City of Portland workers could strike as union declares contract impasse
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The union representing about 800 workers with the City of Portland is preparing for a potential strike after declaring an impasse in contract negotiations.
The City of Portland Professional Workers Union announced their intentions Monday after more than a year of bargaining with city representatives for layoff protections, compensation, and a new remote work policy.
“The City pushes unions to the point of striking in order to secure reasonable, fair contracts. This is an expensive and unnecessary pattern that they should end,” Union President Kari Koch said. “We don’t want to have to shut down important government functions to get a respectful deal, but if the City forces us to, we will.”
The union is required to take a 30-day “cooling off” period before beginning their strike, which is expected to start as early as June 2025.
According to the CPPW, the strike could impact essential services which are handled by these city workers. The union said these workers “run grants and contracts, manage payroll, handle emergency and crisis communications, conduct public outreach, analyze budgets, and keep the city in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.”
One union worker, a victims advocate with the Portland Police Bureau, said her staff members have experienced burnout due to staff turnover that could be managed with a new contract.
“We’re seeking equity with other City workers and fair compensation for hours worked,” Jessica Irvine said. “The detectives I work alongside are compensated for on-call time they work, but we are not.”
The union also shares that the bargaining and mediation processes in 2025 has cost the city $100,000 in taxpayer money.
This also comes as Mayor Keith Wilson proposed a new $8.54 billion city budget Monday morning, sharing that the city’s general fund faces an oncoming budget shortfall of $93 million, as estimated in February 2025.