July 17, 2026 issue

The Local 48 member challenging a 12-term incumbent

Outraged when his state rep voted against a child labor law, Longview Port Commissioner Evan Jones decided to run.

Portland weighs public cash for Blazers arena upgrade

Billionaire Tom Dundon, head of an investment group that now owns the Portland Trail Blazers, wants taxpayers to pay for renovations to the Moda Center arena. Portland City Council members, organized labor, and the public are split on the idea.

AFL-CIO opposes college sports bill moving in Congress

Under the proposal sponsored by Maria Cantwell and Ted Cruz, college athletes could lose bargaining power.

Homeless nonprofit collapse puts 120 out of work

Portland shelter workers and homeless clients are paying for the misdeeds of nonprofit executives at Sunstone Way.

At Multnomah County, layoffs and more layoffs 

The Labor Press spoke with AFSCME Local 88 President Jackie Tate about the tough budget times ahead. 

Washington Supreme Court rules that live-in caregivers must be paid minimum wage

The 8-1 vote on July 9 ends a decades-long state exemption that allowed employers to pay a flat daily rate averaging less than minimum wage.

Portland measure mandating more police turns in signatures

The initiative would require at least 2 police officers per 1,000 residents, up from 1.2 per 1,000, one of the lowest ratios in the nation.

Union magic: A new union at Wizards of the Coast

The unit consists of workers at the company’s Magic: The Gathering Arena division, including game designers and software engineers.

Oregon Firefighters Council president passes the torch

Karl Koenig is stepping down and is succeed by Kevin Larson of Gresham after a unanimous election at the convention in April.

Layoffs at Oregon Tradeswomen

A budget crisis at the City and County has contributed to a half million dollar hole in Oregon Tradeswomen's $2.1 million annual budget.

Backing the bullfighters: Oregon’s union logo rodeo circuit

Operating Engineers Local 701 is using rodeo sponsorships to raise visibility and inspire new recruits.

Plasterers Local 82 marks 125 years of craft and solidarity

When Local 82 first received its charter on Aug. 23, 1901, Portland was a town of 90,000 with two wooden bridges.

Facelift at Oregon’s House of Labor 

Thanks to construction union apprentices and journeymen from six local unions, the Oregon Labor Center is looking better than ever.

A Union Guide to Washington’s August 2026 primary election

Ballots will be mailed July 17 and should arrive by July 23. No postage is needed but ballots must be postmarked by Aug. 4 to count.

Cake decorators appeal for help with contract

Portland-based Local 114 is calling for the same raises Safeway/Albertsons gave to grocery workers, but thus far the company has declined. 

O’Brien and Zuckerman re-elected at Teamsters

Sean O’Brien was reelected to a second five-year term as general president during the union’s June 15-18 convention in Las Vegas.