Labor union endorses $15 minimum wage, Brown re-election

The Oregon chapter of the AFL-CIO voted unanimously Sunday to endorse Gov. Kate Brown for re-election. It also endorsed a ballot measure that would bump Oregon's minimum wage to $15 an hour.

The votes took place at the union's three-day convention, which was in Seaside this year.

The convention held a debate with the three Democratic candidates for Secretary of State: Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian, Sen. Richard Devlin and Rep. Val Hoyle.

Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain was re-elected.

Chamberlain said the Secretary of State debate showed numerous strong candidates. There wasn't a clear winner, so an endorsement vote won't take place until next year's retreat.

Brown joined about 400 attendees on Sunday and made a speech. Afterward, a union member took to the microphone and nominated Brown for a re-election endorsement. It passed unanimously.

"She's very well liked in the labor movement. She's very personable," Chamberlain said.

He said Brown's strong commitment to labor organizations and her support of "Fair Shot" legislation, a package of laws which require paid sick leave and address racial profiling and other social justice concerns, were factors in her endorsement.

After debating minimum wage issues, AFL-CIO members voted unanimously to endorse Oregonians for 15, a campaign to increase the minimum wage to $15 by ballot measure. The minimum wage, which is tied to the consumer price index, did not increase in Oregon this year.

One union member said endorsing the ballot measure would be important for public support.

"Unions are out trying to convince community people that unions are for them, and we have to be true to that," said Tina Turner-Morfitt, a member of AFSCME Council 75 and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. "We can’t go and bargain a $15 minimum wage for our members, but then do something less for the community who are non-union workers."

A different ballot measure has been proposed that would raise the minimum wage to $13.50.

gfriedman2@statesmanjournal.com, (503) 399-6653, on Twitter @gordonrfriedman or Facebook.com/gordonrfriedman