6.5% COLA Increase for Some in 2024 Revealed! Check details

6.5% COLA Increase for Some in 2024: State government employees in Oregon who are represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) have secured a new contract that ensures pay raises and maintains current benefits.

6.5% COLA Increase for Some in 2024

The contract, which was negotiated by the Central Table, a team of AFSCME members from each state executive branch local except the Department of Corrections, encompasses 19 departments, agencies, and offices. Oregon AFSCME announced in a statement that all Central Table locals had ratified their contracts, which include cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), insurance, vacation, holidays, retirement, and other benefits.

The Central Table contracts represent a historic pay increase for state employees, with COLA increases exceeding 13% over the next two years. This victory demonstrates the effectiveness of our collective bargaining efforts! reported Oregon AFSCME.

The contract stipulates a $1,500 cost-of-living-adjustment incentive in September 2023 and a substantial 6.5% COLA in December 2023. In addition, a 6.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) has been secured for early 2025, ensuring that state employees continue to see compensation increases well into the future.

The current pay structure and all other benefits have been preserved, providing union members with job security and stability.

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A victory for Oregon state workers

This new contract is a major victory for state employees in Oregon and highlights the significance of collective bargaining. According to Oregon AFSCME, the contract provides additional evidence of the union advantage and the advantages of employees having a voice on the job. It also serves as a reminder that unions play a crucial role in assuring workers receive fair treatment and compensation.

President of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Lee Saunders stated, “This is what collective bargaining is all about: coming together to negotiate an equitable return for the work we do every day. Members of AFSCME in Oregon have demonstrated that when we stand united, we can achieve meaningful gains for working people.”

This contract’s successful negotiation is a victory not only for AFSCME members, but for all employees who benefit from union representation. These victories serve as a reminder of the power of collective action as the labor movement continues to confront opposition from anti-union forces.