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Oregon voters will be asked whether to give cannabis workers easier route to unionize

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Oregon voters will be asked whether to give cannabis workers easier route to unionize


Editor’s note: Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Stay informed with OPB on the presidential race, key congressional battles and other local contests and ballot measures in Oregon and Southwest Washington at opb.org/elections.

An Oregon ballot measure will ask voters this November whether to make it easier for cannabis workers to unionize.

Under Ballot Measure 119, United for Cannabis Workers Act, employers at cannabis retail and processing businesses would be required to sign a “labor peace agreement” with a labor union to receive a license from the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. In that agreement, employers must agree not to interfere with organizing efforts if their employees choose to unionize.

As of early September, there’s no organized opposition to the measure, although a business lobbying group opposed a similar law that died in the Oregon Legislature last year.

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What you need to know about voting in Oregon and Southwest Washington

A file photo of cannabis at a recreational dispensary.

Alan Sylvestre / OPB

Because of vague federal laws, cannabis workers are often denied the right to unionize, said Miles Eshaia, a spokesperson for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 — Oregon’s largest private sector labor union.

“This should have been something that came out when Oregon passed legalization for recreational use,” Eshaia said.

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UFCW 555 has pushed for the measure to become law. Earlier this summer, the union spent over $2 million on a signature collection campaign to qualify for the ballot.

Eshaia said some cannabis employees might work cultivating, harvesting and processing cannabis and be exposed to chemicals without wearing the proper protective equipment. He said some workers also have to deal with hazardous working conditions. But when workers speak up, they’re sometimes met with intimidation or the threat of losing their jobs.

“We want to make sure that workers have a safe working environment,” Eshaia said. “We don’t want them to be exposed to toxic chemicals if they don’t need to be. We want to negotiate their own safety and working conditions because that’s only fair.”

Issues important to Oregon voters

The most current data shows there are 7,281 workers in the cannabis field, the majority of which work on the retail, transportation and warehousing side of the industry, according to the Oregon Employment Department.

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If passed, Measure 119 would likely give most workers in the industry the right to unionize, unless the worker is classified solely as an agricultural worker. That’s because agricultural laborers are not protected or allowed to unionize under the National Labor Relations Act.

Similar laws are already on the books in states like California, New York and New Jersey.

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This isn’t the first time UFCW 555 has tried to pass a similar law to protect cannabis workers. The union also pushed for the policy in the form of House Bill 3183 during the 2023 state legislative session, but that bill died. At the time, some lawmakers were concerned the bill would have been unconstitutional.

Groups like the Oregon Business and Industry (OBI), a lobbying group, opposed the bill because it would have required employers to “surrender rights protected by federal law.”

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This time around, OBI has not publicly opposed Measure 119. Erik Lukens, a spokesperson for OBI, told OPB in an email that the group would not speculate on potential litigation. Lukens did say it will talk with its members and consider possible actions when the time is right if the measure passes.

Dan Clay, president of UFCW Local 555, prepares to submit boxes of signatures to state elections officials on July 5, 2024.  Measure 119, the United for Cannabis Workers Act, will be on Oregon ballots this November.

Dan Clay, president of UFCW Local 555, prepares to submit boxes of signatures to state elections officials on July 5, 2024. Measure 119, the United for Cannabis Workers Act, will be on Oregon ballots this November.

Courtesy UFCW Local 555

The Cannabis Industry Alliance of Oregon, an advocacy and lobbying group for cannabis retailers, is neither supporting nor opposing the measure, according to Mike Getlin, the board chair of the organization.

“The owners of these businesses are not antagonistic to labor organizing, it’s not who we are,” Getlin said. “The vast majority of us have worked on that side of the fence as well. We are, as a whole, not career managers. So we understand the critical role that a healthy workforce and strong protections for that workforce plays.”

He said he disagrees with the claim that cannabis processing facilities are unsafe.

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“This idea that these are big burly unsafe facilities poorly managed with a bunch of dangerous barrels of chemicals laying around and people walking in and not getting paid. If you’ve ever walked into an OLCC [Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission] license facility, you immediately start to realize how disingenuous that is,” he said.

Getlin added he worries groups might want to tack on more requirements to labor agreements that employers might not be able to have a fair say in.

“Most egregiously in California — where this policy has morphed into something very different from a simple labor peace agreement, which has led to complex, expensive litigation and has led to challenges in enforcement,” he said. “And has led to a host of other negative outcomes for the relationship between ownership and labor in those markets.”

At least one federal lawsuit in California was filed in April of 2024. A cannabis dispensary there is alleging the policy is unconstitutional, violates the company’s right to due process and supersedes federal labor laws.

