AFSCME Local 88 — which represents 3,000 Multnomah County employees — has new leadership. Jason Heilbrun, a senior IT specialist at Multnomah County, ran unopposed for president, and was sworn in for a two-year term Nov. 18 along with 19 other officers.
Heilbrun will preside over what could be a pivotal period: Next year the U.S. Supreme Court could ban any requirement for public sector workers to pay union dues, in a case it’s hearing called Friedrichs vs. California Teachers Association. That means Local 88 may have less than seven months to shore up members’ commitment to their union before all bets are off. If a similar Supreme Court decision covering home care workers is any guide, union opponents may follow the court’s decision with a well-funded campaign to get workers to stop paying union dues.
Heilbrun will also have to prepare for the so-called “Cadillac tax” — an excise tax on high-cost health benefits. It’s due to take effect in 2018 under the Affordable Care Act, unless Congress acts to repeal it. Heilbrun said the local will look at wellness programs and other measures to reduce health care costs with a minimum of impact on benefits.
Lastly, Heilbrun and his fellow union members face choices over who to endorse for Multnomah County Commission, the board that oversees Local 88’s biggest employer. Three seats are up for election next year.
District 1 commissioner Jules Bailey was expected to run unopposed, but let it be known Nov. 25 that he’ll be running for Portland mayor. That throws his seat wide open. The candidate filing deadline is March 8.
Meanwhile, District 3 Commissioner Judy Shiprack is term-limited and can’t run again; Democratic State Rep. Jessica Vega Pederson is the only candidate who has filed to run to replace her so far.
And District 4 Commissioner Diane McKeel is also term-limited. Three candidates are vying to succeed her: Gresham City Councilor Lori Stegmann, American Federation of Government Employees Local 2157 President Amanda Schroeder, and retired Teamsters leader Lynn Lehrbach.
Heilbrun said Local 88 expects to make its endorsements in January or February.
Besides Heilbrun, Local 88’s new officers are Vice President Matt Davis; Treasurer Deirdre Mahoney-Clark (formerly president); Secretary Korie Erickson; trustees Gordon Long, Gary Sinnen, and Nellie Stearns; plus 13 Executive Board members.
