Bargaining Update #44
CCL: current contract language
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
MCSO: Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office
COLA: cost of living adjustment
CPI: consumer price index
Supposal: an informal, brief offer that is used during mediation to more quickly offer suggestions and find areas of agreement.
Our bargaining team entered mediation on December 8th, and upon entering mediation we have finally seen new wage proposals from the County.
The most recent “supposal” from the County is the one they shared on December 11th, and is as follows:
- CCL (current contract language) on using Union Reimbursable Time
- The Union bargaining team will consist of 12 members including the president of the local
- Floating holiday in observation of Indigenous Peoples Day
- Fixes to how observed and floating holiday hours for full-time, part-time, and limited duration employees are calculated
- Employees can carry-over two (instead of one) saved holidays per year
- Fixes to vacation accruals for employees who separate from the County and return to the County within twelve (12) months
- Before considering discipline for excessive absenteeism the County will inform employees of options for protected leave and the ADA accommodation process
- Add MCSO Records Technicians to positions eligible for lead premium pay
We have been unable to reach an agreement on Article 14, which deals with compensation. On December 17th a graphic comparing the County’s last wage supposal with our Union’s was sent out by the Cabinet, Here is some more context:
Effective July 1st, 2025 the County supposed:
- employees receive a 2.4% COLA or $1 (one dollar) flat, whichever is higher
- fixing the grid so that there is a true 3% difference between steps in a pay grade
- 2.4% COLA applied to Step 1 annually and 3% increase applied to each higher step annually
Effective July 1st, 2026 the County supposed:
- 3.5% Cost of Living Adjustment
- unfreeze the wage scales
- Increase minimum wage to $21 an hour
Effective July 1st, 2027 the County supposed:
- employees receive a 1 – 4% COLA
- If the CPI (Consumer Price Index) is below 1% or over 4%, the County and our Union would reenter negotiations
Here are a couple of examples of what employees could expect to take home based on this supposal:
- Food Service Worker at Grade 02 Step 1 before ratification: $20.00/hr
- Food Service Worker at Grade 02 Step 1 retroactive to July 1st, 2025: $21.00/hr
- Food Service Worker at Grade 02 Step 2 (annual step increase) effective July 1st, 2026: $21.83/hr
- Office Assistant 2 at Grade 14 Step 1 before ratification: $24.60/hr
- Office Assistant 2 at Grade 14 Step 1 retroactive to July 1st, 2025: $25.60/hr
- Office Assistant 2 at Grade 14 Step 2 (annual step increase) effective July 1st, 2026: $26.85/hr
Our Union presented two Article 14 supposals on December 18th, summarized below.
Our Union’s first supposal of the day was as follows:
Effective July 1st, 2025 the Union supposed:
- Step 1 of all pay grades increased to $21/hr minimum and maintain 3% difference between steps
- Unfreeze the wage scale
- 2.4% COLA or $1 (one dollar) flat minimum to all employees, whichever is greater
Effective July 1st, 2026 the Union supposed:
- 3.5% split COLA
- All employees receive 1.75% plus a flat $.67
- Split COLA is applied to Step 1 of all pay grades while maintaining the 3% difference between steps
Effective July 1st, 2027 the Union supposed:
- 1 – 4% split COLA
- All employees receive the COLA has half a percentage and half as a flat dollar amount based on the average employee wage of that fiscal year
- Split COLA is applied to Step 1 of all pay grades while maintaining the 3% difference between steps
- If CPI is below 1% or above 4%, parties agree to re-open Article 14 for expedited bargaining
This supposal would have resulted in roles that currently start at $20/hour to increase to $21.74/hour in year two. In the county’s supposal, those grades would only increase to $21.19 until employees move to their next step. The County rejected this supposal without making a counter.
Our Union’s second supposal of the day was as follows:
Effective July 1st, 2025 the Union supposed:
- Unfreeze the wage scale
- Increase minimum wage to $20.80 and reflect that across Step 1 of all grades, maintaining 3% difference between steps
- All employees receive 2.4% COLA or $.80 (eighty cents) flat, whichever is greater
Effective July 1st, 2026 the Union supposed:
- 3.5% split COLA
- All employees receive 1.75% plus a flat $.67
- Split COLA is applied to Step 1 of all pay grades while maintaining the 3% difference between steps
Effective July 1st, 2027 the Union supposed:
- 1 – 4% split COLA
- All employees receive the COLA has half a percentage and half as a flat dollar amount based on the average employee wage of that fiscal year
- Split COLA is applied to Step 1 of all pay grades while maintaining the 3% difference between steps
- If CPI is below 1% or above 4%, parties agree to re-open Article 14 for expedited bargaining
Here are a couple of examples of what employees could expect to take home based on this supposal:
- Food Service Worker at Grade 02 Step 1 before ratification: $20.00/hr
- Year One: $20.80/hr
- Year Two: $21.83 ($.64 cents more than the county’s supposal)
- Office Assistant 2 (OA2) at Grade 14 Step 1 before ratification: $24.60/hr
- Year One: $25.60/hr
- Year Two: $26.72/hr
The County rejected this supposal without making a counter.
Actions and Events
Strike Pledge Campaign
If our bargaining team were to call for a strike authorization vote, would you vote yes to going on strike? Let us know by signing a strike pledge via this online form. We’ve already collected hundreds of pledges and want to make sure every member has an opportunity to sign the pledge if they would support a strike.
Join the Local 88 Strike Fund Committee!
At our AFSCME Local 88 General Membership (GM) meeting on April 16th, a motion was brought forward and passed for our Local to create a Strike Fund by setting aside $250,000 of our reserve funds. A Strike Fund Committee has formed to determine:
- eligibility criteria for receiving financial support from the Strike Fund
- how and when disbursements from the Strike Fund can occur
- how the Strike Fund can be supplemented
In addition, the Strike Fund Committee will facilitate member education around strike-readiness as individuals and as a Union, with a focus on self-sustainability and fostering connections and solidarity with community allies. Sign-up to participate in our AFSCME L88 Strike-Fund Committee by filling out this Google form.
Remember, having a strike fund or being strike ready does not mean we have to strike. Only you, the membership, can decide if we strike by a super majority membership vote; neither the bargaining team, cabinet or union president can just declare a strike. Being strike ready is a tool our Union can use to build power and show management our strength and solidarity.
Local 88 Boardgame Day (01/17/2026 2 – 6pm)
The Member Action Team (MAT) is hosting a board game event at Board Bard Games on January 17th from 2 – 6pm. We’ll be meeting in the Castle Room and pizza from Flying Pie will be provided. If you’d like to join us for board games, please RSVP using this form. Board Bard Games is located at 7960 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97215. This business is wheelchair accessible and has an accessible bathroom; please note that there is a sharp turn to enter the hallway. There is free street parking available; the nearest accessible parking is located on Washington Street.
Did You Know?
- You can review the status of Tentative Agreements reached and see which articles need a response from our Union and the County on this chart.
- We’ve collected a list of wins that we’ve reached Tentative Agreements (TAs) with the County on. You can review our TA’d wins here.
Update your Profile Images and backgrounds: One simple way to show your support for the best possible contract is to change your virtual meeting backgrounds and profile images. You can find instructions and lots of beautiful images to use here!
Follow Us on Social Media: Stay up to date on all the latest news by following AFSCME Local 88 on our Instagram and Local 88 Facebook!
Please note: Our next mediation session is scheduled for Monday December 29th so you won’t see a bargaining update next week. We wish you all a happy holiday season!
In Solidarity,
Your Bargaining Team
Questions? Email us at: bargaining-team-2025@afscmelocal88.org
