May Accomplishments
Promoting equity and workplace safety
AFSCME Local 88 and the Multnomah County Complaints Investigation Unit (CIU) have collaborated to create a conflict resolution program that will be a new resource for union represented staff at Multnomah County who have experienced a workplace incident related to one or more of their protected class identities. Through an application process we have identified a group of 15 people (union stewards and council representatives) who are interested in conflict resolution, creative problem solving, and bringing an equity lens to the complaint and conflict process. This group will start by attending a series of training sessions, hosted by CIU staff. They will use their knowledge and work together to identify next steps for developing this exciting and much needed new resource. Time spent by union members involved in this project will be covered and paid for by the County. Contact Joslyn Baker with any questions. or comments.
1st Contract: Multnomah County Health Department Pharmacists Unit - AFSCME Local 88-4
Multnomah County Health Department Pharmacists Unit – AFSCME Local 88-4 successfully completed their 1st contract. Thanks to the amazing bargaining team: Marion Clark, Rachel Uhlig, Sarah Block, Percy Winters, Jr. , Jordan Muehe, Joslyn Baker and Eben Pullman.
The Tentative Agreement (TA) was ratified 5/22/23. The next step is for the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners to ratify the TA, that action is scheduled for this Thursday, May 25th. When the Board ratifies the agreement will go into effect immediately. The County committed to issuing all bonus payments by July 1 and all retro pay by July 15, 2023.
Tentative Agreement Summary
- 11.32% wage increase (5% COLA + 6.32% market increase) retroactive to July 1, 2022
- 3% Step increase retroactive to July 1, 2022 for those not at the top of the range including step placement credit for residencies.
- $2,500 Bonus for those employed on July 1, 2022 and $2,000 Bonus for those still employed on July 1, 2023.
- 5% COLA on July 1, 2023 + 3% Step Increase for those pharmacists not at the top of the range,
- Bilingual Pay premium of 2%
- Same Day Reassignment Premium of $3.75 per hour for each day you receive a same day reassignment
- Essential employee premium of 20% for employees that work on site during a County-wide closure or curtailment
- State licenses and board certifications reimbursed
- $500 biennially for Continuing Education
- Improvements in the Vacations Scheduling Process
- 1 additional sick leave day per year
- 1 additional saved holiday per year
- Protections from unjust discipline and dismissal
- Seniority based layoff and recall procedure
- Contract language to protect our safety and health
- AND MORE!
Local 88 & Oregon AFSCME Meetings
Local 88 & Oregon AFSCME Meetings – check out our calendar of events
- Local 88 Cabinet Meeting 5/17/23
- Local 88 Executive Board Meeting
- Local 88 General Membership Meetings
- AFSCME Staff Weekly Meetings – group and individual
- Oregon AFSCME Presidents and Board Briefing – 5/2/23
- Oregon AFSCME Building Comm – Portland AFSCME building (6025 E Burnside St) sold and we have narrowed down our selection to two buildings (one in inner NE Portland and the other in inner SE Portland). Council 75 will vacate the current building 6/15/23. Local 88 will loan the Council $500,000 to help fund this purchase and to increase our income.
Politics
County Elected Officials Meetings
- Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Serena Cruz (COO) 5/23/23
- Commissioner Susheela Jayapal 5/16/23
- Sheriff Morrisey O’Donnell 5/10/23
AFSCME Local 88 PAC (political action committee) – congratulations to Julia Brim-Edwards our newly elected district 3 county commissioner – learn more Commissioner Brim Edwards and read her introductory letter.
Communications
Ongoing communication efforts
- NW Labor Press
- Website Updates
- Social Media – twitter and facebook
- Membership Emails (as needed)
Steward Support
- Departmental Steward Meetings
- Departmental Labor Management Meetings
- Lead Steward Meeting – Monthly
- Visit afscmelocal88.org to register to attend our online Local 88 Eboard and General Membership meetings
Member Engagement
- Member Action Teams (MAT) – If you are having an issue at work, and it isn’t resolvable through the grievance procedure, get in touch with Kristian Williams: kwilliams@afscmelocal88.org
- Become a Steward – learn about this process. Information about required training can be found at oregonafscme.org/trainings.
