AFT Healthcare NW Organizing Project is part of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Healthcare Northwest Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (OFNHP), Local 5017 which represents more than 2,500 RNs and health professionals at Kaiser Permanente and Providence Milwaukie Hospital. AFT Healthcare is a national union, one of five divisions of the 1.4 million-member American Federation of Teachers.

AFT Healthcare represents over 70,000 health professionals across the country. Members include registered nurses, radiology techs, respiratory therapists, social workers, researchers, dental hygienists, LPNs and psychologists working in hospitals, nursing homes, visiting nurse services, universities, blood banks and schools. AFT Healthcare is committed to building a strong voice for health professionals, to improving members' lives through collective bargaining and legislative advocacy, and to making the American healthcare system the safest and best in the world.

AFT Healthcare NW Organizing Project is actively working with professionals from various non-profit and private sector arenas who are seeking union representation. We are proud to reflect the principles and values of AFT Healthcare NW including:

• An organization without managers or administrators as members
• Local union autonomy with local control
• Negotiated contract language that reflects a commitment to healthy working conditions, safe patient care, maintenance of professional standards, retiree health benefits, pensions and union shop agreements
• Minimum staffing ratios and universal access to health care
• Affiliation with the AFL-CIO
• Dedication to organizing all professional and technical employees

In 2003, United Nurses of Legacy (UNL) was formed by a group of Legacy Health System nurses dedicated to securing Legacy nurses' right to union representation through AFT Healthcare NW. UNL was formed with a mission statement committed to fostering an environment of professionalism and respect where nurses have a legal voice in decision making.

AFT Healthcare NW Organizing Project is actively working alongside AFT Healthcare NW, OFNHP Local 5017 and United Nurses of Legacy to pass legislation in the Oregon Legislature that will mandate minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios at hospitals throughout the state.