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
TriMet starting pay jumps 48% in a year
Amid a severe bus driver shortage, starting pay jumped from $17 to $25.24. Plus a $7,500 sign-on bonus. These are union jobs with benefits.
Biden in Portland: ‘Union workers are the best’
During a brief visit to Portland, President Joe Biden said union workers and apprenticeships will be vital in rebuilding U.S. infrastructure.
Metro jurisdictions ratify high-road commitments
The Regional Workforce Equity Agreement, which was led by local building trades union reps, will lead to dozens of project labor agreements.
Behind the badge, police support staff face backlog and burnout
AFSCME’s Portland Police chapter chair says understaffing is causing delays retrieving towed cars or getting police reports for insurance.
From workers to business owners, but union all the way
They spent years working on pipelines. Now they deploy water trucks to wind and solar farms and areas with wildfires.
KGW-TV is being sold to a hedge fund … and that could be okay for workers
Media giant Tegna Inc. is being acquired by the New York based hedge fund Standard General for $5.4 billion.
Amazon shuts out union workers in Woodburn
Local building trade unions have been picketing the colossal construction site to protest out-of-state contractors and subpar wages.
Local 82: Bringing beauty to the halls of justice
In a major renovation of the Oregon Supreme Court, union plasterers are retaining the building’s historic character.
Metro votes 6-1 to move forward on I-5 Bridge Replacement
Building trades leaders were steamed when Metro commissioner Mary Nolan voted "no" on funding for a bridge over the Columbia River.
A “SMART” business decision
By signing with SMART Local 16, Clint Ochampaugh gets access to the highest-skilled employees in the industry through its hiring hall.
Eugene School District commits to use high-road construction contractors
Eugene 4J is the first Oregon school district to commit to lift worker standards and set a goal for more women and minorities in construction.
End of the line for Jordan Cove
Pembina pulls the plug on a proposed natural gas pipeline and export terminal in Coos Bay.
Time to remove the Postmaster General
DeJoy’s 10-year plan is slowing the mail, raising prices, cutting and closing postal facilities, and outsourcing postal work.
Construction unions say Portland’s proposed polluter tax is a bad idea
A business group says the $250 per ton tax on industrial enterprises that emit pollutants would unfairly target industry, and threaten jobs.
Massive infrastructure and jobs bill becomes law
The new law spends $1.2 trillion over five years to upgrade bridges, highways, rail, transit, ports, airports, water systems, and more.
Will Portland’s plan for high-road jobs survive the pullout of Broadway Corridor developer?
Unions and community groups want to know if a landmark agreement on the massive Broadway Corridor redevelopment project still stands.
Labor rallies against Postal Service slowdowns, calls for DeJoy’s ouster
The Postmaster’s new 10-year plan will slow First Class and parcel deliveries, raise prices, close post offices, and outsource postal work.
As USPS turns 246, unions vow to keep it going
The first postmaster general, Ben Franklin (played by Letter Carriers Branch 82 retiree Dave Medford), enjoys a bite of birthday cake at the East Portland Post Office July 26 where union and community members celebrated the 246th birthday of the U.S. Postal Service.
Freightliner comes home
Daimler will make its next-generation electric Freightliner trucks in Portland, where Freightliner began … and raise starting pay $4 an hour.
Management bloat: At Clark College, more administrators, fewer staff
Clark College faculty won big gains in a January 2020 strike, but staff and budget cuts have continued.
