Over 600 City of Portland maintenance and operations workers ended their three-day strike Sunday after reaching a tentative contract agreement with the city. Despite the city giving a final offer early last week, members of the worker’s bargaining team said they were able to secure higher cost of living increases and other contract benefits after critical workers started picketing. City workers and other public sector union members held a rally Sunday evening to celebrate the.
More than 600 city maintenance and operations workers are on strike Thursday after Portland officials declined to accept the workers’ proposed contract. While Portland leaders have alluded to a “contingency plan” to continue operations in the city, striking workers say that wastewater treatment, parks maintenance, and street clearing will be significantly affected as long as the strike continues. “The work starts with you,” Portland Jobs with Justice organizer Sarah Kowaleski told workers at a pre-strike.