May 2011 - NW Labor Press

Workers Rights

Portland Jobs with Justice celebrates 20th anniversary

Supporters filled a Portland Hilton ballroom May 14 to celebrate and remember.

Portland

Anti-union campaign causes private school closure

Enrollment drops after Portland French School spends $170,000 opposing efforts to join AFT.

Building our communities

Clerics talk ‘labor’ with ATU Local 757

Faith traditions have something to say about labor.

Portland

AFL’s Tom Chamberlain appointed to port commission

He joins ILWU's Bruce Holte and AFSCME's Ken Allen on the nine-member body.

Union democracy

Kevin Card to lead NALC state association

The state association coordinates politics and education for about 3,300 urban letter carriers in locals around the state.

Collective bargaining

Mt. Hood college, faculty reach last-minute contract

A late-breaking contract settlement averted a planned strike at Mt. Hood Community College.

Workers Rights

Seattle theaters showcase their union support

Seattle theaters joined in the "We Are One" national day of action April 4 by putting up signs.

Portland

I-5 bridge design gets thumbs up from construction unions

Building trades unions reacted favorably to the April 25 announcement by governors John Kitzhaber of Oregon and Chris Gregoire of Washington.

Collective bargaining

Transit Union dispute with TriMet may not settle until spring 2012

A union contract at TriMet which covers 2,000 bus and rail operators, mechanics, and support staff expired Nov. 30, 2009.

Workers Rights

Koch brothers have presence in Oregon

Georgia-Pacific has changed since it was bought in 2005 by conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch.

Collective bargaining

Plumbers and Fitters Local 290 ratifies new three-year contract

A new three-year contract provides for increases of $1.75, $2, and $2.25.

Portland

May 17 ballot measures could put union members to work

Local union groups are supporting two Portland Public Schools property tax measures and several school board candidates.

Oregon/Washington

Oregon labor leaders to Congress: End the war

A group of 13 Oregon labor leaders urge the state's congressional delegation to the costly war in Afghanistan.

Trade

Schrader favors Korea trade deal, balks at TRADE Act

Congressman Kurt Schrader told labor leaders he is undecided on trade deals with Colombia and Panama.

People

At UNITE HERE, gay rights leader bridges two movements

Gay civil rights leader Cleve Jones was a star guest April 20 at the kickoff of the newly-chartered Oregon chapter of Pride At Work.

Union Organizing

Airport screeners vote to unionize

In one of the biggest union wins in recent times, 43,000 security officers at 450 airports will be union-represented.

Politics

UFCW’s Witt explores possible congressional race against Wu

Union member (and state rep) Brad Witt is considering a primary challenge to Congressman David Wu.

Collective bargaining

Bob Tiernan will oversee bargaining at Dosha Salon

Newly unionized Dosha Salon and Spa hired former Oregon Republican Party chair Bob Tiernan to oversee bargaining.

Portland

2,500 rally in Portland for jobs and the middle class

Union members, faith groups, and community allies call for fairness, jobs, and saving social safety net.

Workers Rights

Workers fired for Facebook posts; NLRB investigates

Employers are increasingly firing workers for Facebook rants. But that’s against federal labor law.

International

Schrader favors Korea trade deal, balks at TRADE Act

Oregon Fifth District Congressman Kurt Schrader told labor leaders at an April 26 breakfast that he is "leaning strongly in favor" of the Korea Free Trade Agreement and is unlikely to support the union-backed TRADE Act, a re-write of the nation's trade policy. He still is undecided on trade deals with Colombia and Panama.

Monthly Archives: May, 2011

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