Eshaia said he does not see Oregon having the same issue.

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“We’re trying to fix something here. Every worker deserves the right to have safe working conditions,” he said. “They deserve the right to a union if they choose. Let’s just play catch up to other states because there’s no need not to.”



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Oregon

#6 Oregon State Falls Friday to Air Force, 9-6

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#6 Oregon State Falls Friday to Air Force, 9-6


A night removed from winning their series opener, two uncharacteristic fielding errors and a roughshod thirteen hits doomed Oregon State against the Air Force Falcons, 9-6.

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The full box score can be viewed at this link, and our game recap can be read below.

The elder statesman of Oregon State’s pitching rotation, junior righty Eric Segura, forced a pair of groundouts to keep the top of the first scoreless. His strong start was followed by an Oregon State run in the bottom of the first. The Beavers’ opening run started with gold glover AJ Singer, who flashed his batting prowess by pinging a double to the warning track. Singer scored on a Paul Vasquez slash through 5.5 hole, and Oregon State led 1-0.

Air Force batters went down in order to begin the second inning. Their short stint at the plate was followed by another successful Oregon State frame. With one out and no one on, Josh Procter swung at the first pitch he saw. After his ball landed 399 feet away, Oregon State doubled their advantage.

As one might expect, the Air Force cadets showed perseverance against adversity and calmness under pressure. In the third inning, they seized the lead. Their four run rally started with a pair of singles. Then facing one out and runners at the corners, Falcons’ senior Ben Niednagel drew a walk to load the bases. The next man up, 2026 Preseason All-Mountain West catcher Walker Zapp slugged a bases-clearing double. With Oregon State suddenly trailing, pitching coach Rich Dorman met his starter Segura at the mound. After the meeting, a fielding error by first baseman Ethan Porter returned runners to the corners, and then Air Force senior Tripp Garrish reached on a fielder’s choice, inching Zapp home from third.

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Singer answered with a solo homer in the bottom of the inning. His shot traveled 407 feet, and landed a few yards to the left of Goss Stadium’s batter’s eye. As if they were awoken by the blast, Oregon State roared back to life: with Porter on base after getting hit by a pitch, Vasquez singled, and then Bryce Hubbard rolled a tough groundout to short, moving both runners into scoring position. Following an Air Force pitching change, Adam Haight sent a one-hopper into the grass beyond second base. While the sophomore outfielder was thrown out trying to reach first, his effort scored Porter from third, tying the game 4-4.

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Again, the Falcons responded. After Air Force loaded the bases, their senior two-batter Niednagel forced a fielding error on a sharply hit grounder to Singer at second. When the dust settled, two runs scored. In the ensuing moments, Oregon State pulled Segura off the mound, replacing him with 6’2″ righty Zach Edwards.

Segura, a key factor in Oregon State’s sweep of Long Beach State last weekend, struggled mightily tonight. When his shift ended after 3 and 1/3 innings, he had allowed 7 hits and 4 earned runs. The top of the fourth finished with his successor Edwards stranding two runners, while Oregon State clawed closer in the bottom frame thanks to a pair of wild pitches moving Tyler Inge across the bases.

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However, the one-run margin wouldn’t last for long. Facing a 2-2 count with no outs in the top of the fifth inning, Air Force’s senior Garrish smoked a high, middle fastball. Once his strike returned to Earth, the cadets led 7-5.

Scoring stalled until the top of the seventh. Oregon State’s reliever Edwards cruised for 2 and 2/3, until a pair of singles invited his pitching coach to the mound, who called for another change. Out went Edwards, and in came Washington transfer Isaac Yeager. The consistently reliable 6’6″ right hander – with 40 strikeouts and just 22 hits allowed across 33 innings – couldn’t stop the bleeding tonight. His first batter faced, Tripp, delivered another Air Force run home on a slow roller up the middle.

Oregon State climbed closer in the bottom of the seventh, after Bryson Glassco singled up the middle, delivering the Huntington Beach native Porter home from second base. The base hit also placed Vasquez in a threatening position at third base, but a Haight groundout stranded Oregon State’s runner ninety feet away from the promised land.

Air Force denied the Beavers once again in the bottom of the eighth. Tying runner Easton Talt faced a 1-2 count with 2 outs and a teammate on first base. In one of the game’s biggest moments, Falcons’ reliever Gaines Estridge offered a sky-high outside fastball. Talt swung tight, striking out, and stranding the runner at first.

The cadets tacked on one more run in the top of the ninth, when center fielder Christian Taylor beat out a throw across the diamond, helping Walker Zapp race from third. Entering the bottom of the ninth, the Beavers needed three runs to tie. Unfortunately, Falcons’ closer Patrick Davidson struck out the side.

