09/15 Bargaining Update

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Thursday 09/08 Bargaining Proposals:

Last week’s bargaining schedule was disrupted by the holiday and City scheduling. Instead of meeting on our standard Tuesday we met on Thursday September 8th. 

Most of this session was occupied with the proposals changing specific Letters of Agreement that target specific workgroups or bureaus. These agreements are located in the back of our contract. Some proposals aim to include Regular and Seasonal Park Rangers in more contract language that exists for the rest of our members. Others restructure schedules and on call compensation for certain workgroups. All those LoAs can be found in full on the PCL Bargaining Page.  

The PCL team proposed one change to the main body of the contract in Article 28 Wage Scales. For this article we have asked the pension calculation OT limit be increased to 500 hours for all members under the OPSRP retirement plan. Tier 1 and 2 members have no OT limit for pensions. We also asked the City to match up to 2.5% in employee defined contribution retirement accounts. This is to compensate for the IAP stabilization fund withdraws state law implemented on our members’ retirement. The City Bargaining Team had nothing prepared for us and no answers at the table to our proposals. 

Tuesday 09/13 Bargaining Proposals:

With those many LoAs across the table, this week’s bargaining was exclusively focused on the first part of PCL Wage proposals. 

The first item of that proposal is an uncapped COLA for the duration of our contract. The current 5% ceiling is too low to capture the real change in what our money buys us here in Portland. Our members refuse to take pay cuts following some of the most difficult years in frontline City employee history.

The second item proposed is a 3.5% Across the Board pay raise. This is to honor the sacrifices all our members have made over the duration of the last contract.

The third item proposed are changes to the Premiums portion of the contract. These changes improved compensation for Lead pay and wastewater certifications, added the language differential for all members of the bargaining unit, created a bloodborne pathogen hazard premium, and set all premiums to increase annually with cost of living adjustments.

The Final component of our financial proposals are Raises for Specific Job Classifications. These classifications were identified by the Bargaining Team based largely on direct input from members regarding working conditions, failure to retain/hire, and higher wages for comparable work performed throughout the region. Tuesday we had members from the Operations Specialist, Wastewater Operator, and Tree Inspector classes speak on the need for targeted wage increases to the City’s bargaining team. We also had a Environmental Services Crew Leader speak to the need for wage increases for all Crew Leader positions working under this contract. 

Bargaining On 09/27

We will conclude our financial proposal in bargaining set for Tuesday September 27th with the remainder of our targeted job classification increases. Those currently include Horticulturalists, Park Rangers, Park Techs, Facility Maintenance Techs, Automotive Equipment Operator IIs,  Construction Equipment Operators, Environmental Systems Maintenance Techs, Carpenters, Concrete Finishers, Welders, Industrial Maintenance Millwright and Machinists. 

If you have information you would like to share with the PCL bargaining team regarding a specific classification raise you must communicate with the Bargaining team by Monday September 19th or that information cannot be included in our proposals. 

On September 27th we will complete all our original proposals for the Portland City Laborers collective bargaining agreement. This is the end of a very long process that has led to proposed changes on over 50% of all contract articles. Our members have demanded real change to our pay and working conditions. Those demands have been communicated vigorously to City management. Now begins the time for every one of us to get involved in the fight for these demands to be met. 



08/31 Bargaining Update

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Tentative Agreements: 
We have successfully negotiated two tentative agreements! Articles 7 Schedules/Workweeks and 10 Reporting/Minimum Pay have language that both the City and the PCL bargaining team are prepared to sign. In Reporting and Minimum pay we have secured reporting pay compensation for all regular shift lengths. This includes 10 and 12 hour days as well as the 8 hour days that had been protected in the contract. In Schedules and Workweeks we have gained access to telework and flexible work schedules with managerial approval. We have also negotiated full pay for a minimum 8 hour break from work period employees are entitled to in between shifts. This means that members will be paid to stay home and get their needed rest when emergency situations force them to work hours that conflict with a consecutive 8 hour break. 

A tentative agreement means that these articles are considered closed. The language we have negotiated is what will appear in the finished contract unless both the City and the Union agree to reopen these articles. These TAs will be available for review on the web page once signed by both parties. 

