TROUTDALE, Ore. – Members of AFSCME Local 3132 (Council 75), who voted overwhelmingly to strike for better health care benefits, were still on the job after city negotiators conceded workers’ demand for quality health care, a 9 percent pay raise over three years, increased paid leave and much more.
“We stood together for nine months and fought off numerous attacks to our contract,” said Timothy Shoop, Local 3132 president. “It’s sad that it’s become our responsibility as city workers to protect good jobs in Troutdale, but that’s what we did. The city leadership has shirked that duty and abandoned common sense in these negotiations. We stand proud to hold the line for our community, our fellow workers and our families.”
Members of Local 3132 began to prepare for the possibility of a strike earlier this year through vigorous AFSCME Strong training. As negotiations turned for the worse, with management proposing large cuts to health insurance for the third bargaining cycle in a row, AFSCME leaders educated workers about what’s at stake, also signing up new members.
With support from the community and allies in the surrounding areas, local leadership organized rallies, worksite visits and other actions to show the strength of the workers. During a City Council meeting, members were joined by community allies, waving signs and sharing public comments in support of a fair contract.
There was no surprise when a strike vote was called and more than 95 percent of workers voted in favor of a strike, which would have been their first ever.
“Workers agreed to concessions in 2009 and 2012 to help the city when the economy took a turn for the worse,” added Shoop. “Now, at a time when the city budget has reserves of $1.2 million and Troutdale’s economy is strong, workers are holding the line for quality health care for their families and good jobs for their community.”
A ratification vote is scheduled for the first week in September.