I’ve been a permanency caseworker in Klamath Falls for 4 years and a steward for about a year. I have also been a part of a few statewide projects including the A&M workgroup which has morphed into the child welfare partnership with management. I will be a voice for our public sector employees and want to help support our public sector workers not only through ongoing COVID-19 concerns but also budget cuts and policy changes that will certainly impact workers. The biggest issue facing our union will be budget cuts and managing how to continue to provide necessary services to Oregonians. I would push to ensure that the importance of front line staff is understood and ensuring that our staff are supported by management, even with what we all expect to be an increased caseload. I want to see rural Oregon continue to be included in statewide decisions with the understanding that what works in the valley and metro areas may not work for our rural areas. While we may not have the population there is a need for services and our union can be an active member in developing those servies as opposed to waiting for management to makes those decisions.