March 20, 2026 issue

Strike shuts Portland Community College

The strike by about 2,300 faculty and support staff is a rejection of the college’s final wage offer: two years of 0.35% annual increases.

Oregon labor looks back on wins in 2026 Legislature

Lawmakers passed stable funding for the labor bureau, referred a gas tax to voters in May, and partly disconnected from the federal tax code.

Labor tallies gains in the 2026 Washington Legislature

From a millionaires tax to a domestic workers bill of rights, it was a year to remember for Washington labor.

Unions reach tentative national deal with Kaiser Permanente

Following strikes and 11 months of rocky negotiations, new agreements raise wages 21.5% over the next three years and eight months.

AFL-CIO statement: End the conflict in Iran

SEIU was first to issue a statement, the day the war began, denouncing the “reckless regard for working people’s lives.” 

Fed up at Alaska Horizon

Horizon is a regional subsidiary of Alaska Airlines, but its 677 flight attendants earn half what their counterparts at Alaska Airlines earn.

Wildcat walkout by Fort Vancouver teachers 

About half the teachers walked out March 4 in reaction to offensive posts on an anonymous Instagram account.

Bend considers hefty fee on new gas hookups

The proposal is modeled on a similar policy enacted in Ashland that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Nike still in race for world’s lowest wages

How low can wages go? Not low enough if you’re Nike, which pioneered outsourcing apparel manufacturing to the poorest countries in the world.

I-5 bridge work starts in 2028

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson says the U.S. Coast Guard's January approval of a fixed span design cleared a hurdle.

Multnomah County weighs cuts

The county is looking to cut positions for the second year in a row, and it may be on track for more cuts every year for the next few years.

New AFSCME 189 contract at Portland auditor’s office

The contract covers 30 auditors and support staff who conduct performance audits, manage the Fraud Hotline, and oversee city elections.  

Ilani hires non-union

The Cowlitz Tribe's casino in Ridgefield, Washington, has committed to use union construction firms up to now. 

Breakthrough first contract at Labcorp

Outsourced Oregon lab workers unionized. Now they have higher wages, scheduling rights, and no forced overtime.

Billionaire bucks are reshaping elections

In the 2024 federal election cycle, 300 billionaires and their family members donated 19% of all contributions to federal campaigns. 

Oregon AFL-CIO rebrands

The Oregon AFL-CIO is changing its public-facing name and will now be known as the Oregon Labor Federation. 

J.D. Vance speaks to firefighters union

Addressing a union legislative conference, the vice president praised fire fighters for their work and talked up the Trump administration.

Don’t let the wealthy gut Multnomah County’s free universal preschool program 

Multnomah County’s free preschool program faces pushback from wealthy critics, despite proven gains for kids, families, and workers.

Love is a Riot: A statement on what’s happening at Stonewall

Stonewall’s Pride flag removal is a warning. Attacks on LGBTQ+ rights are attacks on labor and worker protections.