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.
Health Care
Access to health care is a human right. But in America, it’s considered a benefit that must be bargained with an employer. Employer-paid full-family health coverage is one of the biggest differences between the typical union workplace and a non-union workplace. But the costs keep going up, and health coverage is today one of the biggest sources of labor disputes.
Nurses want to block Providence hospice deal
Compassus, a for-profit management company, wants to merge with a division of Providence. Some fear that quality of patient care may suffer.
Hospitals flouting Oregon’s new staffing ratio law
Oregon Health Authority has received over 360 complaints from nurses alleging that hospital managers are violating the safe staffing law.
UFCW Local 555 health trust drops Kaiser, citing wait times
The decision to drop Kaiser Permanente as a health care option for members will cost Kaiser $18 million a year.
Breakthrough bill in Oregon Legislature would set safe hospital staffing
Oregon lawmakers have the chance to make historic improvements to healthcare, thanks to the collaboration of labor and hospital management.
AFT launches ‘code red’ campaign to pass hospital staffing ratios
The union will spend half a million dollars on a radio, Pandora, Facebook and Instagram ad buy asking for pressure on policymakers.
Nurses are getting vocal
Hospitals don’t seem to be taking aggressive action to address overwork and unsafe staffing levels, which is leading to a vicious cycle of burnout.
State task force lays out plan for universal health care in Oregon
Eleven union representatives gave input and raised logistical concerns about how system changes would impact contract negotiations.
Unions call for Medicare to lower drug prices
Supporters of Medicare expansion rally outside Congressman Kurt Schrader's office in September 2019.
Congress repeals ‘Cadillac’ tax
Two features of Obamacare that were opposed by organized labor were eliminated in a bill President Donald Trump signed into law Dec. 20.
Labor in the thick of the debate over Medicare For All
Unions representing a majority of organized workers have endorsed national Medicare For All legislation, and polls show public support as high ast 70% for the idea.
Medicare-for-all: The time has come
The proposal has record support in Congress and in polls.
Merkley co-sponsors Medicare for All legislation
Polls suggest that Medicare for All has majority public support.
‘It’s Not Over’ — Unions join fight to defend Obamacare
Sens. Merkley and Wyden, and Rep. Bonamici urge Oregonians to keeping pushing back on GOP efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare.
Kaiser nurses issue warning: Short staffing could diminish patient care
Nurse union members, frustrated with slow progress on staffing committees, rally outside Kaiser's Northwest headquarters.
The end of Obamacare?
The American Health Care Act, dubbed Trumpcare, would worsen Obamacare’s flaws.
Congress delays Cadillac tax
Labor has two more years to kill the tax on costly health plans – Obamacare’s most hated feature
Bipartisan push to kill Obamacare ‘Cadillac tax’
What do Hillary, Bernie and Paul Ryan have in common? They want to dump the looming Cadillac tax
Don’t let sleep deprivation take a toll on your health
Union members won the eight-hour day. Now it may be time to fight for the eight-hour night.
At Local 290, retirees get strong union support to stay healthy
The Plumbers and Steamfitters retirees get a $575 incentive payment to attend wellness classes.
Premiums continue to outpace inflation and workers’ wages
Deductibles triple in 10 years, and family premiums now average $17,545 a year.
