A D V E R T I S E M E N T
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
ADVERTISEMENTS
<< Prev. Page 1 | 2
Nancy Drury, employee services director at Clackamas County, confirmed that the county proposed reducing its contribution to employee health insurance from the previous contract. But she said there was never a formal offer on the table, so there was no regressive bargaining.
“We did not put any offer of benefits on the table at a higher cap and then take it back,” she said. “They may be disappointed, but that is not regressive bargaining. There was never a commitment by our chief negotiator that the contract was status quo (from the previous contract) on benefits.”
The county and union also differ on wages, though their differences aren’t as pronounced.
The county is proposing no cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) this year and wants COLAs in ensuing years of the three-year contract to be between 1 and 4 percent, depending on economic conditions. The union agrees with no COLA this year, but wants future raises to be between 2.5 and 4.5 percent.
The county has eight unions, and aside from sheriff’s deputies and parole officers, all of them have been without a contract since July 1. In addition to the three AFSCME units, there are units represented by the Employees Association, many of whom were also on hand at the rally. In all, there are between 1,200 and 1,300 county employees currently working without a contract.
“Basically they all have the same offer,” Drury said.
Negotiations have been ongoing since March, beyond a 150-day time limit after which one side can request an independent mediator. Neither side has taken that step yet. AFSCME became vocal about the negotiations last week, holding a smaller rally in the afternoon on Oct. 8. Oregon AFSCME Executive Director Ken Allen said the union should put pressure on the county commissioners, emphasizing the union’s importance not just in day-to-day operations, but in the political arena.
“Who do they call when they have a political problem,” Allen said at the rally, citing past anti-tax initiatives that were on ballots. “Commissioners call and say, ‘How much are you gonna’ raise to fight this?’”
<< Prev. Page 1 | 2
We aren’t anti government or anti tax. We are pro citizen, pro responsibility, pro transparency and pro right to work. The top heavy cost of the administration of Public Income Indemnification Associations, alone, makes it unable to compete. That fact that the politics behind organized labors anti competition posture is ancillary.
If collective bargaining wasn’t holding government, and subsequently the taxpayer, over a barrel, there might be a more open and productive dialogue. Regrettably, members (unionized public employees) of Public Income Indemnification Associations are forced to march in lockstep with what ever policies they are told are best for them. They are not permitted to opt out of the union and they have no say in where their dues are directed. How progressive or democratic is that?
The former labor lawyer turned governor of Oregon has thus far spent 25% percent of the 3.9 billion dollars of stimulus money, although Oregon hasn’t seen a dime of that money yet. Why should any Oregonian believe that Public Income Indemnification Associations (unions) are going to do anything different? Progressive policy is now faced with the results of shortsighted exclusivity that shot itself in the foot by running tax revenue generating businesses and employment out of Oregon. Way to go guys.
(email verified)
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 10:47 PM
The county has only has one goal and this is to break the union like they did the sheriff's office in the old days because you folks will get sold out just like we did...
(email verified)
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 11:13 PM
We all work hard! Not all of us are as greedy as public employees.
(email verified)
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 07:03 AM
What a bunch of dumb lemmings. Be happy you have a job, the economy SUCKS, there are 10 people out there waiting for your job. If you think things suck now, wait till you don't have a job. This type of economy is great for union busting, put an offer on the table, if they don't take it, fire anyone who doesn't want the offer, de-certify the union and hire from the outside. Let them strike and see how well that works. 98% of them could be replaced in a day, the union is unreasonable and everyone should be happy to remain employed (it's not like county is fat with money) - understand the downturn and work with us, not against the county. I'd love to see it illegal to have unions for public employees. Bust the union, let's live within our means - quit milking blood out of a stone.
(email verified)
Sat, Oct 17, 2009 at 05:35 AM
Find a paper
Enter a street name
or a 5 digit zip code
Browse archive
The Clackamas Review
News feed
Facebook
Digg
Del.icio.us
Newsvine
Stumbleupon
Reddit
Re: Union to county: health insurance proposal illegal
Cue ill-informed, anti-government rants from people who have no idea how hard public employees work on behalf of their communities...
"alinsky"
(email verified)
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 05:26 PM