The union representing Portland Bureau of Transportation workers, Local 483, is taking a page from the Occupy playbook tomorrow morning: Along with We Are Oregon, Jobs with Justice and Occupy Portland, they aim to take over the Steel Bridge at 8am to protest planned job cuts at the city.
This will be the first big action since Occupy lost its physical camp in Portland. It will definitely be interesting to see how the movement can keep up momentum without the tent city.
Amid a citywide budget crunch projected for next year, PBOT is looking to slash $16 million. That could lead to 80 jobs being cut, says the union, at a time when the city, state, and country should instead be investing in repairing crumbling infrastructure. The Steel Bridge is some of the infrastructure in need of repairing—it’s rated structurally deficient.
Labor unions nationwide have organized actions along with or in support of the Occupy movement. Just today, the SEIU talked about Occupy in its endorsement of Obama. In Portland, the AFL-CIO joined in planning a march last month.
Occupy Portland facilitator Kari Koch says the action should be nonviolent. “The general assembly agreement was that this action would be explicitly not violent and not include property destruction. Hopefully the police will know that and have a measured response,” says Koch.
UPDATE: I thought we posted about this elsewhere, but in case we didn’t, tomorrow is also a national day of action aiming to shut down major banks. A march begins at 11am in Waterfront Park.
GET A JOB!
The Steel Bridge is owned by Union Pacific. Tell them to fix it.
LETS PREVENT THE WORKING CLASS FROM WORKING! BRILLIANT!!!
Is a larger version of that flyer available?
Nevermind. I think I can parse out what the fine print is. I just thought it might have a little more info on how they will affect people’s morning commute.
Go occupy the South Waterfront Tram–that’s where $16 million of City of Portland went.
I think the Sellwood Bridge would make a better choice. Up yours Clackamas County cheap asses!
I’m a union member and union supporter, but this is a bad idea. Blocking a bridge during the morning commute, and during the cold season? The working people standing on cold, wet MAX platforms waiting for trains to take to jobs they might lose if they don’t show up will be the ones who suffer. People in cars can just take another bridge. I know you’re facing a difficult situation, but go picket the decision-makers, don’t make fellow workers pay.
Todd +++++
Why should the occutards only block minor bridges. If they had balls, they would block 1-5.
Can’t wait for you guys to block an ambulance or firetruck going to save someone’s life.
Carrying my concealed weapons permit to work tomorrow.
@krap: Good idea, I hope you have it rolled up real tight so you can whap someone in the face with it if you need to.
“Back off man, you won’t like me if I have to pull out my weapons permit”