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
Hillsboro hospital outsources housekeeping and food service
More than 50 housekeepers and food service workers are being offered jobs at a contractor, Compass One Healthcare. They may be better off.
Out of nowhere, Portland budgets for staff and service cuts
Mayor Ted Wheeler had second thoughts about his own budget proposal. City unions say his last-minute changes will lead to layoffs.
Low pay causing problems recruiting and retaining state workers
There are now nearly 9,000 vacancies across state agencies in Oregon, and 9% of budgeted positions are currently vacant.
Locals snubbed for nuclear work
Almost 50 union boilermakers in Washington are losing work because managers at a nuclear energy facility hired an out-of-state contractor.
Union Craftsmanship
Harver Company earned triple honors for the work done by members of Plasterers Local 82 on the Oregon Supreme Court building.
Washington County picks AMR, dumps nonunion ambulance firm
County commissioners voted Feb. 21 to end a decades-long relationship with MetroWest and go with American Medical Response starting July 1.
Eugene bans natural gas in new house construction
Building trades union officials from UA Local 290 and Operating Engineers Local 701 were among those testifying against the ordinance.
Broadway Corridor talks revive with new developers
Unions helped negotiate a landmark community benefits agreement ensuring the project would create high-road jobs, before the last developer pulled out.
Albertsons’ $4 billion dividend moves forward
Attorneys general are concerned the dividend could cripple Albertsons at the same time regulators are evaluating the company's proposed merger with Kroger.
Proposed $10 billion hydrogen project commits to use union labor
Oregon and Washington building trades councils are backing plans by Obsidian Renewables to produce, store and transport hydrogen in the Pacific Northwest.
Metro privatizes AV at Oregon Convention Center
On Dec. 18, a week before Christmas, all seven part-time AV technicians at the publicly-owned event space were laid off.
Washington County could pick a union ambulance firm
For the first time in decades, American Medical Response (AMR) has a chance to outbid anti-union Metro West.
Cities look at banning natural gas
A handful of unions say prohibiting natural gas in new construction is bad for workers, for energy diversity and for cost.
Washington sues to stop Albertsons’ $4 billion dividend
Unions representing grocery workers say the outsized payout could destroy the nation’s number two grocery chain.
Airlines plagued by delays, canceled flights
Airlines have faced growing criticism for a surge in flight delays and cancellations, and failure to refund customers.
Metro pushes to privatize Convention Center AV department
The Metro regional government wants to contract out audio/visual jobs at the Oregon Convention Center - jobs that are currently held by union workers.
Portland steel foundry to close
Columbia Steel Casting Co. is permanently closing this fall after 121 years of operation, leaving 225 workers without jobs.
Portland uniform maker will lay off union workers
Dennis Uniform is moving some of its operations to Texas, leaving 71 Oregon workers - including UFCW Local 555 members - without a job.
Toxic Work Environment
You name it, AFSCME-represented hazardous waste workers handle it. The job combines science, a strong stomach and a whole lot of caution.
Raising the roof
Union members are getting experience with mass timber at Portland International Airport's new terminal roof.
