Stephen Whitener says the strike is over, and a new five-year contract has been ratified, the vote was 152 to 12. That’s 93% of voting members in favor.
Whitener is an AFSCME Local 2975 trustee, he says the terms are a 6% pay bump year one, that’s 2% general increase and 4% cost-of-living. After that, cost-of-living pay increases would be 3% in years two and three, and 2.5% in years four and five. Yep, it’s a five-year contract. The City has also agreed to add a seventh step for longevity pay that would kick-in on the fourth year of the contract at 2%, and in year five it would increase to 3%.
By contrast, City of Corvallis exempt workers, like managers and directors, have nine opportunities for longevity pay increases.
Health insurance cost sharing has also been hotly contested, the compromise; the City continues to pay 93% for now, and then 90% starting in 2030.
According to Whitener, this all happened late this morning, some workers have already returned to work, and others are celebrating at a local establishment. Technically, according to a release from AFSCME, workers are returning tomorrow, Oct. 23. When asked for confirmation and comment, City spokesperson Patrick Rollens said a joint press release will be issued later.
This is a developing story that will be updated as information becomes clearer.
Here’s the official press release from AFSCME Local 2975
After six days on strike, City of Corvallis workers, represented by Oregon AFSCME Local 2975, have reached a tentative contract agreement with the City of Corvallis.
The union bargaining team met with the city’s bargaining team at an all-day mediation session on Wednesday, in which the parties worked together to reach a deal that puts off increased healthcare costs for workers and makes investments in long-term employees. The union put the tentative agreement to a vote with membership on Thursday October 22nd, and it was overwhelmingly ratified by members. Employees will return to work by Friday, October 23rd.
Some of the contract highlights include:
- A seventh step to be added to the wage schedule in the fourth year of the contract,
- A $1,000 ratification bonus,
- No increase to healthcare premiums until 2030
- Vastly improved safety language
“We are glad that we were able to come to a deal that meets most of our members’ needs, while also addressing the limitations of our city budget,” says Evan Newton, President of Local 2975. “I’m so proud of this union for coming together to make this happen. This is what happens when workers stand united to fight for what we deserve.”
The tentative agreement still needs to be approved by the City Council at their next public meeting on November 2nd.
2:29 pm, Oct. 21: This story was updated to include new union vote totals and clarify the first year pay increase division of 2% general and 4% cost-of-living.
By Steven J. Schultz
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