6/5/2017 Update: 4 members have expressed interest, and the application is now closed, however, if you would like to be added to the stand by, in case anyone drops out, please follow the same process.
Local 88 is paying the tuition and mileage for up to 4 members to attend the 2017 LERC Summer School on August 4-6 in Eugene on a first come, first served basis. Fill out the Local 88 application here and we’ll let you know if you are selected… then go to the LERC website for registration and additional information. We’ll work with LERC on the tuition, so just check “send invoice”. LERC’s registration deadline is July 7.
Additionally, the Oregon AFSCME Women’s Committee is also offering scholarships, their application can be found here. Please contact the Women’s Committee directly if you have any questions about their process (a good contact is Kate at kbaker@oregonafscme.org)
Here’s a slide deck of our Bargaining Team’s goals as we prepare to start negotiations with the County. Our first face to face meeting with management will be on Friday May 26th. It would be our expectation that the first meeting will focus primarily on establishing ground rules. Please keep in mind that these are goals that as a team we are dedicated to discussing and working on, and that actual contract language proposals may look very different and that this is just the start of the negotiation process.
The bargaining team started this process by reviewing the survey results, for which over a thousand members participated (thank you!!!). The team then had several working sessions to come up with these goals, that we in turn presented to the larger Bargaining Delegation on Saturday May 13th and the General Membership on Wednesday May 17th.
With anticipated budget cuts and funding uncertainties at various levels of government, we, members of AFSCME Local 88, our brothers and sisters in other locals and unions, and members of the greater Portland community expect the County Commissioners to support protect and defend:
Equitable access for all to quality medical, dental, and behavioral health care .
Racial justice and the ability for all community members, especially immigrants and people of color, to live safe from the threat of police or ICE violence.
Equitable access for all to safe homes where individuals and families can thrive.
Equitable access for all to quality educational opportunities .
Living wages, safe working conditions and the right of workers to organize.
Programs and policies to decrease income disparity .
Equitable access for all to healthy foods, clean water and air .
Spaces where arts and culture are respected and celebrated.
Affordable childcare, recreation and after-school programs that help families and children .
Multnomah County is a better place to live and work when we work together to lift up the most vulnerable in our community.
On Friday 5/5, we signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the County regarding a voluntary retirement incentive. In substance, this agreement is consistent with how this incentive has been implemented in the past. The intent of the program is to minimize layoffs due to budget constraints in this upcoming fiscal year. For that reason, the timelines are very tight. The program is not extended to the Membership as a whole, but to eligible employees in specified classifications represented by AFSCME Local 88 and the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA).
The classifications are:
Health Department Only
Community Health Nurse
Community Health Specialist 2
Executive Advisor
Nurse Practitioner
Physician
–
County Wide
Administrative Specialist
Business Process Consultant
Eligibility Specialist
Office Assistant Senior
Program Coordinator
Program Specialist
Program Specialist Senior
Project Manager Represented
Here is a copy of the agreement. We will post the signed version in the contracts section of the website.
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
I. Parties to the Agreement
The parties to this Memorandum of Agreement (hereinafter “MOA”) are Multnomah County, Oregon, hereinafter referred to as the County, and Local 88, of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, hereinafter referred to as the Union.
II. Background
WHEREAS, the County is anticipating cuts in State and Federal funding that will impact County programs beginning Fiscal Year FY18; and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that such cuts in funding will have a significant impact on certain work units resulting in layoff of employees; and
WHEREAS, the County has developed a Voluntary Retirement Program that will offer a financial incentive to Local 88 employees eligible to retire under PERS/OPSRP in order to save employees from layoff;
NOW, therefore the County and Local 88 do agree as follows:
III. Agreement
The parties agree that eligible employees may apply to participate in the Multnomah County 2017 Voluntary Retirement Program. Eligible employees are defined as those employees who:
a. Meet the minimum eligibility requirements for PERS/OPSRP service retirement on or before July 1, 2017.
b. Hold positions in a job classification designated by management.
c. Are approved to participate by the employee’s Department.
d. Agree to resign on or before June 30, 2017.
e. Agree not to apply or accept employment in any capacity with the County for 12 months following acceptance of their resignation date.
2. This 2017 Voluntary Retirement Program offer will not be extended to the general membership; approval shall be based on the County’s business needs as determined solely by the County, which determination will not be subject to the parties Grievance Procedure. Approval will not be arbitrarily or capriciously denied, however denial shall be subject to review by a member of the Multnomah County Labor Relations Unit.
3. If more approved candidates apply than there are positions approved by the department, selection of applicants who are approved to participate will be in seniority order from designated classifications as defined by Article 21, Section II of the Union contract. If the number decreases after selection, approval will be revoked in reverse order of seniority.
4. Employees who participate will be eligible to receive a lump sum payment from the County equal to twelve (12) times the Total Monthly Premium cost of his/her active employee current medical (not dental) plan based on enrollment tier (single, two-party or family) on the date the employee’s application is received by the Benefits Office. The lump sum payment for employees who have Opt-Out of medical coverage will be equal to twelve (12) times the amount of his/her current monthly Opt-Out reimbursement.
5. Any dispute pertaining to an applicant’s payment receipt shall be subject to the parties grievance procedure beginning at Step 3.
Agreed to this date, _________________________, 2017.
Monday, May 1st is International Workers’ Day. In order to celebrate and honor the sacrifices and contributions of workers and labor activists around the world, and to show the pride and strength of our own union, Local 88 is asking members to join in various May Day activities.
For folks who are working on Monday, May 1st:
Wear your AFSCME shirt or other green clothing to show solidarity with other workers. Also, gather with other Local 88 members on your lunch break to eat good food and build community within your work site. See your steward or check your union board for specific details on gatherings at your building. If there is nothing currently planned at your site, talk to your fellow union members and organize your own event.
For folks who are NOT working on Monday, May 1st:
AFSCME Local 88 will be marching in solidarity with other unions and community organizations in the Portland May Day march. Rally begins at 2pm at Shemanski Park. Look for the Local 88 banner and march with your fellow union members. Remember to wear green.
In addition to the rally, we are also collecting signatures for a letter we will be submitting to the Board of Commissioners: CountyCommissionersLetter.docx
