Anna Kanwit retired from her HR role in November 2017, but had worked closely on earlier negotiations involving the police union. The Portland Police Association hired Kanwit, who now has her own business, Constructive Solutions, as its consultant and negotiator. The union last month filed an unfair practice complaint against the city.
“After only a short bargaining session, the City has already broken its promise to bargain in good faith,’’ union president Officer Daryl Turner noted in a statement. “What the City is up to is clear: The City wants to bully a member of the PPA’s bargaining team out of the way. I believe the City fears the PPA. I also believe the City is scared of Ms. Kanwit. Or, perhaps the City is scared to live up to its words.’’
The city worries that Kanwit has shared information with the union and its lawyer that is in violation of state law.