For the first time in institutional memory, the PROTEC17 Portland Chapter failed to reach a tentative agreement with the City of Portland during regular bargaining and moved to mediation with a neutral third party after more than 18 months of frustrating negotiations.
Earlier this year, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson decided the City would unilaterally move away from their decades-long practice of having a citywide standard for a cost of living adjustment (COLA) that is directly tied to an inflationary index. Wilson’s decision was made with no warning and after the PROTEC17 bargaining team had already been negotiating with the City for eight months. The mayor, who aligns himself with business interests, chose to take this stance despite rising inflation and city salaries lagging more and more behind, even when the bargaining team did not propose a wage increase above COLA, except for in a small number of classifications that are well below market.
During bargaining, City administration also decided not to honor the commitment they made to our bargaining unit when we agreed to a Classification and Compensation study instead of a general wage increase in 2017. Nine years later – and 27 since our last full classification review and update – Mayor Wilson decided that any market adjustments from the study would need to come out of members’ COLA.
The PROTEC17 team was frustrated that time and again, the Mayor failed to recognize that keeping wages in line with the regional market helps support employee retention and keeps the City an employer of choice.
In response, PROTEC17 members turned up the heat! In late winter, after 10 months of negotiations, the contract action team started a button and virtual background campaign, hosting events throughout the City to distribute them. This was followed by the delivery of a petition to the Mayor and City Council in the spring signed by more than 70% of Portland members, and testimony at City Council.
Summer saw a growing union visibility campaign, with Worker Wednesdays (see photos on next page) and joint union actions with our Labor siblings, CPPW and LiUNA 483, who were in their own similar contract fights with the City. One action was a Renaissance Faire themed rally, complete with costumes, face painting, union crests, and a miniature horse. The three unions also hosted a high-visibility rally outside of City Hall on Sept. 16 which made a big impact on the City Council meeting inside.
After reaching impasse with the City in mediation in September, PROTEC17 members were gearing up for a possible strike this November. But late in the evening on Sept. 30, the bargaining team reached a tentative agreement that retains the COLA formula, introduces longevity pay, and secures many other strong wins that the team has been fighting for.
“For most of my 25 years in this union, a member could pay their dues and sit back and enjoy the negotiated benefits of representation,” said PROTEC17 Portland member Janet Tucker. “Not this year. This was the year all members needed to show up to get a decent contract – and we did.”
Portland members will be voting on the agreement in October. PROTEC17 Portland members should check their personal email to learn more about the latest updates and info sessions, and to view the redlined agreement and cast their ballot.