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Monthly Archives: February, 2022

Analysis

Wages jumped in 2021, but inflation jumped higher

Wages for U.S. workers rose 4.5% in 2021, the fastest in 13 years. The biggest were in “leisure and hospitality” where wages jumped 14%.
Analysis

Unions drop back to 10.3% of workforce

Last year’s jump in the percentage of workers who are union-represented appears to have been related to COVID.
Politics

Casey Kulla enters labor commissioner race

The first-term Yamhill County Commissioner became the second labor ally to throw his hat in the ring for Oregon labor commissioner.
Politics

Unionist appointed to the state house

Travis Nelson, Oregon Nurses Association vice president, is Oregon’s newest lawmaker, filling Tina Kotek’s House District 44.
Union Organizing

Workers at six more Starbucks stores in Oregon announce plans to unionize

As of Feb. 1, 55 Starbucks stores nationwide have launched union efforts with Workers United, an affiliate of SEIU.
Union Organizing

Providence Medford hospital techs want union

A group of 118 technical employees at Providence medical facilities in southern Oregon is petitioning to join SEIU Local 49.
Union Organizing

Jim Fisher Volvo mechanics look to unionize with Machinists

Workers pay to go to Volvo mechanic school hoping for a well-paying job, but end up making near minimum wage, and buying their own tools.
Union democracy

New leadership at Portland Firefighters

Hazmat specialist Isaac McLennan won election after incumbent Alan Ferschweiler left to work for the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council.
Workers Rights

Oh, the outrage! City Auditor investigates Portland firefighters washing their cars

On Jan. 6, Fire Chief Sara Boone declared on-the-job car washing to be unlawful, and ordered firefighters to cease and desist. 
Collective bargaining

After two strikes, Springfield hospital workers approve contract

The deal means over 22% raises over three years on average for roughly 300 support workers at one of only two for-profit hospitals in Oregon.
Collective bargaining

Next up for UFCW: Safeway and Albertsons contract talks

The union has been in contract negotiations with Albertsons and Safeway management since July 2021.
Workers Rights

ILWU reefer case headed back to court

A jury in 2019 ordered ILWU to pay $93.5 million in damages to a Philippine terminal operator. Now a new trial is likely.
Comment

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Why do unions always support Democrats? It’s a really good question, and one that a lot of union members have asked over the years.
Retirement

There’s something you need to know about retirement …

A new book aims to explain retirement plans to union leaders. It began with what the author calls the worst financial mistake of his life.
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