...Major contract bargaining under way this summer
(From Page 1)
selective salary increases for particular
classifications, to reflect market rates.
DAS proposes to pay the full insur-
ance premium the first year; and any
increase up to 8 percent the second
year.
“We’d like to get a raise that actu-
ally keeps up with inflation,” said
Michael Ellis, a carpenter at Portland
State University and member of the
union bargaining team. “Most of the
time, we get 1 to 2 percent. That starts
hurting bad if you’re one of the lower-
paid employees.”
SEIU’s wage proposal also con-
tains a “floor” to help raise the lowest-
paid even more. It’s proposing the
raise be at least $125 a month for full-
time employees — a provision that
would end up benefiting employees
making less than $37,500 a year. Plus
it wants to eliminate any step on a pay
scale at which a full-time worker
would make less than $26,000 a year
— the food stamp eligibility threshold
for a family of four.
The current contract, which helped
workers catch up after a two-year
wage and step freeze, contained 2 per-
cent annual cost-of-living increases,
plus a make-up step on the wage
scale, for a total of up to 8.5 percent.
And the state agreed to pay the full
cost of health insurance the first year,
and any increase in premiums up to 12
percent the second year. Increases end
up being less than that figure, so full-
time state workers didn’t have to begin
paying monthly premiums.
“We have lots of members in
poverty that are working hard for state
of Oregon, and we don’t think that’s
right,” Ellis said.
Bargaining has also been under
way since March for around 10,000
home care workers who are negotiat-
ing their third two-year contract. The
workers, who bathe change, shave,
brush teeth, and otherwise care for
people in their homes, face a June 30
contract expiration. Their aims are
modest — chiefly, raising their current
hourly pay of $9.76 by 45 cents, keep-
ing fully-paid employee-only health
Buy American!
care, and adding one more day of paid
time off (they get four a year now).
The employer’s counter-offer: a pay
freeze, instituting a $50 to $80 a
month health premium, and eliminate
workers’ compensation insurance cov-
erage.
Most Oregon AFSCME members
work at county and municipal govern-
ments, but the union also represents
about 7,000 state workers, in several
bargaining units, whose contracts ex-
pire June 30.
Contract bargaining is moving at a
glacial pace for a unit of 4,400 regular
state workers, said Ken Allen, Oregon
AFSCME Council 75 executive direc-
tor. AFSCME asked for a 6 percent
raise July 1, an inflation-based cost-
of-living increase a year later, and
continuation of current benefits.
“We’re the last state in the country
to have fully-paid family health care,”
Allen said, “and we expect to keep it.”
Allen said he thinks the two sides
are likely to reach agreement on con-
tract language that would make it
more difficult to contract out; Gover-
nor Ted Kulongoski has said he op-
poses further privatization.
Though the two unions negotiate
separately with the state, Allen and
SEIU 503 Executive Director Leslie
Frane said they are sharing informa-
tion.
AFSCME also represents two units
in the Department of Corrections to-
taling about 2,800 workers, but bar-
gaining for them is on hold altogether
until June 15, when a representation
challenge from an independent union
is resolved. Also up for AFSCME, on
July 1 the contract between AFSCME
Local 88 and Central City Concern,
with 430 employees, expires. And ne-
gotiations are troubled at Metropolitan
Education Service District for the sec-
ond time in a row.
Other SEIU contracts expiring
June 30 include Oregon Public Broad-
casting (167 workers), several nursing
homes, several local governments, in-
cluding Wilsonville and Beaverton,
and a contract covering over 500 cafe-
teria workers and custodians at Port-
land Public Schools.
I RON W ORKERS — Close to three-
quarters of the members of Iron Work-
ers Shopmen’s Local 516 also have
contract bargaining this summer. A
contract at Fought & Company (134
employees) expires July 31; contracts
at Columbia Wire & Iron Works (58
employees) and Oregon Iron Works
(295 employees), expire Aug. 31; and
agreements with Canron Western
Constructors (110 workers) and GTE
Metal Erectors (25 workers) expire
Sept. 30. The companies manufacture
structural steel used in bridges, build-
ings, barges, streetcars, and missile si-
los. The industry is doing well thanks
to the continued construction boom,
said Local 516 Business Manager
Michael Lappier, and the union hopes
to win decent economic increases for
members.
H OSPITAL WORKERS — June 30 is
also the contract expiration date for
642 nurses at St. Charles Medical
Center in Bend, 380 nurses at Good
Samaritan Regional Medical Center in
Corvallis, and 320 support staff at
McKenzie Willamette Hospital in
Springfield. The nurses are repre-
sented by Oregon Nurses Association;
the support staff by SEIU Local 49. At
St. Charles, ONA is proposing a wage
increase of 7 percent per year over a
two year contract.
H OTEL W ORKERS — UNITE
HERE L OCAL 9 has contracts expiring
in August at major hotels in down-
town Portland. The union hotels in-
clude the Hilton, Benson and Para-
mount.
THE UNION PLUS ® MORTGAGE PROGRAM
Newberg
Provided Exclusively by Chase Home Finance
Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep
We offer a friendly, small town
atmosphere, no pressure,
and aggressive pricing.
We Specialize in trucks with
many new and pre-owned
models to choose from,
including one of the largest
selection of diesels in the area.
Come visit us today!
Call Dan, Jeff, or Joseph,
your personal account
representatives at
503-538-9444 today!
S HOW
YOUR union
UNION CARD
FOR
AN an
Show
your
card
for
additional
off ON
on
most
ADDITIONAL $500
$500 OFF
MOST
NEW new
and AND
used
stock.
.
USED vehciles
VEHICLES IN in
STOCK
PAGE 4
When it comes to mortgages, we’re
taking a stand for Union members.
Chase is backing union members with the Union Plus® Mortgage Program — a home
purchase and refinancing program exclusively for union members, their parents and children.
• FREE Mortgage Assistance Benefit
If you are unemployed or disabled.
• A wide variety of mortgages
Choose from fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, and low- or no-closing costs options.
• Special Lending
First-time homebuyer and less-than-perfect credit programs.
• Savings on closing costs
Member-only savings on new purchases and refinance.
It all adds up to more home-buying power.
Contact your local Union Plus® Mortgage Specialist
866-729-6016
866-729-6016 Ext. 3016
Union Plus is a registered trademark of Union Privilege. Eligibility for mortgage assistance begins one year after closing on a Union Plus Mortgage through Chase
Home Finance. This offer may not be combined with any other promotional offer or rebate, is not transferable, and is available to bona fide members of participating
unions. For down payments of less than 20%, mortgage insurance (MI) is required and MI charges apply. All loans are subject to credit and property approval. Program
terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Not all products are available in all states or for all loan amounts. Other restrictions and limitations apply.
©2005 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All Rights Reserved. P-UP 104 2A-7604 10/05
NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS
JUNE 15, 2007