June 5, 2026 issue

Longview paper mill accident kills 11 workers

Governor Ferguson calls the May 26 incident the ‘deadliest industrial tragedy in modern Washington history.’

Congress to vote on major labor law reform

A bill to speed up first union contracts is heading to a vote in Congress.

Portland may look at capping Uber/Lyft’s grab of driver earnings

Driver pay is down even though rider cost is up. It's no mystery as to why.

City unions plan rally against job cuts

City unions want the city to consider layoff alternatives like curtailing management bloat and the use of expensive outside contractors.

Labor Department turns back clock to 2019

A new overtime exemption rule will result in greater exploitation of low-paid managers and professionals.

Machinists ratify new four-year contract with Weyerhaeuser

The four-year deal covers 1,160 loggers and mill workers in Oregon and Washington.

Northwest journalists strike McClatchy papers over use of AI

At The Olympian and other papers, AI repackages reporters’ work.

Amid measles return, union nurses call for vigilance on vaccinations

Continuing a downward trend that began a decade ago, increasing numbers of parents are declining to get their kids vaccinated.

Building for the future

A Local 16 training center expansion doubles as test run for private-sector project labor agreements.

Street named for labor leader Cesar Chavez may come down

Instead of returning to 39th Ave., City Council could change Cesar Chavez Boulevard to Campesinos Boulevard — at a cost of about $200,000.

NO ROAD TO GLORY: Labor leaders rarely get public honors

Once all the Cesar Chavez street signs come down, few streets will remain that honor the contributions of organized labor.

Dark Horse goes union

Prestige doesn’t pay, say workers at popular comics publisher.

Portland City Council staff unionize

The vote was 17 to join CWA Local 7901, 12 to join AFSCME Local 189, and 4 to remain non-union. 

Albertsons/Safeway tops the list of employers with workers on food stamps

The list of food stamp recipients is full of grocery and home care workers.

Study hard, get paid: Floor Coverers Local 1236 rewards training with cash and prizes

The STAR Awards thank members for staying the top-skilled in their industry. 

A labor look at Oregon’s May 2026 primary results

Labor split its picks in multiple Democratic primaries, but came together on county commission races.

Child care help for apprentices

Oregon’s Child Care for Construction program helps apprentices and new journeymen afford childcare while building careers.

Newly reelected, Culver sets sights on jobs and growth for Local 737

Local 737’s roughly 2,900 members work in construction, public works, shipyards, and even manufacturing.

Red Scare, blacklist, and a body: Noir with labor in the crosshairs

Con Lehane’s detective tale is set in postwar New York as mobsters and Communists clash for control of taxi drivers.