Corvallis city workers represented by AFSCME Local 2975 are now on strike, after a final mediation session ended without a contract agreement.
Workers are now picketing outside City Hall.
(Photo: AFSCME Local 2975 Picket Line/The Corvallis Inquirer)
The union represents 246 city employees. Workers serve in departments including Public Works, the library, Parks and Recreation, and Community Development, along with some civilian positions supporting police and fire operations.
In the union’s account of Tuesday’s mediation, an offer was submitted that they believed matched what management had identified as affordable.
“We made an offer equal to what management itself said it could afford. Management rejected it and broke off talks. We are ready to return to the table at any time,” the union stated.
The City posted a strike contingency operations page found here.
Police, fire, ambulance, and 911 response will remain unaffected, and buses are expected to operate normally.
Public Works administrative offices and Community Development counters will close to the public, with development staff available by appointment. Residents should expect slower responses to some requests, less frequent street sweeping, and possible reductions in park and restroom maintenance.
Recreation programs, Municipal Court, and scheduled City Council meetings will continue, along with online payments and permit services.
(Photo: AFSCME Local 2975 Picket Line/The Corvallis Inquirer)
The city’s published September offer included cost-of-living increases totaling 12% over three years and an increase in employees’ share of medical and dental insurance premiums from 7% to 10% in the final year. The city valued the final proposal around $7.8 million.
This article was written by Jesse Grant, a contributor to The Corvallis Inquirer. Feel free to send us your stories or articles to publish at: editor@corvallisnow.com
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This story makes me very sad that the finest civic minds on both sides simply cannot come to some sort of agreement does not bode well for my little town.
With the need to replace City Hall with a Brutalist glass cube fitting for our highly paid City Manager to park his vast executive desk, such things as decent wages and benefits for the hoi polloi of city employees is not possible at this time.