August 7, 2026 issue

Daimler to close Portland truck plant

For 387 workers and their families, the news landed like a sucker punch. Daimler is closing its Portland truck plant effective Oct. 30. 

Oregon and Washington sue Hegseth’s Pentagon over refusal to approve wind turbines

The war on windmills is no joke. Oregon building trades unions are preparing to support the lawsuit.

New federal law will limit investor-bought homes

The new law will also promote pre-reviewed housing designs and eliminate a requirement that manufactured homes have a permanent chassis. 

Washington labor backs construction jobs, farmworker rights, and a public sector right to strike

Washington State Labor Council’s annual convention also honored labor heroes.

New contract at five Northwest newspapers draws a line on AI

The new contract with McClatchy Media improves wages and bans AI fakery.

A new aristocracy of wealth? 

Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (D-Oregon) floated a wealth tax at a recent conversation with Indivisible Oregon.

Jobs is the message when Senator Merkley visits trades

Leaders of Oregon Building Trades Unions pressed the senator on the need for major projects to get moving soon.

More homeless shelter layoffs

Do Good Multnomah is implementing its fourth round of layoffs in a year, even as the the number of homeless on Portland streets increases.

Portland police staffing initiative falls short

City elections officials disqualified 498 signature sheets for reasons like sloppy circulator signatures or dates having been overwritten.

Oregon wealth tax initiative campaign stalls

The prospective initiative proposed a tax of 2% a year on the assets of Oregon taxpayers who have $30 million or more in net worth.

Initiative campaign for ‘just cause’ fails again

The initiative's chief petitioner says the campaign is ongoing and will next aim at the November 2028 ballot. 

More workers join union at the Portland Japanese Garden

Management said no to miso soup and rice. Now Brad Avakian is at the table. 

Open letter about JH Kelly

A great construction company is built by more than the people in the field.

It’s time for just-cause employment 

The current default, at-will employment, undermines labor protections, while making workers more financially insecure.

Verna Porter 1935-2026

A member of Oregon Nurses Association, Porter was an outspoken advocate for seniors and led the Oregon Alliance for Retired Americans.