7/28 Bargaining Update

PCL Caucus Work: In this week’s caucus the bargaining team spent a full day working on contract language. Proposals on Vacations, Trainings, Evaluations, and Maintenance of Standards are prepped and ready for bargaining on August the 2nd. Substantial progress was also made on the financial articles of Overtime and Wage Scales. The PCL Bargaining team is making many more proposals on this contract campaign than has been common in the past. This is because we have heard from our members about the many changes they need to meet the evolving challenges of working for the City. Now is the time to demand better from the City of Portland.

Emergency Schedules: This week many of us worked adjusted schedules, reporting earlier in the morning and leaving earlier in the day, as part of management’s strategy for dealing with the extreme heat. Our current Collective Bargaining Agreement does grant the City the right to make these schedule adjustments. The PCL bargaining team recognizes that short term schedule changes, no matter how well intentioned, can present serious disruption to members’ personal schedules and family life. We are exploring contract language that would encourage the City to make these kinds of changes voluntary and offer less disruptive methods of protecting our members during hazardous weather. This includes changes to the Essential Employee clause of our contract, that would grant stronger protections and compensation for members that keep this City running through dangerous events. Please contact the Bargaining Team with your thoughts on fixing emergency scheduling to work for everyone.

Help Coworkers Join the Union: As we get deeper into negotiations with the City it is becoming more and more important that the power of our members is felt at the table. One of the best ways to increase our leverage in bargaining is to increase membership rates. Some of our newer coworkers have not yet joined the Union and some veteran workers have let their membership lapse. We need to get these coworkers signed up. This will let the City know PCL employees work together, negotiate together, and if needed strike together.    

Please contact 483 Field Representative James O'Laughlen for supplies of Union cards and any support you need to make PCL a 100% Union supported contract.  More members mean more power!