Oregon AFSCME reached tentative agreement on a first contract covering about 110 workers at homeless youth nonprofit New Avenues for Youth, the union announced March 27.
The agreement comes after more than 16 months of bargaining and avoids a one-day unfair labor practice strike that had been set for April 1.
Once ratified by workers, the three-year contract will increase the minimum wage at the nonprofit from $17 to $21 per hour. Currently, most workers make less than $22 per hour. Workers would receive a 3.25% cost of living raise in the first year, 3.25% in the second year, and a wage increase to be negotiated later in the third year. Current workers also get a $500 ratification bonus and a $1,500 retention bonus six months after ratification.
The contract also says managers won’t get bigger raises than union-represented workers. The nonprofit’s executive director’s salary was $156,000 in 2023.
New Avenues for Youth serves homeless and vulnerable young people with transitional housing, a drop-in day shelter, GED preparation, mentorship, and case management to connect with other services. Workers voted in June 2023 to join AFSCME Local 1790, which represents a growing number of nonprofits.
Though AFSCME primarily represents public employees, the union has been organizing social service nonprofits that rely heavily on public funding. Government grants accounted for more than 70% of New Avenues’ annual revenue in recent years.
