By NATHAN WILK/KLCC News
A union of Benton County employees went on strike at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.
AFSCME represents more than 300 workers at the county, spanning multiple departments. That’s over half of all Benton County employees.
The county has said the walkout will cause some service reductions and closures.
An update posted to the Benton County website says the county will pause its U.S. passport services, and won’t issue new licenses for marriages, dogs, or concealed-carry handguns. The county will also temporarily shut down the Johnson Children’s Dental Clinic in Corvallis, and reduce hours at other community health centers. And it is suspending mental health services in its Juvenile Department.
Bathrooms at county-run public parks are closed. The Benton County Fairgrounds remain open and events can continue, but the county will not accept future reservations.
Anne Thwaits, a spokeswoman for the county, said residents looking to file their property taxes by the deadline this Friday can still do so in-person at the Kalapuya Building.
Meanwhile, the county also said it’s created a new emergency operations center to help keep essential services running across the various departments.
A full list of potentially impacted services is available on Benton County’s website.
The union and Benton County met Tuesday, the day before the strike deadline, but weren’t able to reach a deal. Thwaits told KLCC that there is another bargaining session scheduled Friday.
The union has said it wants a fair contract with higher wages and new safety measures. It’s now accusing the county of attempting to stop workers from striking through unlawful coercion and surveillance.
The county has posted a list of past negotiation sessions, as well as the union’s offer and the county’s offer, on its website.
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