SEASIDE — The seats were empty, but they spoke volumes.

 

Immediately prior to the arrival of Gov. Ted Kulongoski on Oct. 10, the Oregon AFSCME delegation marched off of the Oregon AFL-CIO convention floor. The walkout was a protest over the recent double-digit salary increase Kulongoski okayed for all state managers — in some cases triple what rank-and-file Council 75 members are to receive under a recent settlement with the state.

 

Oregon AFSCME Executive Director Ken Allen explained the situation to convention delegates about 30 minutes before Kulongoski arrived.

 

"Never in my 33 years of bargaining have I seen a situation like this," said Allen. "After months of tough bargaining, we were told our two-year package that included a 6.2 percent combined wage increase was absolutely all the state could afford. I'm in the process of recommending that package to our members when the state announced that all managers will receive a package roughly triple the size of our increases, with bonuses thrown on top for some agency heads. Now we have locals voting down the settlement and talking about striking. We have a tough situation ahead trying to resolve this, and that's why we won't be on the floor when the governor arrives."

 

Indeed, about 10 minutes before Kulongoski stepped out of his car, the large AFSCME contingent walked into an adjoining room to caucus. While Kulongoski addressed the remaining delegates, the AFSCME caucus heard from the governor's labor liaison, Tim Nesbitt. For reasons known only within Kulongoski's inner circle, Nesbitt — a former SEIU executive and the former Oregon AFL-CIO President — was not notified of the management wage package until right before it was announced.

 

That fact mollified the AFSCME crowd only somewhat. Nesbitt answered questions about the situation as best he could, promising to do "whatever I can to make it right. But I don't know exactly what that will be."

 

Allen said Nesbitt had been put in a difficult position, and warned the caucus before his arrival to "remember, Tim isn't the governor. He can only do so much."

 

While Nesbitt took heat next door, Kulongoski calmly spoke to the convention about the importance of unions to Oregon's middle class, the need to pass Measures 49 and 50 and urged delegates to contact U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) to overturn President Bush's veto of the federal children's health care package. Kulongoski made no mention of the state salary situation, nor did he make any reference to the gaping hole of empty AFSCME chairs immediately in front of the podium.

 

"Our members wanted to make a statement, and we did that," said Allen. "It's important to note that all of our delegates were absolutely united on this issue, our city, county and other district delegates included. I'm proud of how we all stood shoulder-to-shoulder to support our state members.

 

"Now we have to move forward," Allen continued. "Tim Nesbitt is committed to searching for a solution. Even the governor has alluded to 'fixing' this. So we'll see what they have to say in the next few days. We have plans in place if we don't like what we hear, and we'll let everyone in Council 75 know what's happening as this unfolds."