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No agreement reached as City of Portland and AFSCME conclude Nov. 6 mediation

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The City of Portland and AFSCME resumed mediation today as part of ongoing contract negotiations. AFSCME-represented Independent Police Review employees began striking Nov. 5 as talks continue on the transition to the new police oversight office.
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The City of Portland and AFSCME returned to mediation today as part of ongoing efforts to reach agreement on a new labor contract for 11 Independent Police Review (IPR) employees represented by AFSCME. IPR employees began striking Nov. 5.

The parties did not reach an agreement in today's mediation session. The next mediation session is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 10. 

The primary issue in dispute is the union's request that its members be guaranteed direct placement into positions in the Office of Community-based Police Accountability (OCPA) — the new office within the Police Oversight System approved by Portland voters in 2022.

Under City Charter Section 2-1005, staffing decisions for the new office are the responsibility of its Director, who will be appointed by the Community Board for Police Accountability. Any change to these Charter provisions would require a vote of Portlanders.

"We deeply value the expertise and dedication of these employees and sincerely hope they will continue their important work within the new Oversight System," said Mayor Wilson. "At the same time, the City Charter is our Constitution, and we cannot disregard its mandates through labor negotiations."

The City remains committed to bargaining in good faith and to reaching a fair agreement consistent with the requirements of the City Charter.

Over the course of negotiating a new labor contract, the City has offered the following to support AFSCME-represented IPR employees in the transition to the new Police Oversight System: 

  • At least six months' advance notice before hiring begins for the new oversight system.
  • Support from the Bureau of Human Resources and guaranteed interviews with the OCPA Director for all IPR employees before external candidates are considered.
  • Employees not hired into OCPA would be guaranteed placement in an existing vacancy, or the City would create a new, substantially equivalent position for them, with no loss in pay and no probationary period.
  • Priority consideration for other City roles.
  • Career transition services for employees who are interested.
  • Any employee choosing the layoff option would receive 30 days' advance notice and paid administrative leave before the effective date.
  • Recognition that the investigative and administrative work currently performed by IPR employees will transfer to OCPA and continue to be represented by AFSCME under a new bargaining unit.
  • A commitment by the City to meet with the OCPA Director, once hired, to discuss possible transfers of IPR staff into OCPA.
  • An agreement to reopen and revisit the transition section of the labor contract in the future, specifically for positions within the new oversight system.

City offers presented to AFSCME to date:

Read previous bargaining updates:

Related

Bargaining Updates
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 189

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