Press Coverage
Independent coverage of contract negotiations between AFSCME Local 2975 and the City of Corvallis.
These are links to the original publications rather than copies. Some outlets use paywalls or ask you to create a free account, so a few of these may not open fully without a subscription. Your public library card may also get you access.
Corvallis City Workers Union Reaches Deal With City to End Strike
KLCC — October 22, 2026 Members ratify a five-year contract with a new seventh step and no premium increase until 2030. Read it
The Strike Is Over, City Employees Returning to Work
The Corvallis Advocate — October 22, 2026 Members ratify the contract 152–12; the article lays out the raises, the new step and the health insurance terms. Read it
Corvallis City Workers Ratify Tentative Contract Agreement After Six-Day Strike
KVAL — October 22, 2026 The union calls the agreement "overwhelmingly ratified"; workers return Friday. Read it
Driver Cited for Bumping Corvallis City Worker on Picket Line
Corvallis Gazette-Times — October 21, 2026 The Benton County Sheriff's Office cites a driver for reckless driving after a vehicle made contact with a picketer at the Public Works entrance on October 19. Read it
Corvallis City Council Approves City Manager Evaluation, Notes Pay Increase
Corvallis Gazette-Times — October 20, 2026 Council approves the City Manager's annual evaluation 8–1, noting his scheduled 4% cost-of-living adjustment, as striking workers demonstrate outside; a motion to reopen labor talks that night fails, and the Mayor criticizes hiring contractors to cross the picket line. Read it
"I Just Think People Are Tired." Local Workers Appear More Willing to Strike
Corvallis Gazette-Times — October 20, 2026 A look at why more local workers, including City of Corvallis employees, are willing to strike. Read it
City Council Vote Reaffirms City Manager’s Pay Increase
The Corvallis Inquirer — October 20, 2026 On the fifth day of the strike, Council approved the City Manager's evaluation, with one councilor voting no, while union members and two Council candidates spoke in support of striking workers. Read it
Corvallis City Workers Remain on Strike After Mediation Fails
KEZI — October 19, 2026 Local 2975 President Evan Newton on Sunday's mediation: "management decided that two hours was enough to tell us that they're not moving at all." Read it
Timeline: How Corvallis City Workers Ended Up on Strike
Corvallis Gazette-Times — October 16, 2026 A timeline of the negotiations that led to the strike. Read it
Corvallis Workers Take to Streets in First Union Strike
The Daily Barometer — October 15, 2026 More than 150 City employees walk out after months of stalled talks, centered on higher health premiums and reduced longevity pay. Read it
Corvallis City Workers Strike After Contract Talks Collapse
KEZI — October 14, 2026 Coverage and video from the first day of the strike at City Hall. Read it
Corvallis City Workers Strike Over Union Contract Negotiations
KLCC / OPB — October 14, 2026 More than 240 City workers walk off the job over cost-of-living raises, new pay steps for long-serving employees and health care costs, with members on the line describing the gap between how management and represented staff are treated. Read it at KLCC · Read it at OPB
It's Strike Day, City Workers to Hit the Picket Lines After Mediation Falls Apart
The Corvallis Advocate — October 14, 2026 The strike begins after the final mediation session ends without a contract, including the union's case on management's added salary steps and longevity raises. Read it
Last Call For A Contract
The Corvallis Inquirer — October 13, 2026 A preview of the final mediation session before the strike, with the downtown businesses showing their support. Read it
Corvallis City Workers Prepare to Strike
The Daily Barometer — October 13, 2026 OSU's student paper on the strike plan and which City services would be affected. Read it
Corvallis City Workers to Strike Oct. 14 After Mediation Fails to Yield Contract
KVAL / NBC16 — October 13, 2026 Reports the disputes over pay for longtime workers, higher health premiums, the City's refusal of retroactive raises, and hazard pay. Read it
Corvallis City Workers Set to Strike Wednesday After Negotiation Attempts Fail
KEZI — October 13, 2026 Final talks end without a deal; the union is pushing for relief on health care costs and raises that keep up with living expenses. Read it
City of Corvallis Workers Slated to Strike