- Conversations with members and stakeholders
- LCSA (labor’s community service agency) Referrals – support this amazing resource with a donation
- Member Questions & Members in Need
Bargaining
Bargaining table for the following AFSCME units in 2023:
- Dentist (Local 88-5)
- Juvenile Custody Services Specialist (Local 88-6)
Market Rate Adjustment Study (year 1 of 3 consecutive years) We worked to win at the bargaining table and have reached several tentative agreements for wage adjustments . We will report these to employees in the impacted classification. If your classification is being studied (check this list).
Solidarity Resources
- FREE EBOOK: Our History Has Always Been Contraband By Haymarket Books . “The centuries-long attack on Black history represents a strike against our very worth, brilliance, and value. We’re ready to fight back. And when we fight, we win.” —Colin Kaepernick. Since its founding as a discipline, Black Studies has been under relentless attack by social and political forces seeking to discredit and neutralize it. Our History Has Always Been Contraband was born out of an urgent need to respond to the latest threat: efforts to remove content from an AP African American Studies course being piloted in high schools across the United States. Edited by Colin Kaepernick, Robin D. G. Kelley, and Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Our History Has Always Been Contraband brings together canonical texts and authors in Black Studies, including those excised from or not included in the AP curriculum. Download the FREE EBOOK!
- Your benefits learning experience – Make the most of your membership opportunities during this year’s enrollment. Complimentary $10,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance* for 1 year, will be provided to all members who attend a 1-to-1 30 minutes benefits counseling session. Policy can be renewed after one year, also at no cost. Learn more about this and other resources and sign up for a 30 minute session.
- Share Your Story About Essential State Services! SEIU Local 503 is asking for your support during our contract negotiations with the State of Oregon. Our members’ fight for higher pay is directly tied to the state employee crisis of high vacancy rates and excessive turnover. This crisis impacts all Oregonians: from the roads we drive on to child welfare programs, from unemployment programs to registering at the DMV – all State services are affected when our members can’t afford to work for state agencies. Send comments via email to braym@seiu503.org – submitted by Jay Hunt
- Join Jobs with Justice (JwJ) for a Hot Union Summer! Live local music! Thursday, June 15 at 6:30pm Ecotrust Rooftop (721 NW 9th Ave Suite 200) *Masks are required when not actively eating or drinking. Thanks for keeping our communities safe! TICKETS HERE! Questions? Contact Jill at jill@jwjpdx.org
- The next BIG Labor Notes Conference starts a year from today! April 19-21, 2024 * Rosemont Illinois *
- The 58th Biennial Convention of the Oregon AFL-CIO will be held September 20-23 in beautiful Bend, Oregon at The Riverhouse. Save the date for this incredible event filled with inspiring guest speakers, engaging workshops, union entertainment, and much more! You’ll receive registration materials in June and will be able to register your union’s delegates at that time. If you have any questions about convention, give us a call at (503) 232-1195 Click here to sign up as a sponsor for convention.
- AFSCME is offering a Financial Standards Training (virtually) with a new International Union trainer, Brent Beebe, on Saturday 10/7/23 – 1030am-130pm. Please encourage any new treasurers or other interested local officers to attend! Closer to the date we’ll send out registration info and more details. Email dcutler@oregonafscme.org if you have any questions or need lost time to attend this training.
Priorities for June 2023
- Continue bargaining in various sub-locals and market study (see above)
- Recruitment for new Local 88 officers and executive board members. Nominations will be accepted at the September 20th Local 88 General membership Meeting. Learn more about officer and executive board roles and responsibilities in our AFSCME Local 88 Constitution.
