Standing Together, Winning Respect: Washington County Juvenile Department Workers Ratify First Contract

After nearly a year of bargaining, late nights, and solidarity, employees at the Washington County Juvenile Department have achieved what once felt impossible: their first-ever union contract.

With a nearly 100% vote in favor to ratify the new contract, these dedicated county workers who guide youth and families through some of life’s toughest moments have secured historic gains in pay, benefits, and workplace respect.

“This first contract is a huge win for the folks who show up every day to help young people turn their lives around,” said Vickie Bailes, a Juvenile Counselor and bargaining team member. “We fought hard for fairness and respect, and we finally got it by standing together and refusing to accept less.”

When Washington County Juvenile Department employees voted to join Oregon AFSCME in 2023, they knew that their work had only just begun. They were building something from scratch – a voice at the table where decisions about their work and their lives are made.

“Walking into those first bargaining sessions, we didn’t know exactly what to expect,” said Sean Stutzman, a Juvenile Services Specialist. “But we knew what we wanted: fair pay, a say in how we do our jobs, and recognition for the expertise we bring to this work.”

After months of negotiations that stretched through early 2025, the team reached an agreement that delivers on all three.

The new contract includes:

• 6% PERS pick-up beginning January 2026
• $3,000 ratification bonus for all employees
  2–4% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in July 2027, tied to the Consumer Price Index
• 5% training differential, recognizing the advanced skills and certifications the job requires
• A Labor/Management Committee to continue to foster communication and collaboration
• A streamlined hiring processes, with a focus on easing transitional periods for promotions
   

“For years, we’ve been doing complex, emotionally demanding work without fair compensation,” said Stutzman, another bargaining team member. “These wins aren’t just numbers on paper — they’re a reflection that what we do matters.”

The wins go beyond economics. The contract also establishes a Labor/Management Committee, giving workers a permanent voice in solving workplace challenges, along with improvements to hiring and promotional processes and paid time for continuing education and conferences.

For Oregon AFSCME, which represents thousands of public service workers across the state, the Washington County Juvenile Department’s first contract is another step in a growing movement for equity and respect in public service.

“This is what union power looks like,” said Bailes. “When we come together, we can make real change — not just for ourselves, but for the young people and families who depend on us every day.”