Our Jobs

Officials turn out to highlight jobs on TriMet Milwaukie light rail project

TriMet says the $1.5 billion project will create up to 14,500 jobs by its September 2015 finish.

Workers slam planned cuts to Portland roads and parks

Laborers Local 483 members turn out for a protest near Legacy hospital.

Troutdale City Council gets earful from IBEW Local 48 members

The contract for a new police station went to an out-of-state, nonunion electrical contractor.

Crown Cork & Seal shuts Portland can plant

The St. Johns facility was the last Oregon manufacturer of cans.

Last call at the Guild Public House

The short-lived, briefly-union bar closed its doors Oct. 29.

Daimler Portland adds union jobs

It seems the union workforce at Portland’s former Freightliner truck plant is competitive after all.

3,000 union jobs at Kaiser’s new Westside hospital

Kaiser's new hospital in Hillsboro is being constructed all-union, and will operate union too.

Oregon Legislature passes unemployment extension

Two bills signed March 24 will extend unemployment benefits to Oregonians still looking for work.

High school students get lessons in pipe trades at UA training center

Plumbers and Fitters Local 290 has opened its training center to students from the Tigard-Tualatin School District.

Hundreds rally in Salem for jobs and solidarity

Oregon AFL-CIO sponsored a March 7 “Jobs Rally” on the Oregon Capitol steps

Danner Boot lays off 90

Most of those let go were members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555.

Postal workers, customers testify before Workers’ Rights Board

A Workers’ Rights Board panel recommended the U.S. Postal Service hire more letter carriers and clerks.

Union pension fund invests $22M in Coquille hospital

AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust is investing $22 million to construct a building adjacent to Coquille Valley Hospital.

Pre-apprentice program offers direct entry into Carpenters

The Constructing Hope Pre-Apprenticeship Program held a graduation ceremony for 13 trainees Dec. 2 at the Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute. Constructing Hope, a faith-based non-profit, recruits ex-offenders, minorities, and low-income residents for free training to build skills and knowledge of the construction industry.

Portland Public Schools $548 million bond could put trades union members to work

Portland Public Schools may ask district voters in May to approve $548 million in bonds to upgrade school buildings. Work would begin summer 2011 if voters approve the bond issue.

Silver Eagle to lay off 55 Machinists

Portland-based Silver Eagle Manufacturing Co. will lay off 55 workers — members of Machinists Lodge 1005 — starting Dec. 17. Employment peaked at 134 bargaining unit members this year. The workers average $14 to $15 per hour, plus benefits.

Saturday mail delivery to continue — for now

Earlier this year, the U.S. postmaster general proposed eliminating mail delivery on Saturdays, but so far, Congress isn’t going along with it.

Big Pipe project wraps up ahead of schedule

Rosie, the 530-ton tunnel boring machine, has finished tunneling on the East Side Big Pipe project, the largest public infrastructure project in Portland’s history. At its peak, more than 100 members of Laborers Local 320, and 150 members of Operating Engineers Local 701 worked on the project.

Back to work: Intel to spend nearly $4 billion to build Hillsboro fab

Microchip giant Intel’s announcement Oct. 19 that it will build a brand new development fabrication plant at its Ronler Acres Campus in Hillsboro was music to the ears of construction union officials. Intel said as many as 6,000 construction jobs will be created.

DeFazio tells Building Trades: More infrastructure investment needed

At the Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council convention in Roseburg, U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio asked for labor’s help making the case that more public investment is needed to pull the country out of the Great Recession.

VIEW RECENT ISSUES