AEE Updates January 16, 2026
Greetings and salutations.
Following the flurry of Budget Reduction meetings that were held across all Divisions on Wednesday, AEE is reaching out with a follow-up of some of the themes we heard from the State, SEIU, and Association members.
From the State:
There were many questions about the seniority and layoff lists – when we can see them, who will be developing/responsible for them, etc. ODOT HR has shared that they will start pulling the reports for the Seniority List in the mid-February, doing verifications/QC (including DAS and AEE/SEIU review), and finalizing/freezing mid-March. ODOT has not developed a layoff list beyond calculations and FTE numbers for budgeting and planning purposes. What you can do now is to make sure your Workday information is correct – length of service (minus any breaks in service greater than 2 weeks), classification, and location
AEE understands that the lists we have seen in the past (the 2024 ARB list, the layoff list from 2025, etc.) will not be reused. Once the outcome from the Legislative Short Session is known, Appointing Authorities/Division Administrators will develop reduction lists (if needed), and the Interim Director and ODOT Leadership will have the final say on what any layoff list looks like. AEE has not and will not play a role in the development of the layoff list.
From SEIU:
SEIU has stood up a “Lobbying Day” for February 10th from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. AEE is partnering with them and AEE staff can join through the SEIU link. AEE plans on continuing to partner with our friends and coworkers at, and represented by, SEIU after seeing success in collaboration and event turn-out in 2025. You can register online at Overview ⋮ ODOT Lobby Day ⋮ Blackthorn Events. We will provide more information once we have it.
And to recap what AEE has been doing and are planning:
We have presented and passed a settlement offer to DAS on our Step 3 Group Grievance regarding CBA violations during the 2025 RIF event. In addition to the Settlement, an Appendix will update the language in the Layoff Article of the AEE CBA (Article 6.5). This update will clarify vague language, more clearly outline roles and responsibilities, standardize seniority list information, and improve information available to employees throughout the process. The update to Article 6.5 will take place *immediately* upon execution of the Settlement, and may require updates to ODOT HR’s “RIF Playbook”.
AEE has and will continue to push for regular meetings with both ODOT HR and ODOT leadership (starting last week), and will continue to do so until the layoff process is complete (in the event that the Oregon Legislature fails to provide funding). We will continue to communicate with AEE Members as we get answers to questions, get updates on timelines or process, settle the group grievance, etc.
Our next member meeting is scheduled for January 21st, from 12:00pm – 1:00 pm. Keep an eye out for that and other invites for future Teams events.
We will try to balance keeping people informed without “overdoing” the emails. It is important that we keep you informed as best we are able.
Tasks for you: If you are not getting emails/notifications for meetings (and you should be), keep an eye on your spam folder, and you can reach out to the AEE Office office@aeeo.org if corrections or updates are needed.
We are beyond disheartened that we are back in this place and must go through this again. If you are not a member, please consider becoming one and strengthening our voice. If you are a member and want to get more involved, AEE has some vacancies that need filled, and would also like to have some Key Members in offices where people are regularly reporting. Help us help you. We a volunteer board made up of full-time ODOT, ORPD, and ODF employees, continuing the legacy of the Association that was founded by ODOT staff to support ODOT staff since 1947. We can’t do it alone.
In solidarity,
Your AEE Board