The Oregon Democratic Party is now a union employer. The party voluntarily recognized Sign Painters & Paint Makers Local 1094 in December, and signed a first union contract in early January. Local 1094 is an affiliate of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 5.

The new three-year deal locks in compensation and benefits for 10 full-time staff, as well as the dozens more that will be hired as political season heats up.

They join about 15 permanent staff at the Washington Democratic Party, who joined Local 1094 two years ago.