Bargaining Team

“I am passionate about workers’ rights, especially because I have had many of my own experiences with toxic workplaces and unfair treatment, including at the City. Before CPPW, I spent 5 years unrepresented at the City and knew how much better our workplace experiences were going to become. I knew I had to be involved to be a part of it and advocate for my fellow workers. I have been a Co-Chair of the CPPW Bargaining Team since June 2024 and I’m happy to keep going. What I hope to accomplish on the Bargaining Team is negotiating a contract that keeps our members safe and respected. Through my position as Co-Chair, I contribute my perspective from my identity by centering equity and advocating for our most vulnerable members in each and every article of our contract.”

“I am active in CPPW in order support healthy morale amongst City of Portland Employees. Through my position on the Bargaining Team, I would like to address overtime compensation for FLSA exempt employees who are frequently required to work over 40 hours a week outside of emergency declarations.”

“I started following the Union shortly after it was formed. I got more involved when I received direct asks to help with call down and testimony at council. Every step was because someone asked me directly. This is a complete contrast from how we experience a lack of invitation to be involved in changes affecting us at the City. The union gives us a space to be heard and to contribute to positive changes for our union and our community. I want to help us get a strong contract with the reopened and help continue to show our collective power.”

“I felt it was important to contribute to the work that will have a lasting impact to CPPW members. I hope I can advocate for policies that support a work environment that recognizes individual skills and talents and promotes professional growth and advancement. I believe that all City of Portland workers have directly benefitted from the City’s strong unions.”

“I want the perspective from the wastewater treatment plant to be represented at the bargaining table including clear guidance in explaining the work we do at the plant and how it may vary from other coordinator positions. I believe that all City of Portland workers have directly benefitted from the City’s strong unions.”

“I want me and my cowokers to have a counterbalance of power to the decision makers at the City. I want to help build a powerful workers organization that can improve our working conditions, have a voice at decision making tables, and have influence to make our City better. My goal is bargaining is for us to work together as members to exercise our power to win real improvements for ourselves, our families, and our communities.”

“Taurus, Virgo, Libra. Disabled them femme. Cat parent to the sweetest, Mar Mar. I joined the bargaining team for our first contract to get more involved with the union and to learn about the process. I stayed on for the reopener to see it through and continue advocating for the best, most equitable outcome possible for the members. 

I believe that workers and the people hold the power to build and tend to a more just present and future for everyone. This feels so important to hold onto amidst the storm of increasing fascism, capitalism, and imperialism. Our shared liberation has always been knit together, and intersectional collective labor organizing is a part of getting there.”

“I had a tiny part in forming CPPW. Serving on the organizing team, I called colleagues, asking them to sign their union cards. After CPPW was certified, I stepped back for personal reasons but continued rooting for our union on the sidelines. However, I spend too much time worrying about the City; I think it’s high time I stop worrying and start working again. I want to be part of making sure we all thrive in our work and in our service to Portland. We’re facing difficult times at the City with a lopsided economy and an unchecked federal government. I’ve seen the impact in my bureau; we lost four colleagues (out of 13) in the last budget cycle. My laid-off colleagues were integral to their programs and their job loss is our loss too. I want to do all that we can to protect jobs, limit layoffs, and position our union to always be on a strong footing for future contract negotiations.”

“I grew up in a union household and saw my dad very engaged in his union at NW Natural. On the flip side, I saw my mother continuously have assignments piled on her, requiring long working hours and added stress. I saw the difference between their situations from the perspective of a child in the home. As an adult, I felt compelled to participate in advocating for fair working conditions for members. Those working conditions impact overall health and happiness of our members, and the next generation of our workforce.” “As a second term bargaining team member, I want to continue the work started by our first contract. I hope to contribute knowledge that has been built from first hand experience in a variety of union environments. I will join the bargaining table with a voice that speaks to equity in our policy making and connection with our members’ diverse needs.”