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.
Mike Gutwig
Building our communities
At Local 29 hall, a night on Santa Lane
Weather couldn’t stop the Iron Workers holiday event. Over 175 cars and 700 people came out for gifts, hot chocolate, and photos with Santa.
People
IBEW honors life savers
Three Local 48 members helped save the lives of two ironworkers after a roof collapse on a construction project in summer 2020.
Culture
Iron Workers Local 29 Retirees Club is back to meeting again
Unable to meet for 18 months because of coronavirus restrictions, the group began meeting again this month.
Building our communities
LCSA raising funds for annual Presents from Partners event
LCSA reports many union families are still struggling due to the impact of the pandemic and are in need of assistance.
Building our communities
Marion-Polk-Yamhill Labor Chapter chooses four holiday projects
The chapter won’t hold its annual Holiday Party at the Elsinore Theatre again this year. Instead, it's supporting four regional projects.
Building our communities
Union apprenticeship programs to compete in toy drive for union families in hardship
Labor’s Community Services Agency’s (LCSA) Presents from Partners holiday event takes place in mid-December.
Jobs
Labor rallies against Postal Service slowdowns, calls for DeJoy’s ouster
The Postmaster’s new 10-year plan will slow First Class and parcel deliveries, raise prices, close post offices, and outsource postal work.
Building our communities
Lieutenant governor honors union leaders Ed Barnes and Roy Jennings for public service
The Labor Roundtable of Southwest Washington held a scaled-down annual awards banquet after a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Washington County
Labor-backed Hartmeier-Prigg wins run-off for Beaverton council
Hartmeier-Prigg was backed by NW Oregon Labor Council, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 and Tualatin Fire Fighters Local 1660.
Union democracy
Liz Shuler elected AFL-CIO president
She succeeds Rich Trumka, who died Aug. 5. Shuler, AFL-CIO secretary treasurer since 2009, is the first woman to hold the office of president.
Training the Next Generation
Operating Engineers recruit at the rodeo
Operating Engineers Local 701 became a sponsor of the Canby Rodeo this year, and set up its popular mobile simulator at the fair.
Health Care
Unions call for Medicare to lower drug prices
Supporters of Medicare expansion rally outside Congressman Kurt Schrader's office in September 2019.
Jobs
As USPS turns 246, unions vow to keep it going
The first postmaster general, Ben Franklin (played by Letter Carriers Branch 82 retiree Dave Medford), enjoys a bite of birthday cake at the East Portland Post Office July 26 where union and community members celebrated the 246th birthday of the U.S. Postal Service.
Union democracy
Lindsey re-elected to third term as IBEW Local 280 business manager
Drew Lindsey outpolled challenger Mark Crenshaw to lead IBEW Local 280 in Central Oregon. Membership neared a record 1,800 in December.
National
New NLRB acting attorney backs off lawsuit against Scabby the Rat
The previous general counsel, a management-side labor lawyer appointed by Trump, tried to muzzle Scabby the Rat as soon as he took office.
Building our communities
Labor’s Community Service Agency steps up big time in 2020
When a pandemic and wildfires hit Oregon and Southwest Washington, LCSA distributed over $325,000 to 1,800 working class families.
Union democracy
Insulators Local 36 holds officer election by mail ballot
Ron Mathis was re-elected treasurer and Joel Hendrickson was elected recording secretary, succeeding his wife, Jessica.
Collective bargaining
Machinists win second grievance at Mondelēz
Mondelēz agreed to pay $1,040 each to 34 Machinists Lodge 63 members for having subcontracted demolition work on a production line.
