Labor Agreement Approved-0% COLA

Deschutes County Oregon -- 5/25/2011 --

One-year contract extension affects 71 County employees

Deschutes County Oregon -- May 25, 2011 3:27 PM --
Today the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a one-year extension to the existing collective bargaining agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), Local 701. IUOE is the labor union for Deschutes County represented employees working in the Road and Solid Waste Departments.

The extension includes a zero percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) for July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. The current collective bargaining agreement is a four-year agreement that expires June 30, 2011.

After voting in favor of the extension, Commissioner Alan Unger said, “I appreciate that the employees of IUOE recognize the times we are in and their help in keeping costs in line with the economy.”

Commissioner Tony DeBone added, “It’s an important concession from our employees in the Road and Solid Waste departments in recognition of these lean times.”

County Administrator Dave Kanner stated, “I am extremely pleased that our employees are sensitive to the current economic conditions of our community as a whole.”

Assistant Business Manager for IUOE Nelda Wilson commented, “The County and our members are not responsible for the current economic situation within the County or our state, but we are the ones that have to deal with its impacts. The Union and it members are shouldering their part of the burden by extending the agreement for one year without any monetary increase.”

In response to approval of the agreement, Road Department Director Tom Blust said he is very appreciative of the Union and its members. Blust noted the department is experiencing a decline in Forest Safety-net payments next fiscal year and is seeing lower than projected state motor vehicle revenue due to rising fuel prices and a still-struggling economy. He stated that keeping personnel costs in-check next year with the zero percent COLA will help the department’s limited funds go further towards maintaining the County road system.

For more information about Deschutes County collective bargaining agreement negotiations, please call (541) 388-6584.