$24,000 Raised as Community Rallies for CPPW Strike Support

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Nearly $24,000 has been raised for the CPPW hardship fund as community support surges during the ongoing contract fight and strike.

Hundreds of community organizations, local businesses, and individual Portlanders have mobilized this week to support workers. According to CPPW, this influx of donations, food, and supplies has been difficult to track fully due to the sheer volume of contributions received from coworkers, elected officials, and union members.

The scale of the response shows civic solidarity in Portland. The hardship fund, which serves as a critical lifeline for striking workers, has reached its current total through the collective efforts of the CPPW Executive Board, members, and their families.

Beyond the direct financial contributions, a wide array of local entities has provided tangible resources to sustain the picket lines. The support includes food and supplies from Alberta Grocery Co-op, Brickdiculous, Clay Street Table, The City Repair Project, and Drip Drop Coffee, among others. Small businesses like Little Beast, Parcera Vintage, and Parkrose Coffee Shop have also contributed to the movement’s momentum.

The strike has drawn backing from labor unions across Oregon. Various union siblings have stepped up to show solidarity, including members of AFSCME, the Clackamas County Employees Association, and ONA/AURN nurses. Specific local chapters, such as AFSCME Local 189 and LiUNA Laborers Local 483, have joined the effort to support the CPPW members.

Educational and healthcare sectors have also mobilized. Support has come from the Portland State University (PSU) Faculty Association Local 3571, the PSU American Association of University Professors (AAUP), and the Graduate Employees Union at PSU. Other participating groups include the Portland Community College (PCC) Federation of Classified Employees (FCE), the PCC Federation of Faculty & Academic Professionals (FFAP), the Portland Association of Teachers, and the David Douglas Education Association.

Healthcare professionals have further bolstered the strike through the Oregon Nurses Association and the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Healthcare Professionals (OFNHP). The Communication Workers of America Local 7901 has also been part of the growing coalition of labor support.

This organized labor response mirrors historical patterns of regional solidarity, where diverse professional groups align during municipal contract disputes. Such coordination often determines the long-term economic stability of the workforce involved.

The visibility of the strike has reached the halls of City Hall. Several elected officials appeared at the City Hall picket to voice their support for the workers’ contract negotiations.

Councilors Candace Avalos, Tiffany Koyama Lane, Angelita Morillo, and Mitch Green were present to stand with the strikers. Oregon State Representatives Rob Nosse, Lamar Wise, Ricki Ruiz, and Tammy Carpenter spoke in support of the movement.

While the presence of elected officials shows the political weight of the contract fight, the economic effects are a point of debate. Critics of prolonged labor actions often point to the potential for service disruptions and the fiscal strain on municipal budgets. Conversely, supporters argue that fair contracts are essential for maintaining a stable and motivated public workforce, which ultimately protects city services.

The community’s involvement extends to grassroots organizations like Portland DSA, Portland Jobs with Justice, and Don’t Shoot PDX. Even individual neighbors and family members have contributed to the spirit of the strike, providing everything from Zumba sessions by Mireya Medina to coffee from local shops.

The list of contributors remains extensive, including the Clackamas County Employees’ Association, the Portland Federation of School Professionals, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Oregon, and the Oregon AFL-CIO. These groups represent a cross-section of the Portland workforce, meaning the outcome of this contract fight affects many sectors across the region.

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