Hello PAT Members,

After 150 days of Direct Bargaining under the Public Employees Collective Bargaining Act process, PAT filed for Mediation with the Employment Relations Board Monday, June 12.  Under the Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act, unions with the legal right to strike must engage in direct bargaining for 150 days before they can file for mediation, which is a requirement prior to taking a legal strike action in Oregon. After completing the requisite 150 days, we remain far apart on our members’ biggest bargaining priorities.

As all of you know, we cannot wait for our schools to become safe, sustainable and equitable. Our students cannot wait any longer for Mental Health supports, Special education supports, or restorative justice. Our community cannot wait any longer for schools staffed appropriately. Our educators cannot wait for a reasonable workload. As we continue to build capacity and solidarity, we will continue to grow that power until it is unstoppable. We can win just like Woodburn won, just like Silver Falls won, just like education associations across the country have won. The time is now.

We look forward to continuing the bargaining process and hope a mediator can move us closer to agreement.  Last Thursday, we asked for more bargaining dates with the District in August and are waiting to hear back.

For more information about mediation, please see the copy of the PECBA Strike Permitted Bargaining Process. 

Hot Labor Summer

We will be continuing our organizing into the summer this year so that we can continue to fight for the best contract we have ever had.  We will be present in the Summer School programs and will continue Bluesday through the summer. Check out ways to stay involved and connect with community at https://www.pdxteachers.org/hot_labor_summer_2023! 

Next Steps
Our Contract Action Team will be meeting this Friday to discuss and plan next steps.  We will be meeting for 30 minutes on Friday, June 16th at 9:30am.  Please make sure your school has a representative on our Contract Action Team (CAT Team).  You can sign up here.  

Solidarity Forever
You all deserve time to connect and enjoy each other. Please make sure to come to Party in the Park on Thursday, June 15th at Laurelhurst Park starting at 3:45pm! We will have food, music, beverages, and community! RSVP Here

It has been a challenging year for our schools to say the least. Not only are you all standing up for what we know is right and what we deserve, you are all working as educators at PPS!  Our action and energy are felt throughout the city and state.  This work is hard and long, but we are well on our way to getting a contract that can transform our schools.

In Solidarity,
Angela Bonilla
President
Portland Association of Teachers
http://www.pdxteachers.org/