At the November 30th general membership meeting, the vote to enact the proposed Constitution & Bylaws was passed by a vote of 102-2 (98% in favor). Voting took place over three days and the voting window closed during the meeting so that CPPW could announce the results to the members in attendance in real-time.
You can view the Constitution under the About Section of this website or view a printable copy [ HERE ].
In addition nominations were taken from the floor for officers and board members. The election for these positions will be announced soon, so be on the lookout. A candidates forum will also take place so that members can hear from those seeking election to CPPW offices.
The Constitution & Bylaws Committee has completed work on drafting our formation documents for the CPPW. This step is the precursor to elections for our officers and board members.
The Organizing Committee has received the draft Constitution & Bylaws from the Committee and approved it for review and voting by the members.
Voting will take place electronically on November 28, 29, & 30th. You will only be permitted to vote once and a link to vote will be sent to members in good standing on November 27th after 5 PM.
To ensure you’re a member in good standing, sign a membership card electronically [ HERE ].
CPPW organizers celebrate filing their petition in April, 2023. L to R, Jeff Winkler, Kurt Abe, E Specht, Ocean Eale (back), Van Le, Connor Anderson
The CPPW was victorious in its election to represent the over 700 professional workers of the City of Portland! The result was 306 for and 68 against. The 385 total ballots represented a 52% turnout of the 712 workers who were allowed to participate in the election under our Memorandum of Understanding with the City. Seven ballots were spoiled (no signature) and four ballots are under dispute with the City. This vote reflects 81.8% support for unionization.
“City workers came out strong to say that we want a voice at the table,” said Kari Koch, CPPW Organizing Committee President. “CPPW members hold critical jobs in the city. We keep programs running, turn raw data into meaningful policy options, balance the books, and are helping guide Portland through the charter reform transitions. Our members work hard for the City and now are organizing for the respect we deserve.”
CPPW’s victory makes it the second largest independent union in the state of Oregon after the farmworker union Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN) and the ninth largest public sector independent union in the nation.
“This is a historic day for our members and for Portland,” said CPPW Organizing Committee Secretary Robert Pineda. “When budgets have tightened in the past, as they inevitably do, it’s been our members who’ve felt the sting of budget cuts, furloughs, and layoffs first. While our unionized coworkers got the regular salary increases they deserved, and their rightful seat at the table to negotiate how best to deal with budget cuts, our members were lucky if they got two percent annual performance raises and are often the first ones on the chopping block. No more.
Ballots are being mailed to City employees in the following classifications: The Administrative Specialist Series (I-III); the Analyst Series (I-III); the Financial Analyst Series (I-III); the Coordinator Series (I-III); the Environmental Regulatory Coordinator classification; the Multimedia Specialist classification; the Hearings Officer classification; and the Technology Business Representative classification, and some misc. positions.
We have been working hard to build this union and the next big step is here – the union election.
The election will be held by confidential mailed ballot and will ask if you want to be represented by City of Portland Professional Workers Union (CPPW). A Yes vote is a vote to have a voice on issues that affect our lives at work and at home!
The Constitution & Bylaws Committee has completed work on drafting our formation documents for the CPPW. This step is the precursor to elections for our officers and board members.
