Information for Workers on PCEF-Funded Projects

Information
Information about workers’ rights on projects that are funded by PCEF and what you can do if requirements or standards are not being met.
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Background

The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) provides funding to community-based organizations for climate projects. Projects that are funded by PCEF agree to a meet certain standards that are designed to promote safe and welcoming job sites with good wages. This page includes information regarding worker rights on a PCEF-funded project. If you have questions or concerns about whether worker rights on a PCEF-funded project are being met contact 503-823-7713 or cleanenergyfund@portlandoregon.gov.

PCEF Wage Requirements

By law, workers on projects funded by PCEF must be paid at least 180% of the relevant state minimum wage. This requirement applies to workers paid by the grantee as well workers paid by contractors and subcontractors. Find more information about the state’s minimum wage requirements at BOLI.

A higher minimum wage applies to most construction-related projects where the construction budget (hard and soft costs) includes $350,000 or more of PCEF funding at a single site. For these projects, prevailing wage is required for workers in trades for which a prevailing wage is defined with the exception of certain privately owned, affordable residential housing construction. Prevailing wage refers to wage and benefit standards that are required by law on certain types of construction projects. Oregon’s prevailing wage rate (PWR) law is administered by the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI).

If you are unsure whether you are working on a PCEF-funded project that requires prevailing wages contact 503-823-7713 or cleanenergyfund@portlandoregon.gov.

Safe and Respectful Jobsite Trainings

All workers have the right to a safe and respectful jobsite. To support this goal, PCEF requires that workers and frontline supervisors on PCEF-funded projects with construction-related improvements participate in a PCEF-sponsored or PCEF-approved Safe and Respectful Worksite training. Examples of construction-related improvements include weatherization, installation of solar, and building a shed. PCEF-sponsored trainings are available at no cost to the grantee, contractors, subcontractors, and employees on the project. If you are working on a PCEF-funded project and have not received a training you may contact 503-823-7713 or cleanenergyfund@portlandoregon.gov.

Safe and Respectful Jobsite Policy

All employers in Oregon are required to have a policy to prevent and address specific types of unlawful discrimination and sexual assault. PCEF has created a Safe and Respectful Jobsite requirement that complements this state law. Projects that include PCEF-funded construction-related physical improvements must have a Safe and Respectful Jobsite Policy and make the Policy available to workers and staff. Examples of construction-related improvements include weatherization, installation of solar, and building a shed. At a minimum, the policy must include the following:

  • Immediate reporting of any threatening act of hate to the appropriate authorities.
  • Documentation of the hate, intimidation, or harassment incident – for example, take a photo, time-stamp, collect names of witnesses, etc.
  • Internal procedures for:
    • investigation of the act of hate, intimidation, or harassment (e.g., who, how, what)
    • response (e.g., clear chain of command, shut-down protocols, accountability and compliance measures including reporting incidents and outcomes, timeframe and process for removal of hate crime symbols)
    • support and protection of impacted workers and whistleblowers (e.g., how leadership will report back on steps taken to address the incident, how workers will be protected against retaliation, where workers can go for support, and anti-retaliation policy and training).
  • Immediate notification of PCEF staff of any activity that can be considered an act of hate, intimidation, or harassment.

If you are working on a PCEF-funded project and have not received information about your employer’s Safe and Respectful Jobsite Policy you may contact 503-823-7713 or cleanenergyfund@portlandoregon.gov.

Jobsite Incidents

If you have experienced or witnessed a jobsite incident related to harassment, assault, hate, discrimination, or safety and have access to the Safe and Respectful Jobsite Policy for the project or site you should follow the steps outlined in that policy. If you do not have the policy or do not feel able to follow the steps in the policy please notify PCEF staff at 503-823-7713 or cleanenergyfund@portlandoregon.gov. You may also contact the RISE UP staff at Oregon Tradeswomen that are providing PCEF’s Safe and Respectful Jobsite trainings and support. Their contact information is 503-335-8200 or riseup@oregontradeswomen.org.

Right to Organize

Federal law protects the right of workers to organize. PCEF grant recipients, contractors, and subcontractors shall not oppose worker efforts to organize nor shall they retaliate or otherwise create a hostile environment to workers who choose to engage in collective conversations or action regarding workplace issues. Find additional information about this law, including who to contact with questions or complaints.

Posting Requirements

Information about workers’ rights on projects with construction-related improvements funded by PCEF shall be posted at the jobsite(s), with some exceptions for single-family residences and residences with less than five units. Wallet cards with the information shall also be made available to workers.

Additional Resources