ORS 240.190: Policy on comparability of value of work and compensation and classification.

(1) It is declared to be the public policy of the State of Oregon to attempt to achieve an equitable relationship between the comparability of the value of work, as defined in ORS 292.951, performed by persons in state service and the compensation and the classification structure within the state system. To further the effort to achieve and maintain equity for undervalued jobs and job classifications, the state shall employ a neutral and objective method of determining the comparability of the value of work. The first priority in attaining equitable relationships shall be achieving compensation equity for the most undervalued classes in the lowest salary ranges.

      (2) State management, in each branch of government, shall, when establishing or modifying personnel plans and policies in compensation and classification matters, or in collective bargaining, arbitration and grievance procedures, hold equity in compensation and classification matters as an important consideration. Where applicable, an exclusive representative of a collective bargaining unit shall hold the same considerations to achieve consistency with the policies stated in this section and ORS 292.951 to 292.971.

      (3) No employee shall have wages decreased in order to achieve the policy set forth in this section.