Bargaining Update

Call the Governor 503-378-4582 and tell him you deserve raises that keep up with inflation!

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

I’m happy to report that we made more progress in bargaining on July 10. Management sweetened their offer on wages and healthcare a little bit more—clearly as a result of the pressure they are feeling from the field. While it is still not good enough, it is trending in the right direction. Here is management’s latest offer:

COLA’s: 7/1/07: 3% but no less than $50 per month

1/1/09: 2% but no less than $50 per month

This is still less than inflation and therefore unacceptable. But the 3% effective 7/1/07 is a very promising new development. (The last time we got a 3% raise up front in July was 1998!)

Health Insurance: 7/1/07-12/31/08: Fully paid for full timers

1/1/09: They’ll pay an increase up to 12%; If the increase is more than 12%, we’ll access PEBB reserves

Part Timers: Some progress here: In addition to maintaining the subsidy and paying the increase in the employer’s share of the costs, they have now agreed to pay half the increase in the employee’s share of any premium increases, which is progress but still not where we want to end up.

Living Wage: No progress to report

Differentials: No progress to report

Selectives/New Classes: They agreed to five more: Transportation Maintenance Coordinators 1s & 2s; Administrative Law Judges 3; Institution RNs; and Licensed Practical Nurses. They agreed to truncated ranges for Heavy Equipment Mechanics which will boost folks at steps 1-4. (This is in addition to the selectives/new classes reported on earlier)

We also made progress on the ODOT travel policy.

We bargain again today (Wednesday) and Thursday. While there is reason for hope, we are still a very long way from an acceptable contract. Please keep up the pressure in the field. Folks in Salem should note that we are doing a rally at noon today (July 11) at the DAS building to support the custodians management wants to move from Salary Range 10 to Salary Range 7.

Please keep up the great work in the worksites. It matters—a lot.

ALSO CALL YOUR AGENCY HEAD AND THE GOVERNOR (503-378-4582) AND LEAVE THEM A MESSAGE THAT YOU DESERVE RAISES EQUAL TO INFLATION...

I'll add more later today