City Council Staffers Fight To Join CWA

Last month, staff with the Portland City Council in Portland, Ore., announced the formation of the Council Alliance of Workers (CAW-CWA) with CWA Local 7901. Of the 41 aides and operations staff, 60 percent signed union cards and the group filed paperwork with the Employment Relations Board, the governing body for all public sector unions across Oregon.

CAW-CWA members met quick opposition, however, and were forced to file unfair labor charges against City Council member Lorretta Smith’s office for the retaliatory termination of aide Adam Murray last week.

The council staffers cited instability in their jobs and a need for greater structure, consistency, and worker protections as reasons for forming their union. Since the announcement, members have observed a troubling pattern of retaliation and are calling on city council members to respect worker rights.

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