Hallock returns to UO; AFL-CIO hires Chamberlain

SALEM — Margaret Hallock, the governor’s policy adviser for workforce, revenue and labor, will be leaving that post to return to a faculty position at the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics at the University of Oregon on March 11. 

She will be succeeded by Tom Chamberlain, former president of Portland Fire Fighters Local 43 and most recently a part-time organizer with the Oregon AFL-CIO. Chamberlain joined the governor’s staff March 4.

Hallock has served as a policy adviser since Governor Ted Kulongoski took office in January 2003. She helped establish the governor’s workforce initiative that links workforce to economic development and created the Employer Workforce Training Fund.

Before joining the governor’s staff she was director of the Wayne Morse Center. Prior to that she was director of the Labor Education and Research Center of the University of Oregon for nearly 13 years.

“Margaret has been a tremendous asset to this administration,” said Kulongoski. “She has been a creative leader and champion for expanding understanding about the importance of workforce development to create and retain jobs in the state. I am very grateful for her service over the past year. Although I am sad to see her go, I know she will continue to enrich the lives of countless Oregonians in her faculty role at the University of Oregon.”

Chamberlain has been a firefighter for the City of Portland since 1977. He has served as the fund liaison for the Portland Fire, Police, Disability and Retirement Fund since 1995. In addition, he was president of Portland Fire Fighters Local 43 from 1998 to 2003 and president of the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council from 1996 to 1998.

Chamberlain has been a member of the City of Portland Joint Labor-Management Health Benefits Committee since 1999. He also served as the labor co-chair of the Portland Labor-Management Committee from 1998 to 2000.

Chamberlain is currently completing a bachelor of science degree in labor studies at the National Labor College at the George Meany Institute. He resides in Portland. 

“Tom brings extensive experience and leadership in labor issues including retirement, disability, and benefits issues,” said Kulongoski.  “I am very pleased to welcome him to my team and I know he will continue Margaret’s tradition of excellence in the role.”

The Workforce Policy portfolio will move to the Governor’s Office of Education and Workforce Policy under the leadership of James Sager, former president of the Oregon Education Association. Sager will continue his role as the governor’s policy adviser for K-12 education and will become the lead adviser on education, workforce and revenue.

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