AFSCME Local 2064 tentatively agreed upon a three-year contract with the county late Tuesday night, effectively ending the Benton County worker’s strike.
Represented Benton County workers began striking on Wednesday, Nov. 13, after negotiations with the county deadlocked. The parties tentatively agreed on a contract on Tuesday, prompting union members to meet at the Benton County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, Nov. 20, to vote on ratifying the contract.
Communication specialist for AFSCME Oregon Council 75, Milana Grant, said 95% of members voted to ratify the contract Wednesday afternoon.
“Members were largely excited,” said Grant. “This contract was a huge win for us.”
Strikers received support from local government officials like Representative-elect Sarah Finger McDonald, Representative Tom Anderson, Senator Sara Gelser Blouin and State Treasurer-elect Elizabeth Steiner.
“The pressure that the Board of Commissioners was facing from all sides, from our community members, from their constituents, from elected officials, that was what got us over the finish line,” Grant said.
The union sought to attain fair wages and improve safety regulations for Benton County workers.
According to a press release shared by David Kreisman, the Communications Director for Oregon AFSCME Council 75, the contract will guarantee raises, a $2,500 bonus, a 5% pay increase during declared emergencies, improved holiday pay standards, and an added Holiday after Thanksgiving for members.
The county also agreed to modify documentation standards for safety concerns, according to the Benton County Public Information Officer, Anne Thwaits.
Thwaits assured that the agreement would not affect county services or jobs.
“Our financial services team worked very hard to make sure that these increases can be paid without negative impacts on the budget,” Thwaits said. “That’s one reason why it took several versions, and it took some time to really negotiate this agreement.”
Grant said it is typical for contracts to have a 2-3 year lifespan. She explained that future contract negotiations will depend on economic conditions, as well as the outcome of a market study that will be conducted in the contract’s third year.
Thwaits said the market study will ensure that wages reflect current market salaries. “We think it is going to have really positive outcomes and might really change how the conversation begins when we go in three years from now to start negotiating the next contract.”
Benton County employees represented by AFSCME will return to work tomorrow morning, Thursday, Nov. 20, Thwaits said.
