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77 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, September 16, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 1, 2004 Service Employees International Union Local 503 workers gather in front of the Jackson County Courthouse Wednesday to protest a salary and benefits package offered by Jackson County. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell County workers seek better wage-benefits package By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Gearing up for a possible strike, about 100 county workers rallied in downtown Medford Wednesday to protest a salary and benefits package that they say continues to erode the ability to earn a living wage. "Nobody likes to talk about a strike," said Leslie Frane, executive director of Service Employees International Union Local 503 that represents 660 county workers. "A strike is a last resort for workers." County officials and the SEIU had reached an impasse in the negotiations but recently agreed to a bargaining session July 9 to hammer out a new contract before the old one runs out on July 31. The main issue is health insurance costs, which union officials say will result in an out-of-pocket increase from $15 to $51.95 a month per employee. County officials say their offer actually increases the county’s total overall contribution for each employee’s insurance from $711 to $760. The county has also proposed a 3 percent cost of living increase, while union officials asked for 3.6 percent. Advertisement "That raise just disappeared into our health care," said Frane. Eben Pullman, chief negotiator for the union, said the salary and benefit package is a particular hardship for the 37 percent of county workers who don’t receive a living wage, which he says is $12.69 an hour based on two independent studies of this region. Some of the county workers such as security personnel at the airport earn as little as $7.91 an hour, he said. Also, based on the county’s proposal, a county worker earning an average $29,120 a year would receive an $870 increase. However, the increased insurance fees would add up to $443.40, leaving little left to compensate for hikes in housing, gas and food, said Pullman. Other workers throughout Jackson County are also paying more for insurance, but Pullman said the county should be leading the way in offering a good benefits package. County employees typically receive less than other workers for similar jobs, he said, but have been willing to stay on because of the good benefits. Rep. Alan Bates, an Ashland Democrat, spoke at the worker’s rally and said county officials are hoping that a solution is at hand. "You need to get a contract," he said. "You need to not be on strike." Dave Kanner, deputy county administrator, said the county’s offer represents an increase in insurance benefits over last year. However, since the union takes care of finding its own insurance carrier, the county has no control over the monthly payments. "We agree to pay them a certain amount of money, and they go get their own health insurance," he said. County managers are already paying $49.45 a month out-of-pocket this year, said Kanner. To control costs, managers will pay the same amount next year, but will have fewer benefits, he said. Managers have also agreed to take a 2.29 percent wage increase next year, he said. County workers also receive a fully paid retirement package, said Kanner. Lonny Morgan, a county worker and union representative, said it is ironic the county is willing to spend $1.7 million to pay for the completion of the Jackson County Expo amphitheater, but won’t make sure its workers have enough to live on. "We can’t afford to go to any of the shows out there," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities