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
American Rescue
Signed into law March 11, a year after COVID was declared a pandemic, the $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill took effect almost immediately.
How the COVID relief bill saves union pensions
The just-passed COVID relief bill will rescue and restore over 100 declining union pension plans.
House re-passes the PRO Act
The U.S. House passed the PRO Act—labor’s top priority—March 9. Five Republicans joined all but one Democrat voting yes.
A message from the president
With Amazon warehouse workers in Alabama voting on a union this month, Joe Biden speaks out: Unions built the middle class, not Wall Street.
Biden calls union leaders to the White House
Continuing a string of overtures to the labor movement, Biden announced a pro-union NLRB nominee and reversed Trump moves on apprenticeship.
A fix for America’s broken labor law
Congress may soon consider the most game-changing pro-union legislation in 80 years. The PRO Act would restore workers’ right to unionize.
New NLRB acting attorney backs off lawsuit against Scabby the Rat
The previous general counsel, a management-side labor lawyer appointed by Trump, tried to muzzle Scabby the Rat as soon as he took office.
COVID relief bill could save distressed union pensions
Congress' latest COVID relief bill would also shore up declining union-sponsored multi-employer pensions and restore pension benefits.
Biden moves fast on pro-labor agenda
Two weeks in, Joe Biden is showing signs he may make good on his election eve pledge to be “the most pro-union President you’ve ever seen.”
Questions for Senator Merkley
With Democrats now in charge of the Senate, Oregon’s Jeff Merkley could help pass major pro-worker legislation. We spoke by phone Jan. 28.
Biden names former union leader as nominee for labor secretary
If confirmed by the newly-seated Democratic Senate, Marty Walsh would be the first union member to serve as labor secretary since 1977.
New COVID relief bill passes Congress, signed by president
A new round of aid is headed to jobless workers, struggling businesses and to people who are doing just fine.
Four years of Trump: The record speaks for itself
He pledged to rewrite NAFTA, invest $1 trillion in infrastructure, and slash taxes for the rich. Now there's a 4-year record to judge him by.
Platforms show parties increasingly divided on unions
The GOP, particularly at the national level, has become explicitly anti-union. Meanwhile, Democrats are returning to more pro-union stances.
Joe Biden’s promises to labor
Joe Biden is putting forward the most pro-labor campaign planks of any Democratic presidential nominee in generations.
Wyden at protest: Save the U.S. Postal Service
Aug. 22 saw demonstrations in support of the U.S. Postal Service at hundreds of post offices around the country.
Congress to debate further COVID relief
A months-long impasse over a next round of COVID relief is threatening workers, businesses, state and local governments, and the U.S. Postal Service.
Labor confronts police brutality
Union members are taking part in protests, joining morning-after cleanup parties, and even walking off the job in support of Black Lives Matter.
National union statements on the George Floyd killing and protests
Many national unions and union leaders have issued statements on the police killing of George Floyd and the nationwide protests in response. Here are some of them.
Jeff Merkley talks COVID-19
The U.S. Senator says even the $2 trillion package Congress just passed won't be enough to deal with the economic implosion.
