Erin Mercer, Occupational Safety & Health Specialist

Erin is a dedicated Occupational Safety and Health Specialist committed to ensuring CSEA Members in Region 5 are safe at work. With a strong advocacy background, she has consistently fought for workers’ rights and safety, especially for those often overlooked.

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Erin became the first local president of AFSCME Local 1790, representing workers from 13 private-sector behavioral health agencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led efforts to secure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for behavioral health workers and directly advocated with Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici for better protections.

Erin’s advocacy became deeply personal after the tragic death of Haley Rogers, a Local 1790 member murdered by a client while working alone, a situation Erin and others had campaigned against. Despite this tragedy happening while Erin was driving across the country to start her career with CSEA, Erin vowed to honor Haley’s memory and continue pushing for safer working conditions.

Previously, Erin served as a Statewide Organizer for CSEA, helping town employees organize their union for better wages and safety. Erin is now the Occupational Safety and Health Specialist for Region 5. Whether it’s conducting a work site walk-through to assess existing or potential hazards, filing a safety and health complaint with the state Department of Labor, advising the region Safety & Health Committee, or conducting training for workers on safety issues, Erin is your person to contact.

Erin’s tireless pursuit of worker safety continues to drive her advocacy, ensuring that all workers have an environment that values their health and well-being.

If you have an urgent safety hazard or workplace injury to report, you can also contact CSEA’s Occupational Safety and Health Department at (800) 342-4146.