Yearly Archives: 2013

SPEEA units reach split decision in Boeing contract votes

Engineers accepted Boeing’s offer, but technical workers rejected theirs and authorized a strike

Union-label green jobs — in your attic — for no money down

Clean Energy Works Oregon eliminates upfront costs for homeowners and pays workers a living wage.

Labor campaigns for immigration overhaul

Labor to Congress: Reforms must benefit workers, not just employers.

AFL-CIO plans national campaign for immigration reform

Proposal would end “shadow economy” of illegal and exploited workers

Grocery workers ratifying new contracts

The contracts covering 14,000 include a 25 cent raise and 15% health insurance increase.

Daimler Trucks to lay off 250 union workers at Swan Island plant

The Portland maker of heavy-duty Western Star trucks currently has 930 union workers.

Oregon Building Trades backs bill to build new bridge

House Bill 2800 would allow the state to borrow up to $450 million

OSU research assistants win right to vote on unionization

OSU argued they're not employees, but lost; votes will be counted March 7

1,000 rally for single-payer health care at Oregon capitol

Proponents of single payer health care plan an Oregon ballot measure for 2016.

Tommy “Teamster” Malloy, 1924-2013

The WW II veteran was a Teamsters business agent and lobbyist from 1946 to 1987.

Nearly 2,000 Oregon jobs lost to trade in 2012

Oregon Fair Trade Campaign's tally: 55,000 Oregon jobs lost since NAFTA

Falling union numbers, expanding right-to-work … it’s time to change a losing game

To change our game we must realize that the union structure isolates us into sector silos.

Unions wary as Portland bargaining begins amid plans for cuts

Job security will be a top concern in bargaining between the City of Portland and a union coalition

Sick leave ordinance gets first hearing at Portland City Council

In four hours of public comment, sentiment runs 3 to 1 in favor of a sick leave ordinance

PIRG fundraisers strike

Fund for the Public Interest negotiators walk out of union bargaining when a reporter shows up.

Sick leave ordinance goes before Portland City Council

Commissioner Fritz takes lead on workers rights advance that would impact 2 in 5 Portland workers.

Filibuster reform effort fails

The compromise resolution does nothing to change the use of the secret, silent filibuster

Union members down to 11.3 percent of U.S. workforce

New York is the most unionized. Washington's #4, Oregon #9.

Unions prepare to play defense in Washington Legislature

Grief for labor as Democratic turncoats turn the Washington state senate over to Republicans.

Labor readies agenda for the 2013 Oregon Legislature

On the agenda: Columbia River Crossing, public sector union-busting, prevailing wage, and PERS.

KKR-controlled Sealy to close North Portland factory

Despite offers of union concessions, Sealy will close its Portland plant in March and lay off 128.

Lesson from a rookie fire fighter: Help is you and I

Massive mobilization of people beats wealth and power.