Laborers Local 483 became the latest union to back Jefferson Smith for mayor of Portland Sept. 18, when members approved a motion to endorse the two-term state representative and founder of the Oregon Bus Project. Local 483 represents City workers who maintain streets, parks, and water treatment. Smith is backed by three other City worker unions — AFSCME Local 189, Portland Firefighters Association, and Portland Police Association — as well as the Portland Association of Teachers, Communications Workers of America Local 7901, and the Oregon Southern Idaho District Council of Laborers.
The other candidate in the race, former city commissioner Charlie Hales, has the endorsement of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757, Operating Engineers Local 701, Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, Service Employees International Union locals 49 and 503, Teamsters Joint Council 37, and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555.
