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| | Hundreds of City Workers Prepare to Strike Next Week | A couple of weeks ago, almost all 800 members of the City of Portland Professional Workers union (CPPW) voted to authorize a strike over wages. On Friday, CPPW issued a 10-day notice of its intent to strike starting early next week. Here's what to know about the strike — and the other ongoing labor negotiations happening at the city. [KGW] | - Background: CPPW formed in 2023 and represents administrative specialists, analysts, coordinators, financial analysts, multimedia specialists, and technology business representatives across every city office and bureau. They cover a wide range of city services, from payroll processing to crisis communications. [cppwunion.org]
- Demands: The union has bargained with the City of Portland since January of this year over cost-of-living adjustments, standard wage increases, and layoff protections. They are asking for a 7% wage increase, which they estimate will add $9 million to the city's budget. [cppwunion.org / KGW]
- What's next: Mediation sessions are still scheduled for Nov. 4 and 8, but the city is already preparing essential services to work "without interruption" if a strike does happen. [KGW]
- Related: Last week, the Portland City Laborers International Union of North America Local 483 — representing roughly 700 more workers — announced an impasse in their own contract negotiations with the city. They provide a variety of city services, including transportation, environmental services, parks, emergency response, and licensed maintenance activities. If they are unable to reach an agreement, their strike may begin as early as Dec. 4. [portland.gov / KGW]
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| What Portland's Talking About |
|  | Still Life by local artist TiMM now on display at a vacant storefront downtown. (Therese Gietler / Nightlab) |
| Local Artists Light Up Vacant Storefronts | Last weekend, Portland-based nonprofit Nightlab and the Portland Office of Arts & Culture launched Creative Storefronts — a program that showcases light-based art in vacant downtown storefronts. Through mid-March of next year, there are 11 art installations in the heart of downtown, ranging from interactive LED shadow boxes to projections that respond to movement. The program aims to activate downtown's nightlife and is free for everyone to enjoy. [nightlabpdx.org / KOIN] | | Portland Public Schools Enrollment Dips (Again) | Student enrollment at Portland Public Schools has dropped again for the 2026–27 school year. The district's enrollment count shows a 2.7% decrease from last year, with a total of 41,451 students enrolled. That's lower than predictions made by Portland State University’s Population Research Center, and it is unclear whether or not the latest numbers will have an impact on ongoing talks about multiple school closures. [Willamette Week] | | PODCAST | Monday, November 2 |
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| Portland Police Look to Use Banned AI Tools | Today on the podcast, we're looking at a St. Helens nonprofit drug treatment program that continues to leave Native American patients homeless on Portland streets and why the Portland Police Bureau has quietly planned to use banned AI tools. Plus, Columbia Sportswear is giving away a doomsday bunker (which includes a robotic dog). Joining host Claudia Meza are KGW investigative reporter Evan Watson and KBOO news director Althea Billings. [City Cast Portland 🎧] |
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Last week on the podcast, I recommended checking out the Portland Opera's performance of Giuseppe Verdi's "La Traviata," which is happening this week. City Cast Neighbor and arts program leader Michelle D. wrote in with a tip: Oregon and Southwest Washington EBT/SNAP recipients can access five-dollar tickets to regional performances through Arts for All PDX — an independent, community-based program. More than 80 organizations participate in the program, so there is so much to go see (including "La Traviata"). Thank you, Michelle! |
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