YAMHILL COUNTY, Ore. — The union representing Yamhill County employees and the county reached a tentative three-year agreement late Tuesday night, ending a strike. Union members will vote to ratify the contract.
Yamhill County officials said the deal between the Yamhill County Employee Association, AFSCME Local 1422, was reached shortly after 10 p.m. on Tuesday.
Union members went on strike Friday morning after a final mediation session on Nov. 2 failed.
"The County is pleased that the parties were able to reach agreement and that the strike is coming to an end. The County looks forward to having employees return to work and resuming normal operations," Ken Huffer, a county administrator, said in a statement.
The union released the following information about the tentative agreement:
- COLA increases of 7% in year one, retroactive to July 1, 2023, 3% in year two, and 3% in year three.
- Market study for all AFSCME-represented positions that were not covered by House Bill 4004, wage study to be completed by July 2024.
- Longevity pay begins at five years, plus one year topped out, and will be a percentage of salary, retroactive to July 1, 2023.
- 6% bilingual pay differential retroactive to July 1, 2023.
- Holiday pay will be based on workers' regular scheduled shifts.
- Streamlined grievance procedure.
"The level of solidarity workers showed throughout the bargaining process was instrumental in making this strike successful," said Michelle Mendoza, the president of YCEA/AFSCME Local 1422.
The union began bargaining with the county in March over a new, three-year contract. Their last contract expired June 30 and they entered mediation in August. Union workers said they wanted higher pay, citing general inflation and an increased cost of living in Yamhill County.
On Nov. 2, Union President Michelle Mendoza told KGW that the county had rejected their best final proposal, which asked for a 15% wage increase over three years. The county offered two counter proposals at the time with wage increases ranging from 10% to 14%. The union also asked for better holiday pay and a streamlined grievance process.
The strike impacted a number of Yamhill County services, according to the union, including services offered by the health department, public works and mental health services.
This is a developing story and may be updated with more details.