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.
Culture
What do women in construction want? Respectful treatment, like anyone else
Support from their unions, and anti-harassment policies, could make a difference, says the biggest-ever survey of women in construction.
Iron Workers Local 29 Retirees Club is back to meeting again
Unable to meet for 18 months because of coronavirus restrictions, the group began meeting again this month.
Want diversity in construction? Hire union
Local union apprenticeship programs have had much more success than non-union getting Black, Hispanic, and women workers into construction.
Working Class Literature?
Portland Community College offers an English class about class – the working class.
Safe From Hate panel says culture change is coming in construction
UNITED FOR A HATE-FREE WORKPLACE “Safe from Hate” panelists, from left: Lisa Palermo of Oregon Tradeswomen; Lou Christian of Plumbers & Fitters Local 290; Sheldon Wormley of Laborers Local 737; Kelly Haines of Worksystems Inc.; Scott Zadow and Garth Bachman of IBEW Local 48, and Zach Culver of Laborers Local 737.
Labor Day picnics cancelled
For the second year in a row, all official Labor Day picnics in Oregon and SW Washignton are cancelled due to the continuing pandemic.
CBS’ Tough As Nails casting Season 4
The reality show celebrates hard-working men and women who aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty.
The Stand: boosting labor and labor’s story
Washington state’s best (and only) news outlet dedicated to unions and working people, The Stand just turned 10.
Union logos get a little love
A new Twitter account dedicated to sharing union logos has quickly developed a fan base in the union Twitter world.
Local cement mason competes in Season 2 of the CBS reality show Tough as Nails
Liz Nichols, a seven-year member of the Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons union, is one of 12 contestants on the show.
Construction coalition plans campaign to end on-the-job harassment of women, minorities
More than 60 union leaders, general contractors, public project owners, trade groups, and others took part in a Dec. 3 Safe From Hate summit.
Labor novel of the year: The Cold Millions, by Jess Walter
The Cold Millions, by bestselling author Jess Walter, chronicles the Wobbly free speech fights of 1909 Spokane.
Unions and contractors ready for Safe from Hate
Portland-area construction unions, contractors and subcontractors will join an industry effort to make workplace culture more welcoming.
Southwest Washington Central Labor Council launches new podcast
Working to Live in Southwest Washington will launch Sept. 5. The plan is to talk with local newsmakers about kitchen table issues.
Spreading the union’s inspiration by air and by internet
A new web project showcases and connects more than four dozen labor podcasts and radio shows from around the nation.
Labor Day picnics canceled
With large gatherings banned until there’s a reliable treatment for COVID-19, Labor Day picnics in Oregon and SW Washington have been canceled this year.
Police unions come in for questioning
Police unions have almost always been an awkward fit in the House of Labor.
Noose incident leads unions to call for culture change in construction
When an apprentice encountered a noose on the job, no action was taken for weeks. Building trades unions say that's got to change.
In the era of COVID-19, the union hall is going virtual
Unions are finding that holding meetings online is actually increasing attendance. One union is even holding its national convention online.
End of an era: Labor cartoonists say farewell
Labor cartoonists Mike Konopacki and Gary Huck are closing down their cartoon syndicate.
