Update — November 5, 2026
PORTLAND, Ore. — November 5, 2026
A labor dispute between the City of Portland and the City of Portland Professional Workers Union (CPPW), which represents more than 800 municipal employees, is approaching a potential strike.
Following another unsuccessful bargaining session on November 4, CPPW announced that preparations are continuing for a work stoppage scheduled to begin Monday, November 9.
According to a November 5 press release provided directly to WE PNW, union members intend to walk off the job at 12:01 a.m. unless an agreement is reached.
The strike is not inevitable. Another state-mediated bargaining session is scheduled for Sunday, November 8.
In its November 4 labor update, the City of Portland confirmed that negotiations remain ongoing.
City officials say they want an agreement that recognizes employees' contributions while addressing the city's financial responsibilities and obligations to taxpayers.
Who Are the Workers Preparing to Strike?
CPPW represents professional, administrative and technical employees across nearly every bureau and office of Portland city government.
Members include financial analysts, program coordinators, administrative specialists, technology professionals and employees who support daily municipal operations.
Much of their work takes place behind the scenes, but it is essential to the functioning of city government.
CPPW-represented workers help administer budgets, process contracts, coordinate emergency operations, support technical systems and manage public programs.
According to the union's published voting information, 93% of participating members voted to authorize a strike. Turnout among eligible, card-signed members was approximately 88%.
The authorization vote allows the union to proceed with strike preparations. It does not mean that a strike has already taken place.
How Could the Strike Affect Portland Services?
One of the most significant concerns is the potential impact on emergency management and public safety support systems.
In its November 5 press release, CPPW said members help support Portland's 911 operations, police and fire services, the Portland Bureau of Transportation and other city departments.
The union argues that a walkout could delay technical repairs and disrupt administrative and emergency coordination.
Mike Grimm, an emergency management coordinator and CPPW member, told the union that his responsibilities include maintaining the readiness of the primary and backup 911 operations facilities. According to his account, equipment failures could take longer to address during a strike.
Another union member, Glenn Devitt, said five of the nine duty officers at the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management are represented by CPPW. If they strike, management could need to cover additional shifts and duties.
Other functions identified by the union as potentially affected include:
- Payroll processing for municipal employees.
- Administration of grants, contracts and payments to local organizations.
- Processing certain permits and licenses.
- Responding to public records requests.
- City vehicle fleet maintenance.
- Emergency coordination and crisis communications.
- Administrative support for certain crime-victim assistance programs.
These are potential disruptions identified by the union, not confirmed service closures.
As of November 5, the City had not announced that 911, police, fire services or water service would cease operating on November 9.
The City of Portland says it is preparing to maintain essential services if the strike occurs.
The disagreement therefore extends beyond salaries: the union is emphasizing how much city operations rely on its members, while the administration says continuity plans are being developed.
Why Have Negotiations Stalled?
The current negotiations began in January 2026.
Portland and CPPW reached their first collective bargaining agreement in May 2025. The agreement runs through December 31, 2027, but included provisions allowing four articles to be reopened for negotiation in 2026.
The reopened issues involve wages, layoffs and recall, standby and callback compensation, and hours of work.
CPPW is seeking wage increases that it says would better reflect the cost of living and provide compensation comparable to that of employees represented by other city unions.
City officials acknowledge compensation concerns but emphasize Portland's financial constraints.
According to the City's October 30 bargaining update, its final offer includes:
- A 3% cost-of-living adjustment effective July 1, 2026.
- An additional 1% to 4% increase in July 2027, based on the applicable inflation calculation.
- A one-time $1,000 payment for eligible employees.
- A $350 annual safety equipment allowance for qualifying positions.
CPPW argues that the proposed compensation package does not adequately address wage parity, rising living costs and the need to retain experienced employees.
Why Do the Two Sides Disagree by Nearly $10 Million?
The cost of the proposed agreement has become one of the most disputed aspects of the negotiations.
In its November 5 release, CPPW estimated that its proposal would add approximately $9.3 million over two fiscal years, representing roughly a 7% increase in the contract's total cost.
The City of Portland has published significantly different figures.
According to the City's detailed cost comparison, its own proposal would add approximately $9.1 million between July 1, 2026, and December 31, 2027.
The City estimates that CPPW's final proposal would add approximately $19.8 million over the same period.
The difference between the City's estimate of its own proposal and its estimate of the union's proposal is approximately $10.7 million.
CPPW disputes the City's calculations.
In an earlier union statement, union representatives argued that the City was overstating the cost of CPPW's demands, including through its treatment of vacant positions and projected personnel spending.
