Oregon Employees Agree To End Strike

The Oregon Public Employees Union called an end to its seven-day strike Sunday night and told its 18,000 members to report to work today.

Union executive director Alice Dale said there was no settlement, but that the state had shown its willingness to compromise.

“The movement the state made ultimately was not enough to bring about a settlement, but it was enough to return to work,” Dale said. “Our contract campaign fight has not ended. It will take a different turn.”

The union had sought a 6.5 percent pay raise to offset a ballot measure passed last fall that requires them to pay 6 percent of their salaries into their pensions beginning in July.

The state offered a 3 percent raise July 1 and another 3 percent in November 1996. Earlier Sunday, the state sweetened the offer by proposing increased benefits.

The strike had closed many offices of the Department of Motor Vehicles and Employment Division. It also delayed issuance of some insurance licenses, routine worker-safety inspections, and some welfare checks and food stamps.