01/14 Bargaining Update

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01/12 Mediation Session:

Thursday’s negotiations were dominated by a back and forth on wages. The City continues to plead poverty. The PCL Bargaining team has been unconvinced by the City’s argument given the facts as we understand them. Portland’s budget assessment process has consistently “found” tens of millions of dollars, every 6 months, for years. The state and federal government have created huge pools of money specifically targeting Portland parks, wastewater, and road infrastructure. City decision makers also have significant control over revenue for Bureaus under the PCL contract.

Additionally, the City has blatantly refused to implement the wage increases they agreed to in our union’s settled Recreation contract. This explicit violation of a signed agreement gives our bargaining team extreme reservations about taking the City at their word.

Our next scheduled mediation is this coming Tuesday. An update will be available at the PCL Townhall that same evening.

Downtown Rally

The union is planning a final rally for noon Saturday, January 28th at Terry Schrunk Plaza. This is an opportunity for all of us to come together at the City’s seat of power and demonstrate our strength to the people of Portland. It will also be an opportunity for members to talk to staff, the bargaining team, and various committees to get all the details they need to be a strong member of our union through a strike. There will be additional details about this rally in later union communications.

At this event we would like to see members, family, friends, allies, and anyone interested in a real future for working people. If you are serious about getting a contract that secures the wages, safety, and respect we all need, you need to be there!

LiUNA 483 Downtown Rally
12:00-3PM Saturday, January 28th
Terry Schrunk Plaza 431 SW Madison St, Portland, OR 97204

Strike Preparation

We want to remind members that we are asking everyone to prepare for a strike as early as the beginning of February. Part of being prepared is being informed. To that end we have created a STRIKE FAQ and CONTRACT COMPARISON SUMMARY for members to review. We will also be meeting online and in person at the Laborers training center Tuesday at 5:30 PM for a Townhall on everything about the PCL contract negotiations. Though originally planned as part of the monthly membership meeting, the Townhall will now be split off into it’s own event to focus exclusively on all things PCL.

PCL Townhall in person at 17230 NE Sacramento St, Portland, OR 97230
PCL Townhall online at THIS LINK!

Anyone interested in getting more involved should text or email Field Representative James O’Laughlen at (503) 735-7573 or james@liuna483.org.

01/11 Bargaining Update

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Where We Are:

In our last bargaining update we discussed our declaration of impasse and how that advanced the PCL bargaining unit toward a strike. Since then, the Union and City have both submitted our final offers to the state (which you can view HERE) and are now in the legally mandated cooling off period. This means we are mere weeks away from a possible strike. In these crucial final days of our contract campaign we need more people stepping up as Strike Shift Leads, Contract Action Team (CAT) members, and preparing themselves to go on strike as early as the beginning of February. If you are looking to get more involved, join us for tonight’s CAT meeting on zoom: AT THIS LINK

The exact date of any potential strike will be communicated 10 days beforehand. In the meantime, negotiations with the City remain the PCL bargaining team’s main focus.

Mediation 01/12/23:

Our last mediation session with City negotiators resulted in the PCL bargain team’s unanimous vote to declare impasse. Thursday will be our first bargaining session with the City since that day. Our team remains committed to good faith negotiations with the City. It is our sincere hope the holiday break and our team’s obvious resolve to strike if needed, will convince the City to rejoin these discussions with their own commitment to good faith negotiations.

PCL Townhall:

Next Tuesday, January 17th, at 5:30 pm the union will be holding our general membership meeting. This meeting will double as a town hall for all PCL members leading into a potential strike. Join us, online or in person, to get a full update on contract negotiations, strike planning, and the best ways to get involved.

Online at this Zoom Link

In Person at 17230 NE Sacramento St., Portland, OR 97230

12/22 Bargaining Update

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Mediation 12/20

On Tuesday the PCL Bargaining Team met with City negotiators for our second mediation session. In this meeting the City finally offered the second piece of their financial proposal. They kept to a hard cap of 5% percent on COLA with a 1% raise effective January 1st, 2023 and another 1% raise effective July 1st, 2023. That is 6% less than the Across the board increase and uncapped COLA we requested for all workers on this contract. The City’s offer would amount to a pay cut compared to the real cost of living. The City’s team also made no new concessions on any of the many contract articles that remain open topics of negotiation.

In response, our bargaining team countered by restating our full original financial proposal and offering no movement from our current positions in all open articles. We also informed the City of our intent to declare an impasse. Today, Thursday the 22nd, is the first day we were legally able to declare and so we informed the State of impasse this morning. This step takes us down the path of a likely strike in early February.

