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.
Portland
Facing $93M deficit, city unions push alternatives to job cuts
Leaders of seven labor organizations visited Portland City Councilors and Mayor Keith Wilson’s offices to discuss how to avoid layoffs.
New city council sets new tone for city unions
The previous city council had rubber stamped an aggressive stance by city attorneys who threatened legal action after "practice pickets."
Portland City Council sets up labor committeeÂ
Headed by labor ally Loretta Smith, the Labor and Workforce Development Committee will be one of eight policy committees.
Labor Council launches website for union-backed candidates
The group is a joint labor effort led by the Northwest Oregon Labor Council and backed by 18 organizations in all.
Portland City Council candidates spurn Portland police union
At least 14 candidates running for Portland City Council this year signed a pledge not to take contributions from police unions.
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.Â
Portland police union files initiative petitions
One of the potential initiatives would undo features of the police accountability measure voters approved in 2020.
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.
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?
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.
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.
Building Trades Council backs Hardesty challenger Vadim Mozyrsky
The council, which represents 27 construction union locals and about 20,000 Portland-area union members, voted on the endorsement Feb. 22.
Exit interview: Amanda Fritz
Amanda Fritz, a former psychiatric nurse and member of Oregon Nurses Association, talks about her 12 years at Portland City Council.
Collective bereavement?
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler gives all city workers 40 hours paid bereavement leave, to grieve 400 years of oppression.
Runoff: Loretta Smith endorsed by Northwest Oregon Labor Council
Smith faces former school board member Dan Ryan in the Aug. 11 runoff election for the vacant Portland City Council position held by the late Nick Fish.
AFL-CIO forum brings Portland City hall contenders to union hall
Three months before the election, 12 candidates pitched themselves to 180 unionists.
