About 100 union members picketed outside Portland City Hall, chanting "Hey hey, ho ho, this disrespect has got to go." The union represents workers across city government, including financial analysts, emergency management staff, technology workers and administrative aides.

"We call ourselves the glue keeping the city from falling apart," said Stacy Brewster, a communications worker with the Portland Bureau of Transportation who sits on the CPPW board. "But we are behind the scenes, which is why I feel like this is why our work isn't as understood by the mayor and administration. It's disappointing."

CPPW formed in 2023 and adopted its first two-year contract last year. Members have spent the past 11 months negotiating wage increases and layoff protections — an unfinished piece of that original contract both parties had agreed to finalize this year.

The city says the union has requested nearly $20 million in wage increases and benefits, an amount it says is beyond its means. CPPW disputes that figure, saying it includes costs for 100 vacant positions and jobs cut during the city's latest budget process. The union estimates its proposal would cost closer to $9 million.

"Our union represents all the data and financial analysts of the city," Brewster said. "So we trust our numbers are accurate."

The city says many of those vacancies will be filled, which is why they are included in its cost estimate.

The two sides met Sunday for a final mediation session before the planned strike but could not reconcile their differences over the five-hour meeting.

"A significant gap remains between the parties' proposals, particularly around additional wage increases and their ongoing costs," said city spokesperson Alison Perkins. "We remain committed to reaching an agreement that recognizes employees' contributions while balancing our financial realities, internal equity across the workforce and our responsibility to taxpayers."

Brewster and other union leaders say the strike will weaken the city's ability to respond quickly to emergencies — such as natural disasters or chemical spills — and could delay needed emergency repairs to 911 equipment, among other things.

Perkins said the strike will not impact city services but did not explain how those services would be supported in the workers' absence.

The city and CPPW are tentatively scheduled to meet again Friday. CPPW plans to continue picketing in the meantime.

The strike comes as another city union prepares for a possible walkout. In late October, members of Portland City Laborers, represented by LiUNA Local 483, overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike over a breakdown in wage negotiations with the city. If the two parties cannot reach an agreement, the 750-person union could go on strike next month.