PORTLAND, Ore. — Members of a union representing city of Portland employees voted to strike Thursday.þþDistrict Council of Trade Unions said its workers will go on strike at 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 10.þþThe workers are from most city bureaus including water, transportation, housing and more.þþThey rallied outside City Hall earlier in the day.þþUnion members said they want to work but they feel undervalued and are working to fill a historic level of vacancies.þþThey are asking for a contract that keeps up with the cost of living.þþThe city has offered a 1.6% cost of living increase and a $1,500 bonus and other provisions, but the union said the increase isn't enough to match the rise of inflation.þþ“Portland continues to lose our most skilled workers to the competitive market, while our newest members cannot afford to live in the city they hope to serve,” said Rob Martineau, president of DCTU and Oregon AFSCME Local 189, in a news release announcing the strike vote Thursday night.þþPortland's Office of Management and Finance has said it “feel(s) confident that the offer the City has provided the DCTU and its members meets many of the needs raised by the DCTU during the course of these negotiations.ÿþþThe union said 86% of its members voted to strike.
Source: katu.com
