Monthly Archives: February, 2020

Judge could lower ILWU jury award

ILWU argued that a jury accepted a grossly inflated estimate when it ordered $93.6 million in economic damages.

U.S. House passes labor law reform

The PRO Act would restore the power of workers to unionize, bargain collectively, and strike.

Machinists and electricians get raises of up to $10,000 at Nabisco

Bargaining dragged on and on. Then workers got ready to strike.

Union volunteers help enforce laws against construction wage theft on Multnomah County projects

Volunteers are helping County officials police construction work sites to make sure contractors are obeying labor laws.

Workers at Growing Seeds daycare chain announce union campaign

About 75 workers would become part of ILWU Local 5.

Humbly recommitting to justice for all

The statistics highlighting workers of color being left behind, particularly Black workers, are a reminder of the work we must continue year-round. 

Is there forced labor in Oregon? New task force aims to find out

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has appointed a task force to study labor trafficking and identify ways the Legislature can tackle the issue.

Nationwide strike wave continued in 2019

The strike wave that began in 2018 continued in 2019, according to the annual work stoppages report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

More workers go union at Cascadia Behavioral Health

Two more union election wins add 200 to the existing group of 270 mental health and addiction treatment workers who are bargaining a first union contract.

Lawmaking season in Oregon and Washington

Oregon and Washington lawmakers have begun their 2020 "short" sessions. Thought timelines are short, labor is still calling on lawmakers to deliver.

TriMet stuck on ending apprenticeship

Months of pushback from Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757 has so far failed to persuade TriMet management to put the brakes on a plan to end its apprenticeship programs for bus and light rail mechanics.

Portland Public Schools ratifies union contracts with maintenance, custodians, food service workers

All told, nearly 600 workers will get raises of 3% to 5% a year and more over the next few years.

CNN pays $76 million to settle union-busting complaint

It’s the biggest settlement in the 84-year history of the National Labor Relations Board.

Jordan Cove liquid natural gas project withdraws application for permit to dredge in Coos Bay

The Oregon Department of State Lands denied the company’s request for an extension and indicated the permit would likely be denied. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is expected to make a final determination on the project next month.

Union membership continues decline

Union membership dropped in 2019 to 14,574,000, down 170,000 (0.2%) from 2018, according to the latest annual report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics...

Teen Vogue columnist preaches union fire to packed hall of Oregon unionists

More than 300 unionists took part Jan. 31 in the Oregon Labor Law Conference, a yearly training on collective bargaining, organizing, legislation, and worker rights. 

Congressman Blumenauer hears of late and missing mail as a result of postal speedup

A U.S. Postal Service pilot project called “Consolidated Casing” was supposed to speed up mail carriers and decrease the number of routes.

TriMet awards transit project to union-signatory minority contractor

Raimore Construction will be the general contractor on the $60 million construction portion of the Division Transit Project, which will be the largest construction contract awarded to a minority contractor in Oregon history.

Oregon Democratic Party staff unionizes with Painters

The party voluntarily recognized Sign Painters & Paint Makers Local 1094 in December, and signed a first union contract in early January.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler falls short on labor council endorsement

Supporters will make another attempt to approve endorsement at the February 24 meeting.