Analysis

LOOKING BACK ON THE OBAMA YEARS

Obama ignored labor on trade and healthcare, and pro-worker reforms came mostly too late.

2016 in review

As chronicled in 24 issues of the Northwest Labor Press, here are some of the year’s most important stories.

Big night: A preview of what’s at stake November 8

In the Northwest and around the country, working people have a lot at stake on Election Night.

Five corporate lies (and two truths) about Measure 97

$18.3 million in mostly out-of-state corporate money buys a lot of ads and spreads a lot of disinformation, doubt and fear about Measure 97. Don’t be fooled.

On core union issues, conventions showcase a growing partisan divide

Democrats approve a strongly pro-union platform. Republicans call for a prevailing wage ban, and laws to weaken unions.

Union membership slips in Oregon, grows in Washington

In Wisconsin, union membership takes a tumble.

2015 in review

Labor lost the fight over fast track in 2015, but in Oregon, it was the year workers won sick leave

What’s ahead for labor in 2016

2016 will see a pivotal Court decision, a fight against the TPP, and efforts to raise minimum wage

Unions are key to reducing income inequality in Oregon

The report examines how unions raise wages for all workers — and reduce inequality.

A pope for the common people

Francis, more than other recent popes, has kept a focus on economic morality.

State AFL-CIO scores Washington lawmakers

Four SW Washington Democrats get 100 percent, but a Centralia Republican leads the anti-labor pack

CEO pay continues to explode

The average S&P 500 CEO made 373 times as much as the average American worker in 2014.

THE DISAPPEARING STRIKE

2014 had the second fewest strikes since the federal government began keeping records in 1947

Union percentage lowest-ever nationally: 11.1 percent

Oregon ranks #7 nationally for union density

UP IS DOWN

How the Oregonian stretched facts to argue that a massive minimum wage increase wouldn’t help workers

Organized Labor — Year 2014 in Review

Union experiments with movement building pay off in fast-food strikes, minimum wage increases

2014: Year of the robot?

They work without pay, and never tire, complain, or unionize: Robots were on the rise in 2014.

A look back at the year 2014 in Oregon labor

There were some successes, but this year will not be one to live forever in glorious memory.

What would a REAL pro-worker legislative agenda look like?

Nine ideas to make Oregon more worker-friendly

Nationwide, labor loses on candidates, wins on measures

Voters give Senate to GOP and reelect antiunion governors, but favor minimum wage and sick days

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