PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Employees who serve the Portland City Council are planning to unionize.
Communications Workers of America has revealed the “aides and operations staff” of city leaders and services have begun forming a labor union titled the Council Alliance of Workers. According to CWA, impacted staff members have “worked tirelessly to support” 12 councilors under the new form of government that went into effect this year.
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Portland was previously the only major city that used a commission-style government, with a mayor and four commissioners who led local bureaus and offices. The mayor now holds “executive authority over city business” and no longer serves the city council, while the city administrator is tasked with implementing policies and overseeing bureaus.
The city has also been split into four geographic districts, with three councilors who represent each area. Council staffers contend they have helped implement “the structures and guidelines necessary for the effective functioning” of the new government, according to CWA…