The loss snapped Oregon State’s eight game win streak, and moved their overall record to 42-12. More importantly, their postseason fate is now in jeopardy. The three-time national champions entered the weekend needing a sweep to solidify their RPI before the regular season ends. Tonight’s defeat – following a pattern of upset losses to Portland, UTRGV, Cal State Fullerton, and CSUN – puts a hypothetical Corvallis Regional host site at the mercy of the selection committee.

Oregon State concludes its regular season tomorrow afternoon against Air Force, with first pitch scheduled for 1:35 PM PST at Goss Stadium in Corvallis. The game broadcast will be televised on Portland’s CW, and radio play-by-play can be heard across the state on Beavers Sports Network affiliate stations.

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Oregon health officials warn of measles exposure at Happy Valley clinic

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Oregon health officials warn of measles exposure at Happy Valley clinic


Health officials have identified a new measles exposure site in Happy Valley.

The Oregon Health Authority and Clackamas County public health officials said people may have been exposed at Providence Immediate Care – Happy Valley, 16180 S.E. Sunnyside Road, Suite 102, between 11:05 a.m. and 3:47 p.m. Tuesday, May 12.

Officials said anyone who was at the clinic during that time should notify a health care provider about the possible exposure. Providers can determine whether a person is immune to measles by reviewing vaccination records, age or laboratory evidence of a previous infection.

Health officials urged people to monitor for symptoms and seek medical advice if they believe they may have been exposed.

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ABOUT MEASLES

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, speaks, coughs or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours and can infect up to 90% of unprotected close contacts. Complications can include pneumonia, brain inflammation and death.

Nationwide, measles cases have been rising since early 2025. Nearly 2,300 cases were reported last year, with most occurring among unvaccinated children.

Symptoms typically begin seven to 21 days after exposure and include cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis accompanied by a high fever. A rash usually follows, starting on the head or neck and spreading downward. People are contagious from four days before the rash appears until four days after.

A graphic from the Oregon Health Authority shows the symptoms of Measles.

HA advises health care providers to report suspected cases immediately and consider post-exposure treatment for exposed patients. The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine can be given within 72 hours of exposure. Immunoglobulin may be administered within six days.

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For most people 6 months and older who are eligible for vaccination, receiving the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure is recommended.

Anyone not protected against measles is at risk, according to OHA. The agency encourages residents to check their vaccination status and contact a health care provider with questions.



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Oregon man shot at In-N-Out drive-thru drove family to safety with bullet lodged in head

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Oregon man shot at In-N-Out drive-thru drove family to safety with bullet lodged in head


Oregon police have arrested two suspects in connection with the shooting of a father who drove himself to a hospital after being struck in the head by a bullet after shots rang out while he was pulling out of In-N-Out drive-thru with his wife and two young sons.

Ethan Adrian Armenta-Lagunas, 20, and Gabriel “Alex” Javier, 18, both of Salem, were taken into custody Wednesday.

They face charges of first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, criminal mischief, and recklessly endangering another person in connection with the Feb. 9 shooting of Marcio Garcia.

Multiple guns were allegedly found at Armenta-Lagunas’ apartment, the Keizer Police Department said. Javier was arrested later in the day.

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Marco Garcia, left, drove himself to a hospital after being shot at an In-N-Out drive-thru in Oregon. Gofundme
A bullet lodged in Garcia’s head as he drove with his wife and two children in the car. Gofundme

Authorities are still searching for a third suspect, 22-year-old Anthony Taylor-Manriquez, who is considered armed and dangerous.

Garcia, 28, was in a car with his wife and two children, ages 2 and 7, when shots rang out near the burger chain.

The gunfire shattered the car windows and struck Garcia in the head; his wife and children were uninjured, police said.

“In the middle of chaos and fear, while he was injured and in pain, he somehow found the strength to drive us out of the scene to safety,” his wife wrote in an online fundraiser.

The gunfire shattered the Garcia family’s car windows as shots rang out near the burger chain. Gofundme
Ethan Adrian Armenta-Lagunas was arrested along with Gabriel “Alex” Javier while police hunt a third suspect. Keizer Police Department

“He protected our family before thinking of himself. That is the kind of man and father he is.”

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Images posted online showed the bullet that was removed from Garcia’s head during surgery in February, according to his wife.

She also noted that Garcia did not suffer major brain damage and is currently recovering at home.

“The doctors told us what we already believe — this is nothing short of a miracle,” she said. “Now he faces a long road of rest, healing, and recovery.”



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