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.
National
DOL raises overtime threshold for 4 million salaried workers
Under a new DOL rule, salaried workers who make less than $43,888 a year will qualify for overtime pay effective July 1.
Biden once again touts unions in State of the Union
On March 7, President Joe Biden once again used the widely watched speech as a pulpit to promote labor unions.
Biden announces Postal Board pick: Marty Walsh
Postal unions are applauding President Biden’s new nominee to serve on the Postal Board of Governors: Marty Walsh.
Michigan repeals right-to-work law
It’s the first time a state has ever reversed a right-to-work law, and the repeal leaves 27 right-to-work states.
Bill in Congress could lead to cuts in Social Security
Northwest Democrats Earl Blumenauer and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez back the proposal to create a "fiscal commission" that could fast-track cuts.
Over 650,000 are now homeless in America
The figure includes 256,610 people sleeping outdoors. Homelessness is at its highest level since an annual count began 15 years ago.
Wisconsin unions sue to reverse public employee bargaining restrictions
Now that the state Supreme Court flipped to liberal control, there's a new challenge to a 2011 law that stripped worker bargaining rights.
Biden goes to Belvidere
Wearing a red UAW Local 1268 T-shirt, Joe Biden celebrated UAW's massive strike victory Nov. 9 with a crowd of UAW members in Illinois.
UAW gearing up for historic auto industry strike
With all new leadership and an $825 million strike fund, the union is determined to reverse past concessions.
Abruzzo shows what it’s like to enforce a ‘pro-worker statute’
The NLRB hasn’t had this energetic of an enforcer in more than half a century. Jennifer Abruzzo is refocusing the agency on its founding goal.
National AFL-CIO endorses Biden for re-election
Seventeen months out, it’s the earliest the federation has ever voted to endorse in a presidential election.
US Supreme Court ruling undermines the right to strike
The Supreme Court's Glacier Northwest decision lets some employers sue for damages in strikes where products spoil.
Postal unions to Biden: Stop stalling and fill postal board vacancies
Postal workers have repeatedly protested plans to slow mail, raise prices, close postal facilities, and pave the way for privatization.
Writers strike hits TV and film
Writers Guild of America unanimously called the strike after 6 weeks bargaining with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
Starbucks coming under pressure
The union-busting coffee giant sees a strike wave, an adverse legal ruling, and its leader hauled before a Senate Committee.
Michigan repeals ‘right-to-work’ and restores prevailing wage
Democratic majorities voted to repeal a “right-to-work” law that GOP legislators passed in 2012, and restore the state prevailing wage law.
Biden vetoes bill targeting shareholder activism
Republicans wanted to overturn a rule allowing ESG (environmental, social, and governance) investments in pensions.
Minor League salaries double in first union contract
Minor League Baseball players unionized in September. And by the end of March, they had their first-ever collective bargaining agreement.
Renamed PRO Act introduced in Congress
Democrats in Congress have signed onto the PRO Act, a bill to make it easier to unionize. Republicans have not.
Biden nominates Julie Su to be Secretary of Labor
If confirmed by the Senate, she would replace Marty Walsh, who is leaving to become head of the National Hockey League Players’ Association.