Category: Media

Listen: Progress Portland talks with CPPW President Kari Koch

Listen to Progress portland

In Progress Portland’s episode 63, they talk to Kari Koch, president of the City of Portland Professional Workers Union, activist and all around great person.

Kari discusses the challenges of having a muddy and unclear job title system, the lack of representation amongst over 800 workers at the city until the CPPW was created, how the city whilst moving away from an inefficient commissioner system has replaced many of the inefficiencies  with new ones through management layers, and why city workers deserve a living wages, increases, and clarity in their roles.

City of Portland Professional Workers Union (CPPW) Set to Strike on Nov. 9

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Oct. 29, 2026) PORTLAND, OR – City workers represented by the City of Portland Professional Workers Union (CPPW) have notified the City of their intent to strike beginning Nov. 9 in response to City leadership’s failure to settle a fair contract. This announcement comes after CPPW membership voted 93% to authorize a strike. 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. 

Immediate impact

CPPW represents analysts, coordinators, admin specialists, financial analysts, technology business representatives, and other essential positions across every bureau and office. 

A Nov. 9 strike would immediately disrupt a broad array of city services, everything from victim support to water quality, public engagement to critical financial analysis right as bureaus must develop budgets for the Mayor for next fiscal year.

Continue reading City of Portland Professional Workers Union (CPPW) Set to Strike on Nov. 9

Listen: CPPW on KBOO

Listen to CPPW on Kboo

KBOO program: Labor Radio hosted by Jamie Partridge. Aired October 26, 2026

Kari Koch and Christopher Gustafson, the president and treasurer of the City of Portland Professional Workers union (CPPW) explain why their young union is on track to strike.  In their struggle for fair wages, reasonable hours, and worker protections against layoff, the City has refused to bargain in good faith, causing the workers’ to vote to authorize a strike, with a possible walkout on November 1.