Clean Water Services secures historic early labor agreement with Teamsters Local 223

Clean Water Services secures historic early labor agreement with Teamsters Local 223The Oregon wastewater and stormwater utility's board unanimously authorized a new three-year labor contract focused on compensation and healthcare, marking the first time a successor agreement has been ratified before the prior contract's expiration.

The CWS Board of Directors authorized the General Manager to sign a three-year contract effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.

Negotiations centered on employee compensation and healthcare benefits, balancing union priorities with long-term financial sustainability.

The board also awarded stream enhancement and exposed sewer construction contracts to Biohabitats, Inc. and Earthworx Excavation, LLC.

Clean Water Services (CWS) has secured a newly ratified three-year labor agreement with Teamsters Local 223, ensuring operational stability for the Oregon wastewater and stormwater utility. The CWS Board of Directors unanimously authorized the utility's General Manager to sign the agreement during its June 23, 2026, meeting. The contract will run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. According to CWS Human Resources Director Holly Dober, negotiations took place between March and May 2026, with represented employees formally ratifying the agreement on June 3. The discussions primarily centered on employee compensation and healthcare benefits. Dober noted that the final agreement successfully balances union priorities with the district's commitment to long-term financial sustainability. "This agreement marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time in the district's history with Teamsters Local 223 that a successor labor agreement has been ratified prior to the expiration of the existing contract," Dober told the board, attributing the prompt resolution to proactive planning and a collaborative labor-management relationship. Alongside the labor agreement, the board unanimously approved a robust consent agenda that advanced several infrastructure and engineering initiatives. Key approvals included an on-call engineering plan review services contract awarded to CWK2 Land Development Consultants, LLC and Westlake Consultants, Inc. The board also authorized two construction contracts for watershed projects. Biohabitats, Inc. secured the contract for the Springville-Creek Bethany Lake stream enhancement under the Local Restoration Partnerships umbrella, while Earthworx Excavation, LLC was awarded the contract for the Springville Creek Tributary exposed sewer and stream enhancement project.