IPR employees to return to work City and AFSCME resume mediation Monday

Employees of the City’s Independent Police Review (IPR) ended their three-day strike and will return to work on November 10. The City of Portland and AFSCME will resume mediation on that day to negotiate a new labor contract. The main issue at stake is the union's request for guaranteed placement of IPR employees into positions within the newly established Office of Community-based Police Accountability. This office was created following voter approval in 2022 and is tasked with overseeing police accountability. Staffing decisions for the office fall under the authority of its Director, as mandated by the City Charter.

City officials are optimistic that continued mediation will yield meaningful progress toward an agreement. The resolution of this dispute is crucial for enhancing police oversight mechanisms in the city. A successful mediation could pave the way for improved community trust in law enforcement.