CHRIS DUGOVICH had much to be enthusiastic about when he addressed Council 2’s convention this year.
“Since we last gathered two years ago, I’m proud to report that our union has grown in size, stability and effectiveness,” Council 2’s president/executive director told almost 300 members and guests who attended the convention.
Not only is Council 2 growing, but its finances are as good as they ever have been, contract wage settlements totaled almost 10 percent since the previous convention, and — in an era when many workers are losing their defined-benefit pensions — it has ensured that members’ pensions have not just been retained, but also improved.
The 48th biennial convention was the first held by Council 2 in Vancouver.
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Some of the good news was that Council 2 grew by 750 members from its convention in Spokane two years ago to that held in Vancouver, Wash., this year, bringing its total to more than 16,000 members statewide.
“We’ve brought in new members from across the state, drawn to our model of professional service and outstanding track record at the bargaining table and in our legislative work,” President Dugovich said. “We want to welcome new members in more than 10 local government jurisdictions.”
As well as leading the charge on pension reform that benefits all public sector employees, Council 2 is leading the way on the local level with contracts that consistently win wage benefits for members, Dugovich added.
"During a time of flat wages across the private and public sectors, Council 2 members are enjoying some of our best years in percentage increases,” he said. “In 2005 our average wage contract settlement was 2.91 percent. In 2006 it was 3.23 percent and so far in 2007 it has been 3.75 percent. Those increases since our last convention total 9.89 percent. Many of you have worked hard on these contracts and you deserve a pat on the back.”
Gains also had been made in the area of collective bargaining rights, he said. A new law will give members the option to negotiate contracts that last for up to six years, making it unnecessary to return to the bargaining table year after year.
