A wave of unionization is taking place among police sergeants around Oregon, thanks to new state legislation.
HB 4115, passed in the Oregon Legislation’s short session in February, makes it clear that police sergeants have the right to form unions and engage in collective bargaining even when they have supervisory duties. Its passage was a win for Oregon Coalition of Police and Sheriffs (ORCOPS), a statewide lobby group that represents 39 police unions in Oregon. Portland Police sergeant Aaron Schmautz, ORCOPS president, said the group had been pushing that legislation for 15 years.
As of May 10, aided by several law firms that specialize in representing police officers, 227 sergeants at 17 police and sheriff’s departments had unionized through Oregon’s card check unionization process for public employees.
