Portland City Hall, Nov. 15, 2024.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
Two Portland unions representing city employees are getting closer to walking off the job over a breakdown in contract negotiations.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 189, is the city’s largest union, representing more than 1,000 workers across nearly every city department. The District Council of Trade Unions, represents around 200 engineers, painters, plumbers, electricians, and other trade workers across city bureaus. Both unions, who have been negotiating new contacts with the city since April, have reached an impasse with city management over wages.
The city, which is facing a $100 million budget deficit, says its limited finances are the “biggest obstacle” in contract negotiations.
Without the two sides reaching an agreement, the unions are prepared to strike.
Starting this Friday, AFSCME members will vote on whether or not to authorize a strike. Voting will last five days. If the union votes in favor, and AFSCME’s Jan. 29 meeting with the city doesn’t resolve their contract problems, union leaders are expected to give the city a mandatory 10-day strike notice. That means workers could walk off the job in early February.
But DCTU could beat them to it. DCTU members voted earlier this month to authorize a strike. Union negotiators are scheduled to meet with city counterparts on Thursday. It could be a pivotal session, said DCTU Council President Mark Hinkle.
“It’s very likely that will help us make a decision,” Hinkle said. “Depending on what [the city] tells us.”
If DCTU gives the city notice later this week it could also strike as soon as the first week of February.
Portland City Council tried to cool labor tensions last Wednesday, by unanimously voting to withdraw a prior labor complaint filed against AFSCME.
“We want to lower the temperature,” said Councilor Sameer Kanal before casting his vote on the issue. “This is a pro-labor council.”
Yet it’s unclear how much influence the city’s new council will have on the agreements. The city human resources managers and lawyers – not elected officials – are the city’s representatives in labor negotiations.