WANTED: Labor Reporter

The Northwest Labor Press is looking for a talented and productive journalist to report on the labor movement and issues that matter to working people.

THE PUBLICATION 

We’re an independent non-profit regional newspaper that is supported by local labor unions. It’s available online at nwlaborpress.org and it’s mailed twice a month 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 JOB

Though the Northwest Labor Press is tied with The Oregonian as the region’s biggest circulation print newspaper, it’s produced by a staff of three and comes out just twice a month, typically 12 pages. As staff reporter, you’d be responsible for about two-thirds of our reporting, working independently but in close collaboration with the editor.

THE BEAT 

We report on efforts to unionize workplaces and negotiate collective bargaining agreements. We write about union political and electoral campaigns and about city, county, state, and federal politics and government as they relate to unions and working people. We try to hold to account the government agencies that are responsible for protecting workers’ rights, safety, and retirement security. We educate our readers on policy issues like trade, health care, retirement, and workplace safety. We chronicle the internal life of unions, including elections of union officers. We publicize union-made goods and services. We highlight 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. In short, we’re a community newspaper serving a community of readers who are working people and members of local labor unions.

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 we would also consider part-time as an option.

WAGES:  Based on the expectation of a 35-hour work week, our union contract sets a minimum salary of roughly $59,000 to $64,000 depending on experience, rising annually with cost-of-living raises. 

BENEFITS:

  • Health insurance Benefits cover employee plus spouse and children at no extra charge. Coverage includes pharmaceutical, dental and vision benefits. Employee share of the premium is currently $6.47 a month.
  • Retirement Employer contributes an automatic $4.25 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 monthly payout for life once the employee reaches retirement age.
  • Paid time off  13 paid holidays, up to 12 days 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. We need someone who can sustain the pace and volume of writing typical of a print newspaper. 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—justice, security, and dignity for working people.

Location: The job requires that you live in the Portland metro area, but for out-of-area applicants who would be a great fit, we can be flexible about the relocation timeline.

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].