We’re excited to announce that after months of tough bargaining, your Central Table team has reached a tentative agreement (TA) on our next two-year contract!
This bargaining cycle was especially challenging due to the tough financial climate that has created a ripple effect throughout our state budget. But we stood our ground, stayed united, and won a contract that will make a real difference for state workers across Oregon.
One of the biggest wins? We held strong fighting for an additional salary step and did not back down—and we got it!
Here are some of the highlights of what we secured together:
Economic Wins
Year 1 COLA (December 2025): 2.5%
Year 2 COLA (December 2026): 3.45%
New Salary Step: Added step effective in March 2027. This is nearly three years earlier than we would normally secure an add step!
Inclement Weather Differential: Increased from $3 to $4/hour for those required to work during inclement weather.
Bereavement Leave: Added 8 hours of paid leave for the passing of a coworker.
Improvements to Working Conditions
Remote Work: Stronger language to support remote work options.
Statewide LMC: A new committee focused on giving us a consistent platform to bring issues up, including DEI and Workday/payroll issues.
Health Insurance: Status quo maintained.
Administrative Leave Protections: Improved communication expectations for workers on administrative leave or duty stationed at home, recognizing the mental health toll that isolation can bring.
Payroll
It has become evident over the last two years that the State is not backing down from transitioning to biweekly pay. Your Central Table team focused on creating protections and obtaining benefits for this transition. We obtained an LOA that not only successfully pushed the implementation of biweekly pay to mid-2027, but gives us a voice in the planning process over the next two years. This was also a big part of securing the add step.
Over the coming weeks, we will have more information regarding the Workday grievance settlement, and any additional benefits that come along with it.
These benefits are in addition to all the benefits negotiated at your individual local tables. This is a contract we can all be proud of. It’s the result of persistence, solidarity, and a bargaining team that refused to settle for less.
Next steps will include ratification votes, and we’ll be getting information out to members soon on how to participate. We will also send out an informational video early next week, so keep an eye out for that.
Thank you for your support and solidarity throughout this process. Together, we are building a stronger future for all state workers.
In Solidarity,
Your Central Table Bargaining Team
