passed ordinance

*Authorize Letter of Agreement granting recognition to Mental Health Crisis Responder I & II, Peer Support Specialist, and Community Health Worker classifications into a represented status under Professional & Technical Employees, Local 17, and address wages and working conditions as part of the collective bargaining agreement

health
labor
labor agreement

Department: Human Resources
Introduced by: Former Mayor Ted Wheeler
Status: Passed

Impact statement

Purpose & background

The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize a Letter of Agreement between the City and the Professional & Technical Employees, Local 17 (PROTEC-17) granting recognition to the Mental Health Crisis Responder I & II, Peer Support Specialist, and Community Health Worker classifications into a represented status under PROTEC17 and address the wages and working conditions of those employees as part of the current collective bargaining agreement.

Financial impacts

The net fiscal impact, in addition to the standard cost-of-living allowances (COLA) for Year 1 (FY 2023 – 24) is estimated to be a $411,000 increase in annual expenditures, which will cover: wage adjustments for all classifications costing $175,000; a field training officer premium costing $64,000; a premium for Qualified Mental Health Associate or Qualified Mental Health Professional certifications costing $60,000; a premium for Emergency Medical Responder certification costing $72,000; and a premium for holding either a Peer Wellness Specialist, Certified Recovery Mentor, or Peer Recovery Counselor certification costing $40,000. Of the $411,000 total, $83,000 represents retroactive wage and premium payments for the period FY 2022 – 23; the remaining $328,000 represents the wage and premium costs for FY 2023 – 24. The net fiscal impact for Year 2 (FY 2024-25) is estimated to be a $77,000 increase in the annual expenditures for the above-mentioned items. Future ongoing costs, when fully implemented are estimated at $405,000 in FY 2024-25.

Community impacts

There was no community involvement. This action is largely internal to City government processes.

▸ Full text (the legislation as adopted)

The City of Portland ordains: Section 1. The Council finds: The City and the Professional & Technical Employees, Local 17 (PROTEC17) are parties to a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) effective January 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025. On November 14, 2022, the City agreed to voluntary recognize the following classifications as represented by PROTEC17: Mental Health Crisis Responder I (30003550), Mental Health Crisis Responder II (30003475), Peer Support Specialist (30003526), and Community Health Worker (30003675). The parties agreed to negotiate the inclusion of the new classifications into the existing CBA under ORS 243.698. Representatives of the City and PROTEC17 have developed a draft tentative agreement (Agreement), Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, that outlines the amendments necessary to incorporate the classifications into the CBA. The Letter of Agreement shall be signed by the City and PROTEC17 and shall conform substantially to a form similar to the Agreement attached as Exhibit A. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs: The Director of the Bureau of Human Resources is authorized to enter into a Letter of Agreement, Exhibit A, between the City and PROTEC17 for the Mental Health Crisis Responder I & II, Peer Support Specialist, and Community Health Worker classifications. The City grants voluntary recognition to PROTEC17 as provided under ORS 243.666 (3). Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists because delay would prevent employees in the classifications of Mental Health Responder I & II, Peer Support Specialist, and Community Health Workers from immediately gaining the benefits and protections of the PROTEC17 contract; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in force and effect from after its passage by the Council.

Tally

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