Wanting a better offer from the city of Lake Oswego amid labor negotiations, workers within the Lake Oswego Municipal Employees Association belted out “more than praise, we need a raise,” “living wages, living city” and other chants during a rally held at City Hall Wednesday, June 26.
The municipal employee association represents 166 workers within the city government (it doesn’t include management, fire or police) and has negotiated over a new contract with city leaders over the last few months.
Along with the rally, the association recently sent out a petition signed by 144 members asking for a better contract. Association President Scott Symer also testified in front of the City Council earlier this month.
During an interview at the rally, Symer said the association is looking for around 5-6% wage increases annually for the next three years so that wages can align with the high inflation experienced since the previous contract was signed. He added the city has offered wage increases that appear similar to previous contracts.
The last agreement led to a 4% increase in wages for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, with wage increases for the next year hovering between 2% and 4% depending on changes to the consumer price index. This agreement is set to expire June 30.
Symer mentioned a survey the association recently conducted where 60% of respondents said that they can’t afford to put money into savings due to their wages. Further, he said the association is seeking more opportunities for advancement and better pay for public works employees during inclement weather events. The union also wants time spent inr employee resource groups — which focus on issues of inclusivity — to be considered part of daily work hours rather than break time.
“We’re optimistic we can reach a deal. These are things we do to avoid a strike. We are really hopeful about the process. We have a long history of constructive engagement with the city on these issues. I think we’re wanting them to see that this is a profoundly different time than in the past,” Symer said. “The city is giving us the sense that this is business as usual. This is what we have seen in a lot of their proposals, particularly the financial ones. They need to know our members are hurting.”
The union conducted the rally in association with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which provides support to local unions.
A press release from AFSCME following the rally mentioned the city’s budget reserves as a reason for increasing wages more substantially.
“The City’s unrestricted fund balance has consistently exceeded both industry standards and its policy. In FY 2023, the unrestricted fund balance surpassed industry standards by $29.4 million and the City’s policy by $22.8 million. Despite this financial stability, the City has yet to agree to wage increases that support employees and their families,” it reads.
The city government does not discuss labor negotiations, which take place in executive sessions that are not open to the public or the media.
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