February 2017 - NW Labor Press

Collective bargaining

ATU vs. TriMet case headed for Oregon Supreme Court

Can public sector unions and their employers allow the press and members of the public to observe union contract negotiations?

Retirement

OPEIU pension seeks to cut retiree benefits

The proposed benefit cuts of 29 percent are supposed to save a pension plan that would otherwise run out of money in 2035.

Oregon

At the Oregon Legislature: A Robust Labor Agenda

Labor muscle helped elect many of Oregon’s legislators. Now Oregon unions are mobilizing behind an agenda of fair taxes, good jobs, and expanded protections for workers rights. Here are some recent highlights.

National

Unions facing fierce attack in GOP-led state legislatures

Iowa strips public worker collective bargaining rights, but right-to-work fails in New Hampshire.

Collective bargaining

Vigor shipyard workers vote to extend contract to Sept. 1

The extension will give the sides more time to address problems with multi-employer pension plans.

National

Trump’s Labor Secretary nominee: Puzder withdraws; Acosta up next

After Puzder, Acosta comes as a relief to labor.

People

Laborers leader Dave Tischer clocks out

Tischer, 54, retired Jan. 1 after 19 years as a leader in Locals 320 and 737.

Union Organizing

Boeing South Carolina votes to stay nonunion

South Carolina Boeing rejected the Machinists Union by a three-to-one margin

Worker safety

UNDER THE ROSS ISLAND BRIDGE: Investigating a low-bid nonunion contractor, a union finds problems aplenty

Under the Ross Island Bridge Feb. 8, a painter plummeted 40 feet and landed on his own son, putting both in the hospital.

Workers Rights

Another state goes ‘right-to-work’ – Missouri

Missouri follows close on the heels of Kentucky, and a right-to-work bill in Congress would bar any requirement to pay union dues nationwide.

Portland

Huge tenant win at Portland City Council

It’s the closest thing to rent control: All but the smallest landlords will pay tenants a relocation fee of up to $4,500 if they raise rent more than 10 percent or issue a no-cause eviction.

In Memoriam

Lynn R. Lehrbach, 1937-2017

The career union rep worked on civil rights for the UAW, and later served as political director for Teamsters Joint Council 37.

Comment

What we see today in the streets is an insurgency of epic proportions

If this grassroots movement can be maintained and grow, the 2018 election will bring change.

Analysis

The Strike: U.S. labor’s long-lost weapon

Major work stoppages have declined over 95 percent since the 1940s.

Union Organizing

Buffett-owned Precision Castparts busts union drive in California

“Union avoidance” consultants turned around a Machinists union drive at a Los Angeles area aerospace parts manufacturer.

Our Jobs

Apprentices can benefit from energy infrastructure projects

Keep Washington Competitive, a business-labor coalition that supports energy infrastructure projects, arranged a tour of IBEW training center for elected leaders.

People