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Monthly Archives: June, 2020

National

Labor confronts police brutality

Union members are taking part in protests, joining morning-after cleanup parties, and even walking off the job in support of Black Lives Matter.
Workers Rights

Secret audio shows Columbia Sportswear plot to fire unionist

In the recordings, managers list the names of union supporters they want to fire and talk about how to build a case that will stand up to NLRB scrutiny.
Our Jobs

Roadblock in the Broadway Corridor?

A deal on a community benefits agreement is held up over equity for construction workers.
Workers Rights

Trump NLRB sues Oregon to preserve employers right to hold mandatory anti-union meetings

On July 14 a federal court will hear the government's challenge to the state law, which was passed in 2009.
Multnomah County

Public-owned broadband study nears completion

Multnomah County is running the numbers to see if fiber to the home is feasible.
Workers Rights

Union-made Black Lives Matter buttons nixed at Burgerville

Burgerville backtracked after online backlash, and said it would produce its own Black Lives Matter accessories for workers to wear if they choose.
In Memoriam

Nancy Milner, 1951-2020

The Bakers union activist and former AWPPW member died after long bout with cancer.
Building our communities

Oregon unions distribute food to workers impacted by COVID-19 pandemic

Nearly two dozen local labor groups are taking part in efforts to collect and distribute food to workers impacted by layoffs.
Portland

Runoff: Loretta Smith endorsed by Northwest Oregon Labor Council

Smith faces former school board member Dan Ryan in the Aug. 11 runoff election for the vacant Portland City Council position held by the late Nick Fish.
Union democracy

Travis Eri unopposed for a sixth three-year term at IBEW 125

Local 125 represents electric utility workers, power line clearance tree trimmers, and workers who construct and maintain transmission lines and substations in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada.
Worker safety

Fund set up for two ironworkers hurt in roof collapse

James Sackett and Justin Rothgeb, members of Iron Workers Local 29, were badly injured June 10, when a roof partially collapsed on the new Portland General Electric headquarters under construction in Tualatin.
Comment

Allyship includes action

We must acknowledge that our institutions have been built on a foundation of racism and white supremacy that gives some people privilege, and takes it away from others based on the color of their skin.
National

National union statements on the George Floyd killing and protests

Many national unions and union leaders have issued statements on the police killing of George Floyd and the nationwide protests in response. Here are some of them.
Workers Rights

Unions react as the nation explodes in protest over George Floyd killing

"in the end, the labor movement is not a building," said the president of the AFL-CIO after protesters trashed AFL-CIO headquarters lobby in D.C.
Worker safety

AFL-CIO sues OSHA

COVID-19 has caused more deaths among workers in a shorter time than any other health emergency in OSHA's 50-year existence, yet the agency hasn’t required employers to take any action to protect people on the job.
Workers Rights

Plasterers uncover wage theft at luxury apartments in Eugene

When building trades unions police abuses in the construction industry, they're defending all workers, not only their members.
Collective bargaining

Heroes no longer? Fred Meyer ends hero pay

Grocery sales are booming, and prices saw the largest one-month jump in 46 years, and yet Fred Meyer is ending the $2 bonus pay it began March.
Our Jobs

Unions: Vote by mail now more than ever

The push for national vote-by-mail is timelier than ever in the midst of a pandemic, but postal union leaders say it won’t matter much if the U.S. Postal Service isn’t around.
Collective bargaining

Teamsters strike at Hood River Distillery continues

Two dozen workers walked off the job May 6 and all are still out on strike.
Collective bargaining

City of Portland unions will vote on furloughs in which workers could actually come out ahead

The federally funded Work Share program will make up for wages lost during furloughs, and city budget savings are earmarked to prevent layoffs.
Our Jobs

How to get unemployment benefits while you’re still employed

Up to 10,000 Portland-area workers are getting paid more while working less thanks to a layoff prevention program.

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