County and AFSCME Local 3997 approve five‑year collective bargaining agreement; reopener on wages in year four

Deschutes County and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3997 reached and the board approved a five‑year collective bargaining agreement covering more than 500 county employees. The contract runs July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2030 and includes multiple changes agreed by both sides.

Deputy County Administrator Eric Cropp and members of the management bargaining team summarized negotiated changes. Key contract elements include a five‑year term with a negotiated cost‑of‑living adjustment formula (a 1.4% COLA adjustment in early years, with a renegotiation/reopener for wages in year four), increased longevity pay ($2.50 per month for each five years of service), a three‑tier bilingual pay scale, expanded on‑call/standby clarifications for exempt employees, incorporation of Paid Leave Oregon and two days of bereavement leave. The county also incorporated Juneteenth as a paid holiday that had previously been in a memorandum of understanding.

Union representatives at the meeting included AFSCME leaders Brenda Johnson (Oregon AFSCME) and Dustin Fanning (AFSCME local president). Negotiators said members ratified the agreement prior to the board meeting.

The board approved the contract by recorded vote. County staff noted the agreement aims to balance employee compensation and the county’s ability to deliver services.

Why it matters: The agreement covers a large portion of the county workforce across multiple departments and locks in labor terms for five years while providing a wage reopener in the fourth year to allow adjustment if conditions change.

What’s next: The county will implement contract provisions July 1, 2025; departments will update payroll and HR policies accordingly.