June 6, 2025 - NW Labor Press

June 6, 2025 issue

Vigor shipyard workers ratify new contract

The new agreement raises compensation $5.14 an hour over three years. But the road to ratification was rocky.

White House targets Women’s Bureau for elimination

A little-known federal agency has supported working women for 105 years. Now the Trump administration wants to shut it down.

Judge blocks Oregon’s cannabis labor neutrality law

Voters backed the November 2024 ballot measure by 56%. But Judge Michael Simon ruled that it violates employers’ First Amendment rights.

New law takes aim at wage theft in construction

The Oregon Legislature approved a bill that makes prime contractors and property owners liable when a subcontractor doesn’t pay its employees.

Lawmakers strengthen public employee union law, adding fines for employer violations

Public employers will face fines if they fail to send dues deducted from member’s paychecks or share the lists of represented employees.

Garment workers confront Nike over wages

When three Indonesian factory workers visited Nike’s downtown Portland store May 27, they recognized parts of shoes that they cut or stitched.

Solidarity in Song: Portland musicians jam as they dream of fairer pay and better working conditions

The Freelance Musicians Guild hosts monthly “Solidarity Jams” to draw in musicians with something more enticing than a regular union meeting.

New City of Portland union gets first agreement after strike vote and mediation marathon

City of Portland Professional Workers unionized in June 2023 and had been in bargaining for well over a year.

City of Vancouver workers cut health costs and reclaim lost benefits in new union deal

OPEIU Local 11 represents 175 parking enforcement officers, construction inspectors, accountants, customer service representatives and others.

Albertsons set to close Bridlemile store

A Portland Albertsons will close July 1, resulting in layoffs for workers represented by UFCW Local 555 and Bakers Local 114.

NOLC dinner recognizes local labor movement heroes

IBEW Local 48, a Teamster bargaining team, and union veterans were among honorees at the Northwest Oregon Council's annual awards dinner.

2025 Oregon Tradeswomen Career Fair

More than 2,000 potential trades workers visited the NECA-IBEW training center May 16 and 17 for Oregon Tradeswomen’s 30th annual career fair.

Machinists march to support veterans

A Memorial Day walk raised money for nonprofit Do Good Multnomah to build a new clean-and-sober veterans shelter in North Portland.

A Local 49 roofer at the top of his trade

Jose Parra Pineda, a fourth-year apprentice in Roofers Local 49, took first place in a national apprentice competition May 13-15 in Minnesota.

Making cuts isn’t leadership. Reforming revenue is.

The status quo in Oregon is that the state is unable to robustly fund essential services. Now is the time to address revenue reform.