Oregon workers set for labor talks

SALEM – The two top state workers’ unions in Oregon are set to hold a second joint bargaining session today with representatives of Gov. John Kitzhaber.

They’re hoping to break a deadlock about furloughs, health care and pay increases.

Kitzhaber wants state employees to pay 5 percent of their health care premiums as part of the new contract for the 2011-’13 biennium, according to the Statesman Journal.

The unions appear to be bending – but on their own terms. AFSCME Council 75 is pursuing wage increases for its workers. The union has said it will agree to the premium share – and even additional furlough days – to “buy” those pay hikes.

There has been no immediate reaction from the state.

“To us, that’s a very, very significant move, that we’ve shown a willingness to do premium share as long as there’s a pay increase to offset it,” AFSCME Executive Director Ken Allen said. “We’ll see at the mediation on Monday how the state’s bargaining positions change. Right now I’m still optimistic we can get a settlement.”

Negotiations are in mediation. A state-appointed mediator is acting as a liaison between the unions and the state.

State law requires only 15 days of mediation. Then either side can declare an impasse if they feel a compromise is impossible.

An impasse declaration starts a 37-day countdown that ends with the employer having the right to impose its final offer. The union has the right to go on strike.

Officials with the state and both unions said they believe an impasse can be avoided.

“I think they are sincere in working just as hard as we are to reach some middle ground,” said Gail Parnell, Kitzhaber’s chief negotiator. “It will not be a perfect agreement. It will not be an agreement that everyone wants on either side. But we can reach an agreement that we all can say is the best we can get right now with the constraints of the state of Oregon’s budget. I think we can get there.”

Parnell noted that the state negotiators have given way on some issues, including a demand that state employees begin paying part of their pension contribution. State agencies currently “pick up” the contribution, paying what amounts to 6 percent of employee salaries.

Heather Conroy, executive director of SEIU Local 503, said the union is dedicated to protecting its members from taking the full brunt of state cutbacks. She declined to talk about specific contract issues.

“From the beginning of bargaining, we have said we need a fair contract,” Conroy said. “That’s really coming down to the economic issues. We’re going to work very hard to get a fair contract.”