PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler issued an emergency declaration Thursday as hundreds of members of a city labor union prepare to strike next week.þþEmployees represented by the Laborers’ Local 483 are set to strike starting February 2 at midnight. The group of workers includes people who repair roads, treat wastewater, and clean and manage parks, among other things.þþThe union says these workers showed up to work through the pandemic and delayed negotiations to help the city. They now say they want the city to invest in the work they do.þþThe city says it has been negotiating a new contract for nearly 10 months. The cost of the most recent proposal is more than $39 million for a four-year agreement.þþOn Thursday, Mayor Wheeler declared the State of Emergency to help lessen the impact to city bureaus and residents while Local 483 workers are on strike.þþUnder the emergency order, the city can hire contractors or vendors to help fill those roles, reassign city employees, and partner with other groups or agencies. It also allows the city to pass the costs accrued during the emergency order to each bureau, or to the city’s emergency fund.þþIn a previous statement, the city said they ÿwill not retaliate against any PCL employees who choose to go on strike.ÿþþThe order will be in place for two weeks unless extended or called off early, the city said.þ
Source: katu.com
