Oregon/Washington

A labor look at the 2024 Oregon Legislature 

Organized labor notched several legislative wins in the five-week “short session” of the Oregon Legislature that ended March 7.

Workplace Wins in Washington: A look at the 2024 legislative session

A bill to extend unemployment benefits to striking workers died, but lawmakers passed other measures to bolster workers rights.

Labor-backed bills moving in short session

Oregon lawmakers are about halfway through the 2024 “short session,” a 35-day session often referred to as a legislative sprint.

Washington House votes to allow unemployment benefits for strikers

HB 1893 passed the Washington House of Representatives 53-44 on Feb. 13 and now goes to the Washington Senate.

Bills would give unemployment benefits to strikers

Washington could join New York, New Jersey, and Maine in providing unemployment benefits when workers go on strike.

UFCW files crop of ballot measures

The grocery union wants repeal of self-service gas, union neutrality at cannabis businesses, and legislative and hospital reforms.

Laborers honor Paul Holvey with new award

The Jodi Guetzloe Parker Legislative Champion Award recognizes state legislators who went above and beyond for the Laborers union.

Holvey trounces UFCW recall effort

Local 555’s campaign to recall Eugene state representative Paul Holvey was rejected by 89.97% of voters Oct. 3.

Union Voter Guide to the SW Washington Election

Washington's Nov. 7 general election covers local races for school board, city council, and special districts.

Teamster’s daughter

Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Oregon’s lone Republican Congresswoman, is courting organized labor.

UFCW Local 555 takes aim at a top Oregon Democrat

Longtime labor legislator Paul Holvey faces an Oct. 3 recall election in House District 8 in Eugene.

Governor Kotek appoints labor lawyer Aruna Masih to Oregon Supreme Court

Masih, 52, has practiced law for more than 25 years. She’s spent most of her career with Bennett Hartman, a prominent pro-labor law firm.

Labor looks back on mostly wins in 2023 Oregon legislative session

Despite a six-week walkout by Senate Republicans, Oregon labor tallied a respectable number of wins in the 2023 legislative session.

UFCW lines up possible reform initiatives

Proposed measures could tighten ethics rules, bar secret caucus meetings, and institute public campaign finance.

Labor legislator Paul Holvey faces recall backed by UFCW Local 555

The effort comes after Holvey stymied UFCW's priority legislation, a bill to require cannabis companies to sign labor peace agreements.

Lawmakers end Oregon’s lowest-in-nation OSHA penalties

A bill to toughen OSHA penalties is on its way to Governor Kotek’s desk after committee room drama and a failed GOP attempt to gut the bill. 

Washington gives Uber drivers more workers rights

On May 15, Washington became the first state to extend unemployment insurance and paid family and medical leave to Uber and Lyft drivers.

In Olympia, steps forward for workers

Washington’s 2023 legislative session concluded April 23 with wins for worker safety, workers compensation, and affordable housing.

Oregon bill would let workers refuse unsafe work

SB 907 passed out of the state Senate with a bipartisan 21-8 vote on April 13 and is now being taken up in the House.

Union Endorsements in Oregon’s May 2023 special election

Oregon’s May 2023 special election is mainly for school boards and special districts, plus filling a few vacancies in city and county office.