James Olaughlen News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Workers who maintain City of Portland sewage infrastructure recently received new city-issued workwear: bulletproof vests.

Despite the determination of workers to fight, the union leadership called off the strike and rushed a vote on a tentative agreement that concedes to nearly every demand of the city.

Workers represented by the union Laborers’ Local 483 have been without a contract since June. Negotiations over a new four-year deal broke down in December

Hundreds of city employees went on strike on Thursday, Feb. 2, after negotiations with the city of Portland failed to reach a last-minute agreement.

More than 600 city maintenance and operations workers are on strike Thursday after Portland officials declined to accept the workers’ proposed contract. While Portland leaders have alluded to a “contingency plan” to continue operations in the city, striking workers say that wastewater treatment, parks maintenance, and street clearing will be significantly affected as long as the strike continues. “The work starts with you,” Portland Jobs with Justice organizer Sarah Kowaleski told workers at a pre-strike...