(PORTLAND, OREGON) – Workers employed at the Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO) in Portland have formed a Union with the Communications Workers of America - the Fair Housing Workers of Oregon (FHWO-CWA).

The Workers have requested voluntary Union recognition from management.

However, FHCO management has yet to respond, the Union said.

Mel Keller, who serves as Education & Outreach Coordinator for the Mid-Willamette Valley and is a Member of FHWO-CWA, said: “Non-profit Workers are often asked to do emotionally and physically taxing work for fewer benefits because it is ‘the right thing to do,’ but we know that as Workers we deserve more.  We are forming our Union because an organization cannot support itself while devaluing the Workers who make the mission possible!”

Just as the Fair Housing Workers of Oregon fight to protect the housing rights of Oregonians across the State, a Union will serve to secure their own labor protections so the Non-Profit Workers can remain committed to this important work, Union Officials said.