Bargaining: The City again offered their standard counters on Article #6 “Working Out of Class”, #19 “FMLA”, and #33 “Evaluations”. Return to contract language. The City also restated their request to expand probation from 6 months to 9 months. The cynical refusal to engage will in no way deter our bargaining team from fighting for members on these articles.

For our part the PCL team proposed a return to 100% premium share and increased opt out payments in Article 17 Health and Life Insurance. This would eliminate monthly premium costs for healthcare for our members and increase the amount of money paid to members that forgo city sponsored health insurance. The team also proposed changes to Article 34 “Discipline and Discharge” that would automatically trigger a call to eliminate oral and written discipline from employee records after one year and more severe discipline records after 5 years. This combined with a requested 30 day timeline to bring disciplinary action on supposed infractions would prevent the City from punishing members for incidents in the distant past. 

483 Community Party: Matt Dishman Community Center Staff Celebration and Barbeque is TOMORROW! Come by to meet with bargaining reps from the PCL and REC contracts while partying with your union brothers and sisters.

When 

Thursday September 1st 3 pm-7pm

Where

Matt Dishman Community Center, 77 NE Knott St, Portland, OR 97212, USA



08/26 Bargaining Update

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PCL Bargaining Update: The Bargaining Team has been hard at work this week. On Tuesday we met with the City to put 4 counters back across the table. These were on articles 6 Contracting Out, Article 12 Seniority, Article 19 FMLA, and Article 33 Evaluations/Counseling. In each counter we returned to the language of our original proposals. These proposals have been crafted to meet the needs of our membership and won’t be dismissed because of the City’s preference for status quo. All those original proposals can be found here at the main bargaining page. https://www.laborers483.org/city-of-portland-pcl.

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday members of the team have been in deep caucuses finalizing financial asks and our remaining few proposals. The team is committed to securing our member’s financial demands. In order to force the City to meet those demands, we need every member involved.

Negotiations with the City resume Tuesday August 30th.

Join the CAT: Our contract action team has also been hard at work. The CAT has held weekly meetings all month planning campaign actions, communicating contract needs from members, and scheduling events. CAT members have committed to doing what it takes to make this contract campaign a successful one. If you want to make sure this contract gets you the COLA, Wages, and contract changes you need, Join the CAT! Email james@liuna483.org with the subject line CAT.

483 Community Rally: The union and staff celebration at Matt Dishman Community Center is nearly here! Thursday September 1st LiUNA 483 is coming together to barbecue and build power. The Rec and PCL bargaining teams will be at this rally to talk to members about the contract and show them how to get involved. Come out to enjoy live music, good food, and the company of your LiUNA brothers and sisters. Friends and Family welcome!

When 
Thursday September 1st 3 pm-7pm
Where
Matt Dishman Community Center, 77 NE Knott St, Portland, OR 97212, USA

08/17 Bargaining Update

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08/16 Bargaining Session: This week’s Bargaining session was defined by more of the same. The City offered three counters that entirely removed our changes while the PCL Bargaining Team offered three Original Proposals that speak directly to real problems facing 483 members. In Article 8 Shifts we increased shift differentials to 10% and 15% of base wage to make necessary evening operations more attractive for bidding and new hires. In Article 9 Overtime we created stronger compensation for essential employees, forced on OTs, and paid rest periods. In Article 10 Reporting Pay and Minimum Pay, we push back against the contracting out of our work. The full text of all PCL’s original proposals can be found at https://www.laborers483.org/city-of-portland-pcl.

Each of these proposals was written to fix existing problems people working under our contract have faced for years. Those issues, which are often created by the City, have been consistently dismissed by the City’s bargaining team. This week a City representative told our team directly that our problems are not their problem. Well the time has come for us to make it their problem The time has come for you to get involved.

Wearable Wednesdays: An easy way to show your support for bargaining is by wearing Union swag. Every Wednesday for the remainder of this contract campaign we are asking 483 members to wear Union shirts, hats, glasses, buttons, etc. in their workplace as a demonstration of solidarity. LiUNA swag, Troublemaker T-shirts, anything that shows your union pride. Our current stock of shirts is low but you can get one by attending a  meeting, worksite visit, or union event. In the meantime, as long as you’ve got something Blue or Orange you can show the City you’re part of the bargain for a better contract. 