Strike Preparation

Our bargaining team has strike authorization. We have declared impasse in negotiations. Now we must make sure that every single worker on the PCL contract is prepared to walk off the job when called upon. This means organizing our strike lines, signing up for picket shifts, prearranging childcare, and everything else required to make sure we are all able to stand in solidarity and demand the contract we deserve. This only works if all us, including you, gets to work preparing now. Contact a member of the Contract Action Team, PCL Bargaining Team, or LiUNA 483 staff to learn how you can help.

Despite certain rumors, every single PCL worker is legally entitled to walk off the job during a strike. Essential workers, probationary employees, everyone. As long as you work in a job class that exists under our bargaining unit you can join the picket line. It is all of our responsibility to stand and fight for the contract we deserve.

PCL in The Media

Recent events for the PCL bargaining unit have not gone unnoticed. We have recieved significant news attention from local media. Bikeportland has written their second piece on the potential impacts of a strike on the Portland bike community (PBOT Maintenance Worker Concern Deepen as Strike Looms), the North West Labor Press outlined the City’s slow pace of negotiating
(City Workers Practice Picketing as Management Continues to Stall), and KBOO’s own Labor Radio interviewed LiUNA rep James O’Laughlen about the implications of a strike (City Workers Authorize Strike).

As we get closer to a possible strike, more and more media attention will fall on us. It is our job to let the people know what we’re fighting for and why. We deserve the Wages, Safety, and Respect a good contract would provide. We shouldn’t be asked to take pay cuts after giving up millions in concessions and working through years of crisis. Strong investment in this work saves the City money long term.

These truths are self evident to us. It’s long past time City decision makers understood them too.

12/09 Bargaining Update

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12/06 Mediation:

Our first bargaining session with the state appointed mediator was held on Tuesday. What started as a robust conversation on open articles was totally undermined by the City’s outright refusal to provide their full financial proposal. Again the City committed to offering their financial proposal in our next bargaining session and again the PCL Bargaining Team is skeptical. Unless the City entirely changes their stance in that session we will be forced to take the next step toward a strike by declaring impasse on December 21st.

Informational Pickets:

Yesterday’s picket at Tabor Yard was the best attended and most attention getting one to date. Actions like these show that we are united, organized, and willing to strike if needed. Thank you so much to the members that organized and participated in these events as well as the community members that came out to show their support.

There is much more work on the horizon so keep paying attention and staying involved. For now, enjoy this moment of solidarity that shows how strong we are as a union united.



12/05 PCL Bargaining Update

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Bargaining Update:

Last week’s bargaining session was canceled by City negotiators. This was one of many recent bargaining sessions where the City had committed to providing us with their complete financial package, then failed to deliver. The City’s team has since said those financials along with responses to other outstanding issues will be presented in Mediation on December 6th. At this point, we will believe it when we see it. 

The PCL bargaining team has never wavered in our commitment to doing the work of bargaining at the table. However, even with the participation of a state mediator, we do not expect the City to provide us with the financial and personal security our members need without more pressure applied outside of negotiations. That is why we asked you all to vote for strike authorization. It’s why we are accelerating down the legal pathway that could lead to a strike. It is why we are asking everyone who works under this contract to show up in a way that the City can’t ignore. 

Strike Committees:


In preparation for the work of a possible strike, the PCL bargaining unit is forming strike committees to perform the necessary work of preparing us for that event. Members of these committees will work hand in hand with union staff, the E-board, and bargaining team to shape strategy for our bargaining campaign. When necessary these positions will have union leave offered to perform this important work. Committee work falls into 4 categories: 

The Hardship Committee will create and maintain the system for distributing resources to members in need during a strike. They will build a process for people to petition for Union financial aid, connect members with pre-existing resources, and be available to members to speak to their financial issues. 

The Communications Committee will manage our message with the public and organizations external to LiUNA. This means handling our social media and engagement with traditional media. They will also spearhead our communications with other unions, sympathetic organizations, and business partners throughout the community.

The Logistics Committee will ensure all our internal organizing and communication is effective. Collecting bargaining unit contact information, creating phone trees with full lines of responsibility, making sure everyone stays informed, keeping track of supplies, connecting labor actions together to share resources, making sure there is clear understanding of individual member responsibilities and anything else that needs to be done. 

The Action Committee is the frontline of strike planning. Organizing picket lines, selecting precinct captains, scheduling shifts, planning labor actions, sharing the ground level view to the logistics committee, and making certain we all hold strong. 

The core of our Hardship Committee has already been established but we are still open for volunteers for the Communications, Logistics, and Labor Action teams.

