PORTLAND -- (PORTLAND) – How much do you make?
That was the topic of discussion during the wage disparity study discussion in the second half of the two-day Portland City Council Meeting.
The question has not been asked since 2009, according to Portland officials, who note that "peer cities have invested in conducting a disparity study at least every 5 years as a best practice."
After admitting they failed in best practice, officials paid special attention to it last week. On the 29th, residents questioned officials on several matters, but on Oct. 30, officials and residents focused on passing a resolution to conduct a study on what constitutes fair pay in Portland.
Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney to discuss the proposed study, last conducted in 2009.
"We are in debate on the underlying resolution, and what I would like to do is ask Councilor Smith, who brought it forward, to give us a brief overview of what we have before us today," Pirtle-Guiney said.
District 1 Councilor Loretta Smith said the city should conduct a disparity and contracting study to verify and identify any inequities in its procurement practices.
Councilor Dan Ryan thanked his peers for the continued dialogue on the amended study.
Portland Councilman Dan Ryan at the Oct. 30 meeting
The purpose of the city study is to highlight that "the City of Portland spends millions of dollars each year on the procurement of goods, services, and construction."
After seconding the motion, the council president raised a question about the amendment, asking if officials were required to open it up to the public.
"Do we need to open up public testimony with this amendment, or is it fine with the previous testimony we have taken?" Pirtle-Guiney asked.
The answer is not necessarily, but it could be done.
Ryan said that while "he was used to having testimony," that is what he would want.
So did Smith.
"I think we should be allowed to have other people come speak to this since it is dramatically different from what we talked about," Smith said.
Councilor Angelito Morillo said she learned that changes in the amendment were heard in committee three times but were not brought forward to the committee, only to the full council.
After considering, she had questions.
Morillo wants to know how the study impacts organizations of color and women-led businesses, as they are the groups that require additional information in the study.
According to the resolution, "a workforce disparity study would allow the Chief Procurement Officer to evaluate how construction work hours on City construction contracts are divided among apprentices, workers of color, and women."
Portland Councilwoman Angelita Morillo at the Oct. 30 meeting
Morillo's concerns caused a moment of tension, which Ryan spoke to, saying, "moments like this" were just natural. Not moved, Morillo asked again for clarification, confirmed that she too wanted to hear resident testimony, and inquired about the scope and timeline of the study.
Chief Procurement Officer Sylvestor Donelson explained that there could be additional costs associated with the study, stating, "It is not customary to include in a disparity study; adding the component would be an extensive process, but could be done internally."
Portland Chief Procurement Officer Sylvestor Donelson explaining the disparity study at the Oct. 30 meeting
Lauren Bowling spoke on behalf of Ironworkers Local 29. Opgov.ai platform reports, "Bowling supported Councilor Ryan's amendment, viewing it as an improvement to data collection," and "emphasized the importance of public access to this data for transparency and accountability, especially concerning the effectiveness of exemption programs in uplifting the workforce."
He said the same in person.
"We just want to take the time to thank you all for working with us on this," Bowling said to officials.
Representing the Northwest Oregon Labor Council, Lori Wimmer expressed gratitude for the council's patience and apologized for not raising their concerns earlier in committee.
"She emphasized the importance of the study in ensuring that workers can afford to live in Portland and have access to 'good jobs,' thereby necessitating the inclusion of earnings data," OpGov.ai platform reports.
She also gave thanks to Smith and Ryan.
Portland Councilwoman Loretta Smith at the Oct. 30 meeting
"We are concerned in an unaffordable city that our workers can afford to live here and have access to a good job," Wimmer said, adding she also had concerns about having only one vendor considered for the study.
According to the resolution, city council members "received passionate testimonials from the local small business community in support of the City conducting a disparity study."
One concerned resident who showed up was Randall Friesen from the Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council. Friesen reiterated support for the disparity study, emphasizing the need for a fair and equitable competitive field for all in Portland, according to OpGov.ai.
"See how many exemptions we are doing, and is it effective?" Friesen said in person to the council.
Maurice Ramey, president of O'Neill Construction Group and a union contractor, provided personal context, noting construction as his pathway out of poverty.
Labor represeantives and residents share concerns over amended wage disparity study at the last Portland Council meeting
"He affirmed the criticality of disparity studies focusing on contracting equity, especially given decreasing opportunities for contractors like himself," OpGov.ai reports. "He supported expanding the studies to include workforce diversity to better reflect the city."
Ultimately, so did Morillo, who also thanked he residents and her peers for a "robust" conversation on the amendments.
"I am really grateful for everyone taking their part here," she said before adopting the resolution to conduct the study.
OpGov.ai will follow up on the study, reporting to residents soon on any wage disparity here.
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