Category: CPPW
2026 Bargaining Timeline
CPPW Bargaining Reopener Timeline
Prepare for bargaining
We won our first contract by organizing together. Now it’s open again. Four articles are open for bargaining: Article 16-Wages, Article 22-Reductions in Workforce & Layoffs, Article 24-Hours of Work, and Article 27-Standby and Callback Pay.
Direct bargaining
Parties meet to review proposals with a legal obligation to bargain for at least 150 days in attempt to reach an agreement.
Mediation – we are here
If the parties do not reach agreement after 150 days, either party can initiate the mediation process. Mediation lasts a minimum of 15 days.
Impasse
If an agreement isn’t reached during mediation, either party can declare an impasse. Within 7 days of impasse, both parties must submit their final contract offers to the mediator.
Cooling off period
A 30-day cooling-off period follows the publication of the final offers. During this time, the parties may continue to resolve disputes.
CPPW can strike
If no agreement is reached to this point, the City can implement its final proposal without union approval. And, CPPW can strike to demand a better contract than the City’s final offer.
Notes
A “Bargaining Reopener” follows the same steps and timeline as bargaining, following the rules laid out in the Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA). Tentative Agreement can be reached at any time. Then, City Council and CPPW card-signed members will vote to ratify or reject the contract.
We won our first contract by organizing together. Now it’s open again.
This reopener is about compensation and recognition for the work we do and the skills we bring – plus the protections we deserve.
Watch the video to see how you and your coworkers work together to win the strong contract we all deserve.
Work with CPPW!
CPPW Union is seeking two contract workers to help build our organization over the next year – communications with a focus on storytelling and organizing with a strong preference for people with labor union experience.
Deadline to apply for consultant role: August 31, 2025 Extended, first review on Sept 12, 2025, then rolling basis until filled. Both positions have been filled.
Read full Request for Proposals and email info@cppwunion.org with any questions.
RFP: Union Organizing Contractor
RFP: Communications Consultant
Tentative Agreement Reached
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Friday, May 23, 2025
Contact: Leigh Shelton 503-875-8410 or leighsheltonmcleod@gmail.com
City of Portland Professional Workers Union and City reach tentative agreement
One day after announcing strike authorization, proposed deal paves way for professional workers’ first contract
PORTLAND – The bargaining team for the City of Portland Professional Workers Union (CPPW) has reached a tentative agreement with the City for its first-ever contract.
Next, members will have the chance to ratify the proposed deal through a vote.
The union represents 800 professional staff doing essential City services across nearly every bureau, and who have been working without a contract since voting overwhelmingly to unionize in 2023. For many workers, it’s their first time in a union.
“It’s exhilarating to have the city recognize the value of our work and have it codified in a first contract,” said Dr. Robert Layne, a senior communications strategist in Portland Solutions, and first-time union member who testified in front of City Council about negotiations on Thursday.
Layne says he plans to vote “yes” on the agreement.
Dozens of CPPW members have testified in front of City Council over the past year to describe the crucial yet often invisible work they do to keep Portland operating. Members also voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, the union announced on Thursday, with 92% voting in support. The tentative deal means a strike is off.
CPPW President Kari Koch said the first contract includes expansive layoff and recall protections to meet the needs of a changing City structure, wage increases and cost of living adjustments, an additional one-time leave bonus for eligible members, flexibility and protections for remote work, and a formal grievance process.
“This tentative agreement is a monumental win for our union,” said Koch. “I’m so proud of our united and determined members who volunteered thousands of hours to make this agreement possible.”
Anamaría Pérez, a data analyst in the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability and volunteer on the union bargaining team, said the 15-month experience helped her build deep relationships with her co-workers. “They were my co-workers who I didn’t know. Now they’re my friends,” Pérez said. “This experience reaffirmed that solidarity and collective action works.”
Perez said the union negotiated a “solid” first contract.
“I’m feeling joy, pride and relief that we achieved such a solid contract,” said Perez.
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For more information, visit cppwunion.org, or contact Leigh Shelton at 503-875-8410 to interview a union official or member.