Negotiations Between City of Portland and Several Labor Unions Stall

A handful of the unions have since opted to enter mediation with a third party to try and reach a deal.

A sinkhole on Southeast Cora Street. (Erin Hynes )
By Sophie Peel

Seven labor unions representing 2,000 employees at the city of Portland, including plumbers and financial analysts, have reached an impasse with the city over contract negotiations.

The contract for six of the unions—the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 189 and the District Council of Trade Unions, which includes five unions—expires Dec. 31.

Another union, the City of Portland Professional Workers, which represents 770 office workers, is newly formed and therefore does not yet have a contract.

DCTU and AFSCEM Local 189 have since opted to enter mediation with a third party to try and reach a deal. The CPPW has not yet requested mediation.

An AFSCME representative says the union has reached out to all the 12 members of the future City Council, and mayor-elect Keith Wilson, to discuss the union’s aims.

The primary tension is over the unions’ various demands for pay increases for certain positions. The city faces a budget reduction next year of 5% to 8% across the board, leaving it little wiggle room for pay increases.

Correction: A previous version of this story stated that park rangers were represented by the unions at an impasse with the city. That’s incorrect.

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