Bargaining Update #4
Thank you to those who came and observed our second bargaining session with Labor Relations. Bargaining Observers, let us know how things felt to you!
Furlough Days? Foregoing COLAs?
It is too early in bargaining to be making hard decisions on economic proposals like giving up COLAs (Cost of Living Adjustments) or taking furlough days. We don’t want to start bargaining by immediately giving up money to the County. All options are being explored to protect jobs and keep people in the County. Also, the Bargaining Team doesn’t make the final decision on anything – our members do. You would have a vote on any major decisions regarding COLA or furlough days.
No one takes this lightly. We know layoffs are deeply felt and painful for everyone. We also hoped the County would do everything to prevent layoffs – but we haven’t seen that either.
It’s important to look to our union siblings in AFSCME Local 189, who represent City of Portland employees. Even with the City’s financial woes, Local 189 WON a COLA increase and established a $27 wage floor for all employees. They won that by holding the line, keeping solidarity, and almost going on strike to demand they’re respected by the City.
Bargaining Session: Part Two
Budget Presentation
The Bargaining Team received the same presentation given during the 11/19/24 Board Meeting. We asked a lot of specific questions about the Reserves, Property Taxes and County Finance Policy around General Funds. We’re still processing all of the information we got – we aren’t all economists.
County Proposals & Counter Proposals
Labor Relations came to the table with the ask to keep 7 Articles as-is and a proposal for Addendum K. They made Counter-Proposals to Articles 2, 5 and 18. Overall, we see progress being made on their end, but some of our employee’s most critical needs aren’t being met in their offers.
MAT: Day of Action
There will be no bargaining session on March 20th. Instead, the Team will be hosting events, listening sessions, and handing out swag to people in the workplace. Keep an eye out in next week’s update for more details.
Did You Know?
How to Check Membership and Change Your Information
The County may not make this clear, but we will! Being hired into a represented position doesn’t automatically register new employees for union membership. To join AFSCME Local 88 and receive the benefits of membership, our coworkers need to take a few extra, voluntary steps:
- Head to the AFSCME Local 88 website and click Join Now!
- Start typing “Multnomah County” in the search bar, and results will start to autogenerate for you to choose from. Most of us can choose Multnomah County, but there are specialty groups you may recognize as well.
- Fill out your personal contact information, as well as the info in the required (yellow) fields. If you know the info in the gray fields, feel free to include it!
- Click Submit Application, and you’re all set!
If you think you’re a member but you’re not sure, you can check here by entering your name and ZIP code. Has your information changed since you signed your white card? Reach out to the AFSCME Member Services Center to update your information!
Members are our Union—all our work and wins come from members just like you. We’re happy to have you and we’ll stay green together!
