state’s 45,000 full-time workers.
FEDERAL ATTACKS
An attack on democracy: Undermining the 2026 midterms
August 7, 2025 | Texas Public Radio
This effort is deeply tied to a broader strategy to suppress labor power and progressive organizing. As AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler notes, the GOP understands that weakening voting rights weakens working people’s rights. By disenfranchising millions and silencing opposition, the Trump coalition consolidates corporate control over both the workplace and the ballot box.
August 6, 2025 | The Oregonian
Oregon is expected to lose nearly $1 billion in revenue in the next two years due to the tax cuts in President Donald Trump’s signature legislation that passed Congress last month, according to a state analysis published in July.
Trump administration formally axes Elon Musk's 'five things' email
August 5, 2025 | Reuters
The Trump administration on Tuesday formally axed a program launched by billionaire former Trump adviser Elon Musk requiring federal employees to summarize their five workplace achievements from the prior week, as first reported by Reuters.
Appeals Court Allows Trump Order That Ends Union Protections for Federal Workers
August 1, 2025 | The New York Times
A federal appeals court on Friday allowed President Trump to move forward with an order instructing a broad swath of government agencies to end collective bargaining with federal unions.
Corporation for Public Broadcasting says it is beginning to shut down
August 1, 2025 | The Hill
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) on Friday said it will begin “an orderly wind-down of its operations” after seeing its budget cut through GOP-led legislation.
ATTACKS ON IMMIGRANTS
Trump's immigration policies are having an impact in our workforce
August 6, 2025 | NPR
Under President Trump's immigration policies, thousands of workers have lost legal status and authorization to work. Those who remain on the job are feeling their absence.
Second US appeals court open to blocking Trump's birthright citizenship order
August 1, 2025 | Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump's order restricting birthright citizenship appeared on Friday to be headed toward being declared unconstitutional by a second federal appeals court, as judges expressed deep skepticism about a key piece of his hardline immigration agenda.
THE LABOR MOVEMENT
State Labor Federations Band Together Against Trump’s Redistricting Scheme
August 5, 2025 | Texas AFl-CIO
The Texas AFL-CIO, California Federation of Labor Unions, Florida AFL-CIO, Illinois AFL-CIO, Missouri AFL-CIO, New York State AFL-CIO, Ohio AFL-CIO and Washington State Labor Council (WSLC) AFL-CIO are joining together in solidarity against the redistricting scheme taking place in Texas.
AFL-CIO rolls out nationwide plans for Labor Day
August 1, 2025 | People’s World
The AFL-CIO is stepping up its campaign against Donald Trump’s attacks on workers and depredations against their unions both in the streets and in courts—again—as July turned into August and headed for Labor Day.