In March, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a $1.9 trillion relief and stimulus bill to help fight the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our communities and our economy. The American Rescue Plan provides much needed support for working people, families, government agencies and more - including funding public health, increasing workplace safety, pension and healthcare relief (including fully subsidizing COBRA), and providing the necessary support for state, local, and tribal governments. The APRA is big and complex, which is why we are hosting a panel discussion to explain how this historic legislation impacts you.

The American Rescue Plan is union made. It began in 2020, during the pandemic, as working people took action and elected pro-worker officials from the White House to the Oregon State House. From there, we continued to speak up for what we need to survive this prolonged public health and economic crisis. The ARPA is the shot in the arm this country needed and it could not have come sooner. For over a year workers have shouldered the massive burden of the pandemic. And yet, as we’ve been called heroes by politicians and CEOs, the actions and support for essential and frontline workers has been anything but heroic.

The American Rescue Plan is just the start. Across the country, working people and the Labor Movement are standing together to advocate for legislation to truly build back better by creating an economy that is fair and just for all workers. We must pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act to make sure anyone who wants to join a union can do so freely and without intimidation from their employer. Workers and their unions are also fighting to pass a Workers First Agenda in Congress and a wide array of legislation right here in Oregon to center pandemic recovery on the needs of working people and families.

Please join AFT, AFSCME, UFCW and the Oregon and National AFL-CIO for a special briefing for working people on how the American Rescue Plan will help your community and your family.

Panelists:

• Ed Muir, Manager of Research and Strategic Initiatives, AFT
• Dalia Thornton, Director of Research and Collective Bargaining Services Department, AFSCME
• Rachel Lyons, Legislative Director, UFCW
• Kelly Ross, Policy Director, AFL-CIO
• Moderated by Graham Trainor, President, Oregon AFL-CIO