Monthly Archives: March, 2021

Precision Castparts must recognize Machinists Union

Precision—a key Boeing supplier—has lost its marathon effort to avoid recognizing the choice of a group of welders to unionize.

A Laborer atop the Department of Labor

Marty Walsh, sworn in as labor secretary March 23, is the former head of Laborers Local 223 and the Boston Building Trades Council.

Wave of unionization sweeps through Washington newspapers

Five Washington newspapers have unionized recently, the latest in a nationwide surge among print and online journalists under way since 2015.

‘Ellensburg 6’ make a stand

The IBEW Local 77 linemen, public employees, took their cause to the public, and found overwhelming public support.

Government report says NLRB is understaffed

According to a March 29 report, the drop has been dramatic. Since 2010 the NLRB has lost 452 employees, or 26%.

Postal unions alarmed by parts of postmaster general’s plan

Postmaster General DeJoy's 10-year plan to save USPS would slow first class mail delivery, reduce post office hours, and raise prices.

New workforce liaison at Oregon AFL-CIO

Josh Hall was president of United Steelworkers Local 7150. Now he'll help dislocated union workers get unemployment and other benefits.

Leadership change at Portland Jobs with Justice

Will Layng is leaving as executive director to return to SEIU, where he formerly worked as organizing director at Local 49.

Unionist seeking House seat falls short

Multnomah County Commission appointed Andrea Valderrama as state rep for HD 47, passing over former union president Adrienne Enghouse.

Labor Council calls Integrated Power Services ‘unfair’

The union says electric motor repair shop IPS didn't bargain in good faith, and its Portland workers have voted to authorize a strike.

NLRB drops Trump rule that would have blocked graduate student unions

Trump NLRB appointees had declared that student teaching assistants aren't employees under the National Labor Relations Act.

Doctors-in-training at OHSU win contract

Members of a unit of 850 medical interns, residents and fellows have ratified their first union contract since joining Oregon AFSCME in 2019.

UFCW 555 leaves Northwest Oregon Labor Council

The withdrawal means three Local 555 delegates who held NOLC office can no longer serve those roles, including NOLC president Jeff Anderson.

Renewable diesel fuel refinery will be union built and operated

Construction work on the $1.6 billion project could begin in early 2022 at Port Westward near Clatskanie and employ 800 workers.

American Rescue

Signed into law March 11, a year after COVID was declared a pandemic, the $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill took effect almost immediately.

How the COVID relief bill saves union pensions

The just-passed COVID relief bill will rescue and restore over 100 declining union pension plans.

Colossal energy storage project in Columbia Gorge will be union-built

The Goldendale Energy Storage Project would be the area’s biggest project since the Columbia River hydro dams were built.

House re-passes the PRO Act

The U.S. House passed the PRO Act—labor’s top priority—March 9. Five Republicans joined all but one Democrat voting yes.

St. Charles hospital in Bend recommits to negotiations after nine-day strike by medical techs

After trying over a year to get a first union contract, 143 medical technologists at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend walked off the job.

Working women need more than lip service this month, and every month

Over 2 million women left jobs during this “she-cession,” bringing women's labor force participation to the lowest level in over 30 years.

IATSE marks one year out of work due to pandemic

Many members of IATSE Locals 28, 488, B20, and 154 haven’t worked a day since the pandemic turned life upside down a year ago.

Portland Parks and Recreation is hiring

The jobs are union and include park maintenance, rec center customer service, exercise instructors, camp counselors, and aquatic staff.