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.
Conor Kelley
Northwest Labor Press contributor Conor Kelley is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in More Perfect Union, Seattle Met, the Seattle Times, and The Stranger. In 2024 he teamed up with Daily Mail investigative journalist Shawn Cohen on the New York Times bestselling true crime book College Girl, Missing. He has a masters degree in creative writing from New York University.
Collective bargaining
New contract at five Northwest newspapers draws a line on AI
The new contract with McClatchy Media improves wages and bans AI fakery.
Jobs
Portland weighs public cash for Blazers arena upgrade
Billionaire Tom Dundon, head of an investment group that now owns the Portland Trail Blazers, wants taxpayers to pay for renovations to the Moda Center arena. Portland City Council members, organized labor, and the public are split on the idea.
National
AFL-CIO opposes college sports bill moving in Congress
Under the proposal sponsored by Maria Cantwell and Ted Cruz, college athletes could lose bargaining power.
Jobs
Homeless nonprofit collapse puts 120 out of work
Portland shelter workers and homeless clients are paying for the misdeeds of nonprofit executives at Sunstone Way.
Jobs
At Multnomah County, layoffs and more layoffs
The Labor Press spoke with AFSCME Local 88 President Jackie Tate about the tough budget times ahead.
Workers Rights
Washington Supreme Court rules that live-in caregivers must be paid minimum wage
The 8-1 vote on July 9 ends a decades-long state exemption that allowed employers to pay a flat daily rate averaging less than minimum wage.
Union democracy
Oregon Firefighters Council president passes the torch
Karl Koenig is stepping down and is succeed by Kevin Larson of Gresham after a unanimous election at the convention in April.
Collective bargaining
Seattle hotel strike during World Cup
Represented by UNITE HERE Local 8, 117 front desk, housekeeping, and food and beverage workers at Embassy Suites by Hilton walked out June 18.
Culture
Machinists/Woodworkers retirees chapter is back
The plan for the relaunched group is not just to swap old war stories but to remain in the fight.
Union Organizing
Childcare center goes union
Management at The Children’s Garden played ‘gotcha’ and placed a union supporter on indefinite administrative leave for a dubious offense.
Union Organizing
Union at United Cerebral Palsy Association
The unit includes 41 workers at the non-profit, which supports adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Union Organizing
Dayton workers unionize
A unit of six city employees in tiny Dayton, population 2,700, joined OPEIU Local 11.
Collective bargaining
Is Major League Baseball heading for a lockout?
Players union interim director Bruce Meyer explains the wide MLB-union divide.
Union Organizing
Sequoia mental health workers join union
Defying an anti-union campaign, they voted 2-to-1 to join AFSCME Local 1790.
Union Organizing
School bus workers in Lake Oswego unionize
Following a 48-6 vote, 62 workers at Student Transportation of America in Lake Oswego are joining Teamsters Local 206.
Worker safety
How to stay ahead of the heat: Cool tips for those who work outdoors
In recent years more than 60 workers a year in Washington and 20 workers a year in Oregon have suffered serious harm from heat.
Worker safety
Longview paper mill accident kills 11 workers
Governor Ferguson calls the May 26 incident the ‘deadliest industrial tragedy in modern Washington history.’
Workers Rights
Portland may look at capping Uber/Lyft’s grab of driver earnings
Driver pay is down even though rider cost is up. It's no mystery as to why.
Collective bargaining
Northwest journalists strike McClatchy papers over use of AI
At The Olympian and other papers, AI repackages reporters’ work.
