AFSCME Local 88 closing in on
agreement with Multnomah County
The County rebuffs
catch-up-to-inflation
proposals, but drops a
demand for health
benefits change
Multnomah County and its largest
union have just a few items remaining
to negotiate in bargaining over a new
contract to replace the one that expired
June 30.
American Federation of State,
County, and Municipal Employees
(AFSCME) Local 88 represents about
2,900 county employees. Three years
ago, the union agreed to a 1.2 percent
cost-of-living increase, followed by 0
percent in the second year; and 3.3 per-
cent the third year. And that was after
members voluntarily gave up a bar-
gained-for 2.8 percent cost-of-living in-
crease and a 3 percent step increase in
2008 — in order to preserve county
jobs and services at the depth of the re-
cession. So this time, the union pro-
posed catch-up raises of 1 percent or
even 0.5 percent over inflation. But the
county negotiating team, led by labor
relations director Steve Herron, said no
to that.
Still, Local 88 President Deirdre
Mahoney-Clark said bargaining has
been respectful and productive.
Management backed off a proposal
to allow the county to offer health ben-
efits through a state-wide public em-
ployee insurance plan instead of the
current self-insured arrangement. Ma-
honey-Clark said union members value
the existing set-up, in which member
representatives are part of the team that
bargains benefits with providers like
Kaiser and Moda. In recent years, the
team has found enough savings to keep
Union dentist brings smiles to labor agency
AFSCME Local 88 members held a rally Oct. 28 outside Multnomah County
headquarters in Southeast Portland calling for a fair contract with cost-of-
living raises and a $15 minimum wage.
premium increases low or nonexistent
while preserving benefits.
The union bargaining team is still
waiting to hear whether the county will
agree to its Oct. 1 proposal of a $15
minimum wage for the county’s lowest
paid employees, to be phased in over
three years. Mahoney-Clark says about
160 Local 88 members currently make
below $15 an hour, including library
pages, food service workers, animal
care aides, and bridge operators. Some
members earn so little that they are eli-
gible for food stamps and other public
assistance.
“This is a fight for justice, and the
time is right,” said Oregon AFSCME
Executive Director Ken Allen at an Oct.
28 union rally outside county head-
quarters. “The county budget is in the
best shape it’s been in six years.”
Mahoney-Clark said she expected
the two sides to reach a tentative con-
tract agreement at the negotiations
scheduled for Nov. 5, after this issue
went to press.
Labor’s Community Service Agency on Oct. 24 received a $2,122 donation to
its Helping Hands program from Sunrise Dental. The money was raised at the
Hot August Clay Shoot sponsored by Sunrise Dental Aug. 16 in Gervais,
Oregon. More than 40 labor unions and organization contributed to the
fundraiser. Thirty-five people took part in the clay shoot. In addition to LCSA,
a like amount was donated to Sunrise for Children, a program to help end
child slavery. Pictured above making the presentation to LCSA is Shannon
Walker (left) of Sunrise Dental. Accepting the check is LCSA Executive
Director Vickie Burns and LCSA office manager Eryn Byram. The clay shoot
is slated again next year on Saturday, Aug. 22. Mark your calendars now.
... Park Rangers get contract
(From Page 1)
Local 483 has also pushed to make
more rangers permanent employees,
and limit the number of rangers desig-
nated as seasonal. In the past, most
rangers have been classified as seasonal
workers, laid off after they work 1,400
hours in a year. Responding to rangers
who spoke Oct. 22 at a City Council
meeting, City Commissioner Amanda
Fritz said she will try again to add nine
permanent positions to the budget.
“Portland Park Rangers serve ad-
mirably as the goodwill ambassadors of
our parks and natural areas, and I am
pleased we have come to this agree-
ment,” Fritz said in an Oct. 29 press
statement.
LERA awards to be
presented Nov. 12
The Oregon chapter of the Labor
and Employment Relations Association
(LERA) will hold its awards ceremony
and annual meeting Wednesday, Nov.
12, at the World Trade Center, 121 SW
Salmon St., Portland. The awards pro-
gram recognizes individuals from labor,
management, academics and neutrals
who have made major contributions to
labor-management relations.
The awards presentation will take
place at a reception immediately fol-
lowing the annual program. This year’s
program will feature top political lob-
byists for labor and management dis-
cussing Oregon’s election results and its
implications for labor relations.
The program is from 3:30 to 5 p.m.,
followed by the awards presentation
and annual meeting.
You can register online at www.ore-
gonlera.org. Cost is $25 for LERA
members and $35 for non-LERA mem-
bers.
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NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS
NOVEMBER 7, 2014