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West Linn council ratifies AFSCME contract, approves matching management pay increases
Summary
On Oct. 7 the West Linn City Council unanimously approved a three‑year AFSCME collective bargaining agreement and adopted a companion resolution setting cost‑of‑living increases and benefits for nonrepresented management; staff said both items will be managed within the biennial budget process.
The West Linn City Council on Oct. 7 adopted two companion resolutions affecting city employees: it ratified a three‑year collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and set compensation adjustments for nonrepresented management and elected officials to match the union agreement.
Staff told council that negotiations with AFSCME began in April and concluded with a tentative agreement in September. The AFSCME agreement takes effect July 1, 2024, and includes cost‑of‑living adjustments of 5% for the current fiscal year (FY25), 4% for FY26 and 3.5% for FY27, a voluntary employees beneficiary association (VEBA) contribution increase to address rising health costs, a 2% longevity pay for employees with 15 years— continuous service, and a 0.5% increase in deferred compensation beginning July 2025.
Lauren, a city staff member presenting the item, said those changes are roughly $60,000 under prior budget projections for the AFSCME side but that a separate management request would increase costs.
Following the AFSCME ratification, the council considered Resolution 2024‑10, which sets the same COLA schedule and benefits for management and nonrepresented employees and establishes a new pay range for the captain position to address compression with sergeants and the chief. Staff estimated the management and nonrepresented adjustments total about $64,000 over the original budget projections for the upcoming biennium and said the increase will be mitigated during the 2027 biennium budget process.
A council member moved to adopt each resolution, the council called the roll and both measures were adopted. Roll calls recorded Councilor Bridal, Council President Baumgartner, Councilor Groener, Councilor Bonnington and Mayor Bill Estosky voting in favor; no dissenting votes were recorded.
The AFSCME contract was described as a three‑year agreement that the union membership already ratified in September; Resolution 2024‑09 authorizes the city to enter into that agreement. Resolution 2024‑10 sets compensation levels for management, nonrepresented employees and elected officials to align with the labor agreement.
Council members thanked staff and union negotiators for their work and noted that unfilled positions and other budget adjustments provide some flexibility to absorb costs. Both resolutions were adopted without amendment. The council did not direct additional immediate changes beyond recording the budget impacts for future biennium planning.
