Kurt Kessler
"It's the Election of 2006 that made what we accomplished in 2007 possible. Without a predominantly pro-labor legislature and governorship, the hard work we put into Lobby Days and our other lobbying programs would have produced slim results...." Kurt Kessler, Dept of Human Services, Medford CAPE Committee Member
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Voting for Workers Harder for Some

Our union is an issue-based organization operating in a very partisan political setting. Workers come to the Capitol and lobby Democrats and Republicans. But Republican legislators faced a tough challenge this session. Republican Party leadership called on legislators to toe an anti-worker line on a wide variety of bills.

Despite the pressure, there were individual Republicans who stood up for workers and bucked party leadership. This is a dangerous step because leadership has the power to deny individual legislators power, perks, and the chance to have a voice in the process.

Sen David Nelson (R- Pendleton) Senator David Nelson (R - Pendleton) is one legislator who stood up on several key issues for our members.

He led the successful (along with Representative Rob Jenson, R - Pendleton) to maintain continuity of care for developmentally disabled clients at Eastern Oregon Training Center. Keeping this facility open saved more than 200 of our members' jobs.

Senator Nelson also cast key votes for workers to support the right to organize. The right to have a union and to have a voice on the job is fundamental.

Senator Nelson voted to give child care and adult foster care providers the right to form a union.

Senator Nelson's overall rating is not as strong as that as some of his colleagues, but his willingness to cast votes for workers - in opposition to his party - merits special recognition.
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