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.
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.
National
Trump terminates union rights for 1 million federal workers
Trump’s March 27 order may go down as the largest and most aggressive single act of union-busting in U.S. history.
International
Labor secretary slashes solidarity grants
Federal funding cuts have decimated the AFL-CIO’s Solidarity Center and all but ended U.S. support for international labor rights work.
Trade
Unpacking Trump’s Trade War
Lori Wallach is one of America’s foremost experts on trade policy. The Labor Press spoke with her via Zoom.
National
Trump orders nationwide layoff of federal mediators
After 78 years of work resolving labor disputes, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service is almost entirely shut down.
National
Trump names corporate lawyer to top spot at NLRB
Employer-side labor attorney Crystal Carey worked for the NLRB from 2009 to 2018 before becoming partner at the world’s 10th largest law firm.
National
Trump tosses Biden order that raised wages for federal contract workers
The Biden executive order had raised wages for 390,000 workers, about one fifth of the federal contract workforce.
International
Farmworker union organizer detained by ICE
Alfredo “Lelo” Juarez, 25, is an organizer with Familias Unidas por la Justicia, an independent union for farmworkers in the Skagit Valley.
Jobs
Court halts Oregon governor’s executive order requiring project labor agreements
The construction trade group Associated General Contractors led a lawsuit saying Tina Kotek exceeded her legal authority.
Training the Next Generation
Champion apprentices
Bricklayers Local 1 apprentices gathered for a friendly skills competition judged by members of the joint apprenticeship training committee.
Worker safety
Vancouver firefighters salute end to self-insured workers comp
Self-insurance led to abuses when injured workers filed claims, says International Association of Fire Fighters Local 452.
National
Judges order reinstatement of fired federal workers
Tens of thousands of federal workers were illegally fired during their probationary period under orders from the Trump administration.
National
Trump cancels union rights for TSA officers
Trump appointee Kristi Noem ended collective bargaining for 47,000 TSA officers, trash-talked the union, and slammed public employee rights.
Worker safety
IBEW Local 48 member gets Red Cross lifesaving award
Bryan Barker's actions on the job saved the life of a fellow worker who fell 20 feet and suffered a severe cut on his arm.
National
Judge: Trump firing of NLRB member was illegal
The National Labor Relations Board is back in business thanks to a federal court ruling.
National
Trump administration: Do your own card check
FMCS will stop providing free “card check” services when employers agree to recognize a union based on signed union authorization cards.
National
DOGE: Too many labor mediators?
FMCS helps avert strikes by sending mediators to shuttle between union and employer negotiators when talks break down.
National
Bipartisan bill would ensure that if workers unionize, they get a contract
Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley signed on to the bill, which was sponsored by Republican Josh Hawley of Missouri.
National
Senate confirms Trump labor secretary
Lori Chavez-DeRemer won Senate confirmation 67-32, with Democrats split and a few Republicans voting against her for being too pro-union.
Union Organizing
Security guards unionize at Multnomah County
The security officers work for Inter-Con Security Systems, which started a five-year, $40 million contract with Multnomah County last year.
Union Organizing
NIETC apprenticeship instructors join union
The union-sponsored electrical training center voluntarily recognized the unit after all instructors signed a petition seeking recognition.
