Candidate Statements

Officer Candidates

Jennie Olson For President

I’m honored to run for re-election as President of AFSCME Local 328 with our slate of proven member-leaders. This re-vote comes at a time when many members want reassurance, stability, and leadership that is focused, united, and moving forward. Local 328 is the largest AFSCME local in the state of Oregon. It is diverse and complex, and leading such a local is an important job that requires experience, collaboration, and a clear understanding of how decisions impact our members long-term.

 Over the past decade, I have served as a steward, Secretary, Chief Negotiator, and President. I also serve as a Special Sector Board Member for Oregon AFSCME, advocating for our priorities statewide. These roles impart a deep understanding of how our union works—at the worksite, the bargaining table, and the legislature—and how to turn member priorities into accomplishments.

Under my leadership, our local has achieved it’s highest membership rate in over a decade. We have secured the right for our members to file short staffing violations directly with the Oregon Health Authority - an important step toward improving both worker and patient safety. We have launched and graduated the first cohort of the Building Bridges apprenticeship program. I have effectively advocated for our members on the Employee Benefits Council, protecting your medical coverage with no increased out-of-pocket costs in the past two years. We have also achieved major wins at the state level: advancing pro-worker legislation, securing union voices on the OHSU Board of Directors and Presidential Hiring Committees, and safeguarding union jobs at OHSU.

Results alone are not enough. Our members deserve a union that listens, shows up, and works for them every day. I am committed to improving communication, expanding member involvement, and representation.

Your vote for me is a vote for continued progress, protection of our rights, and a leader who will not step down. I will keep showing up, listening to your concerns, and turning them into action, and to continue to hold the leadership and board of directors at OHSU accountable to our members. I am proud to run as part of the 328 for the Members slate. Together we form a team whose commitment, values, and vision are in service of our members; a team committed to transparency, participation, and showing up for YOU.

I have worked at OHSU since 2020 as a Respiratory Therapist. I am currently a steward and serve on the 2025 bargaining team. I also served on the HB 2697 Safe Staffing Committee as a representative for professional/technical AFSCME represented staff and was a delegate for local 328 at the 2025 Oregon AFSCME State Convention.

At home, I sometimes don’t realize I’m “hangry” until my husband shows up with a burrito. One bite, and I remember what it’s like to think clearly, laugh easily, and have the energy to get things done. No one’s at their best when they’re running on empty.

Unfortunately, OHSU’s “running lean” philosophy has us all working in a constant state of workplace hunger. I’ve seen firsthand how my coworkers — some of the hardest working people I’ve ever met — keep showing up with grit, creativity, and compassion despite the strain. You’re problem-solvers. You adapt. You innovate. And you deserve the resources to do your jobs without being worn thin.

I am running for vice president as part of a slate of dedicated union members who are passionate about the work we do and the people we serve. If elected, I’ll work to help OHSU leadership understand that feeding its workforce — with staffing, support, and respect — won’t lead to waste or complacency. It will unleash the full potential of experienced, dedicated employees to improve patient care, boost satisfaction, and create efficiencies that come from knowledge, not corner-cutting.

I believe in speaking truth to power, and the truth is: excellence in healthcare starts with taking care of the people who provide it. Let’s make sure our voices are heard.

I am honored to be nominated to continue serving as Secretary of AFSCME Local 328. Our union needs strong leadership to win a strong contract, secure worker protections, and fight for the pay increases we deserve. Alongside Jennie Olson, Jenn Roemer, Kerry Moore, and Angelo Bologna, I am committed to building a union rooted in transparency, communication, and accountability.

Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of serving as Secretary. I have also served as a representational steward, on the Employee Benefits Council, and as an at-large member of the Executive Board. In these roles, I’ve worked to bring an independent perspective, ask tough but fair questions, and ensure that decisions reflect the needs of all members.

If re-elected, I will continue to carefully document our Executive Committee and Executive Board meetings, post minutes in a timely manner, and carry out all the duties of Secretary with accuracy and care. More importantly, I will remain focused on representing you—our members—by ensuring that our union’s choices are deliberate, transparent, and always in the best interest of the membership.

