Portland Public Schools Workers Ratify Strong Contract

SEIU 503 members at Portland Public Schools (PPS) just overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new contract. Despite a budget crisis that brought furlough days and layoffs, we persevered and won the best contract of any union in the district. Unlike other bargaining units in PPS, we were able to win pay increases and protect our benefits package from takeaways in this historically challenging time.

Highlights include step increases on July 1 over the next 3 years on top of a 2% COLA in January, another 2.75% COLA next October, and a 3% COLA in July 2028. Other wins include the creation of a new safety committee, better protections for workers who are involuntarily transferred to a different worksite, improving grievance timelines, and expanding custodians’ lock-up pay to include more workers.

This contract is the result of hundreds of our members and supporters showing up to canvass or observe bargaining sessions, emailing the school board and management, and packing school board meetings.