CPPW email – Finances of a Strike

Your Bargaining Team’s goal — always — is a fair and strong contract. Building up to a strike and striking are two powerful tools in our toolbox to secure a strong contract.

Your union leadership understands a strike will be hard, stressful, and force difficult decisions. That isn’t taken lightly. We are right there with you & other members who may face challenging short term financial situations in order to secure greater long term stability. It will not be easy, but we can only do this together.

Members have said it best themselves: “I can’t afford to strike. But I can’t afford not to strike.”

No matter what, we must be prepared.

With that in mind, let’s dig into the fiscal reality of a strike, resources available, and the financials of the contract that impact our future security.

Important Note: Strikes are, by their nature, unpredictable and the future is unknowable.

Nothing in this message is a promise, nor is it intended to be exact or prescriptive. We are offering this information to help frame the choices we have broadly.

In this email:

Hit the email link for all the details.

read the Oct. 19 email
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One City of Portland union overwhelmingly votes to authorize strike—another launches their strike vote today

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PORTLAND – City workers represented by the City of Portland Professional Workers Union (CPPW) voted 93% to authorize a strike, the union announced Friday. The 800-member union said it’s at odds with the City over workers’ demands for fair compensation, equitable wage increases, stability, and respect on the job.

At the same time, another City union, LiUNA Local 483, is initiating their membership strike authorization vote today, Monday, Oct 19. LiUNA, representing more than 2000 members, moved to mediation with the City of Portland as negotiations on the Portland City Laborers contract were delayed.

Together, these two unions make up roughly 40% of the entire City workforce with staff in every City bureau and office. 

“Our members provide services that Portlanders care about, and we would rather be serving the community than be forced to go out on strike,” says Kari Koch, CPPW President. 

“Our members have watched the City, time and time again, balance its budget on the backs of its workforce while paying out millions on things like executive severances, contracts to nowhere, and enough wasteful spending to fill a landfill. Enough is enough,” Koch says. “We are asking the Mayor to invest in the services Portlanders care about and, us, the workers who provide those services.”

Continue reading One City of Portland union overwhelmingly votes to authorize strike—another launches their strike vote today

CPPW email – You voted YES! Overwhelmingly.

You voted YES! 93% voted YES to authorize a strike if necessary with a huge voter turnout of 88%.

You know what’s on the line — fair wages, respect at work, and a secure future. And you’ve made it clear you are ready to fight for a strong contract.

This vote doesn’t mean a strike is certain, but it does mean that you and your union colleagues acted together to show the City—with overwhelming clarity—that you’re prepared to. That you’re serious. That you won’t back down without a fair, strong contract.

This is critical for your Bargaining Team as they head into mediation on Oct. 22. You will hear more soon from your union leadership about what is coming next.

Hit the email link for all the details.

read the Oct. 16 email
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CPPW email – Mediation Report Back

TL;DR: There was no movement in mediation yesterday, Oct. 12. Join the action at Council next Wednesday evening to keep the pressure on! CPPW and the City will be back in mediation next Thursday, Oct 22.

Highlights include:

  • Bargaining Team report back: hit the Continue Reading link for contract cost comparisons
  • What you can do: vote YES on Strike Authorization Vote
  • What you are fighting for: the goal is a strong contract
  • Video: CPPW members do essential work!
read the oct. 13 email
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Continue reading CPPW email – Mediation Report Back