Jackson County, Ore., — After months of rallies and negotiations, a new contract is finally in the works for hundreds of Jackson County Workers.
The county and the union came to an agreement late Monday.
The agreement made on Monday night is tentative right now, but both Jackson County and the union say they are recommending the deal to their workers.
“It’s been challenging.”
Jackson County Mental health worker Danielle Givens is one of 600 workers in the union affected by the contract negotiations.
“There’s been a sense of unsure, whenever you’re working without a contract you don’t really know what to expect.”
For the last eight months, airport workers, road construction workers and so many more like Danielle have been stuck.
But Monday night, Jackson County and the union came to an agreement.
“We’re very pleased that we were able to get kind of solid cost of living adjustments, health insurance coverage and kind of safety for our members.”
Though the agreement is tentative, both ends are on board.
“We reached an agreement where I think both parties are happy with where we reached it, and we’re both gonna go back to our clients and recommend it.”
“We feel like it’s fair we’re getting the things we asked for, so we’re ready to just say yes.”
And ending months of negotiation is something that benefits everyone.
“I think that if we can get it approved by both parties it’s something that benefits both the county, and the workers represented by SEIU.”
“Now that there’s a little less pressure then I can be better at my job at serving clients and being there 100%”
The workers are in ratifying meetings the rest of this week and next, but if all goes as planned and the Jackson County Board of Commissioners approve the new three year contract, it will likely go into effect on November first.
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