Monthly Archives: December, 2016

2016 in review

As chronicled in 24 issues of the Northwest Labor Press, here are some of the year’s most important stories.

Long day AND long week? For Oregon factory workers, double the pay

180,000 Oregon factory workers can now earn time-and-a-half twice.

To counter big-money politics, Portland City Council votes for public campaign finance

Starting in 2020, the system will match small donors so candidates can focus on regular voters, not big donors.

Union electricians help light up The Grotto Festival of Lights

Thirty IBEW Local 48 volunteers put in over a million LED lights.

Unions stand at Standing Rock

The standoff at Standing Rock — with Indian tribes and supporters on one side, and security for the Dakota Access Pipeline on the other – also finds labor union members on both sides.

Questions for flight attendants union president Sara Nelson

Topics: flying union, airline consolidation, union unity and why there've been no strikes lately.

Bait and switch: Trump’s Carrier deal

The man who put his byline on the Art of the Deal pulls a fast one in Indiana as tough talk turns to tax giveaways.

Oregon labor gearing up for high-stakes legislative session

Labor will push for transportation funding and family leave and fair workweek laws, while grappling with a $1.7 billion budget shortfall.

Richards retires from Office and Professional Employees Local 11

Union rep Maureen Colvin will serve the remainder of his term.

BULL Session delivers again to six children’s charities

This year's union-management charity events raised $293,000 for children’s charities.

A ‘barn raising’ at Painters & Tapers Training Center

The Portland training center added classrooms, offices, and support space to what was a one-room warehouse.

Instafab settles charges, offers backpay and reinstatement to strikers

The strike by a minority of Instafab workers is now in its 22nd month.

At PeaceHealth Southwest, 900 workers will choose between AFT and SEIU

The Dec. 14-15 vote is a runoff after no choice got a majority in a Nov. 22 election among service and maintenance workers.

Boeing terminates contract with union paint contractor

147 Machinists-represented workers will be terminated, though many may end up being hired by the new contractor.

Housing state of emergency

Around Oregon, home prices and rents are soaring, and homelessness is on the rise