City officials attribute much of the difference to additional base wage increases and longevity compensation proposed by the union.
WE PNW has not independently audited either side's financial calculations.
The $9.3 million figure cited by CPPW and the $19.8 million estimate published by the City should therefore be understood as competing assessments, not independently established costs calculated on an identical basis.
The dispute involves both the amount of proposed spending and the assumptions used to calculate it.
How the Labor Dispute Reached This Point
Portland and CPPW reached their first contract in 2025, but returned to bargaining in January 2026 to revisit the provisions identified in that agreement.
Negotiations moved into mediation during the summer.
In September, the union declared an impasse.
Both sides submitted final offers to the Oregon Employment Relations Board on October 1, beginning a required cooling-off period.
CPPW subsequently held a strike authorization vote and formally notified the City of its intention to strike beginning November 9.
Negotiations continued during October and resumed on November 4, but the parties did not reach an agreement.
In its November 5 statement, CPPW argues that City leadership failed to make sufficient movement toward the union's demands.
The City's official position is that it remains committed to reaching an agreement while protecting the financial stability of municipal government.
Publicly available records confirm that bargaining is continuing, but the two sides remain divided over what constitutes an acceptable settlement.
What Happens November 8 and 9?
Another state-mediated bargaining session is scheduled for Sunday, November 8.
If negotiators reach a tentative agreement, the parties can proceed with the applicable approval and ratification process.
If no agreement is reached, CPPW intends to begin its strike at 12:01 a.m. Monday, November 9.
The union has not announced a predetermined duration for a possible strike. Negotiations may continue even after workers walk out.
For Portland residents, the immediate concern is whether municipal services could experience delays or disruptions.
As of November 5, the City had not released a confirmed list of services that would be suspended beginning November 9.
Residents should check the City's official labor negotiations updates for the latest announcements.
WE PNW will continue following the November 8 mediation session and report whether a settlement is reached or the planned strike begins.
WE PNW
November 5, 2026. The strike had not begun at the time this report was prepared.
Sources
- CPPW — November 5, 2026 press release, City fails to reach agreement at Nov. 4 bargaining session; City workers set to strike Nov. 9. Provided directly to the WE PNW newsroom.
- City of Portland — City continues labor negotiations, November 4, 2026.
- City of Portland — CPPW issues strike notice, October 30, 2026.
- City of Portland — Final offers and cost comparison, October 12, 2026.
- CPPW — Union statement on November 9 strike, October 29, 2026.
- CPPW — Bargaining history and strike authorization.
- City of Portland — CPPW collective bargaining information.
CPPW — November 5 press release
Original report — October 23, 2026
PORTLAND, Ore. — October 23, 2026. Mediated talks between the City of Portland and the City of Portland Professional Workers (CPPW), a union representing more than 800 municipal employees, ended without an agreement on October 22. The union could strike as early as November 1 if the dispute remains unresolved, according to the city's October 22 labor update.
An earlier mediation session on October 12 also ended without an agreement. Negotiations focus on wages, layoffs and recall rights, standby and callback compensation, and hours of work. Both sides submitted final offers October 1, triggering a 30-day cooling-off period. Talks may continue even if a strike begins.
CPPW represents employees across nearly every part of city government, including program coordinators, analysts, finance professionals, administrative staff and communications workers. The union previously reported that 93% of voting members authorized a potential strike. Authorization does not mean workers have walked off the job.
What is keeping the sides apart?
According to cost estimates published by the city, Portland's final offer would add approximately $9.1 million in spending through December 2027, compared with approximately $19.8 million under CPPW's proposal.
The city has offered a 3% cost-of-living adjustment effective July 2026 and an additional inflation-based increase of 1% to 4% in July 2027. Eligible workers would also receive a one-time $1,000 payment. The union is seeking additional base wage increases and changes to working conditions.
Other labor negotiations continue
Portland is also bargaining separately with three units represented by LiUNA Local 483, comprising approximately 1,600 workers. LiUNA members maintain streets, parks and other public infrastructure and provide recreation services at community centers and pools. Mediation with one LiUNA unit is scheduled for October 27. These negotiations are separate from the CPPW dispute.
There has been progress with other unions. PROTEC17 members ratified a tentative agreement on October 21, while the city has also reached a tentative agreement with Portland Fire Fighters' Association Local 43 that still requires union-member approval.
What could residents experience?
City officials say they are preparing to maintain essential municipal services in the event of a strike. No specific service interruptions, facility closures or schedule changes have been confirmed as of publication.
