Corvallis city workers are planning to return to work on Friday, October 23.
A joint statement from the city and the union was just released after a statement was earlier released by AFSCME Local 2975. Some employees even began returning to work Thursday morning as soon as the ratification vote concluded.
According to the announcement from Oregon AFSCME Local 2975, the union’s bargaining team reached an agreement with city negotiators following an all-day mediation session on Wednesday. Members overwhelmingly ratified the proposal Thursday morning.
It’s pretty much over. The tentative agreement still needs to be approved by the City Council at its next public meeting on November 2.
The joint statement released by the city and union describes the agreement as a five-year contract intended to provide long-term labor and financial stability. Both parties acknowledged that “negotiations were challenging at times,” but said they bargained in good faith toward a shared goal.
(Photo: AFSCME Local 2975 pickets outside City Hall/The Corvallis Inquirer)
The agreement includes a $1,000 ratification bonus, an additional seventh step on the wage schedule beginning in the contract’s fourth year, and no increase to employee health insurance premiums until 2030.
Its announcement also highlighted improved workplace safety language, without providing details about those provisions.
“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,” Local 2975 President Evan Newton said in the union’s earlier announcement.
The joint statement says the agreement positions Corvallis to retain and attract qualified employees. It also acknowledges that the city’s work toward a sustainable budget will continue as employees return to their jobs and labor negotiations wrap up.
The joint statement can be found here on the city’s website.
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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