One of Portland’s largest labor unions says it’s reached a tentative agreement with the city of Portland, after previously gearing up for a strike.

The Oregon American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 189 announced Thursday that the union and city are now close to ratifying a revised labor contract after nearly 18 hours at the bargaining table, averting a strike. 

AFSCME Local 189 represents roughly 1,100 city of Portland employees in multiple bureaus including city operations, parks, housing, water, finance, emergency communications, permitting, and several other departments.

The city of Portland has been in contract negotiations with three of its labor unions–including AFSCME and the District Council of Trade Unions (DTCU)–since last spring.

AFSCME and DTCU both authorized a strike after declaring an impasse on labor contract negotiations. The unions said negotiations stalled largely due to the city’s reluctance to budge on salary increases for employees.

Among the contract requests, AFSCME is asking for an hourly minimum wage of $27 for its workers, as well as a cost of living adjustment (COLA) and a 2 percent wage increase. The city countered with a 1 percent wage increase and a COLA.

"No Portland worker should be paid less than a living wage," Dave Crepeau, a Portland Parks & Recreation service dispatcher, stated in a bargaining update from AFSCME Local 189. "We’re fighting to ensure that the city honors its values, by valuing those workers who keep Portland running."

As NW Labor Press recently reported, DTCU requested a 3 percent raise for all its represented employees, but so far, the city has only agreed on raises for some positions.

DTCU employees could strike as soon as next Thursday, Feb. 6 unless an agreement is reached. 

“Given the anticipated work stoppage of 200 DCTU employees… the City is finalizing plans to ensure the essential services Portlanders rely on everyday are minimally disrupted,” the city announced Tuesday in an update.

DTCU members are trade workers in the city’s Fleet & Facilities, Water, Environmental Services, Permitting & Development, and Transportation bureaus.

According to city figures, the salary of an average DCTU member is approximately $102,000. AFSCME members earn about $87,000 on average.

The contract negotiations come as the city is facing a substantial budget gap as it plans for the next fiscal year. The latest estimates pit Portland’s projected budget deficit at nearly $100 million.