Unions representing 1,300 employees have declared impasse in contract negotiations with the City of Portland.American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 189 represents almost 1,100 city workers ranging from accountants to utility workers. The District Council of Trade Unions (DCTU), a coalition of five unions, represents 200 trades workers like electricians and plumbers.
Under Oregon’s Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act, once either side declare that an impasse exists, meaning they’ve been unable to reach agreement, each side has seven days to submit a formal “final offer” at which point a 30-day cooling off period begins. The union can then strike after giving a 10-day notice, and/or the employer can implement the terms of its final offer without union agreement.
Local 189 President Rob Martineau said the union declared impasse after a week passed without the city responding to their latest proposal.
“The city is eminently patient. They will be happy to do nothing for years,” Martineau said. “They have no sense of urgency in labor negotiations, and we do.”
DCTU and the city filed final offers Dec. 31, and AFSCME Local 189 and the city filed final offers Jan. 3. That means city workers could go on strike as early as late January.
DCTU is asking for 3% across-the-board raises. The city is only offering raises for some positions.
Local 189 is asking for a 2% raise for all members in 2027, plus cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). The city is offering two 1% raises over the three-year contract, along with COLAs. Local 189 is also seeking raises for workers who are currently paid less than employees in similar positions at the city.
Both AFSCME and DCTU are seeking additional personal days for members. DCTU proposed two additional days for all members, while AFSCME wants five days for employees who work entirely in-person and two days for hybrid workers. The city is offering both groups two days, but only for in-person workers.
