IPR Workers Deserve Job and Union Protections in the Transition to Portland’s New Police Oversight System

Workers at the Independent Police Review (IPR), represented by AFSCME Local 189, held a practice picket with over 100 members and supporters to demand that the City of Portland preserve their jobs and their union as the city transitions to a new police oversight system.

Contract protections in their AFSCME agreement guarantee job security and union rights—if the City chooses to honor them. But, the City has so far refused to offer current IPR members similar positions in the new police oversight system, even though they are the most qualified for the work. They say that city code doesn’t allow them to rehire IPR workers without new applications and interview processes, but workers say there’s more to the story.  

“We believe in civilian oversight of the police. We’re not standing in the way of reform, but that reform should not come at the cost of workers’ livelihoods and collective bargaining rights,” says Gayla Jennings, IPR Operations Coordinator and Oregon AFSCME Local 189-5 Chapter Chair. 

This fight isn’t happening in isolation. Across the country, public employees are facing attacks on their work and their rights—even from elected leaders who claim to champion progressive values.

IPR workers, like all public employees, deserve respect and dignity in the workplace. The City could protect their jobs and their union, but are choosing to participate in political theatre instead. 

“We’ve dedicated our careers to holding police accountable and serving the people of Portland,” said Jennings, “It feels like the city is trying to erase that work instead of building on it.”

IPR workers reached an impasse in bargaining with the City in September, and on September 17th, the unit voted unanimously to authorize a strike. They are currently in mediation, with just one more session to go. AFSCME 189 members are calling on the City to do what’s right: honor their contract, protect their jobs, and make sure workers remain part of Portland’s system of police accountability.