LOCAL UNION NEWS
(continued from News page)... opened negotiations with the City of Central
Point for a successor agreement representing the police department employees, opened
negotiations with Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon for a successor agreement
representing 9-1-1 dispatchers, opened negotiations with the City of Medford for a successor
agreement representing the Medford Construction and Maintenance employees, and opened
negotiations with Lake County for two successor agreements representing the sheriff’s office
and courthouse employees.
Dave has negotiated and ratified successor agreements for both Carpenters locals’ office staff.
Some of the highlights reached include wage and pension increases, maintenance of health
benefits, and additional holiday benefits. These are good union employers that understand what
it’s like to work under a union contract.
Dave just finished up very difficult negotiations with Northwest Administrators and ratified the
proposal with the members. The 3-year agreement includes increases in the wages and minimal
(hard-fought) 5 cent yearly increases in the pension rates. The members stood fast and took a
strike vote and held strong to the very end. Interestingly, Northwest Administrators is the
company that administers the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust Plan.
Contracts have been distributed to all members of AMR. If you have not received your copy,
please contact a union steward. AMR will soon be hiring for the river rescue positions. These
are good seasonal jobs under a collective bargaining agreement.
Dave will be scheduling proposal meetings soon for the Teamsters Credit Union members for a
successor agreement.
Karine has been very busy since the last article. She has been very involved meeting the
members at all the bargaining units she now represents. She does double duty as she goes with
me to all my units as we bargain and process grievances. There is so much to learn to keep up
with the demands of the work. We were very lucky to hire Karine as she brings 23 years of
experience with the American Red Cross as a steward and negotiator. Karine and I will be
working together in negotiations beginning soon in Washington County LUT, Tillamook 9-1-1
Center, and the Douglas County Public Works Department. Karine is meeting with the Tillamook
9-1-1 Center on 4/11/19 to obtain proposals for negotiations. She has been meeting every two
weeks with the LUT bargaining unit to build a more positive relationship with the members and
receive proposals for negotiations.
We have begun negotiations for the McMinnville Police Association and will soon begin
negotiations for the Benton County Deputies Association. The negotiations for both groups
should be interesting as they want what we bargained last year for the Yamhill Sheriff’s Office
employees. Over the next 3 years the wages for the Yamhill bargaining unit will increase by 31
1/2 percent that compounds to 35 1/2 percent. As you have seen in the news there is a shortage
of law enforcement personnel in Oregon. In order to attract and retain employees the public
sector entities must increase the wages and benefits. Yamhill County saw the big picture and
stepped up with the wages and benefits to build for the future.
WITHDRAWAL CARD INFORMATION
Please remember to contact the Local Union to see if you are eligible for a withdrawal card if you do not work any days in the bargaining unit during the current calendar month. Your dues must be paid current at the time of your request for the withdrawal card. It is very important to request a withdrawal card in a timely manner as dues can accrue until a withdrawal card is requested. If you return to bargaining unit work, please contact the Local Union to deposit your withdrawal card and return to “active” member status with the Local Union.
ADDRESS CHANGE: Please call us with any address changes. Thank You!
T-SHIRTS, JACKETS, AND HATS
T-SHIRTS, JACKETS, AND HATS are available to buy from the office of Local 223. The 100% cotton T-Shirts come in navy, black or ash starting at $8. We offer two styles of jackets: navy satin baseball (sizes L - 3XL); or the black poplin (sizes S - 3XL). The hats are $7.50 and come in solid navy or solid black and two tone, khaki & black or khaki & navy.
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