Democratic Campaign Workers Unionize, A First In Oregon

Campaign staff for state Rep. Teresa Alonso Leon successfully unionized their shop. But they still don't have a contract.

Union members gather for a Labor Day picnic at Oaks Park in Portland. (Justin Katigbak)
By Anamika Vaughan

Campaign staff for state Rep. Teresa Alonso Leon (D-Woodburn) have formally unionized with the Campaign Workers Guild, making them the first campaign workers in Oregon to do so.

Staffers on Sept. 28 presented Alonso Leon with a letter recognizing their union. She signed it on Oct. 10.

Since then, the staffers have held four bargaining sessions with Alonso Leon and FuturePAC, the campaign arm for the Democratic Party of Oregon. Those sessions have not yet resulted in a contract.

"Our campaign has made history by becoming the first unionized campaign in Oregon," stated Erin Delaney, campaign manager for Alonso Leon. "I am proud to be represented by CWG at the bargaining table and look forward to coming to an agreement with FuturePAC and Representative Alonso Leon."

Since they launched earlier this year, the Campaign Workers Guild has helped ratify collective bargaining agreements for workers across the country working on 23 campaigns, three state party coordinated campaigns, and two other organizations. This is their first successful unionization drive in Oregon.

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