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Strike averted: City of Portland reaches tentative agreement with DCTU, finalizes AFSCME agreement details

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Feb. 7, 2025 Update
DCTU Tentative Agreement Overview

The tentative agreement with DCTU includes approximately $6 million in new spending over a three-year contract, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025, and extending through Dec. 31, 2027. 

Key highlights include:

  • Three additional personal days annually for required fully in-person employees
  • Increased call-back and standby rates
  • A 2% longevity premium at 10 years of consecutive service
  • Increases to the clothing and prescription safety glasses benefits
  • Increased tool allowance for Vehicle & Equipment Mechanics
  • Updated premiums for specific DCTU classifications
  • Targeted wage increases to many classifications and a minimum of 1% across the board increase in year one for all classifications

DCTU Tentative Agreement

Read the City of Portland and DCTU's Feb. 5, 2025 Joint Statement

Following more than 30 hours of mediation over two days, the City of Portland and the District Council of Trade Unions (DCTU) reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract, just 12 hours ahead of a strike deadline. 

DCTU planned to walk off the job at 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 if an agreement could not be reached.

DCTU represents about 200 City workers across more than half a dozen bureaus, including Fleet & Facilities, Water, Environmental Services, Permitting & Development and Transportation.

The City and DCTU began negotiating a new contract last April and began mediation in November.

DCTU members, on average, earned approximately $102,000 in the most recent budget year, with total compensation packages averaging about $158,000 annually.

A detailed overview of the tentative agreement and timeline for a ratification vote should be available to DCTU members and media by the end of the week.

AFSCME Tentative Agreement

After a marathon mediation session last Wednesday, the City of Portland and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract. 

The City and AFSCME began negotiating a new contract last May and moved to mediation in December.

AFSCME, the City’s largest bargaining unit, represents more than 1,000 City workers spanning every service area, with positions ranging from Customer Service Representatives and Office Support Specialists to Utility Workers and Public Works Inspectors.

The average AFSCME member earned approximately $87,000 in the most recent budget year, with an average total compensation package of about $139,000.

Bargaining teams have finalized the costing for the tentative agreement and AFSCME is coordinating a ratification vote with their members. Portland City Council could give final approval over the next few weeks. 

AFSCME Tentative Agreement Overview

The tentative agreement with AFSCME includes $20.9 million in new spending over the three-year contract, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025, and extending through Dec. 31, 2027. An additional $1.3 million in one-time investments brings the total commitment to $22.2 million in new spending over the next three years. 

Key highlights include:

  • Increased premium pay for night and weekend shifts
  • Three additional personal days annually for required fully in-person employees
  • A 5% jailside premium for all hours worked
  • Pay parity for overlapping Portland City Laborer classifications, as well as a lump sum payment for classifications shared with other union contracts
  • Targeted wage increases of 3% to many classifications
  • Minimum 1% increase above the cost-of-living-adjustment the first year of the contract (depending on any targeted adjustment above) and a 1% increase above the cost-of-living adjustment in years two and three of the contract
  • A 2% longevity premium at 10 years of consecutive service
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