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
OPEIU Local 11 wants big changes at NW Natural
Under new leadership, the union will push the regulated monopoly to restore workers' pension and commit to end outsourcing.
Springfield home health nurses ready to strike over wage disparity with hospital nurses
About 90 home health nurses are ready to strike if PeaceHealth Sacred Heart refuses to pay them the same as counterparts inside the hospital.
Laborers Local 483 wins wage hikes for zoo and parks workers in tentative deal with Metro
The agreement will increase wages and paid time off for roughly 250 workers at the Oregon Zoo and regional parks.
Safeway bargaining lasts two years … for six bakers
Safeway demanded separate agreements after three new units voted in 2021 to join Local 114. Then Safeway stalled negotiations.
Camas and Evergreen school districts spent big on outside attorneys
Two Southwest Washington school districts spent close to $200,000 for legal advice during recent contract negotiations with teachers.
Bodyvox dance company stagehands win IATSE Local 28 contract
Union stagehands at nonprofit Bodyvox dance company unanimously ratified a first contract that raises pay and guarantees job security.
Multnomah County and AFSCME sign union contract for dentists
The contract covering 20 Multnomah County dentists sets the total number of patients they see in a 10-hour shift to 21.
Still no deal after Local 701 ends strike at Corvallis landfill
Mechanics who maintain equipment at the Coffin Butte Landfill in Corvallis ended their strike Nov. 13 after two months on the picket line.
Powell’s Books workers to vote on tentative deal
The deal sets a base wage of at least $18 an hour after a year of employment and allows negotiations if Portland’s minimum wage meets that.
Higher ed: COLA should keep up with inflation
SEIU Local 503 and the Oregon university system are pretty far apart on bargaining over raises for campus support workers.
Oregon Tradeswomen reaches agreement
Overcoming a rocky start, Oregon Tradeswomen reached agreement with Machinists Local Lodge 63 on a first union contract.
Portland teachers go back to work
A 26-day strike led to an improved contract for 3,700 teachers, counselors, and librarians, including raises totaling 14.6% over three years.
Las Vegas casino workers win big in deal that averts strike
New contracts with Caesars, MGM, and Wynn will increase pay 32% over five years for 40,000 workers, raising pay to $35 an hour.
UFCW Local 555 ends strike at Kaiser
The union is still seeking to put pressure on the company by encouraging patients to drop Kaiser, saying their health care could be at risk.
Oregon home care workers get raise of $1.73 an hour Jan. 1
The current base wage is $17.77 an hour. The new two-year agreement also increases the number of hours caregivers are allowed to work.
OFNHP reaches agreements with PeaceHealth
More than 1,300 health care workers struck Oct. 23-27 at PeaceHealth Southwest in Vancouver and St. John Medical Center in Longview.
Portland teachers strike for fair wages and smaller classes
It’s a fight that teachers say has been brewing a long time.
Parents emerge as ‘third force’ in Portland teachers strike
Parents are joining Portland teachers on strike picket lines throughout the district — because they support what teachers are fighting for.
IBEW Local 48 gets $13/hour increase over three years
Members of IBEW Local 48 ratified three agreements in the last month that cover nearly all of the union’s 6,000 members.
Oregon Legislative workers get first union contract
The bargaining unit covers all legislative assistants supporting elected officials in the Oregon Legislature, between 90 and 180 workers.
