2025 AFL-CIO Delegate Candidate Bios
Banning, Dina
Dina Banning is from Washington state. She has lived all over the country but returned home six years ago.
Dina is a Simulation Operations Specialist. She has been at OHSU for over three years. Before becoming a Simulation Operations Specialist, she was a video Producer/Director.
Although she has only been at OHSU for three years, Dina has 18 years of experience in higher education. Throughout her career, she has worked with and for many different individuals. She has experienced both good and bad business practices.
In higher education, she works with a diverse range of individuals, including undergraduates, faculty members, individual school deans, and university presidents. Dina’s experience working in higher education has helped her develop and maintain professional relationships.
These experiences will be beneficial as a delegate for the AFL-CIO convention.
Miller, Jesse
My name is Jesse Miller and I’ve been a PAS in Outpatient Rehab for almost 9 years. I’ve been a union steward for most of that time, previously served on the executive board, and am currently on our bargaining team. This is my second time bargaining our contract and I also assisted the team in 2019, where I helped catch management trolling us on social media.
This would be my first AFL-CIO convention. I hope to attend to connect with other union members from all over and talk to them about their contracts and contract campaigns. I’d love to have the opportunity to share our wins as well as find out what they’re working on to find inspiration for our current and future fights with OHSU.
While I remain hopeful that we’ll have our contract ratified before the convention, I expect that I would also use the opportunity to rally support for our union.
I believe that feeling the solidarity of workers everywhere who share in our fight will help energize me to finish bargaining the contract we deserve.
Curtis, Sarah
Greetings, union siblings! It’s been my great honor to serve our union in many roles, including VP, Chief Steward, Political Action Chair, bargaining team member, and delegate to many conventions.
Currently, as your Regional District 1 VP for Oregon AFSCME and executive board member of the NW Oregon Labor Council (NOLC), the local affiliate for the AFL-CIO, I focus considerable time and energy on building relationships with elected officials and leaders within the greater labor community that are mutually beneficial to all union members. These relationships are foundational for passing laws like the Hospital Safe Staffing bill, Campaign Finance Reform, and the Housable Wage. Additionally, the solidarity with fellow union siblings from around the state multiplies our power exponentially. For example, my relationship with the Teamsters through NOLC lead to a sanction threat on OHSU to settle a fair contract with the Post Docs or they would stop all deliveries. As our bargaining ramps up, our support in the labor community is vital to applying pressure on the employer to come to the table with a fair offer to our members.
The AFL-CIO convention is the largest platform for this networking. For our local to get the maximum possible benefit from this opportunity, I am humbly requesting your vote as a delegate to the convention. In addition, I am asking that you please support my fellow NOLC members, Sean Bovett, Brianna O’Loughlin, and Evan Bowman, as well as lead stewards Sonny Casiano and Jesse Miller.
Thank you and solidarity!
Casiano, Sonny
I am Sonny Casiano, lead steward for the AFSCME local 328. I have been a very active steward for almost ten years representing many members of our Union in grievances and investigatory meetings. I also use my bully pulpit as a representative steward to educate/recruit and help fellow members navigate their way through their employment at OHSU. Before I moved to Portland from New York I was a member of a very storied local of the Teamsters at the Fulton fish market on the docks of New York city. I strongly support all union causes as we are all in need of solidarity to keep management in check. I want to be a delegate so I can make more connections with the national AFL/CIO union members and leadership and bring that knowledge to OHSU in order to strengthen our own local's position at OHSU.
Sprague, Sarah
My name is Sarah Sprague. I have been working for OHSU on the west campus for over 6 years. I started at as a LAT and am now a VRTH 1. I have a BS in Animal Science. I have been a union member the same amount of time. If I am chosen to go to the AFL=CIO conference I would use it as a way to learn more about how I can help and support my fellow colleagues. This will be the first time being more engaged with the union besides paying dues. I look forward to this experience if I am elected. Thank you
Briana O’Loughlin
My name is Brianna O’Loughlin, and I proudly serve as a Lead Steward, Executive Board Member of AFSCME Local 328, Delegate to the Northwest Oregon Labor Council, and International Convention Delegate Alternate. I’m asking for your support to represent Local 328 at the 2025 Oregon AFL-CIO Biennial Convention.
Our work in healthcare, and right now, our jobs—and the communities we serve—are under real threat. The current administration’s decisions have created instability, uncertainty, and fear. I feel it. Our members feel it. In times like these, we don’t back down—we turn toward each other. We turn toward our unions. We organize, we fight, and we rise.
This convention is where we build that power. It’s not just about resolutions—it’s about relationships. It’s where grassroots organizing takes shape, where workers from across Oregon gather to share ideas, sharpen strategies, and recommit to the movement that protects us all.
If elected, I’ll bring the same fierce advocacy and grounded leadership I bring to every union role. I’ll show up fully—amplifying your voices, challenging injustice, and building unity across locals. I don’t believe in performative leadership—I believe in action, connection, and accountability.
We are stronger together. Let’s make sure Local 328’s voice is heard loud and clear.
In solidarity,
Brianna O’Loughlin