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March 21, 2025 issue

Judges order reinstatement of fired federal workers

Tens of thousands of federal workers were illegally fired during their probationary period under orders from the Trump administration. 

Trump cancels union rights for TSA officers

Trump appointee Kristi Noem ended collective bargaining for 47,000 TSA officers, trash-talked the union, and slammed public employee rights. 

IBEW Local 48 member gets Red Cross lifesaving award

Bryan Barker's actions on the job saved the life of a fellow worker who fell 20 feet and suffered a severe cut on his arm.

Judge: Trump firing of NLRB member was illegal

The National Labor Relations Board is back in business thanks to a federal court ruling.

Trump administration: Do your own card check

FMCS will stop providing free “card check” services when employers agree to recognize a union based on signed union authorization cards.

DOGE: Too many labor mediators?

FMCS helps avert strikes by sending mediators to shuttle between union and employer negotiators when talks break down. 

Bipartisan bill would ensure that if workers unionize, they get a contract

Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley signed on to the bill, which was sponsored by Republican Josh Hawley of Missouri.

Senate confirms Trump labor secretary

Lori Chavez-DeRemer won Senate confirmation 67-32, with Democrats split and a few Republicans voting against her for being too pro-union.

Oregon Tilth goes union

Oregon Tilth is a nonprofit that certifies organic crops and livestock; its 85 workers will be members of OPEIU Local 11.

Security guards unionize at Multnomah County 

The security officers work for Inter-Con Security Systems, which started a five-year, $40 million contract with Multnomah County last year.

NIETC apprenticeship instructors join union

The union-sponsored electrical training center voluntarily recognized the unit after all instructors signed a petition seeking recognition. 

New director at Oregon Tradeswomen

Nonprofit Oregon Tradeswomen prepares women to enter apprenticeship programs in skilled construction and mechanical trades.

Building Sisterhood

At Laborers Local 737, women members meet monthly for uplift and support.

Union boycotts mushrooms

UFW has launched its first boycott campaign since 2005, after a Washington mushroom farm retaliated against pro-union workers.

Jury awards $208k to U.S. citizen farmworker after organic grower abuses H-2A visa program

The H-2A temporary agricultural visa program lets farms to hire foreign workers. But they first have to try to hire U.S. workers.

Sweet contract at Nabisco

More than three years after a bitter 40-day strike, Mondelez-Nabisco seems to have decided it wants labor peace.

UFCW Local 555 fights sale of public hospital to private equity firm

Bay Area Hospital, governed by an elected board, is pursuing a partnership with Quorum Health to fix its dire financial situation. 

Portland city official approves power line through Forest Park

PGE will mitigate the impact of expanding an existing power line through Portland's Forest Park by planting more trees than they'll remove.

Public sector strike surge outstrips dispute-mediating system

Oregon school teachers ready to walk out? It can take a month to schedule a mediator.

Survey: Oregon public employees are unprotected amid growing threats 

In a worker safety survey, 67% reported physical violence, threat, trauma, or injury in the workplace and 15% reported physical assaults.

Growth industries

Oregon expects to see over 170,000 new jobs created by 2033, with big gains in the construction, warehousing, and healthcare workforce.

How to stop offshore corporate tax avoidance

Corporate tax loopholes cost Oregon millions. Fortunately, there is a straightforward way to crack down on offshore corporate tax avoidance.

Five Things I Did This Week

Dear DOGE, in solidarity with our federal employees, I’m sending you a list of my accomplishments each week.

Never back down from a just fight

These last couple months have been heavy, chaotic, and challenging as working Oregonians face the impacts of this new federal administration.

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Northwest Labor Press is an independent union-supported newspaper founded in 1900. Our print version is mailed twice a month to about 45,000 members of over three dozen local unions in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Our online version has been maintained here since 1997.

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