We’re at a difficult time in history. I wake up each day wondering what new challenge will face us as Americans, as Oregonians, as OHSU employees. The constant instability, the push toward outrageous rent and grocery prices, the ever looming threat of an unstable job market keep many of us up at night, worrying about the impact, wishing for support systems that have not come, not even from our union. Not yet. But they can. And the people with the capability to lead us in developing those support systems are Sean Bovett, Allison Milian, Trisha Crabb, Brianna O’Loughlin, and CG Brothers.

I’ve spent 8 years as a Local 328 steward, 5 years doing representational work, and 1.5 years as the senior lead. My daily work of defending our contract aligns closely with each of these member leaders, especially CG, as they are the lead grievance steward with the best grievance win record in recent history (or ever!). Between cases, CG and this slate are constantly making plans for how to improve the accessibility and community of our union. To make it a genuine third space with social events like movie nights and stuff swaps, but also a robust resource with broad connections that help keep people fed, housed, safe, supported. “I’m calling the union” won't just be a phrase used in times of trouble anymore. It will also be in times of leisure and joy.

This is the union that I want. This is the union that we need.

Sean, Allison, Trisha, Brianna, and CG are my comrades and friends. They are the people who would throw on slippers in the middle of the night and change my tire. I’m writing this now in the middle of a 100F degree day and more than one of them has made sure that I’m in an air-conditioned space. And if I weren’t, they’d find one for me. Because they care. About me, about you, about OHSU (which is OUR hospital, we are tax payers!), about workers across the spectrum from those who sterilize surgical suites, to those who cook our food, and those who help directly with patient care and records. Our workplace is public, it must serve everyone, and is accountable to the State of Oregon. We as workers are diverse too, coming from many backgrounds, dozens of languages, various skills and abilities, and all of them valuable. Do you feel valued by OHSU? By Local 328? You should. I want to help make that happen. This slate wants to make that happen. We have plans. We have dreams. We have shared them with each other over nachos for the last two years. And now is the time to ask you to give us the opportunity to Revive Local 328 and remake it into our union that will improve your quality of life. 

Written by Karri Garaventa

Senior Lead Steward, At Large Executive Board Member