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

City of Portland PCL Bargaining