VANCOUVER, Washington — Workers at Vancouver Housing Authority who are represented by OPEIU Local 11 won a new contract that provides some of the biggest increases they have seen in years. The agreement eliminates the previous merit-based pay structure and replaces it with a fairer, step-based structure.
OPEIU Local 11 represents about 50 Vancouver Housing Authority workers who help people access emergency shelters that are operated by partnering nonprofits, find permanent supportive housing serving people exiting homelessness, and sign up for subsidized housing, low-income housing tax credit properties, mixed-income properties, affordable homeownership and rental assistance vouchers. They also work closely with local governments and other community partners throughout Clark County to address issues of affordable housing and homelessness and help families break the cycle of poverty.
Over the life of the three-year agreement, union members will receive a total increase to their wages of 22%. That includes a $2 an hour market adjustment that took effect January 1, 2025. Workers also will receive an additional 4% increase on their anniversary date, and 5% increases on January 1, 2026, and 2027.
Negotiating away from a merit-based pay system not only secured broad-based increases for all members but also reflects a shift towards a more equitable pay structure. This move counters the potential pitfalls of merit systems that can lead to wage disparities.
“By securing a significant wage increase and a more equitable pay structure, this agreement helps our workers move closer to financial independence, empowering them to remain self-sufficient and reducing the likelihood that they will rely on the services of the Vancouver Housing Authority in the future,” said OPEIU Local 11 Representative Cheyenne Russell
The agreement also:
- Increases interpreter pay from $30 to $50 per paycheck for workers who use a second language regularly in their role.
- Provides long-serving workers with a longevity bonus every three years, up from five years in the previous agreement.
- Changes out-of-class pay to a minimum of 5% increase of regular wages to ensure workers are being compensated fairly if they take on job duties outside of their usual roles.
- Adds eight hours of guaranteed bereavement leave
- Adds four hours of compassion leave in the event of the death of a current employee or non-immediate family loved one
- Reduces medical insurance costs for over 50% of the members
- Strengthens language that ensures workers have a voice to address workplace issues through a Labor Management Committee.
Workers ratified the contract in December with supermajority approval. The agreement took effect January 1, 2025, and expires December 31, 2027.
ABOUT OPEIU LOCAL 11
OPEIU Local 11 represents nearly 1,800 employees across five states: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Montana. OPEIU Local 11 ’s members work in many settings, including local governments, offices, mental health care facilities, nonprofits, and utilities providers. Through OPEIU Local 11, employees have a voice on the job and an avenue to equality, fair treatment and economic security. Learn more online at OPEIU11.org.