Portland city union workers hold rally outside City Hall amid possible cuts

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — As Portland City Administrator Michael Jordan announced more cuts to core services across the city, union workers gathered outside City Hall Wednesday night, hoping to push forward their first contract with the city in a rally and "practice picket."

The City of Portland Professional Workers Union has worked with the city on its first contract for a year. The union represents 800 workers, including victims’ advocates, technology specialists, crisis communicators, grant managers, community safety workers, equity professionals, financial analysts and more. 

"We are out here today to ask the mayor and city administration to settle our contract and let us get back to business," said CPPW Union President Karli Koch.

City representatives told KOIN 6 News some tentative agreements have been reached on a number of things between the union and the city, but organizers said there's still more to be done.

"We've been the first on the chopping block when it comes to layoffs, to pay cuts. And what we're looking for right now is stability," Koch said. "The city is going through a lot of chaos with the — with the transition — and with the restructuring and reorganization. Our members deserve protections from that chaos."

This practice picket comes as Portland City Administrator Michael Jordan threatens to cut 20% of core services across the city.

One of the many services on the chopping block is victim advocacy with the Portland Police Bureau. Jessica Irvine is a victim advocate specialist with PPB. She said this is critical work. 

"We provide a vital role that really helps you investigate, proceed, and also help somebody understand what the heck they're doing in the criminal justice system and how-how are they going to get through it and navigate it," she said.  

Irvine said she knows the mayor is facing difficult cuts but she's hoping he will figure out some happy medium that works for everyone.

"My goal here is to help negotiate or help do what I can so that the our contract gets negotiated and we have a more sustainable tenure with the city," she said. 

Mayor Keith Wilson is set to release his proposed budget in early May. The CPPW Union is set to begin mediation at 9 a.m. Thursday morning.