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
Under new union contract, Avamere nursing homes will pay the highest wages in the industry
The agreement also commits Avamere to union neutrality, which would speed unionization at more nursing homes and assisted living centers.
Transit union reaches deal with TriMet
As contract arbitration neared, TriMet management dropped its proposal to eliminate its apprenticeship program for bus mechanics.
OFNHP signs first contract at St. Charles Hospital in Bend
Even with the agreement ratified and signed, the hospital's management can’t resist taking potshots at the union.
‘Ellensburg 6’ make a stand
The IBEW Local 77 linemen, public employees, took their cause to the public, and found overwhelming public support.
Doctors-in-training at OHSU win contract
Members of a unit of 850 medical interns, residents and fellows have ratified their first union contract since joining Oregon AFSCME in 2019.
St. Charles hospital in Bend recommits to negotiations after nine-day strike by medical techs
After trying over a year to get a first union contract, 143 medical technologists at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend walked off the job.
Nabisco extends union contracts but closes plants
BCTGM agreed to extend nationwide contracts to the end of May and raise wage 2.25%. But Nabisco is closing plants in Georgia and New Jersey.
Workers at Grand Central Baking ratify their first union contract
In its first contract with Bakers Local 114, the wholesale bakery will pay overtime after 8.5 hours and raise wages 8% over three years.
Machinists win second grievance at MondelÄ“z Â
Mondelēz agreed to pay $1,040 each to 34 Machinists Lodge 63 members for having subcontracted demolition work on a production line.
TriMet declares impasse in contract bargaining
An arbitrator will decide if the transit agency can scrap its mechanic apprenticeship program.
Portland-area Safeway.com drivers win raises in first Teamster contract
The contract locks in raises of $2.25 an hour and enrolls workers in the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension.
DePaul Treatment accused of bad faith bargaining
Oregon AFSCME says getting management to schedule a bargaining session has been a serious challenge — they've met three times since unionizing in September.
AFSCME Local 88 ratifies 1-year contract extension with Multnomah County
The contract covers 3,200 County workers and the extension provides for a 2.9% cost of living adjustment effective July 1.
Wages rise over $3 an hour in new Painters contracts
The July 1 raises are the culmination of a ready-to-strike strategy the union set in motion in 2017.
Nude dancers picket Portland clubs
In the group PDXStripperStrike, dancers borrow some union tactics, and get some union wins.
Heroes no longer? Fred Meyer ends hero pay
Grocery sales are booming, and prices saw the largest one-month jump in 46 years, and yet Fred Meyer is ending the $2 bonus pay it began March.
Teamsters strike at Hood River Distillery continues
Two dozen workers walked off the job May 6 and all are still out on strike.
City of Portland unions will vote on furloughs in which workers could actually come out ahead
The federally funded Work Share program will make up for wages lost during furloughs, and city budget savings are earmarked to prevent layoffs.
Teamsters strike Hood River Distillers
The producer of Pendleton Whisky, Aviation Gin, Jose Cuervo tequila, and Monarch spirits overrode union objections and imposed its own terms.
City of Portland asks unions for pay freeze
Nothing has been agreed to yet, and union negotiators for the District Council of Trade Unions and Laborers Local 483 want more detail about the budget hit.
