Bargaining Wages and Building Power

Wage Proposal

Detailed economic study and long deliberations have finally brought forth our Bargaining Team’s Proposal on Wages. These include an 8% increase for everyone under the contract, targeted market adjustments, additional wage steps for some, new job titles, and an uncapped Cost of Living adjustment for every year of the contract. Thank you to everyone who helped with the wage research.

The City will argue that they cannot afford this proposal. We strongly disagree. The City of Portland’s annual budget has grown by more than $1.8 Billion Dollars since our last contract. New revenues have been created. Perhaps most importantly, City Resources have been wasted. Money thown away on golden parachutes for management and unneeded contractors is obviously better spent on essential workers. It’s better for us, it’s better for the City, and it is a smarter use of taxpayer money. More money for Union workers is a good investment for the City of Portland.

Bargaining Update

Wages aren’t the only thing we’ve talked about in negotiations. Over twenty proposals have been exchanged in the last two weeks. Some non-economic highlights are stronger seniority protections, secure parking for all employees, better safety language, and a say in schedules for Wastewater workers. All these proposals have been uploaded to our PCL Bargaining page. Summary discussions are held at every meeting of the Contract Action Team (CAT). Join up to learn more.

Jobsite Practice Picket

This week’s CAT meeting was the best attended yet. Workers from across the contract came up with an idea. We are asking all Union Workers to hold information pickets at every job site across the City on Wednesday, September 23rd. This show of solidarity would fall the day after our first mediation session. It’s one way for us to show management and ourselves that we are ready to fight for the best contract any of us have ever seen. Information Pickets, AKA Practice Pickets, are a way for us to stretch our strike muscles and show union strength during bargaining. Labor actions like Info Pickets are essential in strengthening our position at the bargaining table. All we ask is that you wear your Union Swag on September 23rd and join your coworkers for 15–30 minutes at the end of the day at the entrance to your job site. Talk about the contract, practice some chanting, make some signs, and take lots of pictures. More information will be coming soon.