Oregon AFSCME Report Highlights Critical Workplace Safety Concerns

Oregon Workers Demand Improved Safety Measures Amid Rising Risks

In a compelling demonstration of unity and urgency, members of the Oregon AFSCME converged on the state Capitol in Salem to voice their concerns over alarming workplace safety issues. The rally underscored a disturbing trend of inadequate safety protocols affecting various sectors, prompting calls for legislative action.

Among the workers sharing their experiences was Laura McCay of Lane County Waste Management, who reported facing threats and harassment at isolated waste transfer stations lacking basic security measures such as cameras and locking doors. Her experience highlights the vulnerabilities workers face due to insufficient safety infrastructure.

In the realm of mental health care, Jacqueline McGinnis-Feazle, a mental health aide at Cascadia Health, expressed fears over insufficient staffing levels. Her concerns are compounded by the tragic incident involving her colleague, Haley Rogers, who lost her life while working alone at night in 2023. Cascadia Health offers critical services including behavioral health care and affordable housing.

Similarly, Diane Wyss, a nurse at Oregon State Hospital, recounted an attack by a patient, attributing such incidents to staff shortages that compromise safety in psychiatric facilities.

Their accounts were part of a report titled “Unsafe on the Job” released by Oregon AFSCME. The report, derived from surveys of over 520 union members, paints a grim picture of workplace safety across the state.

Key findings from the survey include:

• 67% of respondents experienced physical violence, threats, or trauma;
• 65% encountered verbal abuse;
• 36% faced threats of harm;
• 28% suffered from trauma leading to post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) or disorder (PTSD).

Alarmingly, nearly half of the surveyed members reported feeling unsafe at work, with 45% citing inadequate staffing as a persistent issue.

The diverse workplaces employing AFSCME members, including the Oregon State Hospital, Department of Corrections, and various health and government agencies, are all grappling with these challenges.

In response, Oregon AFSCME is advocating for legislative measures to enhance workplace safety, particularly in the behavioral health system and other state-run facilities. The union is also urging improvements to the state’s worker’s compensation program to better protect and support employees.

“Every day our members go to work facing very real threats on the job because workforce shortages and the inability to recruit and retain staff is not keeping up with the realities of today,” said Joe Baessler, executive director of Oregon AFSCME. “The levels of threats and injuries our members are facing are completely unacceptable and we are calling on the legislature to take action to make workplaces safer for workers and the people under their care.”