Lane County workers end strike

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – Striking government employees in Lane County are going to back to work after a walkout that lasted more than a week.
 
The county says it reached a contract agreement with nearly 700 workers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
 
The agreement must be ratified by union members and the Lane County Board of Commissioners before taking effect, but the workers in Eugene area returned to their jobs Wednesday.
 
The sides clashed on the size of pay increases and a proposal that workers start contributing money to their health insurance plans.
 
The new contract calls for employees to begin contributing a maximum of $50 per month toward family health insurance coverage after a $20 monthly credit for participating in a free, annual health screening.