Don McIntosh

Editor Don McIntosh has been with the Northwest Labor Press since 1998. Born in Baltimore, he moved to Portland in 1985, and first practiced journalism at the Daily Vanguard, Portland State University's student newspaper. After earning a bachelor's in history, he served as an underground union organizer (salt) with Teamsters Local 174 in Seattle. Back in Portland, he wrote for the Portland Business Journal and Willamette Week and was editor of the Portland Alliance, a monthly community newspaper.

Boeing back in bargaining – first time in 16 years

In the past Boeing schemed to squeeze concessions out of workers and taxpayers. This year union leaders are looking for a reboot.

Battle breaks out between labor and AGC

It took two years and a state law for building trades unions to bargain a deal with ODOT. Now a contractor group wants to blow it up.

Biden once again touts unions in State of the Union

On March 7, President Joe Biden once again used the widely watched speech as a pulpit to promote labor unions.

Biden announces Postal Board pick: Marty Walsh 

Postal unions are applauding President Biden’s new nominee to serve on the Postal Board of Governors: Marty Walsh.

A labor look at the 2024 Oregon Legislature 

Organized labor notched several legislative wins in the five-week “short session” of the Oregon Legislature that ended March 7.

Judge strikes down NLRB’s landmark ‘joint employer’ rule

The National Labor Relations Board was all set to stop companies from dodging labor law by using temp agencies and franchise structures.

Together we rise

An new mural at the Oregon AFL-CIO headquarters is the work of a talented Local 1094 sign painter, Bob Hansen.

FTC sues to stop Kroger-Albertsons merger

In court filings the antitrust agency says letting the two giants join would harm union grocery workers in particular.

The Strike Returns

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Bloomberg agree: 2023 was the biggest strike year in decades.  

Biden cabinet official drops by UA Local 290

U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su visited Oregon for a whirlwind two-day tour of training programs Feb. 22-23.

Starbucks says it wants labor peace

After two years of organizing and strikes by baristas, Starbucks announced Feb. 27 that it wants a reset with Starbucks Workers United.

Michigan repeals right-to-work law

It’s the first time a state has ever reversed a right-to-work law, and the repeal leaves 27 right-to-work states.

Doing it for ourselves

A union pilot project called Crew Bunny connects underemployed film crew members to do odd jobs, for each other.

Pipefitters stay non-union

Workers at HIS Innovations Group make $3 to $9 an hour below equivalent union members, but rejected unionization in a 4-5 vote on Feb. 22. 

Reality Check

Labor professor Gordon Lafer can be relied on to tell it straight. Was there something different about the strike upsurge of 2023? We asked.

Paul Elder takes office as UA 290 business manager after election challenge denied

In his first week as business manager, Elder hired seven new staff, filling a vacancy and replacing six others he let go.

Oregon AFSCME leader joins national leadership

Corey Hope Nicholson will represent AFSCME’s six-state Northwest Region as vice president on the union’s national executive board.

To avoid bankruptcy, ILWU pays $20.5 million to replace a shipper’s lost profits

It’s the final chapter in a fight over two jobs, a dispute that shut down container shipping in Portland for years.

AFL-CIO condemns Hamas attacks, calls for cease-fire

The AFL-CIO, the federation of labor unions that represents about 12.5 million working people, issued a call Feb. 8 for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Flight attendants could be near a season of strikes

Alaska Airlines flight attendants voted 99.48% to authorize a strike, and flight attendants at 3 other airlines are in late-stage mediation.