Portland to Vote on Responsible Contracting Ordinance

This November, voters in Portland will have the opportunity to vote on a referendum that would help address climate change while creating good union jobs in the process. The measure would require that contractors on publicly funded construction projects over $50,000 use skilled labor and pay living wages with benefits. Dubbed a “Green New Deal for Portland,” the ballot measure would raise environmental standards for new public buildings in the city while requiring contractors that win bids on these projects use registered apprenticeships, provide safety training, and pay their workers the prevailing wage. "After years of Council inaction, Portland voters finally have the opportunity to take matters into their own hands and ensure that their taxpayer dollars are spent with working families' values in mind," said Lewis Overlock, labor rep for the Laborers' International Union Local 327

The "responsible contracting" ordinance would apply to the construction of buildings, roads, highways, bridges, streets, alleys, sewers, ditches, sewage disposal plants, waterworks, airports, schools and other projects. The proposal would also require developers to increase the number of affordable units in new housing developments. 

The "responsible contracting" ordinance would apply to the construction of buildings, roads, highways, bridges, streets, alleys, sewers, ditches, sewage disposal plants, waterworks, airports, schools and other projects. The proposal would also require developers to increase the number of affordable units in new housing developments.