KOIN — October 13, 2026 Covers limited pay progression, medical costs, back pay, hazard pay and reclassification. Read it
Corvallis City Workers May Strike Oct. 14 Over Pay, Healthcare
KEZI — October 9, 2026 Reports the October 8 mediation session, the union's priorities on healthcare premiums, the pay gap with management and retroactive pay, and the final mediation session on October 13. Read it
Corvallis City Management and Union Workers Gear Up for Strike
Corvallis Gazette-Times — October 7, 2026 Reports how City management and union members are preparing for a possible strike, following the October 5 City Council meeting. Read it
AFSCME 2975's Evan Newton on Corvallis Workers' Contract Fight
America's Work Force Union Podcast — October 7, 2026 Local 2975 President Evan Newton talks about the stalled contract talks, high turnover at the City, and what happens if a fair agreement isn't reached. Listen
It's Official, AFSCME Tells City Officials They Plan to Strike Come October 14
The Corvallis Advocate — October 1, 2026 Reports the union's strike notice and lays out both sides' offers and how each side costs them. Read it
Corvallis City Workers Plan to Strike Oct. 14
KEZI — October 1, 2026 Television coverage of the strike notice, the City's budget position, and contingency planning for city services. Read it
Corvallis workers vote to strike Oct. 14 over pay, health care
Statesman Journal — October 1, 2026 Reports the union's notice of a strike beginning October 14. Read it
Corvallis city workers union set to strike Oct. 14
Corvallis Gazette-Times — October 1, 2026 Reports the union's notice of a strike beginning October 14. Read it
Corvallis City Workers Union Declares Intent to Strike
KLCC — September 30, 2026 Reports the strike notice, the health insurance cost shift at the center of the dispute, and the next bargaining session on October 8. Read it
Corvallis City Workers Enter Final Negotiations Before Impending Strike
Corvallis Gazette-Times — September 25, 2026 Covers the rally outside City Hall and the mediation session that followed, the second state-mediated session since impasse. Read it
Corvallis City Employees’ Pay Battle Continues, Here’s the Projected Budget Impacts
The Corvallis Advocate — September 2026 Reports the final offers both sides filed with the state Employment Relations Board, including the cost each side attaches to its own proposal. Read it
City of Corvallis Workers Take Another Big Step Toward Striking, Formally Declare an Impasse
The Corvallis Advocate — September 2026 Covers the September 1 impasse declaration and walks through the steps state law requires before a strike could legally begin. Read it
City of Corvallis at impasse with union representing nearly 250 employees
KVAL — September 2026 Local television coverage of the impasse declaration and the October 9 date, with the City’s budget position included. Read it
Corvallis city workers union declares impasse in contract negotiation
Corvallis Gazette-Times — September 2, 2026 Reports the impasse declaration and explains what follows: final offers to the state within seven days, then a 30-day cooling-off period before a strike is permitted. Read it
Corvallis city employee union authorizes potential strike
OPB — September 1, 2026 Statewide public broadcasting coverage of the strike authorization vote, the impasse declaration, and what each side says it is seeking. Read it
Corvallis city employee union authorizes potential strike
KLCC — September 1, 2026 Eugene public radio’s report on the authorization vote and the issues still open in negotiations. Read it
Corvallis city staff union authorizes strike, to consider impasse
Corvallis Gazette-Times — August 31, 2026 Covers the strike authorization vote and the legal sequence that would follow an impasse declaration. Read it
City Employees Approve Strike, City Officials Essentially Silent
The Corvallis Advocate — August 2026 Reports the results of the strike authorization vote and notes the City’s limited response at the time. Read it
Corvallis city workers union announces strike vote next week
Corvallis Gazette-Times — August 19, 2026 Reports the union's announcement of a strike authorization vote, and its position on health premiums, cost-of-living raises and comp-time banks following the City's final offer. Read it
We link to coverage of these negotiations whether or not it reflects our position. If you know of an article we have missed, emailAFSCME2975@gmail.com.