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.
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New Multnomah County Courthouse: Built by union labor
The four-year, $324.5 million project both set and met goals for the participation of women and minority workers and contractors.
New Pearl District neighborhood: union-built
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler called it one of the most complex and ambitious development projects the City has ever taken on.
Library reduces number of planned layoffs
After weeks of organized public outcry and behind-the-scenes union lobbying, Multnomah County Library averted most layoffs announced in July.
New Beaverton arts center tops out
The $51 million 43,000-square-foot complex will feature a 550-seat performance venue, an art gallery, meeting rooms, and a showcase plaza.
Former USPS site will be a model of high-road development
Portland City Council is scheduled to vote Sept. 23 on an agreement that will ensure years of employment for union construction trades workers and enhanced opportunities in construction for women and minorities.
Budget’s fine, but library layoffs loom
Multnomah County Library is about to lay off one sixth of its workforce, even though its budget is under no threat.
Breakthrough on community benefits agreement for Broadway Corridor
The 12-block public-private project on the former post office site will use union labor.
Furloughed workers tighten belts waiting for WorkShare benefits
It seemed like a win-win when unions approved the furloughs, but Workshare benefits promised by the Oregon Employment Department have been slow to arrive.
Union-community coalition asks City Council to break impasse over labor standards for Broadway Corridor
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty will meet July 20 with the developer and the coalition to see if the impasse can be broken.
Union sours on Scottie’s Pizza
COVID forced the union pizzeria to close. Now laid-off union workers fault owner Scottie Rivera for reopening with a skeleton crew.
National day of action to save USPS
Portland supporters rally and march over the Hawthorne Bridge.
Rat visits PGE
Portland General Electric’s new lineman training facility is being constructed at least in part by nonunion labor.
Roadblock in the Broadway Corridor?
A deal on a community benefits agreement is held up over equity for construction workers.
Unions: Vote by mail now more than ever
The push for national vote-by-mail is timelier than ever in the midst of a pandemic, but postal union leaders say it won’t matter much if the U.S. Postal Service isn’t around.
How to get unemployment benefits while you’re still employed
Up to 10,000 Portland-area workers are getting paid more while working less thanks to a layoff prevention program.
Mask-wearing supporters call on Congress to rescue USPS
The COVID-19 crisis has caused a 30% drop in mail volume. The Postmaster General says USPS will run out of money by September.
Mondelēz pays $33,493 to settle grievance over outsourcing Machinists work
The settlement ends a two-year battle over subcontracting work on a Portland bakery production line that makes Ritz crackers.
Back to work at Daimler
Daimler Trucks North America reopened its Swan Island Western Star truck plant April 20 with lots of measures in place to prevent COVID-19 virus.
No low-road employers in PERS new ‘responsible contractor’ policy
Only contractors that provide fair wages and benefits can bid on construction and janitorial work when the pension owns majority.
IATSE 488 faces near total job loss
Several hundred Oregon members of IATSE Local 488 were already facing a scarcity of work. COVID-19 made matters worse, shutting down projects statewide by mid-March.
