As negotiations remain unresolved with two major labor organizations, the City of Portland submitted its “final offers” last week to the state’s Employee Relations Board – committing $19 million in new spending over the next three years, from salary boosts to extra pay for certifications.
A significant gap remains from requests by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the District Council of Trade Unions, which represent a combined 1,200 City of Portland employees. Both unions declared “impasse” in late December, prompting final offers and a 30-day cooling off period – meaning a strike would be a possibility as early as the end of January if agreements are not reached.
Money has been the biggest obstacle, with the City bracing for a projected $27 million gap for the budget year that will begin July 1. Cost-of-living raises are budgeted for all employees, including those represented by unions, but any additional commitments will require deeper spending cuts.
The unions’ most recent requests would require about $40 million in new spending over the next three years, more than double what the City has offered.
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
Represented Workforce
With more than 1,000 members, AFSCME is the City of Portland’s largest bargaining unit. Members span every service area, with the largest numbers in Water, Transportation, Police, Permitting & Development and Budget & Finance.
The average AFSCME member earned approximately $87,000 in the most recent budget year, with an average total compensation package of about $139,000.
City’s Final Offer
The City’s final offer commits about $15 million in new investments over three years. Highlights include:
- Targeted wage adjustments for 37 classifications (includes parity for shared classifications in Portland City Laborers)
- Across the board pay increases of 1 percent in the first year (except those receiving targeted adjustments) and another 1 percent in the second year
- 2% longevity pay after 10 years
- Maintain cost-of-living pay increases of 1-5% per year
- Increased clothing allowance from $250 to $350/year
- Two additional paid days off for in-person staff
- New premium pay for water certification
City-Calculated Cost Comparison of Final Offers
| City Proposal (view) | AFSCME Proposal (view) | |
|---|---|---|
| WTO III Letter of Agreement | $118,000 | - |
| Article 30 - Clothing | $127,000 | $127,000 |
| Article 8 - Shifts | $31,000 | $169,000 |
| MIT Living Wage Differential | - | $369,000 |
| Schedule A: COLA | $614,000 | $1,169,000 |
| Schedule A: Premiums | $67,000 | $1,238,000 |
| Longevity Premium | $2,725,000 | $2,757,000 |
| Additional Personal Holidays | $1,400,000 | $4,304,000 |
| Wage-Driven Benefits | $3,933,000 | $7,319,000 |
| Schedule A: Wages | $5,688,000 | $10,603,000 |
| Total increase over the three-year contract* *above baseline COLA | $14,703,000 | $28,055,000 |
District Council of Trade Unions (DCTU)
Represented Workforce
The District Council of Trade Unions represents about 200 City of Portland employees, across more than half a dozen bureaus. The highest concentration of members work in Fleet & Facilities, Water, Environmental Services, Permitting & Development and Transportation.
The average DCTU member earned approximately $102,000 in the most recent budget year, with an average total compensation package of about $158,000.
City’s Final Offer
The City’s final offer commits about $4 million in new investments over three years. Highlights include:
- Targeted wage adjustment for 17 classifications
- 2% longevity premium at 10 years
- Hour-for-hour deferred holiday, capped at 100 hours/year
- Maintain cost-of-living increases of 1-5% per year
- Clothing allowance increase from $250 to $350, plus $200 for prescription safety glasses
- Tool allowance increase based on consumer price index
- New premium pay for Mobile Vehicle Mechanics
- Increase premium pay for Chief Electrical and Plumbing Inspectors
- Two additional paid days off for in-person staff
City-Calculated Cost Comparison of Final Offers
| City Proposal (view) | DCTU Proposal (view) | |
|---|---|---|
| Article 30 - Clothing | $87,000 | $104,000 |
| Article 29 - Tools | $18,000 | $191,000 |
| Schedule A: Premiums | $66,000 | $383,000 |
| Article 10 - Reporting Pay and Minimum Pay | $301,000 | $406,000 |
| Schedule A: COLA | $151,000 | $719,000 |
| Additional Personal Holidays | $564,000 | $733,000 |
| Longevity Pay | $808,000 | $1,007,000 |
| Wage-Driven Benefits | $1,050,000 | $4,483,000 |
| Schedule A: Wages | $954,000 | $8,959,000 |
| Total increase over the three-year contract* *above baseline COLA | $3,999,000 | $16,985,000 |
Stay up-to-date at Portland.gov/Bargaining/News
Final Offers Submitted to Employment Relations Board
Jan. 3, 2025 City of Portland final offer and cost summary for AFSCME Local 189
Jan. 3, 2025 AFSCME Local 189 final offer and cost summary
Dec. 31, 2024 City of Portland final offer and cost summary for DCTU