Portland Staff Face Nov. 9 Strike Over $10.7 Million Offer Gap

City of Portland Professional Workers will begin a strike at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 9 unless a new contract is ratified.

The union filed a 10-day notice of intent to strike this week. The City of Portland and CPPW have been negotiating for months on four specific contract articles. These articles were reopened in January 2026 to incorporate findings from a recent classification and compensation study.

The parties first agreed on a 2.5-year contract in May 2025. That deal was worth $5.9 million. It included $3 million in new spending for wage increases, a $1,000 bonus per member, and expanded paid leave. The current dispute centers on the four reopened articles, where both sides have now declared impasse.

CPPW represents more than 800 employees across nearly every department of City government. Their salaries currently range from $62,026 to $172,765 across 15 job classifications.

The City's final offer includes approximately $9.1 million in additional spending through December 2027. This proposal features a 3% cost-of-living increase retroactive to July 2026. It also includes a 1% to 4% wage increase in July 2027 and a $1,000 one-time bonus for members employed at ratification. The City also proposed a $350 annual safety gear allowance for eligible staff.

CPPW's final offer requires approximately $19.8 million in additional spending through December 2027. The difference between the two proposals is roughly $10.7 million. The union's demand is largely driven by proposed wage increases that exceed the cost-of-living adjustments found in the City's counter-proposal.

Mediation sessions are scheduled for Nov. 4 and Nov. 8. The City states it remains committed to bargaining in good faith. If no agreement is reached, the union will proceed with the walkout as planned.

Separately, Portland City Laborers LiUNA Local 483 declared impasse on Oct. 28. That group represents approximately 700 employees. Both sides must submit final offers to the Oregon Employment Relations Board by Nov. 4. A 30-day cooling-off period will then begin. PCL could strike as early as Dec. 4 if negotiations fail during that window.