July 3, 2026 issue

Roofers win contract increases totaling $10.28

The first-year increase brought the hourly wage for a journeyman roofer to $47.01 an hour plus $23.83 an hour for fringe benefits. 

Is inflation back?

The inflation rate reached 4.2% for May, the highest since April 2023, according to the latest Consumer Price Index report.

Trump DOL moves to allow crypto in 401(k)s

Up to now, federal regulation has largely kept the riskiest kinds of investments out of your 401(k). That could be about to change. 

New rule could add to union paperwork burden

Most unions already fill out a 26-page disclosure form annually. Trump’s acting labor secretary wants more.

Seattle hotel strike during World Cup

Represented by UNITE HERE Local 8, 117 front desk, housekeeping, and food and beverage workers at Embassy Suites by Hilton walked out June 18.

Surge of interest in the skilled trades among women

Oregon Tradeswomen, a nonprofit that prepares women to enter construction and other skilled trades, is seeing a big increase in interest.

Machinists/Woodworkers retirees chapter is back

The plan for the relaunched group is not just to swap old war stories but to remain in the fight.

Childcare center goes union

Management at The Children’s Garden played ‘gotcha’ and placed a union supporter on indefinite administrative leave for a dubious offense.

Union at United Cerebral Palsy Association

The unit includes 41 workers at the non-profit, which supports adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Grand Canyon: Now union

National Park Service workers in eight Western states voted to be represented by National Treasury Employees Union.

Dayton workers unionize 

A unit of six city employees in tiny Dayton, population 2,700, joined OPEIU Local 11.

UAW divests from Israel

A convention resolution calls out Israel for killing at least 70,000 Palestinians and says no UAW funds may be invested in Israel bonds. 

Union treasurer accused of embezzling

The treasurer of Clackamas County Employees’ Association was also placed on administrative leave from his job at the county.

Local Labor Honors

The Northwest Oregon Labor Council's top honors this year went to Kien Truong, a 29-year-old Vietnamese immigrant.

Good times for the ultra-rich

The number of individuals with a net worth of $30 million or more jumped by 14.4% in 2025, the biggest jump since 2017.

This is what democracy looks like

A thousand unionists gathered in Minneapolis for the AFL-CIO's 30th Constitutional Convention, and came home ready for action to build power.

Protect college athletes, not the power brokers

The Protect College Sports Act, now before the Senate, would open the door to private equity investment in college athletics.