Our bargaining team met with management again on July 29 & 31. Management brought a proposal that does not meet the goals of our four pillars (below) or provide an equitable increase for all members.
We rejected their proposal on the second day, explained thoroughly why their proposal wasn’t adequate, and maintained our resolve on winning a fair COLA (cost of living adjustment) for all members — current and future.
On Aug. 7, our team was ready and looking forward to hearing management’s response to our counter. To our disappointment, management cancelled our bargaining session 25 minutes before it was scheduled to begin.
Management has promised to send us additional dates to continue negotiations. We will update you when we get those confirmed. We anticipate returning to the bargaining table sometime in the next few weeks.
REMINDER
If you didn’t get your annual performance evaluation and/or your raise has been delayed, reach out to your direct supervisor, Carole Krohn (carole.krohn@lihi.org), Ralph Neis (ralph.neis@lihi.org), Amirah Ziada (amirah@opeiu8.org), and Byram Simpson (byram@opeiu8.org).
LIHI has committed to resolving these issues and ensuring evaluations and increases as described in Sections 3.14 and 14.1(c) of our Collective Bargaining Agreement.
OUR FOUR PILLARS
- Inflation — The cost of living rose 4.9% (April 2026), well above LIHI’s 3% offer — our wages are falling behind rising costs.
- Recruitment & Retention — LIHI is hiring 60–100 new employees and opening roughly 400 new shelter units before 2027. Attracting and keeping skilled staff requires wages that reflect the job.
- The Nature of the Work — This work is hazardous, emotional, and physically and mentally demanding. It should be compensated as such.
- Wage Compression — At the top of the scale, increases stall at $0.25 a year, squeezing the gap between newer and longtime staff.
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR BARGAINING TEAM
A mission to end homelessness and support low-income communities begins with treating employees with the same dignity and respect the organization strives to provide its clients. Fair pay is not a luxury — it is a reflection of those values.
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Message sent to OPEIU Local 8 represented at Low Income Housing Institute on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026