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.

UFCW 555 reaches agreement with Kroger

The Fred Meyer boycott is over. New contracts covering 11,000 workers will raise wages $4.50 over three years for the most senior workers.

Labor Council launches website for union-backed candidates

The group is a joint effort of Laborers Local 737, Portland Fire Fighters Association, and the Northwest Oregon Labor Council.

Unions pull Hillsboro candidate’s endorsement after blowup over Gaza

A Hillsboro City Council candidate used ugly and abusive language with a constituent who disagreed with his support for Israel's war in Gaza.

Portland City Council candidates spurn Portland police union

At least 14 candidates running for Portland City Council this year signed a pledge not to take contributions from police unions.

Gunderson workers stay non-union

The union defeat came three weeks after the government contractor paid union-busters to talk to its workers.

Ballot measures to watch 

Workers rights will once again be on the ballot around the country this election as voters in five states decide on the minimum wage.

Full Stack goes ‘full silent’

The Portland Metal Trades thought they had a deal. Then they were ghosted by the startup manufacturer of modular housing.

NLRB: Union organizing has doubled since 2022

It received 3,286 union election petitions in the 2024 federal fiscal year that ended Sept. 30 … and 21,292 unfair labor practice charges.

Letter carrier contract would deliver annual raises of 1.3% 

If approved, the contract will raise wages for over 200,000 letter carriers. If rejected, it will be decided by a neutral arbitrator.

Why working class voters are turning away from the Democrats

Two Harvard researchers went to Pennsylvania. They found a lost world of thriving main streets, stable families, and tight social networks.

UAW strike: The trolls were wrong

A year after the big strike wins for workers, the data is in. New car prices actually dropped 1.06% on average. And GM's market share is up.

Union Guide to the November 2024 general election

Union members have the power to decide elections … when they vote.

How unions decide which campaigns to endorse

Union political staff and volunteer member committees spend hundreds of hours preparing questionnaires and interviewing candidates.

RUNNING FOR OFFICE: Chris Flanary

The AFSCME member organizer is running for City Council and wants to make the living wage for Portlanders a priority. 

Boeing strike enters sixth week

Boeing cut off strikers’ access to health benefits. Many have taken temporary jobs. But if anything, Boeing seems to be hurting even more.

Metal Trades kicks off bargaining at Vigor shipyards

For the second time in a row, union leaders will be bargaining with a new CEO and new ownership at shipyards in Portland and Seattle.

Longshore strike ends with 61.5% raises

Roughly 45,000 longshore workers shut down East and Gulf Coast ports in the first International Longshoremen's Association strike since 1977.

One year in, still no contract at Elysian Brewing 

Some anti-union employees called for a decertification vote, but the result of that Oct. 1 tally was 21 in favor of the union and 9 against.

AFL-CIO ad campaign pushes Harris-Walz to union members

The national AFL-CIO will spend over $1 million on digital and streaming ads in seven “battleground” states to help elect Kamala Harris.

Women on the Rise

Oregon Tradeswomen — a nonprofit that recruits and prepares women for careers in the trades — held its annual Build With Us gala Sept. 13.