Bargaining the main unit contract plans and timeline:
**Excerpt from AFSCME Local 88 Update- 8/22/2024, originally sent by email to AFSCME Local 88 members August 22, 2024:
Your elected cabinet met with Chris Johnson, our program manager working with Local 88 on our bargaining, and started our timeline and working on bargaining preparation and tasks. Here is a brief summary of what we are doing:
We have already started the important first steps of our contract campaign
We know we are more likely to win a fair and equitable contract when our membership is active and engaged. We will be sharing the details of and how you can get involved in the Member Action Team, Bargaining Delegation, the Bargaining Team, and more. See below for description of roles.
This Monday we will be sending out our Bargaining survey. The bargaining survey will be sent to the personal email we have on file for you and will be open for two weeks. If you are not sure if we have the correct personal email, please contact the AFSCME Member Services Center at 1-844-758-6466 or MSC@OregonAFSCME.org
Beginning the week on Sept 9 we will be recruiting our Bargaining Delegation (keep your eyes open for the bargaining delegate volunteer opportunity email) which we hope will begin meeting before the end of September
Our goal is to have a well represented Bargaining Delegation elect our Bargaining Team in October, at which point the Bargaining Team will begin meeting regularly
Soon we will also be sending our unions “intent to bargain” to the County and will asking for bargaining dates beginning in February (possibly sooner)
Roles of the bargaining team and how to participate:
Local 88 Officers and Staff
Plans the overall strategy, tactics, and timing
Coordinates the bargaining delegation and the contract action team(s)
Handles the administrative, financial, legal, and logistical matters
Liaison to other organizational levels of the union, to allies, and to the community
Bargaining Team
Meets regularly throughout bargaining to research and prepare proposals/justifications
Bargain across-the-table/in caucus
Develop messages for members distributed via Member Action Team(s)
Listens and responds to feedback from members
Makes “Tentative Agreements” and makes recommendations on ratification
Bargaining Delegates
Ad hoc committee to prepare for bargaining and elect the Bargaining Team
Review Bargaining Survey results to help determine bargaining priorities
Offers subject matter support to the team
Helps set goals and confers with bargaining team on progress of negotiations
Following Bargaining Team election, transition to increase the capacity of the Member Action Team (MAT) by talking with members
Member Action Team (MAT)
Plans and executes bargaining actions and builds membership power
Educates and generates support for goals and proposals among members
Responds to rumors, misinformation, and membership fears and concerns
Union Members
Understands their role and responsibility in helping to negotiate a good agreement
Provides honest information to their leaders about their needs and priorities
Understands that no union committee gets everything it wants at the bargaining table
Seeks accurate information during negotiations, asks questions, and shows support
Participate in actions big and small to show your union support and support for a fair and fantastic contract!
How can you participate?
I have highlighted all the roles that we need local 88 members to take on.
We need members to participate in actions, ask questions and stay informed.
We need members to join the MAT to help communicate out what is happening in bargaining and how to participate and help.
We need members to volunteer to be bargaining delegates and have the time and energy to do more of the bargaining work and prioritize our bargaining goals.
We need bargaining delegates to run to be on the bargaining team and dedicate a good amount and time to crafting our bargaining proposals and sitting at the bargaining table to fight for a great contract.
Please watch for emails or go to our website: afscmelocal88.org to learn more.
In Solidarity, Jackie Tate
AFSCME Local 88 President