Anyone interested in being on a committee should contact the LiUNA 483 offices or Field Rep James O’Laughlen directly. [ james@liuna483.org (503) 735-7573 ] 

Parks Info Picket:

Kerby Yard Info Picket, 11/17

Thank you to everyone who came out in the cold and wind for our pickets at Kerby Yard and the Columbia Treatment Plant. It was great to see PCL come out in numbers to demand the contract we deserve. Now it’s time to show Parks that same spirit!

This week we will be in front of Tabor Yard Thursday evening from 3:00-5:30 pm. Come enjoy snacks and solidarity with your fellow union members. Workers from across the contract, friends, family, and allies are all welcome. Dress for rain. Warm drinks and rain cover will be provided. Join us to show the boss you are fighting for a fair contract!

Parks Thursday December 8th  3-5:30 PM
6437 SE Division Street Portland , OR 97215


11/16 PCL Bargaining Update

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Non-Financial Negotiations:

After weeks of delay the City brought their proposals to this week’s bargaining session. Among those were counters to PCL Letter of Agreement proposals that effect select workgroups.

The LoA counters include the creation of common seniority among the wastewater operations series of classifications, the introduction of a long discussed CDL pilot program to BES, rejection of our proposed increase to on-call weekly compensation, and a refusal to return to the practice of paid lunches for some PBOT B-shift workers.

That reluctance to make improvements in those LoAs paired very poorly with their financial proposal.

Financial Negotiations:

This week the City finally responded to part of our overall proposal on wages. Of the 25 classifications we put forward for targeted adjustment the City only met 2. The difference in their offer and our proposal is a shortfall of multiple millions of dollars for the PCL bargaining unit. Additionally, the City had no answer for us on the questions of COLA, Premiums, or an Across the Board increase. Once these proposals have a response we will provide membership with a 483 vs. City proposal financial statement.

Sadly, this limited first financial offer is what we have come to expect from the City. It underlines the importance of rank and file union members upping pressure outside of just negotiations. We are going to have continue to fight to get the contract we deserve. That means everyone getting involved in upcoming actions.

Informational Pickets:

Members of the PCL Bargaining and Contract Action teams look forward to seeing you at tomorrow’s informational picket at Kerby Yard. Informational pickets are like strike dress rehearsals. At these pickets we will strengthen our contract fight. Above all, we will show management at these worksites that we are committed to getting the contract we deserve. That means showing up in force!

Tomorrow’s picket will be setting up on the sidewalk in front of employee parking on the top of the hill at 2:30-5 PM 2929 N Kerby Ave, Portland, OR 97227. This is the first of three info pickets scheduled over the next few weeks. There will be signs, snacks, swag, marching, chanting and much more. Please help us spread the word, show up, and leave no doubt in the City’s mind. If pushed we will strike, and we will win!

INFO PICKET SCHEDULE

PBOT November 17th 2:30-5 PM
2929 N Kerby Ave, Portland, OR 97227

BES November 30th 3-5:30 PM
5001 N Columbia Blvd, Portland, OR 97203

Parks December 8th 3-5:30 PM
6437 SE Division Street Portland , OR 97215

11/07 PCL Bargaining Update

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11/01 Bargaining Session:

Despite prior communication that the City would present their financial counter at this (and earlier) bargaining sessions, the day began with the City’s lead negotiator letting us know no financial proposals would be presented. Later in the week the City rescheduled our November 8th bargaining session for November 15th. They have now firmly committed to presenting their full financial counters on the 15th.

Because of the ongoing delay and dysfunction we have seen at the bargaining table we have scheduled to meet with a mediator from the State Employment Relations Board on December 6th. This was the soonest available date.

As many of you know, mediation is one of the necessary steps to take before we are legally able to call a strike. While the PCL Bargaining Team will continue to pursue a strong contract through mediation and negotiations, members should begin preparing themselves for the possibility of a strike early next year.

CAT Meeting Rally Prep

Wednesday night the PCL Contract Action Team will be meeting in person at the union office to prepare for upcoming labor actions. We will be making signs, planning events, and sharing information across workgroups. There will be food and drink to keep us fueled while making ready for the coming fight. All members are encouraged to attend. Even if you can only spare a few minutes, we would love to see you at the local and send you off with some SWAG for your workgroups.

1125 SE Madison St #206, Portland, OR 97214
Doors open from 5-8PM.
Friends and family welcome.

11/17 PBOT Information Picket

The first stop on our informational pickets of PCL worksites will be Kirby Yard. This is one of the major reporting hubs for PBOT workers where many managers work. We want our people from across the contract to show up so these managers can see firsthand that PBOT is strong and united with the rest of our union.

