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.
Collective bargaining
Union members bargain collectively with their employers. Nonunion workers are on their own. In this section, we report on all aspects of collective bargaining: negotiation, mediation, and arbitration; impasses, lockouts, and strikes; and tentative agreements, votes, and ratification of new union contracts.
Teamsters strike at Amazon
Amazon has argued that Teamster-represented delivery drivers are employed by subcontractors, so it doesn’t have to bargain with the union.
City of Portland threatens legal action over union pickets
Attorneys for the City of Portland say "practice pickets" are prohibited by the contract Local 189 signed with the city.
Biggest-yet Providence strike could be coming
Thirteen Oregon hospitals and clinics in the Providence health care chain could shut down as early as next month.
Oregon State University grad strike ends with 13% raise
After nearly four weeks on strike, graduate student workers at Oregon State University ratified a new contract.
City of Portland could be inching toward labor disputes
Union contracts covering 1,300 City workers expire Dec. 31, on the eve of the city’s shift to a whole new leadership structure.
After Thanksgiving eve strike, New Seasons union announces boycott
Nearly two years into contract bargaining, the company revealed its wage proposal: a 25 cent raise — in exchange for dropping health benefits.
Springfield Franz Bakery strike ends in deal
The new contract gives Bakers Local 114 members an immediate $2.50 per hour raise, with $1 raises in years two and three.
Bigfoot moves to bust union
Bigfoot Beverages has withdrawn recognition of Teamsters Local 324 and Local 206, terminated the contract, and halted pension contributions.
First-ever strike at Benton County
After a week-long strike — the first in the union’s history — Benton County workers represented by AFSCME Local 2064 ratified a new contract.
Albany teachers back to work with contract gains after 21-day strike
Members of the Greater Albany Education Association (GAEA) won smaller class sizes and a 7% cost-of-living raise.
OSU grad student workers on strike since Nov. 12
More than 1,000 graduate student workers went on strike after more than a year of negotiations over a new contract.
After 54 Days, Boeing strike is over
Boeing Machinists in Oregon and Washington returned to work Nov. 6 with historic contract gains, including raises totaling 43.65%.
Strike at Franz bakery in Springfield
Roughly 180 members of Bakers Local 114 at the Franz Bakery in Springfield have been on strike since Oct. 31.
AMR slow to reach first union contract at its new Washington County unit
In Washington County, AMR’s starting wage for EMTs is $18.39 per hour. In Multnomah County, under the union contract, it's $22.57 per hour.Â
Boeing workers say no to 35% raises
They’ve waited years to send a message: After lives spent building planes, they deserve a secure retirement.
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.
Union pickets go up at fundraiser for homeless nonprofit
No contract after 16 months? Workers at New Avenues for Youth decided it was time to make their case to donors.
Kaiser settles with engineers on eve of strike
The 86 workers who keep Kaiser's equipment going got a decent offer only after they gave Kaiser a 10-day notice that they planned to strike.
Letter carrier contract would deliver annual raises of 1.3%Â
If approved, the contract will raise wages for over 200,000 letter carriers. If rejected, it will be decided by a neutral arbitrator.
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.
