Bargaining Priorities

Top bargaining priorities.

Our contract is inspired and informed by you!

CPPW sent out surveys in September 2023 and March 2024, hosted bargaining info sessions with members, discussed issues at membership meetings, took straw polls, and hosted open contract work sessions to gathered critical info on what is important to our union members.

The people are our power, and we need your continued involvement to win this contract!

Do you want to observe this process? Email us at bargaining@cppwunion.org to join in person during a bargaining session or submit an accommodation request to observe virtually.

Top Bargaining Priorities

Key issues that we’re fighting for at the bargaining table

  1. Increased Wages: COLAs and step pay increases (these occur regularly over the length of your employment and are not merit based) are the best methods of sustaining living wages during employment with the City of Portland. We’ll be fighting for these benefits for all of our members.
  2. Classifications: Members want clarity and accountability when it comes to ambiguous classifications. We’re advocating for a contract that keeps employees protected from working out of class and classifications that have clearly defined responsibilities.
  3. Flexible Work Schedules: We’re fighting for a contract that allows members to work when and where is best for them and their programs! Some members are fully in person because of the nature of their jobs, some are fully remote, most are currently hybrid. We want a contract that supports flexible work schedules and locations. We are competent, trusted professional that can accomplish our goals, connect with our team, and do our work from where ever makes for sense you and your program.
  4. SuccessFactors: We’re saying no to SuccessFactors tied to merit increases. Instead we’re opting for COLAs and step pay increases (#1 above), and instead using SuccessFactors as a tool for developing clear work goals and regular work check ins. We deserve feedback, check ins, and clear expectations from our managers.
  5. Overtime and Management Leave: Are you working overtime? Do you want access to overtime? You should be fairly compensated and get premium pay when you work more than your assigned hours! Management Leave is an important benefit to members, so we’re focusing on a creating a similar leave banks that is equitable and accessible to all members when they meet the expectations of their roles – an Earned Leave option.

Interim Dues are Happening!

After months of City feet dragging and City technology issues, interim dues is launching! This is a huge step forward in building our union – thank you for your patience and your commitment to winning a strong contract!

Interim dues will be automatically deducted from your March 21st, 2024 paycheck and will continue to be deducted from each paycheck until a contract is ratified.  (Note:  This applies to those who have signed a membership card and have authorized dues to be deducted.  Membership gives benefits like voting rights, etc.  We encourage all eligible City employees to become members to have the full rights and privileges of CPPW membership.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we pay dues?

Dues are a crucial part of having a strong union – they allow us to pay for needed expenses, maintain an infrastructure, get the trainings we need to fight at the contract table, and have the resources to exercise our power. Most importantly, dues paying membership demonstrates to the City that CPPW members support the union effort and are ready to back up that support with action!

What are CPPW dues right now (aka, Interim Dues)?

In early December 2023, with a vote of 91% in favor, the CPPW membership voted to institute flat interim dues of 0.5% of gross monthly salary as a temporary measure to raise money to fight for our first contract.

How to I figure out my Interim Dues cost?

Base hourly wage (no overtime and before taxes or any pay enhancements) x .005

For example, if you make $50 an hour
$50x.005=0.25
Or 25 cents an hour
.25×80 hours a pay check = $20 in dues per pay check

What will dues be once we have a contract? 

Great question – check out this website page of all things dues!

How can I contribute to my union through dues? 

Sign your union card now! Signing your union card is a commitment to pay dues and allow automatic dues deduction on your paycheck.

What if I need to stop paying dues? 

You may need to stop contributing because of a financial crisis or some other reason, we understand! You must submit your request for a hardship exception or a request to revoke your membership card in writing to info@cppwunion.org 10 days before pay day so that both CPPW and the City can fully process your request. (That’s the Monday before timesheets are due).

July Membership Meeting

All union members are encouraged to attend the July CPPW General Membership Meeting.

Thursday, July 27
5:30-7:30pm
The Portland Building, Room 108

Zoom link will be available –
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89351943214?pwd=TDAzRWl3NUZraFJMeTlsc3hjS0tDdz09

Meeting ID: 893 5194 3214
Passcode: 322438

On the agenda:

Officer Election discussion
Building the Bargaining Team
Fundraising!
Breakouts for: Stewards, Bargaining Committee, and Admin/Communications Team

Are we going to get COLAs and Merit raises?

Update – COLAs are confirmed! Merit Raises tied to SuccessFactors are considered part of Status Quo and will continue for July 2023.

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Pay increases and true cost of living adjustments are core reasons why we all came together to organize this union! CPPW is committed to getting our full and deserved pay increases this coming fiscal year. 

Continue reading Are we going to get COLAs and Merit raises?

Layoffs, budget cuts, & the union

Updated: City Council passed a tentative 2023-24 budget on May 17th that put more than 100 jobs at risk of layoff in bureaus funded by fees. Mayor Wheeler proposed last minute rollbacks of fee and utility costs that will mean budget cuts and likely layoffs. Read OPB’s coverage here.

CPPW is asking – how can we preserve services and support the people who make this city work? With our strong union, we can push back against Council’s bad budget decisions and will have more protections during layoffs than we have alone.

Continue reading Layoffs, budget cuts, & the union