I am proud of the progress we’ve made, and I look forward to continuing the hard work of building a stronger Local 328 together.

At-Large Candidates

John Trammell

I’m running for re-election as an At-Large Board Member. I was first elected in September 2025 and have worked at OHSU for 16 years, serving on the Epic Shared Services Technical team since 2012. I’ve been a proud AFSCME Local 328 member since my first day on the job.

For the past two years, I’ve served on the Market-Based Wage Committee, where I’ve fought for fair pay for all of our union siblings. I’m running for the Board to continue advocating for transparency, equity, and stronger support for frontline workers. I believe in holding management accountable and ensuring every AFSCME member is heard and respected.

While my time on the Board is just getting started, I hope to continue fighting for the amazing members of our union.

I’ve been an active member of AFSCME Local 328 for ~9.5 years and have been an Executive Board Member at Large the past 2 years. I am proud to be running for re-election as part of the “328 For the Members”  slate of candidates .

During the past 2 years, I’ve focused on open communication, financial transparency, and employee advocacy. I assisted members through multiple grievance processes, interpersonal conflicts, and contract enforcement. I organized employees resulting in a new incentive pay agreement from OHSU. I collaborated with colleagues to escalate a pay equity review to rectify discriminatory wage practices. I served on a dues committee, updated a dues calculator for members and fought for a transparent balanced budget for your hard earned dues. I served on the Employee Benefits Council to advocate for our insurance benefits and much more

I believe that continuity on the executive board builds real strength as a union. I stand for practical, member-first approaches to improve membership engagement, general union education and contract language that actually reflects how we work! I hope you will join me re-electing a collaborative, respectful Executive Board that serves the interests of all members AKA The “328 for the Members” slate of candidates! This slate of members has continually demonstrated their commitment to our union and have worked tirelessly for the benefit of all our members. Together we bring experience, dedication, and a clear vision for how we can continue to strengthen our union together.  Thank you for your consideration!

Spike Walls

David J Casey

Heather Panaro

I’m seeking re‑election as an at‑large member of the Local 328 Executive Board because steady, experienced leadership matters — especially during times of ongoing change and strain in our workplace.

Working at OHSU’s Beaverton campus, I’m proud to represent the needs of members at satellite locations and to champion the research mission that is essential to our institution. As a current union steward, I’ve seen firsthand how vital strong, consistent representation is, and I’m ready to continue that commitment at the board level.

My priorities remain clear: protecting research and education jobs at OHSU, defending against external threats to our research mission, and strengthening job security and worker safety for all. I bring experience, dedication, and a deep belief in the power of collective action.

I’m also proud to run on a slate grounded in integrity, collaboration, and responsibility. In just three months, I’ve watched our slate work together to deliver real wins for our membership — and I’m excited for what we can accomplish next.

Teresa Newton

I am Teresa Newton, a seasoned employee at the Vollum Institute, working as a Grants and Contracts Coordinator.  I have been in this role since 2011.  Shortly after taking on the position, I met with union leaders at a new employee orientation and became interested in being more involved with union activities.  I spent many years as an Investigatory Steward, learning a great deal about what sorts of issues our members run across in their various roles all over the university, from workers at clinics around town, to EVS employees in the hospital.  I, too, have been called into IMs as an employee and felt what it was like to have the union on our side.

Since the pandemic, I have mostly focused on communications and relations within our membership, becoming a unit steward here at the Vollum Institute, managing the information table once a month at the OHSU Farmer’s Market, and regularly conducting in-person New Employee Orientations.  I have heard from so many members for so many various reasons, from praise to consternation to pleas for help. 

If re-elected as a member-at-large, I would continue to perform steward duties and outreach, but also bring those voices to union board meetings and other leadership meetings to elevate those concerns and learn what I can do – what we all can do - to improve our connections with our members.

Agustin Valenciano, III

Agustin is a Pharmacy Technician 2, current AFSCME Local 328 board member, and former Trustee. Their detailed bio is forthcoming.