483 gets a win!

Over 50 members from BOM packed the council chambers on November 16th to advocate for the emergency resources of the ETS program. All held signs saying "Mr. Mayor, This is an Emergency!"

Phase one of "Fighting for Portland's Future" a success!

After 2 months of 483 member activism and community support for workers facing these budget cuts, Council voted yesterday (1/4/12) to implement the Employee Transition Services program! The ETS program will help workers impacted if the cuts go through. Click the link to read Council's resolution on the matter. This is just first step, but a big one!

What is the ETS program?

The Employee Transition Services Program was written in 2001 in response to that year's economic downturn. It "responds to the City Council's desire to mitigate the effects on employees of economic or fiscal downturns and/or reorganizations to improve service effectiveness and/or efficiencies."

There are 3 parts:

1. Alternative employment programs (voluntary furloughs, hiring freeze, etc.)

2. Employment termination programs (targeted severance, early retirement incentives, etc.)

3. Support services

Council session 1/4/12

You can read the council resolution approved yesterday by clicking the link below:

Council Resolution  to Authorize the Employee Transition Services Program for the period January 4, 2012 through June 30, 2013 

(left) Organizer Erica Askin and BOM member Kevin Stampflee give testimony at City Council in support of the ETS program (1/4/12)

 What is next?

The next steps for implementation are at BHR's discretion. To ensure that the Bureau uses all resources available to help impacted employees, we have to keep up the pressure on Council. We know they are paying attention and our member activism works!

Contact Erica at 971-322-8747 or erica@liuna483.org to get involved in the organizing to protect services and prevent layoffs.