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
Boeing back in bargaining – first time in 16 years
In the past Boeing schemed to squeeze concessions out of workers and taxpayers. This year union leaders are looking for a reboot.
Starbucks says it wants labor peace
After two years of organizing and strikes by baristas, Starbucks announced Feb. 27 that it wants a reset with Starbucks Workers United.
Low-paid library workers fed up in Vancouver
They make $16.28 an hour. The director makes $195,000. Library workers mob the board to say it’s time for a raise.
Home care nurse strike ends without deal
PeaceHealth hired strikebreakers to temporarily replace home health and hospice nurses during the strike.
Trades workers ratify contract at Home Forward
The three-year contract covers 56 trades workers. It raises starting pay $9 an hour on average and adds new safety provisions.
Portland Sign Co. signs first union contract
Portland Sign Co. became the second company to sign a union contract with IBEW Local 48, and a third may be close behind.
Strike Stories
2023 was the biggest strike year in decades. We asked readers who struck last year to tell what it was like.
FMCS adds two mediators in Portland office
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service’s Portland office is fully staffed for the first time in almost two years.
Flight attendants could be near a season of strikes
Alaska Airlines flight attendants voted 99.48% to authorize a strike, and flight attendants at 3 other airlines are in late-stage mediation.
PeaceHealth deploys home health nurse strikebreakers in Eugene
Registered nurses who provide home care service for PeaceHealth Sacred Heart started a two-week strike Feb. 10.
Bike mechanics get union contract
Workers at Community Cycling Center ratified a one-year contract that increases paid time off, ensures cost of living raises, and establishes basic union protections.
Broad gains in new PCC faculty contract
The new agreement covering more than 1,500 Portland Community College faculty contains major improvements for part-timers.
Under-market workers get pay bump at Multnomah County
About 300 union workers at Multnomah County will get raises this month to bring their salaries in line with other public sector employees.8
At PFSP, a surge in member involvement leads to contract wins
A revolt that began last year among rank-and-file members of AFT Local 111 has culminated in the best contract the union has won in years.
Sign that strikes are back in fashion: Workers walk out at Vogue magazine
Anne Hathaway earned some love from union members when she walked out of a Vanity Fair photo shoot during a strike by media workers.
Cal State professors strike and win pay bumps
It was the largest strike by college faculty in U.S. history, halting classes for 460,000 students on 23 campuses
Eugene-area hospice and home care nurses set to strike Feb. 10
More than 90 registered nurses at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Home Care Service near Eugene expect to begin a two-week strike at 7 a.m. Feb. 10.
Grad worker strike averted at University of Oregon
Over 1,400 grad teaching and research assistants had set a Jan. 17 strike date. Instead a new contract will raise wages by up to 45%.
Machinists 1432 wants end to two-tier at Clarios
Members voted 94% to say they’re ready to strike if no deal is reached, and more than 40 volunteered as strike captains if it comes to that.
Oregon Symphony raises wages in new contract
The three-year contract with Musicians Local 99 raises wages 6% in year one and 3.5% in years two and three.
