Trade Workers Reach Deal With City Of Portland To Avert Strike

PORTLAND, Ore. — More than 1,100 trade workers for the City of Portland belonging to a collaboration of unions have reached a deal to avert a strike that was set to begin on Thursday.

The District Council of Trade Unions represents workers with AFSCME Local 189, IBEW Local 48, IUOE Local 701, IAM District W24, UA Local 290, and IUPAT District 5 Council.  They include maintenance workers, building inspectors and those providing basic city services who account for about 16% of the city’s workforce.

Negotiations hit a wall in December after a year of bargaining over wages.

A strike was authorized last month with 86% support among the members who voted and the city was notified of the pending strike.  A vote on the latest offer from the city was approved by members on Wednesday morning.  It included a 1.6% cost-of-living adjustment retroactive to July of last year and an additional 5% adjustment in July of this year.

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