When management walked out of bargaining last week, the AFSCME members who keep Corvallis, Oregon, running knew a strike was the only remaining option in their fight for a fair, new contract. 

More than 150 members of Local 2975 (Oregon AFSCME), joined by city residents and other union allies, have been on the picket line since Oct. 14. They’re demanding that city leaders return to the table to finish negotiating a contract that allows city workers to continue serving their community and supporting themselves and their families. 

“We are on strike to protect workers, to get some dignity and respect at the workplace, to have workers’ voices heard, to get strong COLAs, and keep folks living in Corvallis while also not getting crushed by increasing health insurance premiums,” said Evan Newton, a land use planner at Corvallis City Hall and president of Local 2975.  

AFSCME President Patrick Moran, representing 1.4 million union members across the country, joined the striking workers on the picket line Monday. 

“Folks out here depend on you. They know the incredible work you do for them every single day,” Moran said to the striking union members outside City Hall. “You don’t deserve a great contract – you’ve earned a great contract. Every damn dollar, dime and penny: You’ve earned that.”  

It is the first-ever strike of city workers in Corvallis. The cost of living in the area is rising, turnover in the city workforce is high, and many workers say they have looked for other jobs in the past year. 

Union members are asking the city to invest in worker retention by improving the pay scale for longtime employees, and by blocking increases in workers’ health insurance contributions.  

Kristina Hauge, who works in the Parks Department of Corvallis and is the treasurer of Local 2975, said the first page of the employee handbook says the city would like its employees to live in Corvallis. 

“We would love to live in the city we serve but most of us do not,” Hauge said. “There’s no way I can afford to live in Corvallis. The rent is just too high. I’m honestly reaching the point that I’m not sure how much longer I can afford to work for Corvallis, which is a weird thing to say, but if we don’t make more money, I’m not going to be able to pay rent and gas to get to and from work.” 

Since the last contract expired July 1, city workers have not received more than $500,000 that the city had already included in the budget for raises. Making matters worse, none of the city’s offers have included retroactive pay.  

“I wish we didn’t have to do this,” Hauge said about the strike. “But if we want to set up Corvallis for success, you’ve got to set up Corvallis’ employees.” 

Local 2975 represents employees who work in multiple city departments, including Public Works, Library, Parks & Recreation, Community Development, Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources, and the City Manager’s Office, and in civilian roles supporting the Police and Fire departments.