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.
Jobs
Unions don’t just fight for workers on the job. They also fight to secure jobs in the first place. They look for ways to protect workers from job loss due to mergers, outsourcing, and new technologies. And they do what they can to help workers in the event of layoff.
Can Portland green the grid without cutting trees?
A union-backed PGE project to improve the electrical grid is facing environmental pushback in Forest Park.
Judge tosses Biden order on project labor agreements
So far, President Trump has left in place the Biden order requiring PLAs on federal construction projects.
Vigor to shut down former Oregon Iron Works
When Vigor shutters its fabrication ops later this year, 100 ironworkers, boilermakers, and electricians will lose their jobs.
Kotek: Oregon will use project labor agreements, period
Oregon's governor is directing all state agencies, when they do construction, to require contractors to commit to using union labor.
Kroger-Albertsons merger collapses
Kroger’s costly effort to buy Albertsons fell apart when not one but two judges blocked the grocery merger. Now Albertsons is suing Kroger.
Anheuser-Busch moves to close Elysian Brewing
The closure comes after brewery workers there unionized and spent a year trying to negotiate a first contract.
Oregon Supreme Court hears AGC suit against project labor agreements
The lawsuit is one of a handful around the country that are challenging agreements that public agencies make with construction unions.
Boeing lays off 3,500
This batch of layoffs is just the first. Boeing announced in October that it would lay off 17,000 employees, 10% of its global workforce.Â
Dennis Uniform shuts down nationwide
Founded in Portland in 1920, Dennis Uniform eventually grew to become the largest school uniform supplier in the United States.
Billions in Boise for construction
A federally subsidized semiconductor project is expected to create 4,500 jobs during construction and 2,000 permanent jobs in a decade.
PSU announces faculty layoffs
More than 7.5% of PSU-AAUP members got layoff notices. Under the union contract, workers must receive at least eight months advance notice.
Kroger/Albertsons merger on trial
Kroger and Albertsons are the big fish that swallowed up almost all other grocery competitors. Now Kroger proposes to swallow Albertsons.
Stores Kroger and Albertsons plan to unload
Is your local grocery store one of the ones Kroger wants to sell to wholesaler C&S if the merger goes through? Check out the complete list.
PDX Next
Union labor delivered a project that will solidify Portland International Airport's renown as America’s best. Â
Multnomah County cuts a deal with AMRÂ
AMR says its slow response times are because it’s hard to find and keep paramedics. Multnomah County is going to make it easier for them.
Unionized childcare shuts down after paychecks bounce
The owner stopped paying bills, leaving 16 teachers without final paychecks and around 50 families scrambling to find childcare.
Kroger-Albertsons merger about to hit headwinds
The merger will have to get past four separate judges in the next two months. There are signs that investors don't think it will happen.
OHSU unions slam layoffsÂ
Publicly owned OHSU is laying off 400 workers even as it plans a $1 billion acquisition of Legacy and pours cash into executive compensation.
Fighting for Keller jobs
Members of entertainment unions tell Portland City Council a closure for renovation could devastate arts jobs.Â
Oregon governor proclaims Lineman Appreciation Day
July 10, 1886 is the day electric lineman Henry Miller — IBEW’s first president — was fatally injured while working to restore power.