08/10 Bargaining Update

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483 Community Rally: Thursday September 1st LiUNA 483 is coming together to barbecue and build power. Members from the Rec and PCL contracts will be at the Matt Dishman Community Center to celebrate the staff. While there the bargaining teams from both contracts will be tabling to answer questions and inspire awe for L483 members. Come out to enjoy live music, good food, and the company of hard working/hard partying people. Friends and Family welcome!

When : Thursday September 1st 3 pm-7pm

Where: Matt Dishman Community Center, 77 NE Knott St, Portland, OR 97212, USA

Join the CAT: Want to get more from work? Looking to get involved in building a better contract? Join the Contract Action Team! CAT Members advise the Bargaining Team, keep coworkers informed, organize actions, and work to make this contract the best PCL has ever seen. With weekly meetups and a ramping up contract campaign it's never been a better time to sign up.  Email james@liuna483.org with Subject line "CAT!" to become a member. Unite with dozens of your fellow workers to make your workplace work for you. 

Final Chance for Class Comps: PCL’s financial proposals are well underway. While our wage demands on pay increases are based on members' needs and the City’s proven ability to pay, we will support those demands using wage class comparisons. Specifically we are focusing on financially comparable regions such as Seattle, Tacoma, and Sacramento but all relevant info is welcome. If you know of comparable work whose wages highlight our need for raises let the Bargaining Team know.  Email your class comps to liuna483@liuna483.org.

8/05 Bargaining Update

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Bargaining Session 8/2: During this week’s bargaining session our team put forward proposals and counters on Holidays, Vacations, Maintenance/Standards, Trainings, and Evaluations. Our proposals sought to expand leave benefits, ensure any part of evaluations or counseling could not be used against members for disciplinary reasons, and increase compensation for the many licenses and certifications our members hold. The City responded with very minimal movement toward our positions on proposals of Sick Leave and Seniority. The bargaining process is filled with employer reluctance to change from status quo. Still we are confident that our persistence in negotiations paired with the full support of PCL workers will win the concessions from the City that we need. 


Class Comps: As negotiations move forward more time is being dedicated to finalizing PCL’s financial demands. While our demands on pay increases will be based on what members need and the city’s proven ability to pay, we will support those demands using wage comparisons. Specifically we are focusing on financially comparable regions such as Seattle, Tacoma, and Sacramento. The bargaining team has done their own research and many members have already shared class comps for their positions.  If you would like to contribute class comps for your job classifications please call or email a member of the bargaining team so those comps can be used in negotiations. 

7/28 Bargaining Update

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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!

7/21 Bargaining Update

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Bargaining Team Member Update: Monday July 11th Field Rep Kim Gates informed our union that she would be moving on from her employment with LiUNA 483. Her role as the PCL contract’s lead negotiator will be filled by LiUNA OSI District Council Director of Organizing Ben Nelson. Ben is an organizer with over 20 years’ experience who was a long time representative of local 483.  Additionally, CAT Lead James O’Laughlen has begun working for local 483 as the Field Rep for Portland City Laborers. James was a Wastewater Operator on our contract with 5 years’ experience as a steward for our union. He has been working with the PCL bargaining team since the beginning. Both organizers will be working full time for LiUNA 483 on the contract campaign and all other matters our members need addressed.

Columbia Park Picnic: This Saturday come celebrate union strength with your union brothers and sisters. From 1pm - 5pm LiUNA 483 Members and Staff will be throwing a picnic at Columbia Park for all our members to enjoy. This is a great opportunity to meet members of the bargaining team and get to know people from across our contracts. More importantly, it’s an occasion to eat barbeque and have a few drinks with some hard working, hard partying people. A strong union forms strong bonds and barbeque bonds are forever. 

