OPEIU Local 11 members at NW Natural ratify pact

Workers at NW Natural ratified a new five-year contract July 2. The vote, by members of Office and Professional Employees Local 11, was 394-161.

Workers rejected the gas company’s first offer 206-230. Those ballots were counted May 28.

Stakes were a bit higher on the second ballot, as a “no” vote also represented authorization for the bargaining unit to call a strike if needed.

“I’m happy for the membership and for five years of labor peace and harmony at the gas company,” said Local 11 Executive Secretary-Treasurer Mike Richards.

The contract — retroactive to May 31 — includes wage increases the first year that bring job classifications to “market value.” The average increase is 2.3 percent, though some classifications will receive more than that while others receive less, Richards said.

Annual wage increases the following four years will be based on a cost-of-living-adjustment formula ranging from 1 to 3 percent.

Workers will not see any increases in their health insurance co-payments over the next two years, and no more than a 3 percent out-of-pocket increase annually between 2011 and 2014. Any increases will be based on cost of living.

The pact also guarantees no layoffs for workers hired before April 1, 2004 (approximately 75 percent of the workforce). Union members did, however, agree to up to 20 furlough days per 12 month period. Every worker will be subject to furloughs, but not until negotiations are held between the company and the union, Richards said.

Furlough days were a key sticking point in the rejected proposal. NWN initially sought 45 days per 12 month period for every employee.

Richards said each bargaining unit member also received $400 to cover a change in pay periods.

Local 11 represents approximately 700 workers, including office staff and outside gas and construction workers.

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