Local

New Labor PAC forms in Portland

Working for a Better Portland PAC will advocate for pro-worker candidates for Portland’s new 12-seat City Council.

Laborers 737 pulls its backing of Rubio for Portland mayor

The union's political director says her record of unpaid parking tickets and other infractions was ‘beyond the pale.’

Portland police union ballot initiatives won’t move forward

Initiatives sponsored by Portland Police Association to hire more officers and overhaul a new police oversight board won’t be on the ballot. 

Decision point for Multnomah County

At a moment of crisis, two competitive races will decide the direction of Multnomah County, Oregon’s most populous. 

Portland police union files initiative petitions

One of the potential initiatives would undo features of the police accountability measure voters approved in 2020.

Election results: Mostly wins for labor-backed candidates in SW Washington

The Southwest Washington Central Labor Council saw three of its four endorsed candidates win in Washington’s Nov. 7 election.

Vancouver candidate uses fake union bug

Russell Brent, a candidate for Port of Vancouver commissioner, made a big blunder with a tiny logo.

Union Voter Guide to the SW Washington Election

Washington's Nov. 7 general election covers local races for school board, city council, and special districts.

Union officer launches run for Portland City Council

Housing Bureau employee Chris Flanary, a member of AFSCME Local 189, is one of the first to file for the all-new Portland City Council.

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.

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.

Nurse union asks district attorney to prosecute Providence for wage theft

Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt says he’s ready to prosecute employers who commit wage theft. Oregon Nurses Association has one in mind.

Portland Clean Energy Fund adds exemption to wage requirement

The voter-approved measure promised to pay workers at least 180% of the state’s minimum wage. So why does a new amendment weaken the wage standards?

AFSCME says Meieran threatened retaliation after non-endorsement

A Multnomah County Commissioner took it very badly when county workers union AFSCME Local 88 backed her opponent.

Study finds Portland Fire Bureau is understaffed

If Portland wants 4-minute response times, it will need more fire bureau staff, according to a recent report.

Portland auditor examines Fire Bureau, again

Fire Fighters Local 43 says the audit is narrow in focus, uses four-year-old data and ignores progress that has been made since then.

A Union Guide to Washington’s August 2022 primary

This union-focused ballot guide for Southwest Washington keeps it simple: It only lists candidates who have at least one union endorsement.

County ballot measure would provide lawyers to tenants facing eviction

Tenants rights advocates are petitioning for a Multnomah County initiative to provide free legal representation for tenants facing eviction.

Unions split over Jo Ann Hardesty for Portland City Council, but most are backing her challenger Vadim Mozyrsky

Half the unions that backed Jo Ann Hardesty for Portland City Council four years ago are now endorsing her challenger, Vadim Mozyrsky.

Labor backs JVP, Meieran for Multnomah County Chair

In the race for the top Multnomah County elected seat, all eyes are on the most visible crisis facing the county: homelessness.