Oregon AFSCME Local 1569, Council 75's newest local representing City of Newberg Public Works employees, has overwhelmingly ratified its first contract.  After a well-orchestrated effort by AFSCME's Organizing Department, the union entered negotiations with the city in September and built a contract from scratch.

 

The new Local 1569 represents about 30 Newberg workers. Council 75 Staff Representative Justin St. James says highlights of the two-year agreement include:

 

á        Just cause and a fair grievance procedure, neither of which existed in the city previously.

 

á        No changes in health care, retirement or deferred compensation plans.

 

á        The unfreezing of salary steps.

 

á        COLAs of 2.5 percent for the first year and 2 percent plus a cash bonus in the second year of the contract.

 

á        Improvements to standby pay, the ability to choose overtime rather than being forced to take compensatory time, and inclement weather pay.

 

"For a first contract campaign, the local showed enormous solidarity and supported the bargaining team at every turn," said St. James. "Our bargaining team worked incredibly hard to get the local the best possible contract. They were a smart and talented group that spent months negotiating every last article in the new contract, yet they remained positive and focused even during the longest days of bargaining."

 

In addition to St. James, the Local 1569 Bargaining Team included Mike Conway, Brittney Jeffries, Bryan Jones, Craig Pack, Karen Tarmicheal and Ed Thomas.

 

St. James also cited Oregon AFSCME Organizers Dan Abernathy and Tyler Woodard for their help during the organizing campaign.