August 2, 2024 issue

Boeing workers vote to authorize a strike

The union contract with Boeing expires Sept. 12, at which point an estimated 34,000 workers could strike if they reject a final company offer.

Contracts raise wages for janitors and security guards 

Service Employees International Union Local 49 represents about 800 security guards and 1,400 janitors in the Portland metro area.

AFL-CIO endorses Kamala Harris

The AFL-CIO made the announcement the day after President Joe Biden announced an end to his campaign for re-election.

Oregon Republican signs onto pro-union PRO Act

It’s the latest pro-union stance by swing district Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer, but the PRO Act has little chance of passage.

Full Stack Modular signs union neutrality deal

A Portland factory making modular housing sections in the Swan Island Industrial Area has committed to a union neutrality agreement.

At Oaks Amusement Park, union campaign fizzles

The union vote among amusement ride operators was 4 to 26, and less than half of the 66 workers who were eligible to vote cast ballots.

NLRB says DIY Bar is too small for a union

Workers at the combination craft workshop and bar asked the National Labor Relations Board to hold an election. The NLRB said no.

Vancouver firefighters win ‘battle of the badges’

Vancouver firefighters, police and ambulance medics competed to donate the most blood to American Red Cross.

Shakespeare Festival gets more and more union

Workers at Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland have continued to unionize since the first group of 71 joined IATSE Local 154 in 2015.

Kevin Landreth, union organizer

Everywhere he goes, Kevin Landreth scans for signs of roofers at work. If they’re non-union, he wants to have a word with them. 

Union contract at Apple

An Apple retail store in Towson, Maryland, became the first Apple workers in the United States to reach agreement on a union contract.

Alaska flight attendants vote on new contract 

Average raises total 32% over the three year contract, and AFA says the agreement would make Alaska Airlines the industry leader in pay.

The power of organization

It’s a mistake to think that “union organizing” starts and ends with signing a union card and getting a government agency to certify a union.