Show Your Support for Essential Workers

Share Your Testimony with the Ways and Means Committee

Our communities are facing a great amount of uncertainty. Actions from the White House are enriching billionaires but creating chaos, job losses, higher prices, and economic instability for everyday people. With so much uncertainty ahead of us, we need to make it clear to our State Leaders that every Oregonian deserves a Fair Shot.

As state legislators determine our budget, Oregonians need to show legislators our priorities and urge them to invest in what matters most. Show lawmakers that Oregonians support essential workers.

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First Name / Nombre Last Name / Apellido

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Dear Members of the Joint Ways and Means Committee

I am writing to urge your support for essential workers across industries across the state.

Personalize your message

My name is ___________ and I live in ______________. Feel free to add any relevant identities you hold (such as “I am a …”farmworker, longterm care worker, etc.).

Right now in Oregon, two essential workforces face critical challenges that hurt us all, farmworkers and longterm care workers.

(Please feel free to include any personal story related to being a farmworker or careworker or your role with these workers, including a client of a careworker, etc.).

Over 72,000 Oregon farmworkers, who put food on our tables and contribute over $6.4 billion to our state's economy, lack basic protections and earn an average of just $34,500 annually. Most farmworkers are immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, and Central America, many of whom speak an Indigenous language.

Meanwhile, care workers, who are 80% women and predominantly people of color, face severe economic hardship due to meager wages. Half of care workers must rely on public assistance, and 41% live near poverty despite many positions being funded by public dollars. While Oregon urgently needs 65,000 more care providers by 2030, current conditions make it one of the hardest positions to fill and retain workers. It is past time that these historically excluded workers have a voice in setting industry standards, access to fair wages and safe conditions, and protection from retaliation.

Workforce standards boards set meaningful standards with real enforcement power and accountability to support stable workforces ready to meet growing needs in the state.

When workers have a voice in setting standards, entire industries thrive. Oregon must not fall behind as other states discover that bringing workers and employers together creates more stable, innovative workplaces.

Sincerely, [Your information here]