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Democratic Party of Oregon Celebrates Oregon Legislative Staff’s Vote to Unionize

Oregon is Now Home to the First Legislative Staff Union in the Country


May 28, 2021

For Immediate Release
Contact: Eddie Kurtz
[email protected]

Following today’s successful vote by Oregon Legislative staff to unionize, Democratic Party of Oregon Chair Carla “KC” Hanson released the following statement:

“We are so excited at today’s news that Oregon’s Legislative staffers have voted to unionize with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 89, becoming the first legislative staff union in America. 

“Oregon Democrats are fierce advocates for labor, and as our elected Democrats work to advocate for Oregonians’ rights within the workplace, we believe it is imperative that the legislative staffers working alongside them in the Capitol can also rely on those same protections and benefits. Today’s vote is a critical step toward affirming and acknowledging the value of that important labor. 

“We also want to applaud and congratulate the hard work of legislative staffers that made today’s vote possible, and recognize the steadfast and unwavering support of IBEW throughout this unionization effort. 

“This is a huge victory, and is worthy of much celebration. We share in the hope and belief that this will be a watershed moment for the rights of legislative staffers not only in Oregon, but in state capitols all across America.”

Democratic Party of Oregon staff are proud members of IUPAT District Council 5, Local 116. Staff voted to unionize in January 2020.

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