DCTU to start negotiations with City of Portland

The District Council of Trade Unions will embark on contract negotiations with the City of Portland beginning Jan. 31.

“We feel good about it and are ready to do business,” said James Hester, lead bargainer and union representative for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 189.

The DCTU represents approximately 1,800 employees from seven unions, including AFSCME Local 189, Laborers Local 483, Electrical Workers Local 48, Operating Engineers Local 701, Painters District Council 5, Plumbers and Fitters Local 290 and Machinists Lodge 1005. The DCTU bargaining team has been meeting nearly every week since August in preparation for bargaining.

The DCTU bargaining team met with the city’s bargaining team in a joint session on Dec. 16 to negotiate ground rules for bargaining.

Hester said the DCTU “will present a comprehensive and fair proposal” to the city at the first session. “It is the hope of the bargaining team the city’s proposal will be equally fair,” Hester said. “The extent and tone of the city’s opening proposal will no doubt dictate how smoothly bargaining will be conducted.”

The current contract expires June 30, 2006.

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