Portland has reached a tentative agreement with its largest public union, AFSCME Local 189, preventing a strike by over 1,000 city workers. The deal was reached after a lengthy mediation session, but it still requires approval from both union members and the City Council. The union had been pushing for higher wages, arguing that lower-paid workers need a living wage, while the city cited budget constraints. Meanwhile, another city union, the District Council of Trade Unions, has issued a strike notice, meaning more labor disputes could be ahead.
See "Portland reaches contract agreement with its largest labor union, cooling off strike threat", Alex Zielinski, Oregon Public Broadcasting, January 30, 2025