SEIU Local 503

Our union family is mourning the loss of our union sibling and leader, Ibrahim Coulibaly.

A dedicated leader in our African American (AFRAM) Caucus, CAPE Council, the State Central Table Bargaining Team, on our Civil and Human Rights Committee and across SEIU Local 503, Ibrahim spent more than a decade building a stronger, more equitable union. He fought for workers at the bargaining table, championed immigrant justice and civil and human rights, organized for worker-friendly candidates, and inspired countless members to step into leadership. Whether he was speaking at a rally, mentoring a new steward, or advocating for fairness and equity, Ibrahim led with integrity, humility, and an unwavering belief in the power of solidarity.

And Ibrahim was more than just a great union leader. He was a charismatic, personable human being who could engage just about anyone in conversation. He was passionate about his family and his friendships. He was always willing to lend a hand wherever he could and understood the importance of building one-on-one relationships.

Just days before his passing, Ibrahim wrote:

"Working people know that rights are rarely handed to us—they are earned, protected, and expanded through solidarity. Whether it is the right to fair wages, safe workplaces, dignity on the job, or the opportunity to build a better life, progress has come when people stand together rather than allowing differences to divide them."

Our hearts are with Ibrahim's family, especially his children, and with everyone whose life he touched. Read the statement from our AFRAM Caucus celebrating Ibrahim's life and extraordinary legacy and share your memories of him in the online memorial we’ve created.

Rest in power, Ibrahim. Your legacy lives in every worker as we continue the fight for justice.

We are collecting video stories of Ibrahim from his community, fellow members, and all those who he impacted during his life. Those stories will be shared with his family, and at any memorial events that are organized. If you would like to record a story, you can share it with us at [email protected], or share your memories of Ibrahim in written form on his memorial site: https://www.forevermissed.com/ibrahimcoulibaly/about

If you would like to contribute to the GoFundMe that has been set up to support his family during this time, you can do so here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-ibrahim-coulibalys-legacy

Thank you to Sen. Ron Wyden for fighting for workers!

Read the full press release here:
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-colleagues-introduce-landmark-bill-to-raise-the-national-minimum-wage-to-a-living-wage-of-25-an-hour

Workers at Oregon's public universities are rejecting management's insulting economic proposals in the face of high inflation. A wage freeze over the next four years will devastate workers dealing with higher living expenses they can barely afford now: rising rents, cost of food, gas, and medicine.

That's why workers showed up at Oregon State University to make their voices heard. We need a contract we can afford to live on!