Portland Courant

Jan. 26, 2023

Mayor Wheeler issued an Emergency Declaration to help address work stoppage.

Jan. 24, 2023 

The City of Portland is preparing for more than 600 City employees represented by the Laborers’ Local 483 to go on strike on Feb. 2, 2023 at midnight. The City and Laborers' Local 483 – Portland City Laborers, known as PCL, have been negotiating a new contract for nearly 10 months.  

The 615 City employees represented by PCL span multiple bureaus, performing functions that include wastewater treatment operations, pollution testing, street maintenance, and park ranger services.  

The estimated cost of the City’s most recent proposal is more than $39 million during a four-year agreement. The proposal included a minimum of a 12% increase to the base wages for all PCL-represented workers by July 1, 2023, including: 

• A 5% cost-of-living adjustment retroactive to July 1, 2022 

• A 1% across-the-board pay increase retroactive to July 1, 2022 

• A 5% cost-of-living adjustment guaranteed on July 1, 2023 

• A 1% across-the board pay increase on July 1, 2023 

In addition, 60% of PCL-represented classifications would receive additional market-wage pay increases.  

These increases expand on the terms shared in the City’s previous offer, which include: 

• Shift premium increases 

• An increased tool and clothing allowance 

• Removed cap on sick leave for dependent care 

• 1000 hours of City-paid union time per fiscal year, to be used among all designated representatives 

• Increased hours for seasonal park rangers 

• Increase in employer-provided healthcare contribution for seasonal park rangers 

• Reduced waiting period for new hire sick leave and vacation 

PCL employees have the legal right to strike, and the City will not retaliate against any PCL employees who choose to go on strike. Citywide planning efforts are underway to coordinate continued city services should a strike occur. 

Original source can be found here.