Under ORS 234.706, local cities and counties have the option of entering into binding arbitration to resolve employment disputes. In Portland, our city council has a binding arbitration agreement with the Portland Police Union. Our firm drafted a proposed amendment to ORS 234.706 that would prevent the City of Portland from agreeing to such arbitration in future contracts for instances where an officer is disciplined or terminated for excessive force. There will be a hearing on our proposed amendment on Wednesday, April 10th, 2013 in front of State Senator Chip Shields General Government, Consumer and Small Business Protection Committee and Greg and Jason Kafoury will present their case for the amendment.

Read related articles:
Willamette Week—Andrea Damewood (04/08/2013)
The Oregonian—Maxine Bernstein (04/08/2013)
The Skanner — Helen Silvis (04/09/2013)

Read the Bill: