Monthly Archives: March, 2023

Laborers strike at CertainTeed ends with bigger raises

The strike shut down production at the company’s asphalt roof tile plant at 6350 NW Front Ave. for two and a half weeks.

City of Portland attorneys want union election halted

The City of Portland says it respects the right to unionize. That must be why it’s trying to stop a union vote.

Renamed PRO Act introduced in Congress

Democrats in Congress have signed onto the PRO Act, a bill to make it easier to unionize. Republicans have not.

Biden nominates Julie Su to be Secretary of Labor

If confirmed by the Senate, she would replace Marty Walsh, who is leaving to become head of the National Hockey League Players’ Association. 

Bill would require ‘good faith’ by workers comp administrators

Self-insuring for workers comp may set up too strong an incentive to deny claims. Firefighters and other unions are pushing for reform.

Defying union buster, biotech workers unionize at Yecuris

The consultant literally introduced himself as “the union-buster" and held one-on-one meetings trying to create fear about unionizing. 

Bodyvox dance company stagehands join IATSE

Although the company seemed a little perturbed with the effort, supervisors did not make any overt attempts to stymie the union.

Three more Providence units move to unionize

At Providence women’s clinics, Providence Home Health and Hospice, and Providence Medford Medical Center, workers will vote on unionizing.

Handcuffs to hardhats? 

Three locals are launching a pre-apprenticeship program for inmates in the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility.

UA Local 290 apprentices compete

Apprentices at the UA Local 290 Training Center square off in four specialties: HVAC, plumbing, steamfitting, and welding.

Workers petition for a prayer room at the Portland airport

The Port of Portland is exploring the possibility of dedicating a temporary space for prayer at the airport in time for Ramadan.

Laurie Wimmer picked to lead Northwest Oregon Labor Council

After a lifetime of engagement with labor and politics, Wimmer brings decades of high-level experience to the job.

Carpenters international union dissolves eight Northwest locals

United Brotherhood of Carpenters transferred more than 19,000 members into five newly chartered locals. No explanation was given.

New leadership at Bricklayers and Allied Crafts Local 1

Training center director Shawn Lenczowski succeeds longtime president Matt Eleazer, who left to take a job at the international union.

Mark Medina joins the staff of Portland Jobs with Justice as worker center organizer

The Worker Center project of Portland Jobs With Justice is a response to an explosion of union interest among low-paid service workers.

Donna Hammond takes charge at Oregon Tradeswomen

The longtime union rep has taken a leave of absence from her job at IBEW Local 48 to serve as interim director of Oregon Tradeswomen.

Teri Watson joins the building trades

After 10 years at Oregon OSHA, Watson went to work for the Oregon Building Trades Council and the Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council.

Aida Aranda, 1962-2023

Training center director Aida Aranda, who died Feb. 27, was a proud Laborer and a dedicated advocate for apprenticeship.

In defense of regulation

Unions have led the fight for strong regulations and vigorous enforcement to protect the safety and health of workers and their communities.

Rest in power, Sister Aida

The Oregon labor movement suffered a great and devastating loss on Feb. 27 when our sister Aida Aranda passed away suddenly. 

Bill says demolition is public work too

SB 594 would add demolition and hazardous waste removal to the requirement that prevailing wage be paid on public construction projects. 

Teachers at virtual public school get union contract

The state’s only teachers union at an online-only school ratified its first contract in a unanimous March 10 vote.