Reynolds members: Treat us fairly!
More than 80 Reynolds Chapter 37 members protested the lack of progress in bargaining on top of layoffs, cuts to hours and unfair treatment at an informational picket on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
The cold and driving wind didn’t stop classified employees and their supporters, who held signs and waved to drivers at the intersection of 223rd Avenue and Glisan Street in Gresham. Their employer is taking advantage of an economic reopener in the contract to demand employees increase their health insurance contributions and absorb cuts to hours, even as top administrators still enjoy fully paid health care and 3 percent cost of living increases. About nine positions were eliminated in June, while secretaries districtwide saw 2.5 hours per week cut from their schedule.
Reynolds Chapter 37 President Cindy Dominiak said that while the district did offer step increases, it doesn’t help half of the bargaining unit that is already on the top step. She said she was “overwhelmingly impressed” with the turnout.
“Our members feel disrespected and want the district to value the experience and length of service many of our members have,” Dominiak said.
“We had a lot of fun, and everybody walked away having had a pretty positive experience,” OSEA Field Representative Timothy Welp added. “People felt really good about standing up for themselves.”
OSEA has also filed an unfair labor practice against Reynolds School District for refusing to discuss the chapter’s bargaining proposal, and negotiations continue. But Welp walked away feeling encouraged, especially by the members who were so jazzed that they wanted to picket the next night’s school board meeting.
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