Last night after much consideration AFSCME 189 decided to endorse three candidates for the three available positions on the Portland City Council. Jefferson Smith was endorsed for mayor, Steve Novick for council position 4 and Mary Nolan for council position 1 which is currently being held by Amanda Fritz. The endorsements were voted on at the general membership meeting.

There can be no doubt: 2011 was a pivotal year for the working middle class. It began with the scapegoating of public service workers for the country's economic woes, despite the fact that our members suffered pay cuts, furloughs, layoffs, health insurance premium increases and more. The year continued with unprecedented attacks on our right to bargain collectively.

But by year's end, we managed to turn the tide. In coalition with students, seniors, civil rights groups, and other community organizations, labor focused the spotlight on the politicians who have been willing even eager to protect the richest one percent of Americans at the expense of working families.

The struggle continues next year. Public service workers will continue to face tough times and serious budget cuts, but we have shown what we can do when we raise our voices together. In Wisconsin, AFSCME members helped light a spark, fighting an all-out attack on collective bargaining that has led to more than half a million people signing a petition to recall the governor of that state. From there, it spread to Iowa, where you fought the closure of state employment offices. It carried to New York City, where you spoke out against cuts to child care and to Puerto Rico, where you helped restore collective bargaining for thousands of public employees. By the time it reached Ohio, the historic battle over collective bargaining rights and the fight for the American worker was ablaze, and the people there vetoed the anti-union bill at the ballot box last month.

The struggle continues next year. Public service workers will continue to face tough times and serious budget cuts, but we have shown what we can do when we raise our voices together.

The attacks on Medicare, Medicaid and even Social Security are relentless. And instead of helping get Americans back to work, some in Congress are now trying to use tricks to dismantle these basic protections. The latest trick is a Trojan horse called a "Balanced Budget Amendment."

Changing the U.S. Constitution to include a balanced budget requirement would make it even harder fix the jobs crisis and would force deep cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.It is time to take action and send a message to your representative now as this bill is being considered.

A balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution is not a solution to the real problems we face. A balanced budget amendment would put the economy in a strait jacket, throwing 15 million more people out of work and doubling the unemployment rate. It would lead to the same deep cuts in Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security that are called for in the House-passed Republican budget. It makes me sick that this proposal would balance the budget on the backs of middle-class families and the most vulnerable in our society.

This proposal is an outright affront to basic American values. It would write into the Constitution unrealistic, inappropriate economic policy. It would put the entire federal budget and safety-net programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and even veteran's benefits on the chopping block while maintaining the millionaire tax giveaways that got us into this mess in the first place. It?s disgraceful.

Hundreds of union members joined Occupy Portland supporters in a rally and march on Wednesday, October 26th in downtown Portland. The march started at Director park and ended in Pioneer Courthouse Square. It was organized by the Oregon AFL-CIO in a show of solidarity with the Occupy Portland movement. Occupy Portland is made up of real Americans pulling together to hold big banks and multi-national accountable for the financial crisis we all face.

These are changes in policy which have been recommended by the policy committee. They must be ratified by a vote at the general membership meeting which will occur omn October 25th at 6:15 at the union hall which is on 6025 E. Burnside. Please review the attachment which outlines the proposals

The AFSCME Local 189 City of Portland Employees Union booth was a big hit at the July 24, 2011 Sunday Parkways NW. The Union's frozen Otter Pops were a very popular at the community event. There is one more opportunity for union members and their family and friends to volunteer and participate in the Sunday Parkways program.The SE event will occur on Sunday, August 28th in the area of Laurelhurst Park in SE Portland. Anyone who is interested in volunteering contact Ella Lewis at ella7_holder@hotmail.com

Speaker John Boehner and Republican leaders are threatening the collapse of the entire US economy unless they get their radical way: severe cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid — and no closure of tax loopholes and subsidies for millionaires and big corporations. TELL CONGRESS: OPPOSE THE BOEHNER PLAN

Members who apply for COBRA assistance must first complete and file City COBRA paperwork before applying for COBRA coverage from the union. The applicant is responsible and must meet all deadlines for applications.

These are the latest officer vacancies which include positions in Public Works, Public Safety, Transportation, Parks and Neighborhoods, Housing and Development and Finance and Administration.