Legislative staffers in Oregon did the unprecedented when they organized an IBEW bargaining unit in 2021, the first — and still only — union of its kind at any state capitol. Now they've made history again by ratifying a first contract.

It took nearly two years once talks started, but the Seattle Local 89 members emerged with an agreement that gives them new clout in a workplace where opinions, egos and power plays run rampant.

While lawmakers in both parties resisted the union during the organizing drive, tensions eased at the table. Members of the IBEW's bipartisan bargaining team said the dialogue was amiable overall, despite the drawn-out process.

"I think everyone was looking for solutions," said Claire Prihoda, a longtime aide who took part in negotiations. "We all knew that this was a challenging workplace."

The biggest hurdle for both sides was the blank slate in front of them.

"There is so much to this group that's unique and never been done before," Local 89 organizer Justin Roberts said, describing a complicated mix of job durations, classifications and office structure among the state's 60 House members and 30 senators.

Some staffers are full-time and year-round, some part-time, some temporary and employed only when the Legislature is in session in Salem — up to 160 days in odd-numbered years and just 35 days in between, he explained. Some aides work for multiple lawmakers; some are their boss's spouse or child or other relation.

"We had to figure out, are we looking at 90 different bargaining units or is this one bargaining unit with 90 managers?" Roberts said.

The contract affirmed the Legislature itself as the employer with lawmakers effectively first-level managers, still having leeway to run their offices as they see fit, but with more rights and protections for their employees.

"I feel really good about it," Prihoda said. "It's a partisan staff, and that's not an easy group to build solidarity around. We're often at odds in our jobs. But Democrat or Republican, we're all dealing with the same issues at work."

Specific gains include a 6.5% raise, $1,500 lump sum, a grievance procedure, clarity on overtime eligibility and travel costs, and seats on the Capitol's safety and wellness committee.

"What we heard from aides was, 'We're working in this environment that brings a lot of emotion and a lot of controversy and we upset people, we make people mad — unintentionally — and we're concerned for our safety,'" Roberts said.

The Legislature on its own stepped up security in the building during the pandemic, taking care of some of the issues aides were raising. Going forward, the unit will have a say in such decisions.

Roberts said the biggest sticking point at the table involved lawmakers wanting to exclude high-level aides as confidential employees. "We went round and round and round and round," he said, explaining that the state Employment Relations Board had ruled that all legislative aides — classified as LA 1, 2, 3 or 4 — are eligible for the bargaining unit.

Ultimately, the union agreed that a lawmaker could designate, in writing, one LA-4 employee as exempt. "It was a big deal for us because the LA-4s are the most consistent and longest-tenured aides, and they are critical to the bargaining unit," Roberts said. "But without that piece of it, we wouldn't have an agreement."

Legislative staffs by nature are transient, full of young people cutting their political teeth for several years and moving on. Even seasoned aides come and go: Roberts said the size of the unit can range from 90 aides in off months to 180 or more when the Legislature is in session.

Local 89 Business Manager Richard Murray said the local is committed to the "hard work of building the unit" despite the turnover. "There's a lot of pride in being the first union ever to negotiate a contract for legislative aides," he said. "It's quite an accomplishment, but we're not done."

His eclectic local is experienced in helping smaller shops succeed, representing such units as funeral directors, workers who manufacture microlayers of gold, and a news outlet focusing on homelessness and social justice. "If there's a group of workers out there that needs help, that needs a voice, we're here to help them," Murray said.

Over time, Roberts envisions a robust unit with stewards throughout the Capitol and has creative ideas to spur growth. For instance, posters with QR codes on union bulletin boards, something new staffers might see before the unit even has their names.

At times he has fielded calls from legislative workers around the country who want a union. Organizing drives have been launched in a handful of states, including Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Washington, but lawmakers have stood in their way.

Given that, Roberts noted the irony of what the Oregon unit achieved. "It's very interesting to negotiate a contract with a group that can take away your right to negotiate a contract," he said.

The agreement has a short life, expiring with the 89th Legislature at the end of the year. The bargaining team, which includes four members split between the parties and chambers — two from the House and two from the Senate — could be back at the table by June.

Roberts is the first to say the 2023 agreement isn't perfect. "Far from it," he said. "But we felt it was the best deal we could get two years into the process, and something is better than nothing."

The contract's preamble alone is important, he stressed, stating a mutual desire for a "constructive, cooperative, and respectful relationship."

With that in mind and a fresh round of talks coming up, Prihoda is hopeful for genuine change in the Capitol's culture — evolving into a workplace where lawmakers are more sensitive to the demands they make of employees and more aware of their responsibilities to them.

She pointed to legislators' varying and ambiguous approaches to compensation for overtime and travel, citing occasions when aides spend hours driving to far-flung districts to assist with town hall. Some were assured extra pay and reimbursement; others weren't.

Now, with rules spelled out in a union contract, Prihoda said, the unit intends to hold legislators accountable.

"It's much more out in the open now, what rights and responsibilities we have in our workplace," she said. "We're able to lean on each other and reinforce that we can advocate for ourselves and each other."

She sees the contract as a win for all involved — a rarity in a Statehouse.

"We believe that having professional staff that has stability and growth and can sort of breathe easier will be better at supporting members, regardless of party, and will build a Legislature that can provide consistent, professional services for all of Oregon," Prihoda said.