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Multnomah County ratifies three‑year AFSCME Local 88 contract; union praises gains and calls for cultural fixes
Summary
The county ratified a 2025–2028 successor agreement with AFSCME Local 88 (unit ~4,050), delivering a shorter trial service period, stepped COLA increases, longevity leave, and premium increases while union leaders and staff raised concerns about bargaining culture and trauma leave omissions.
The Multnomah County Board on Friday ratified a three‑year collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Local 88 that covers roughly 4,000 county employees.
Interim Chief Human Resources Officer Sessa Diaz told the board the tentative agreement—reached on Dec. 29, 2025 after 31 bargaining sessions—includes a reduction in the initial trial service period from 12 months to six months, a year‑one compensation increase of 2.4% or $1 (whichever is greater) retroactive to July 1, 2025, a guaranteed 3.5% COLA effective July 1, 2026 and an increase to the county minimum wage to $21. The agreement also includes a new longevity milestone: employees who reach 15 years of service receive a onetime 40‑hour leave grant, as well as increases to bilingual and cultural KSA premiums from 4% to 5%.
AFSCME Local 88 leaders set out the contract’s gains but also voiced disappointment about remaining gaps. Jackie Tate, the union president, thanked bargaining members for wins (trial service change, longevity benefit, premium increases) but said the contract fell short on items members prioritized—most notably a robust trauma‑leave policy for staff working in high‑risk environments. "While we celebrate the victories won for our members, we are also disappointed in county leadership," Tate said, urging continued accountability and action.
Two bargaining‑team members provided public testimony that echoed those concerns. Destiny Sanchez and Ernesto Dominguez described difficult working conditions, layoffs and what they characterized as an adversarial bargaining culture; they urged the board and management to align decisions with county values and to pursue more transparent, collaborative problem‑solving.
Commissioners thanked bargaining teams and staff for the lengthy negotiations and expressed a need for continued engagement to address culture and implementation issues. The board approved the ratification by roll call; county leaders said they will implement the agreement and continue discussions about workplace supports and policies.
The transcript recorded that Local 88 ratified the contract by member vote at about 92% in favor prior to board action.
