Labor History Archives - nwLaborPress

104 years later, Centralia IWW fight continues

Nov 2, 2023

Whether the American Legion or Industrial Workers of the World was to blame for a 1919 gun battle is still in dispute.

Springfield plans public celebration unveiling new labor mural

Aug 24, 2023

A failed campaign to save a Springfield labor history mural ended up spawning a successful campaign for a new one.

When collective begging turned to collective bargaining

Jul 21, 2023

The union rights Oregon public employees have today were won because workers struck in the lead up to a landmark bill in 1973.

When Vancouver teachers went to jail for striking

May 17, 2023

Return to work or go to jail. That was the ultimatum a judge gave teachers at Evergreen School District 50 years ago this month.

When the Labor Press battled the Klan

Jan 4, 2023

Here’s the story of how this newspaper led a gutsy crusade against the hate group a century ago—then abruptly fell silent while the Klan rose to power.

Labor History

A new self-guided tour of Portland Labor History

Nov 30, 2022

It includes Francis Murnane Memorial Wharf, a public memorial to a longshore union leader; a labor history mural at PCC Sylvania; and more.

SEIU Local 49 celebrates 100 years

Nov 30, 2022

The union’s history began in Portland’s performance venues in 1922, when theater and dance hall janitors decided to improve their working conditions.

Solidarity Forever

Sep 2, 2022

In honor of Labor Day, the Labor Press commissioned artist Jim Kettner to produce a graphic look at labor’s anthem, and the man who wrote it.

A forgotten strike

Aug 26, 2022

105 years ago, well before any law recognized union rights, a paper mill strike spread like a match to paper across Oregon and Washington.

They believed in what they believed in

Jul 13, 2022

The example set by Bunny Kuiken reminds us that the immigrant working class is an integral part of our history.