Northwest Labor Press is an independent union-supported newspaper founded in 1900. Our print version is mailed twice a month to about 45,000 members of over three dozen local unions in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Our online version has been maintained here since 1997.
Analysis
The Strike: U.S. labor’s long-lost weapon
Major work stoppages have declined over 95 percent since the 1940s.
Could unions be getting more popular? New poll shows surge in support
The latest Pew poll shows 60% of Americans favor unions, the second-highest level since 1985.
Annual survey records further union membership declines
Union membership fell to 10.7 percent of the U.S. workforce, and 6.4 percent in the private sector.
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.
