State corrections workers make their point in week-long strike

A week-long strike by non-security workers at the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) ended Oct. 23 following a 19-hour mediation session. Some 750 state employees at facilities throughout the state are represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2376.

The walkout began at midnight Oct. 18 over pay and training for the non-security workers. Because of short-staffing at most correctional facilities, the DOC has been using non-security employees - which include nurses, counselors, clerks, electricians, kitchen help and others - to perform security-related duties without equivalent pay or proper training, explained Don Loving, director of public affairs for Oregon AFSCME Council 75.

"If they are going to perform security duties, they need to be paid security-level wages, and they need security training," Loving said.

Many corrections officers (who also are members of AFSCME) spent their lunch and other breaks on the picket line in a show of support for Local 2376.

The affected facilities were Shutter Creek, Santiam, Col-umbia River, Two Rivers, Eastern Oregon, Powder River, Snake River and Oregon Corrections.

The key to the settlement was the state's acceptance of a union proposal to launch a joint study committee with dedicated funds that will evaluate what level of security functions each non-security employee actually undertakes.

"Based on the committee's recommendations, salary adjustments will be made to the affected employees," Loving said.

In addition, members of the bargaining unit will receive a 3 percent wage hike Nov. 1, 2000 and and 2.3 percent increase June 1, 2001. They also will get a $1,100 "signing bonus" upon ratification. Ballots were mailed out last week but won't be totaled until sometime next week.

AFSCME had to get the attention of Governor John Kitzhaber and several legislators to end the strike. "It is flabbergasting to us that this governor would allow an AFSCME local to strike without giving some input to state bargainers," Loving said days before the walkout.

On the morning of Oct. 21, strikers from the Columbia River Correctional Institution in Portland took the dispute to the Democratic governor, showing up with picket signs at a press conference he was holding on school financing.

"He definitely was caught off guard," said Mary Botkin, chief lobbyist for AFSCME Council 75, who was present. "But he recovered quickly. He shook everyone's hand and said that we had his attention."

That evening, Speaker of the House Lynn Snodgrass and State Representative Karen Minnis, both Republicans, showed up at a "unity rally" held by Council 75. Both spoke to the crowd of about 75 persons, being careful not to make any commitments they couldn't keep. Snodgrass, however, did say there was money in the state emergency fund to cover higher raises but that "nobody has asked for it."

At the bargaining table, union officials said the state insisted there was no money in the budget for raises beyond what it was offering (4 percent over two years).

But less than 24 hours after confronting the governor and talking with lawmakers a deal was reached.

"I think getting the governor's attention and talking with Lynn, Karen and Gene Derfler (state senator) and getting their support helped end this strike quickly," Loving said.