Culture

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.

Oregon’s logger union fighters come alive in a novelistic rejoinder to Ken Kesey’s scab heroes

The novel's heroes are a Finnish immigrant family in Astoria in the early 20th century, exploited as fishers and loggers, who become involved with the IWW.

Class struggle takes the stage at the 2020 SAG Awards

The union's top award went to the Korean cast of Parasite, the runaway hit dark comedy that depicts a working class family that connives to escape dire poverty by getting jobs as servants for a rich family.

In 1900s Portland , child labor was real … and awful

Child labor is the theme of the eighth in a series of closely-researched historical detective fiction novels set in the Portland of the early 20th century, written by retired union attorney Susan Stoner.

Honoring union screen actors, in Hollywood and at home

Unlike the better-known Oscars, the annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards are for acting only, and honorees are chosen by their fellow union members. In Portland, the annual SAG Awards Watch party doubled as a fundraiser for a beloved figure in the local.

Latest Stoner mystery looks at Portland firefighter

The work of historical fiction features a true-to-life Portland fire fighter — David Campbell — who was killed in the line of duty in 1911.

Women in Trades Career Fair

More than a thousand people attended the Oregon Tradeswomen’s Career Fair held May 19.

Portland Fire Fighters Local 43 turns 100

In honor of the occasion, Oregon U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley presented an American flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol.

A record 130 apprentices compete in Plumbers & Fitters Local 290 skills contest

The top finisher in each discipline advances to the Western Regional Apprentice Contest this June in Denver, Colorado.

A view from the driver seat

A TriMet bus driver writing under the pseudonym "Deke N. Blue" has been blogging about life behind the wheel since 2012. Now he's published a book.

This union’s got talent

Portland-area SAG-AFTRA members met up to watch their union’s televised award ceremony for the most outstanding performances in film and television.

Cement Masons and Plasterers celebrate at holiday party

Cement Masons Local 555 and Plasterers Local 82 recognized longtime members and graduating apprentices at their annual holiday dinner Dec. 2.

Unions are wall-to-wall at Keller Auditorium

With the recent unionization of dancers at the Oregon Ballet Theatre, their shows are now executed by an all-union workforce.

University of Oregon LERC celebrates 40 years of support for labor

The $1 million a year university extension program helps unions with training and research.

New documentary film looks at the life of farmworker union leader Dolores Huerta

Dolores will screen in Portland and Eugene, and will air on OPB in February.

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