LETTER: Portland’s new council can promote, adopt labor peace among city employees
Published 10:05 am Thursday, October 24, 2024
- Portland Water Bureau workers repairing a previous broken water main.
AFSCME Local 189 has the privilege of representing nearly 1,100 employees at the city of Portland, people who show up every day to make the city work. We keep the water running, process bill payments, staff emergency response sites, answer the phones, handle police records and fingerprints, help you fill out housing applications, inspect buildings and so much more.
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We aren’t talking points, bureaucrats or political fodder; we are the ones who, with tools in hand, build and maintain utility infrastructure, help you get your permits, and navigate city processes.
Without us, the city of Portland does not work.
This is why it’s so important that while city officials are focused on transitioning the form of government, they don’t forget about the people who — no matter what — show up every day to do the actual work.
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The greatest gift this council can give our soon to be elected leaders is the gift of labor peace. At the mayor’s direction, city administrators may very well be setting up those elected to fail, by forcing them to resolve this current council’s labor crisis while working to stand up Portland’s new government. Our mayor, since July 1, has controlled all city bureaus, including Human Resources, and will until his last day. Only Mayor Ted Wheeler can direct the city administrator to settle a fair contract so that we can continue to deliver the services that make Portland happen.
Rob Martineau
Northeast Portland.