The City of Portland Professional Workers Union said 93% of its members voted to authorize a strike. The union represents workers in jobs including financial analysis, technology and multimedia. Its president, Kari Koch, said members would strike if the city continued to seek cuts for workers while managers received raises.

The city’s final offer would add about $9.1 million in spending, while the union’s proposal would cost approximately $19.8 million over the same period, according to figures released by the city. In an Oct. 12 statement, the city said it was seeking a fair agreement while accounting for its finances and responsibilities to taxpayers.

Koch said the union believes the city’s financial analysis is flawed and that its wage demands are in line with agreements other city unions have secured. She said the increases are needed to address inflation and Portland’s cost of living. The union, formed in 2023, is also negotiating layoff protections that the parties had agreed to revisit this year.

Portland City Laborers, represented by LiUNA Local 483, is voting this week on whether to authorize a strike. The union represents about 750 frontline employees, including maintenance workers, community center staff, landscape crews and bridge repair teams. Business manager Ryan Sotomayor said wage talks have stalled and criticized the city for not being transparent about its finances. He expects at least 80% of members to support authorization; if approved, a strike could begin by the end of December.

The laborers last struck in February 2023, when more than 600 workers walked off the job over wage increases. They returned after three days when the city agreed to slightly higher annual raises. Two other unions representing more than 900 additional city employees are also negotiating with Portland but have not voted to authorize strikes.

A walkout could affect city operations across both professional and frontline services, though no specific service changes have been announced.