WANTED: LABOR REPORTER

The Northwest Labor Press is looking for a skilled and hard-working writer to report on the labor movement and issues that matter to working people.

THE PUBLICATION 

The Northwest Labor Press, an independent union-supported regional newspaper, goes out twice a month in print to about 45,000 union households in Oregon and Southwest Washington. There are very few other publications like it. Founded in 1900 by a consortium of trade unions, it’s one of America’s oldest labor movement newspapers.

THE BEAT 

The New York Times says labor has become the new hot news beat. Having reported on organized labor for 124 years, we’re delighted to hear it. Our approach is to focus on the local labor movement in our readership area, including efforts to unionize workplaces, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, and wage political and electoral campaigns. We report on city, county, state, and federal politics and government as they relate to unions and working people. We write about the government agencies that are responsible for protecting workers’ rights, safety, and retirement security. We cover policy issues like trade, health care, retirement, and workplace safety. We write about the internal life of unions, including elections of union officers. We publicize union-made goods and services. We cover union volunteer and charitable activities, apprenticeship training, and  labor history. Lastly, we publish profiles and obituaries celebrating the work and achievements of individual union members and union leaders.

PAY AND BENEFITS

This is a union-represented position with competitive wages and unmatched benefits. We’re looking to hire for a full-time position, but part-time is also an option for applicants who prefer that.

WAGES: The starting rate is $29.04 an hour, with six scheduled increases over the first two years increasing to over $32 an hour. For a full-time position, based on the expectation of a 35-hour work week, that works out to $53,000 in year one, rising to over $58,000 in year three, with annual raises thereafter. 

BENEFITS:

• Health insurance Benefits cover the employee, plus spouse and children at no extra charge. Coverage includes pharmaceutical, dental and vision benefits. Employee share of the premium is currently $132 a month.
• Retirement Employer contributes an automatic $3.60 an hour to a 401(k) retirement savings plan. In addition, employees who stay five years become vested in a traditional defined benefit pension that offers a federally-guaranteed inflation-adjusted monthly payout for life once the employee reaches retirement age.
• Paid time off  13 paid holidays, 12 days accrued paid sick leave, and 2 weeks of paid vacation (rising eventually to five weeks) each year.
• Part time option Part-time employees still receive the retirement benefits and pro-rated paid time off, just not the health benefit.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Minimum requirements: Ability to interview and write quickly and accurately, meet deadlines, and accept edits. No specialized knowledge about unions is required, but for the job to be a good fit, applicants should have an affinity for the goals of the labor movement—economic justice, safety, security, and dignity for all working people.

Location: Working from home is an option, but the reporter will need to live in the Portland metro area.

Hire and start date: Applications are being accepted now. The position will be considered open until filled and can start any time.

HOW TO APPLY

Send a cover letter, résumé, and three writing samples via link or attachment to [email protected].