 Saturday July 23rd
Columbia Park - Site F
4503 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203
1pm-5pm

PCL/City Meeting 07/19: This past Tuesday was Ben Nelson’s first session as lead negotiator for the PCL bargaining team. It was also by far our most active bargaining session to date. The City finally offered counters to our longstanding proposals on Holidays, Grievances, FMLA and more. While some minor movement was seen and many pleasantries were offered, the City’s overwhelming message was “No thanks”. By now everyone who works for the City is familiar with this approach. The City’s reluctance will not stop our PCL Bargaining team from making the demands for improved wages, more safety, and better contract language that our members need. Those demands rely only on the support and solidarity of PCL Union members. Our next scheduled bargaining session with the City is Tuesday August 2nd. More details about this meeting will be communicated as they become available. 

6/29 Bargaining Update

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Contract Ends June 30th: The current PCL contract ends June 30th. So what happens when our contract ends while we are still negotiating the next one? Not that much. Almost all of the provisions of the current contract will carry on uninterrupted until a new agreement is reached. One of the few exceptions to that is Cost of Living Adjustments. The COLA figure for PCL members is a subject of contract negotiation and will not take effect until a new contract is reached. For more information about this transition, and everything to do with PCL bargaining, please check our website https://www.laborers483.org/city-of-portland-pcl .

COLA Info: Many members have raised concerns about an email from the City that mentions a 5% Cost of Living Adjustment. The details in that email do not apply to LiUNA 483’s PCL members! The cost of living adjustment for our contract is still under negotiation. As previously stated, the PCL Bargaining Team has committed to making sure our members receive a retroactive COLA to July 1st that is actually in line with the true cost of living in the City of Portland. Not one with an artificial ceiling of 5%. We need everyone working under our contract to stand together to achieve that goal.

PCL Caucus Work: This week the PCL Bargaining Team focused on the remaining non-economic article proposals left on our agenda. That work includes additional protection from unfair discipline, more compensation for required certs/licensures, improvements to the calculation for pension benefits, and much more. Important to note, we are legally prevented from dramatically altering our asks to articles once Original Proposals are presented to the city! Articles 8 Shifts, 9 Overtime, 17 Health and Life Insurance, 26 Maintenance of Standards ,27 Wage Scales, 32 Training, 33 Evaluations,/Counseling 34 Discipline and Discharge, and 38 Date and Duration have not yet gone across to the city. Please contact a member of the bargaining team about these articles before our next meeting with the City on July 12th to make sure your voice is heard in our contract language.

6/15 Bargaining Update

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City Negotiators Slow to Act: This week’s scheduled in person bargaining session was changed at the last minute to a Zoom meeting by city negotiators. While we are sympathetic to the normal challenges of life, this marks the 3rd time that PCL bargaining sessions were disrupted or canceled because of the city’s unavailability. This unavailability is only one part of what we view as the city’s under preparedness for PCL bargaining. While we continue to urge the city to pick up their pace, we will not allow their slow progress to deter us from holding these negotiations to a timeline that best serves our members. State law bargaining minimums would urge a contract resolution by late October. A description of that timeline can be found at the following link. https://www.oregon.gov/erb/pages/pecba.aspx, while a PCL specific timeline can be found here. 

LiUNA 483 members are eligible to attend both online and in person bargaining sessions. We will forward future meeting times and locations as soon as they become available to us.  

Weekly Proposals:  In Tuesday’s bargaining session the PCL Bargaining team put forward changes to two articles. Article #14 Layoff and Recall, and Article #28 Recoupment of Overpayment and Underpayment. Our Article #14 Proposal offers laid off employees more time and additional options for the reappointment process.  Our Article #28 proposal reduces the city’s timeframe to recoup overpayments to 90 days and adds a financial penalty to the city for untimely correction of underpayments, payable to the member whose paycheck was mishandled. 

The city’s lone proposal was a change to Article #1 Recognition. Their proposed changes would expand the new hire probationary period from 6 months to 9 months. The union countered with a reduction in mandatory evaluations to address the city’s expressed concerns on insufficient time for managers to assess new employees, but no expansion of probation. 

Our proposed article changes will be uploaded to https://www.laborers483.org/city-of-portland-pcl for member review. 

Invite Us to Your Worksite: While last week’s site visits were a great start, the PCL bargaining team is still dedicated to speaking in person to everyone working under the PCL contract. We want your input on when and where our next workgroup visits should be. Please contact CAT Lead James O’Laughlen, james@liuna483.org or (503) 208-5699 to help organize these visits.