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.
Exec getting raises? We get one too!
Clark County unions notch a win for pay fairness.
Student workers ready to strike at University of Oregon
The unit of about 4,000 undergraduate student workers voted to unionize in October 2023 and has spent 10 months negotiating a first contract.
Last minute settlement averts a strike by UO professors
A strike by 1,700 professors was set to start March 31 — the first day of spring term.
After 16 months of talks, AFSCME reaches deal for first union contract at New Avenues for Youth
The contract covers about 110 workers at the homeless youth nonprofit, and will raise the minimum wage there from $17 to $21 per hour.
Mt. Hood Community College support workers triple their raises after getting organized
The union represents 240 workers, from groundskeepers and public safety officers to academic advisors and accountants.
Washington County ambulance workers get first union contract at AMR
Teamsters members rejected two previous proposals and authorized a strike before the company gave them an offer they could live with.
Bigfoot strike hits 200 days as workers stand firm
Around 240 workers at by the beverage distributor struck Sept. 19 after the company proposed replacing their pension with a 401(k).
Sweet contract at Nabisco
More than three years after a bitter 40-day strike, Mondelez-Nabisco seems to have decided it wants labor peace.
Public sector strike surge outstrips dispute-mediating system
Oregon school teachers ready to walk out? It can take a month to schedule a mediator.
New contract for Alaska flight attendants raises pay up to 28%
The new deal, approved by 95%, puts the 7,000 workers ahead of inflation and returns Alaska to its former status as top-paid in the industry.
After a 47 day strike, Providence nurses are back to work
Providence dug in, but in the end made concessions on wages and staffing levels to end the biggest healthcare strike in Oregon history.
AFSCME 189 members ratify contract with city
About 93% supported ratifying the contract, which provides annual inflation-based raises plus overall increases totaling 3% over three years.
New contract with 22% raises at Vancouver Housing Authority
The workers are represented by OPEIU Local 11 and help Clark County residents access emergency shelters and permanent housing.
Trades workers ratify deal with City of Portland
The District Council of Trade Unions ratified a new contract with the City of Portland by a relatively slim margin, with just 57% in support.
Nurses reject offer, extend strike at Providence hospitals
Providence spends $25 million per week on strikebreakers as nurses fight for fair wages, safe staffing levels.
DCTU reaches deal with City
Proposed contract ensures raises of at least 7.5% plus cost-of-living increases for over 200 city workers, averting a planned strike.
Letter carriers reject contract
The sticking point was that USPS sought to keep some workers from receiving wage increases and protections.
Doctors at Providence Medford ratify first contract
ER doctors' new contract wins wages that keep pace with inflation and limits duties outside of the ER that threaten patient safety.
AFSCME 189 settles with City
Local 189 represents almost 1,100 workers, and they had been preparing to strike since declaring impasse in late December.
Trades workers set to strike at City of Portland
More than 200 City of Portland workers are set to strike Feb. 6 — five unions that bargain as the District Council of Trade Unions (DCTU).
