AFSCME Local 189 Archives

AFSCME 189 files charges after City Auditor orders workers to return to office

May 4, 2022

AFSCME says Portland city management bargained in bad faith and implemented its re-entry plan without union agreement.

Behind the badge, police support staff face backlog and burnout

Mar 17, 2022

AFSCME’s Portland Police chapter chair says understaffing is causing delays retrieving towed cars or getting police reports for insurance.

City unions in Portland near the brink of a strike

Jan 19, 2022

Following drawn out and contentious union negotiations, City of Portland managers are now accused of interfering in strike votes.

City of Portland unions declare impasse

Dec 16, 2021

The unit of 1,180 city workers in the District Council of Trade Unions could strike as soon as Jan. 19, after bargaining since July 2020.

Hundreds of unrepresented City of Portland workers get a chance to unionize

Feb 17, 2021

City attorneys and HR managers, opposing a union effort by three workers, ended up opening the door to a union for workers across the city.

City of Portland union coalition has new leadership

Dec 16, 2020

DCTU—a coalition of six unions—negotiates a collective bargaining agreement that covers about 1,100 City of Portland employees in all.

Furloughed workers tighten belts waiting for WorkShare benefits

Jul 14, 2020

It seemed like a win-win when unions approved the furloughs, but Workshare benefits promised by the Oregon Employment Department have been slow to arrive.

In the era of COVID-19, the union hall is going virtual

Jul 1, 2020

Unions are finding that holding meetings online is actually increasing attendance. One union is even holding its national convention online.

City of Portland unions will vote on furloughs in which workers could actually come out ahead

Jun 2, 2020

The federally funded Work Share program will make up for wages lost during furloughs, and city budget savings are earmarked to prevent layoffs.

Union Democracy

Portland 911 operators leave AFSCME, join Portland police union

May 23, 2019

The vote was 67 to 7 in a May 21 election overseen by the Oregon Employment Relations Board.