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.
Oregon/Washington
Public employees union takes aim at bloated college administration
SEIU says an increasing share of state university budgets goes to a swelling army of administrative staff and excessive executive pay.
A labor look at Washington 2026 primary election results
Candidates running with endorsements from organized labor in Southwest Washington had mixed success in Washington’s Aug. 4 primary election.
Oregon wealth tax initiative campaign stalls
The prospective initiative proposed a tax of 2% a year on the assets of Oregon taxpayers who have $30 million or more in net worth.
Initiative campaign for ‘just cause’ fails again
The initiative's chief petitioner says the campaign is ongoing and will next aim at the November 2028 ballot.
The Local 48 member challenging a 12-term incumbent
Outraged when his state rep voted against a child labor law, Longview Port Commissioner Evan Jones decided to run.
A Union Guide to Washington’s August 2026 primary election
Ballots will be mailed July 17 and should arrive by July 23. No postage is needed but ballots must be postmarked by Aug. 4 to count.
A labor look at Oregon’s May 2026 primary results
Labor split its picks in multiple Democratic primaries, but came together on county commission races.
Child care help for apprentices
Oregon’s Child Care for Construction program helps apprentices and new journeymen afford childcare while building careers.
Proposed initiative would tax wealth
Volunteers in Oregon are gathering initiative petition signatures for a tax on those with a net worth of more than $30 million.
A Union Guide to Oregon’s May 2026 primary election
Union members have the power to decide elections … when they vote.
Judge rules Kotek didn’t have authority to order project labor agreements
A December 2024 executive order directed all state agencies to require their construction contractors to commit to use union labor.
Oregon labor looks back on wins in 2026 Legislature
Lawmakers passed stable funding for the labor bureau, referred a gas tax to voters in May, and partly disconnected from the federal tax code.
Labor tallies gains in the 2026 Washington Legislature
From a millionaires tax to a domestic workers bill of rights, it was a year to remember for Washington labor.
Washington may require suicide prevention training in construction
In 2023, 982 U.S. construction workers died in job site accidents, but five times as many died from suicide.
Oregon Legislature faces revenue crunch as unions prepare to rally at the Capitol
Oregon lawmakers meet from Feb. 2 to no later than March 8 for their biennial “short session,” and this one is expected to be challenging.
State audit says BOLI has been starved of staff
Auditors also blame bad management but are scant on specifics.
AFSCME political director appointed to Oregon House
Chosen to fill Hòa Nguyen’s seat, Lamar Wise will shift from union political director to legislator amid looming budget cuts.
Kulongoski wants an end to party primaries
Ten years after voters said no, a “top two” primary proposal returns — backed by the former governor and former GOP state rep Cheri Helt.
Nurses call out Providence Portland for short-staffing
Oregon is supposed to get tough in its enforcement of minimum staffing rules. Health care workers have filed 2,200 complaints since June.
Kotek names unionists to advisory boards
The Senate Committee on Rules is expected to consider and approve the nominations this month.