This informational picket will be set for 3-5PM on Thursday November 17th. Additional details forthcoming.



10/28 PCL Bargaining Update

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Strike Authorization Vote Results:
The PCL Bargaining Team asked our members for the power to call a strike. You all answered with a resounding YES! With a strong majority of members already counted we currently sit at 95% support for Strike Authorization. While some in transit ballots are not yet counted, there are far too few votes pending to change the outcome. A detailed account of voting will be communicated early next week when any and all lagging ballots have been received. The PCL Bargaining Team thanks Portland City Laborers for the faith they have placed in the team and their fellow PCL members.  

10/25 Bargaining Session:
Despite marginal movement on some topics, Tuesday’s bargaining was again defined by a rejection of Union articles. The City said no to fully covering healthcare premiums. They said no to increased compensation for shift differentials. They said no to restoring lost retirement benefits. They said no to double time on forced overtime. City negotiators have committed to providing their response on wages over the next two weeks. Portland City Laborers say NO to the status quo the City has put on the table. If the City does not show serious consideration of member’s needs with their upcoming proposals it will be time for us to move beyond the table to see our needs get met. 

Rallies and Pickets and Labor Actions: 
While Strike Authorization is a big step in ramping up pressure on City management, it is only one step. To win a contract worthy of our members we need to put pressure on management in bargaining, in the workplace, and in the streets. 

Our union, led by members of PCL Contract Action Team, is planning to stage events throughout the City championing our cause. We want your input on the time and place of those events. Reach out to CAT members in your workgroup, members of the Bargaining Team, or Union Staff with your ideas for labor actions that will demand recognition for our demands. 

Anyone interested in getting directly involved should call or email Field Rep James O’Laughlen to join the Contract Action Team.

10/24 PCL Bargaining Update

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Strike Authorization Vote:

Today is the final day to cast your vote on Strike Authorization! While a strong majority have already voted, we want 100% participation. If you or any union member you know have not yet voted, please use the link below to fix that. The PCL Bargaining strongly recommends a yes vote. We believe investing the power to strike in your bargaining team will improve our leverage at the table and provide us the best opportunity to win a contract that meets our demands. Cast your vote to demand a fair contract for us all.

VOTE HERE

New Shirts:

After much delay our new shipment of Union T-Shirts have finally arrived. Wearing these navy blue shirts in and around the workplace on Wednesdays is an easy, stylish way to show management our solidarity. To get ahold of this swag set up a site visit at your workplace, schedule a time to come by the Union Office ( 1125 SE Madison St #206, Portland, OR 97214 ), or attend a Union Event ( Member Meetings, Rallies, Pickets, etc.)

Contact james@liuna483.org for scheduling.

10/05 PCL Bargaining Update

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Financial proposals:

This morning the PCL team put forward the very last of our class specific wage proposals. The full wage specific proposal can be found HERE. This is the final piece of the PCL financial demands that include a 10% wage increase for everyone under the contract, ongoing uncapped cola, substantially increased shift differential, new and improved premium pay, 100% employer paid healthcare premiums, and 2.5% matching for defined contribution (403b) to retirement savings. 

Our team has made these demands because you have earned them through sweat and sacrifice. In a just world these asks and more would be freely offered by your grateful employer. In this world, we expect a fight. That’s just fine because our members have shown themselves eager to fight for what they deserve.

The Power of Participation:

In recent weeks our members have shaped bargaining demands, made direct proposals to City negotiators, spoken before City Council, and spread word of our struggle to the local news. 

https://bikeportland.org/2022/09/29/pbot-maintenance-staff-ask-council-for-support-while-union-leader-says-strike-isnt-off-the-table-364524

These are just some of the many ways you can directly impact your contract. Please contact the PCL bargaining team or Labor Rep James O’Laughlen to learn how you can best join the fight for the contract you deserve. 

Pre-Strike Authorization Vote Starts October 17th:

Portland City Laborers have consistently told the bargaining team they are ready and raring to take action. In response, the PCL bargaining team has decided to call a Strike Authorization Vote. Voting yes for Strike Authorization would give our bargaining team the authority to reject management’s “final” offer at the table and declare a strike on behalf of the Union. While Strike Authorization would transfer power to call a strike to the Bargaining Team, no contract could be ratified without a full vote of PCL members. A yes vote on Strike Authorization would give our Union more leverage at the table and empower the bargaining team to push for a new contract more rapidly.

The Strike Authorization vote will be held online and through the mail between October 17-23rd. Additional concept and process details will be forthcoming