January 2019 - nwLaborPress

Shutting down the shutdown

Jan 30, 2019

In the end, it was action by aviation workers that led Trump to end the shutdown.

Los Angeles teachers could have accepted management’s offer and spent the next few years complaining about it. Instead, they went on strike, all 32,000 of them, and won a stunning series of concessions. And in Vancouver, 700 paraeducators and other school support staff won a 17.5% increase hours before their strike was to begin.

Isn’t it about time for a budget bump for BOLI?

Jan 30, 2019

Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries has half the staff it had two decades ago, and newly installed commissioner Val Hoyle says it’s time to restore funding.

What’s at stake for working people in the 2019 Oregon Legislature

Jan 30, 2019

Majority Democrats have some big agenda items in the 2019 Oregon Legislature, including a carbon cap, renters rights, and revenue reform.

Union Organizing

Police union raids AFSCME at 911

Jan 30, 2019

Members of the Portland Police Association hand-delivered letters to emergency communications dispatchers inviting them to leave their union, AFSCME, and instead join the police union.

IWW union hall vandalized

Jan 30, 2019

Local labor unionists pledge solidarity after the union hall is targeted by a right-wing group.

Honoring union screen actors, in Hollywood and at home

Jan 30, 2019

Unlike the better-known Oscars, the annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards are for acting only, and honorees are chosen by their fellow union members. In Portland, the annual SAG Awards Watch party doubled as a fundraiser for a beloved figure in the local.

Training for a rescue at 50 feet

Jan 29, 2019

Theater and concert workers often spend time at great heights — hoisting gear at rock concerts or setting up and operating truss-mounted spotlights. Their union is working to improve members’ readiness to quickly rescue a coworker in the event of an accident.