Central Table Update 6/3/09

Central Table Update 6/3/09

Yesterday the State upped the ante and increased the urgency in bargaining by announcing that it intends to declare impasse.

This declaration means the State feels that it is close to done "compromising" — which is ironic, since we don't feel like they've done much compromising at all.

The State's declaration of impasse also means that both sides must submit "final offers" in seven days, although bargaining can continue after these offers are submitted so in some sense the term is misleading. We anticipate that the State's final offer will remain unchanged from its current position:
* Complete step freeze
* Revocation of tenth step
* 10 to 24 furlough days, based on salary range, for most employees
* Pay reductions in lieu of furlough days for some workers, including most in 24/7 institutions, and motor carrier enforcement officers in ODOT
* No cost of living raises
* Increase in State's contribution for health insurance.

Our bargaining team is working to craft our final offer. Our top goals will be to:
* protect our health insurance
* preserve our steps
* minimize the number of furlough days
* avoid pay cuts for anyone
* win extended recall rights to protect workers who may be laid off as a result of budget cuts.

After both the State and the Union submit final offers, a 30-day "cooling off period" begins. Bargaining can continue, but at the end of that time, according to the State's Chief Bargainer Eva Corbin, the State may "implement" its final offer. Effectively, the State is threatening to impose the terms of its final offer in mid-July if we have not reached a negotiated agreement by that point. Though permitted by law, unilateral implementation would be unprecedented in the history of our collective bargaining with the State of Oregon. We cannot let the State believe it can implement this kind of "last offer" on us!! The State must improve its proposals!

Our window of opportunity is now! We know from experience that when we come together, take action and make our voices heard we can make positive change. We've done that when we've pulled together to beat back anti-worker ballot measures. Just recently, after hundreds of workers came to Salem to lobby, testified at hearings and participated in the Ways and Means community forums around the state, we succeeded in moving the legislature to include $800 million of new revenue in the proposed 2009-2011 budget to protect our services.

Now we have to make our voices heard to move the State negotiators. That's why we all need to join the United for Oregon March on Sunday. Members and community allies will come together to demonstrate our support for fair treatment of workers and adequate funding for quality public services. If you have already signed up for the march please bring friends and family and urge co-workers to go, too. If you have not yet registered, do so now here.

We will gather at the Eastbank Esplanade between Salmon and Main Streets at 11:30. Bring cans or boxes for the Oregon Food Bank and bring a strong voice!

This is a day that could affect the rest of our lives.