Theo Ko Thompson

Statewide Vice President - Public Sector

I am Theodora Ko Thompson. It will be an honor to serve as Vice President for
Public Services, with my experiences on the Board serving as Statewide Secretary,
Regional Director East, and West Central Valley, Assistant Director for Higher Ed.
At 085 University of Oregon: Lead General Council Delegate, President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor.
I AM a Workplace Bullying and #MeToo survivor. I almost left the University of
Oregon in 2004. The bullying experience severely impacted my health. Fight or
Flight? I chose to Fight, resolved that bullying should not happen to anyone. I first
needed to take care of my health, and work at regaining my dignity and self-esteem.
I HAVE BEEN COMMITTED to my union family since 2006. Text/phone-banking,
door-knocking, lobby days. And actively involved in committees and caucuses. From
the Dignity Campaign I learned how cuts to funding would impact care providers
and their clients. Testifying at the Legislature for funding for Higher Education, my
story about heavy workloads and short staffing is no different for public service
workers today.
A STEWARD since 2010, and serving on Arbitration Screening panels, my primary
concern is SAFETY. The fear of retaliation, losing one’s job is real. As real as the
permanent scarring of the trauma of my bullying experience and #MeToo
experiences; as real as the discriminatory experiences of our BIPOC siblings,
#BlackLivesMatter, #StopAsianHate, and anti-LGBTQIA+ siblings.
I BELIEVE IN JUSTICE: As co-chair of the Civil and Human Rights Committee in
2010, I’ve worked for an anti-racist Union: equity and inclusion in leadership,
diversity in our growth, language accessible trainings and resources. Involved in
Women’s Council, Staff Screening and Code of Conduct Committees, Asian Desi
Pacific Islander and Women of Color Caucus – listening, learning the histories, the
lived experiences, the passion for a better future, inspire me to continue to fight for
real change.
At 2018 General Council, three resolutions I authored: on Bullying and Harassment,
Gender Equality, and Language Barriers experiences, were passed.
I WILL LEAD WITH HEART FOR JUSTICE
-Confronting essential, frontline and healthcare workers’ challenges
-Building Critical Mass for Strong Contracts for Equity
-A Healthy Workplace Bill
-Inclusive Leadership. Pathways for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and people with
disabilities. Accessible Trainings and Resources
-A Livable, sustainable eco-system
-Culturally competent and Responsible communities.
-Build and Bridge Union and Community Alliances, Networks.
I ask for your vote, for the honor to serve as Vice President for Public Services.
Thank you.