Northwest Labor Press is an independent union-supported newspaper founded in 1900. Our print version is mailed twice a month to about 45,000 members of over three dozen local unions in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Our online version has been maintained here since 1997.
Training the Next Generation
“Earn while you learn.” It’s one of the untold stories of the labor movement: State-of-the-art union apprenticeship programs turn out some of the best-trained workers anywhere. And instead of graduating in debt and with uncertain prospects for work, journeymen trades workers have a direct line to a career with good pay, benefits, and job satisfaction. In this section we report on those union training programs.
Idaho Laborers boom as Micron buildout takes off
Fueled by a massive semiconductor manufacturing buildout, Laborers Local 155 has nearly doubled its membership over three years.
Local 49 once again takes ‘Best in West’ roofing title
For the third time in four years, a Roofers Local 49 apprentice took first place at the regional skills competition.
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.
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.
Building for the future
A Local 16 training center expansion doubles as test run for private-sector project labor agreements.
Study hard, get paid: Floor Coverers Local 1236 rewards training with cash and prizes
The STAR Awards thank members for staying the top-skilled in their industry.
A Roofers Local 49 apprentice is the best in the West … again
Held in Livermore, California, the competition showcased skills in roofing, plus a math test, tool identification and safety test.
Local 16 says NW College of Construction flouts state law
‘Employee’ reps in non-union apprenticeships feel like an episode of ‘Undercover Boss’ as portrayed in a complaint to the State of Oregon.
Burger, not Gandarilla, will serve on apprenticeship council
Iris Gandarilla's nomination was since withdrawn because she no longer works for the union training center.
Apprentices test drive 85-ton crane in heavy equipment rodeo
Excavator, forklift, skid steer, backhoe, and crane operating skills were put to the test Sept. 13 at the Local 701 training center.
Chavez-DeRemer reboots women apprentice program
As recently as May, the Department of Labor was canceling existing grants in the Women in Apprenticeship program.
Applicant spots fill overnight at elevator workers union
With 750 apprentice applications submitted in less than 36 hours, Elevator Constructors Local 23 hit its recruitment limit in record time.
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.
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.
Champion apprentices
Bricklayers Local 1 apprentices gathered for a friendly skills competition judged by members of the joint apprenticeship training committee.
Ambassadors for the electric trade
To recruit the next generation, IBEW Local 48 enlists members in a program of outreach.
Roofers compete
An apprentice member of Roofers Local 49 is advancing to the national championship.
Celebrating the launch of their careers
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades’ Regional Training Center in Portland honors a new class of graduating journeymen.
Glaziers 740 opens new training center
The new Estacada facility has been in the works for more than 15 years, as members have gradually raised enough to fund the project.
Women on the Rise
Oregon Tradeswomen — a nonprofit that recruits and prepares women for careers in the trades — held its annual Build With Us gala Sept. 13.
