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.
Portland
Portland looks at ban on AI-driven grocery pricing
An ordinance sponsored by Portland City Councilor Eric Zimmerman will get its first hearing Sept. 22.
Union Organizing
CEO says JH Kelly doesn’t ‘need or want’ office union
Fast-growing all-union construction contractor says ‘no thanks’ to office workers unionizing.
Analysis
Union approval at highest level in 61 years
Americans mostly want more union power, but they don’t think it’s likely.
Collective bargaining
Engineers reach new agreement with Boeing
A ratification vote will take place Sept. 24 to Oct. 1.
Union Organizing
Oregon State University opposes union of women basketball players
The public university has hired a top anti-union law firm to stop the players union.
Portland
Portland will phase out Cesar Chavez Boulevard
The former 39th Avenue will be called Campesinos Boulevard.
Jobs
ILWU pickets cruise line in Seattle
American Cruise Lines is refusing to use union labor to dock and load vessels in Puget Sound ports, which is standard at West Coast ports.
Collective bargaining
Utility linemen end strike at in Eastern Oregon electric coop
IBEW Local 125 members at Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative ratified a new collective bargaining agreement Sept. 1 and returned to work.
Collective bargaining
Marion County union sets strike date
About 1,000 workers will strike Sept. 22 if management hasn’t reached agreement with SEIU Local 503 on a new collective bargaining agreement.
Culture
Iron Workers union simplifies its name
For over a century, it has been known as the “International Association Of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental And Reinforcing Iron Workers.”
Training the Next Generation
Idaho Laborers boom as Micron buildout takes off
Fueled by a massive semiconductor manufacturing buildout, Laborers Local 155 has nearly doubled its membership over three years.
In Memoriam
Dolly Parton, 1946-2026
American Federation of Musicians Local 257 in Nashville mourns the country icon.
Labor History
Looking back at the late great Labor Day parade
Parades were once a big part of what it meant to celebrate Labor Day.
Culture
2026 Labor Day picnics
Labor’s holiday is celebrated by union members, families, and allies. Here are this year's Labor Day picnics in Oregon and Washington.
Portland
City of Portland to contract out 350 union jobs
As Metro exits management of the Schnitzer and Keller venues, the “City that Works” doesn’t want the work either.
Oregon
Public employees union takes aim at bloated college administration
SEIU says an increasing share of state university budgets goes to a swelling army of administrative staff and excessive executive pay.
Union Organizing
Workers unionize at Sliders PDX Williams
PDX Sliders hired Ogletree Deakins, a management-side labor law firm that specializes in “union avoidance.”
Collective bargaining
Engineers reject contract, authorize strike at Boeing
Union negotiators favored a yes vote, but found that rank-and-file members lack trust in the company.
Jobs
Oregon Labor Federation calls for ‘high-road standards’ in developing data centers
A new board resolution calls for state policies that ensure that digital infrastructure advances the interests of working people.
