Happy Labor Day Weekend, John!
The first Labor Day celebration was held in 1882 amid decades of marches, strikes, and battles between courageous workers and the mercenaries hired by wealthy robber barons. The legacy of the workers who fought and died for the basic human rights of safe working conditions and fair wages.
The victories of the Labor Movement, like the 8 hour work day and the right to collectively bargain, happened because workers refused to back down in the face of intense adversity. Today, billionaires and their cronies have reared their heads again in attempt to send the United States back to the 1800's. The movement once again calls us to fight back. We must stand strong in the face of Republican attempts to undermine unions and harm workers, and we must support Democratic efforts to improve the lives of working families.
Here in Oregon, we applaud the pro-labor bills that passed the state legislature this session:
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SB 916 provides unemployment pay for striking workers
- HB 2957 allows workers to file BOLI complaints for up to five years and prohibits employers from shortening this timeframe
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HB 2541 expands workplace protections and requires employers to provide private, sanitary locations for agricultural workers to express breast milk during work hours
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HB 3187 reduces age-related bias in the hiring process
We also support the Governor's decision to call a special session to ensure proper investment in roads and transportation infrastructure.
While Republicans seek to defund public transportation and cut jobs, raise taxes for the wealthy, and repeal critical workplace protections, Democrats are doing the hard work necessary to move our state - and the labor movement - forward.
We invite you to join us as we continue to fight for the rights of all Oregon workers.
In solidarity,
Donna Nyberg, Chair
Mark McPherson, Vice Chair
DPO Labor Caucus
