Every year, AFSCME Strong is a time for our union to come together, build and strengthen connections with new members, and celebrate our achievements in our worksites and across the labor movement.
Here are some highlights from this year’s AFSCME Strong, which took place across Oregon the first half of February:
A New Normal...
After three years of COVID19, this is the first year we’ve been able to come together for in person AFSCME Strong events and our weekend blitz.
We had dozens of members show up for our Blitz weekend, over a hundred worksite events across Oregon, and hundreds of new members join in just those two weeks!
Blitz Training at the Portland Office
Oregonians Everywhere!
The past few years have given us tools to come together in new and exciting ways. This year, we were able to have separate AFSCME Strong hubs in Corvallis, Grants Pass, Salem, Eugene, and Portland. Though we were all at a distance, we were able to build solidarity and check in and rally as one big team through Zoom.
Grants Pass folks on the go during Blitz Weekend
Worksite events, coupled with informational meetings on Zoom during happy hour welcomed more Oregon workers to learn more about our union and the benefits it has to offer.
Members repping their new swag before distributing it around to SACU homes
The commitment to securing better wages, benefits, and working conditions always brings our union together across many different cities and worksites. Also, everybody likes repping their union with SWAG!
Local 3856 Leader Amy Parker made a quilt to raffle off! 
Success for Longtime and New Members
AFSCME Strong is a time for us all to remember why we’re union members, but it's also a time to learn a new skill or level up. Before we go door knocking for our Blitz Weekend, we host a training and hold space for questions members might have, no matter how many years they’ve been participating.
Members in Corvallis after Blitz Training
For members who go door knocking for the first time, we provide space to practice and build confidence and members find the experience engaging, rewarding, and inspiring! We’re sure to take away success stories from AFSCME Strong every year, though they might not always be what we expect…
Members at OHSU handing out treats on Valentine's Day
Members once again showed their creativity every year. On Valentine’s Day, Local 328 leaders and staff handed out treats around OHSU in dinosaur costumes. Nothing will tricera-top this!
Unions Are For Everybody
One of the biggest missions for AFSCME Strong is to focus on engagement and what it takes to keep our voice heard and our union strong! We want to give a warm welcome to everyone who has joined our union recently, and we look forward to what this year will bring us!
Oregon AFSCME Staff getting geared up in the Portland Office: Attorney Lane Toensmeier, Local 88 Staff Rep Mecca Scott, and Behavioral Health Sector Staff Rep and Organizer Mike Morrison
Cutest (future) Local 1246 Members
Geebs Rojas (SMART Center Consultant), Peter Tetrick (WSFE Staff Rep, Laylana (Peter's Dog) on a break during Blitz Weekend