Monthly Archives: March, 2022

Jim Fisher Volvo hires union-buster

A federal disclosure shows Jim Fisher himself made the agreement with a union-busting firm. Mandatory antiunion meetings started immediately. 

A Seattle Starbucks votes to unionize

Nearly 170 Starbucks locations nationwide have requested union representation elections so far, including 16 in Oregon.

Homecoming for Liz Shuler

In 1993 U of O grad Liz Shuler went to work at Portland-based IBEW Local 125, her father’s local. Today she’s America’s top union leader.

Warrior Met Coal strike passes 1-year mark

About 1,100 Alabama miners are putting their livelihoods on the line for dignity and justice in a fight with America's biggest hedge funds.

Biden cabinet official visits Portland NECA-IBEW training center

U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, a former Boston building trades union leader, wants more women in the trades.

Workers at Clinton-linked non-profit vote against union

Workers at the Alliance For A Healthier Generation contacted OPEIU Local 11 last year expressing interest in unionizing.

Over 700 Providence nurses rally in show of unity

Providence nurses want staffing ratios, adequate breaks, affordable health insurance, and adequate pay increases.

2022 Oregon AFL-CIO Convention Report

The March 18-20 Oregon AFL-CIO convention was the first since the pandemic, and the first union event at the Hyatt Regency Portland.

Shipyard workers vote again to authorize strike

The Metal Trades Council is planning a community support rally at the Portland shipyard’s main gate at 9:30 a.m. April 9.

In tulip capital, farm workers strike

Flower and bulb harvest workers in Washington struck for three days—until management agreed to come to the bargaining table.

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

The AFL-CIO made a mistake, displaying the Ukrainian flag upside down. So did we. But union haters used that—in bad faith—to slam labor.

Starbucks union goes viral

Union campaigns at Starbucks have been exploding in recent weeks. Workers at over 130 locations in 29 states have requested union elections.

Amazon workers get second union vote

NLRB ordered a new election after Amazon broke labor law at its Alabama warehouse. Ballots, mailed out Feb. 4, will be counted March 28.

Union prayers answered: U.S. Postal Service is saved

It was Congress that put the U.S. Postal Service at risk with a retiree medical pre-funding mandate. Now Congress has stepped in to save it.

Labor lauds Biden pick for Supreme Court

Past decisions suggest Ketanji Brown Jackson—who'd replace Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer—will side with unions and working people.

Behind the badge, police support staff face backlog and burnout

AFSCME’s Portland Police chapter chair says understaffing is causing delays retrieving towed cars or getting police reports for insurance.

From workers to business owners, but union all the way

They spent years working on pipelines. Now they deploy water trucks to wind and solar farms and areas with wildfires.

Shipyard workers reject tentative agreement

Metal trades unions will hold a second strike vote after 900 Portland and Seattle shipyard workers rejected a deal with Vigor Marine.

Labor joins effort to recall Clackamas County commissioner Mark Shull

Unions are backing Shull's recall for disparaging remarks about Muslims and immigrants, likening vaccine mandates to the Holocaust and more.

Unions, and members, step up to support Ukraine

Unions in Poland, Slovakia and other countries sent members and trucks to pick up refugees. Members in the U.S. are donating to relief.

Portland Nabisco maintenance workers get raises

Machinists, electricians and operating engineers at the Mondelez-Nabisco bakery in Portland have new contract agreements.

Oregon Legislature passes pro-worker laws in short session

Highlights include overtime protections for farm and bakery workers, $600 checks to essential workers, and $200 million for apprenticeships.