Monthly Archives: July, 2016

Oregon Democrat Kurt Schrader takes aim at Obama’s overtime rule

A bill sponsored by Schrader won praise from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and criticism from the Labor Secretary.

IBEW Local 48 reelects Gary Young

Young outpolled challenger Jakob Juntunen 711 to 665 in a July 12 runoff election.

Exit Interview: 5 questions for Oregon AFSCME’s Ken Allen

He retires July 31 after 21 years leading the statewide organization.

Portland: Where rent empties workers’ pockets

Evictions and rampant rent increases are left unchecked in a state that forbids rent control.

What if workers were at the center of the transition to a low-carbon economy?

Humanity may have to stop using fossil fuels, but that doesn’t mean those employed in fossil fuel industries must be left behind.

At a Boeing paint contractor, workers vote to join Machinists union

An 11th-hour anti-union blitz fell flat at a contractor where workers make half the wage of their union counterparts.

Contract, not strike, for Portland janitors

A new union contract will raise wages to at least $15 an hour over a four-year period for nearly 2,000.

Labor sees possible gains in Washington’s Aug. 2 primary

Ballots are due Aug. 2 in Washington’s primary, where the top two candidates go on to November, regardless of party.

Rank-and-file union members: “It’s up to you and me, STOP the TPP”

Farmers markets are free trade. Corporate trade deals like the TPP, not so much.

Portland airport retail workers get raises in first union contract with UNITE HERE

World Duty Free at first fought the union, but later it reinstated four fired union supporters and reached agreement on a first contract.

At KGW-TV, unions take stand against ‘Uberization’ of news

Meanwhile, in Seattle, City Council takes the unions' side.