Council Workers' Union Complaint Alleges Loretta Smith Fired Staffer in Retaliation for Union Organizing

"A new union representing Portland City Council aides and operations staff filed an unfair labor practice (ULP) complaint against the city for alleged anti-union conduct from Councilor Loretta Smith's office. The complaint, filed January 13, alleges Smith retaliated against and fired a former aide due to his role in organizing the Council staff union. The aide, Adam Murray, worked as a policy staffer in Smith's office for about nine months until he was fired last week."

"The Council Alliance of Workers includes staff members from the majority of City Council offices. The ULP complaint describes Murray as a "key union supporter." State labor law, overseen by the Oregon Employee Relations Board, bars public sector employers from interfering with employees' rights to organize a union, including by discriminating against or firing people who support a union effort."

"Smith and her chief of staff, Elijah Crawford, "engaged in a sustained campaign of hostility, isolation, and altered working conditions" against Murray and his pro-union colleague after finding out about the impending union formation. The complaint alleges in the aftermath of the union announcement, Smith and Crawford created new policies without effectively communicating them, creating a culture of fear and confusion."

A new union representing Portland City Council aides and operations staff filed an unfair labor practice complaint on January 13 alleging anti-union conduct from Councilor Loretta Smith's office. The complaint alleges Smith retaliated against and fired aide Adam Murray after he helped organize the Council staff union, the Council Alliance of Workers (CAW) with CWA Local 7901. Murray worked about nine months in Smith's office before termination. The complaint describes Murray as a "key union supporter" and alleges Smith and chief of staff Elijah Crawford "engaged in a sustained campaign of hostility, isolation, and altered working conditions," created new, poorly communicated policies, and publicly chastised Murray.

Read at Portland Mercury