Bargaining Schedule and Next Steps

July 14th Bargaining Update

On Tuesday, July 14, union representatives and City officials met at the Columbia Wastewater Treatment Plant for the latest round of contract bargaining. Discussions focused on three priority areas: the financial implications of our current union contract, a union proposal to make the overtime fairer, and measures to limit the City’s use of outside contractors for our members’ work. Additionally the City proposed consolidating existing BES Letters of Agreement into a single, combined addendum that would alter workgroups and expand managerial control over work schedules. While we are all for simplifying the contract, our Bargaining team has no interest handing more control to management over our day to day lives.

To review these and all other proposals passed to date please visit our PCL Bargaining Webpage. Sincere thanks to the BES employees that joined bargaining as observers.

Our next scheduled bargaining session is Tuesday July 28th.

Mediation

On Saturday, our Bargaining Team took the step of formally applying for mediation services from the Oregon Employment Relations Board (ERB). A mediator is a neutral state employee with ERB who will join our negotiations with the City to push both sides move toward a mutually acceptable agreement.

For us, Mediation serves two essential functions. It increases pressure on the City to engage in good-faith bargaining and is a required legal step to preserve our right to strike if unreasonable City positions force us to take that action.

For a detailed overview of the mediation process and its place within our negotiations, we encourage you to visit the Oregon State overview of public-sector bargaining.

Wage Data Last Chance

Many Union members have already shared financial info around their job classes to support wage increases. If you have job postings, contractor costs, or any other information that supports a pay increase for your job class please share that data now. Every data point strengthens our case. Submit this infomation by email to james@liuna483.org

The Deadline to send this information is JULY 24th. Contact your rep today!

Fight the Wage you Deserve and Enjoy a Nice Picket

COLA Under Attack

For generations, Cost of Living Adjustments have protected City of Portland workers from inflation. Now, management claims they can’t afford COLA, but only for union employees in contract negotiations. According to the City Administrator’s citywide email, our coworkers and supervisors will still get their COLA today. We won’t get an inflation adjustment this payday, and if City Leadership gets their way we’ll never get one again.

They won’t get their way.

Our bargaining team will fight for COLA with backpay for all our members. Management’s move to end COLA is taking dollars out of our pockets to pay for their multi-million dollar mistakes. It doesn’t make financial sense. It doesn’t make moral sense. We won't accept it.

Talk to newer coworkers about Joining the Union. Get involved in our Contract Action Team. Join us at our next Union membership meeting Tuesday July 21st, at 5:30 p.m. in person or over zoom. The fight for our future is now.

Share Your Wage Data

We're building our pay demands on member needs, real City finances, and hard data. A lot of that data our team has already collected comparing wages from similar jobs in similar cities. That said, we want to hear from you.

Many Union members have already shared financial info around their job classes to support wage increases. If you have job postings, contractor costs, or anything that supports an increase you think your group should get, please share that now. Every data point strengthens our case. Submit this infomation by email to james@liuna483.org

The Deadline for this information to impact our Union’s wage proposal is July 24th. Reach out now.

Union Picnic, Sunday July 12th Noon

Join us Sunday at noon for our annual Union picnic at the Columbia Park Pavilion. Food, fun, raffle prizes and a chance to connect with members and families.

We'll also talk bargaining strategy and how we get the best contract possible. So come out to build power while we barbeque. All active members and families welcome.

Columbia Park Picnic
4503 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203
Sunday July 12th
Noon-3 p.m.

Get Involved in Bargaining

Bargaining Team Roadshow Next Thursday!

Our Bargaining Team is hitting the road next week to meet you face-to-face at three major work sites. Stop by, grab a bite, and get the latest updates on negotiations

Thursday, June 25th:

• Tabor Yard – Coffee & Donuts, 6:00 - 8:00 AM

• Columbia Blvd Wastewater Treatment Plant– BBQ, 10 am - Noon

• Afternoon Refreshments @ PBOT Kirby Yard - Refreshments 1:30 – 5:00 PM

Don’t miss this chance to ask questions and make your issues heard.

CAT IS LIVE AND GROWING

Our Contract Action Team (CAT) has launched with great turnout – but we still need more members to secure the strongest deal possible. CAT members work directly with the Bargaining team to craft our message at the table and build our power in the workplace.

Check the CAT Map to find your Contract action team rep. Don’t see one for your group Sign up HERE join.

Active members = better contract. Get involved toady.