Oregon/Washington

Smith Tower buffeted by Trump funding freeze

Vancouver's iconic circular high-rise has provided housing to low-income seniors for 60 years. Its managers want to make it new again.

Washington labor scores wins in Olympia despite budget cuts

Policy bills mostly took a back seat as the legislature spent most of its time grappling with a forecasted $16 billion budget shortfall.

A Union Guide to Oregon’s May 20, 2025, special district election

Oregon’s May 20 election is for non-partisan board seats on school districts and other special districts. Nearly all are unpaid volunteers.

Oregon’s minimum wage to rise by 2.4%

The new rates will be $16.30 in the Portland Metro Area, $14.05 in rural counties of eastern and Southern Oregon, and $15.05 in the rest.

Lawmakers hear a plea for safety

Unions are backing a bill in the Oregon legislature to mandate protection for workers who interact with violent mentally ill patients.

Legislative inaction means injuries at school will remain unrecorded

Lawmakers once again said no to a proposal to mandate reporting when school workers are injured — by students.

Oregon Senate passes a scaled-back worker assault bill 

Oregon Nurses Association wanted a bill to protect healthcare workers. Too specific, said some lawmakers.

Oregon Supreme Court finds fault with ODOT labor agreement

Not enough public process, says the court majority, after several years of process.

Washington lawmakers face $16B shortfall as deadline looms

Legislators have been floating progressive revenue ideas, but Governor Bob Ferguson says he won't support a wealth tax.

Unemployment benefits for strikers?

Bills to give striking workers the right to unemployment benefits are moving forward in Oregon and Washington.

Court halts Oregon governor’s executive order requiring project labor agreements

The construction trade group Associated General Contractors led a lawsuit saying Tina Kotek exceeded her legal authority.

Oregon’s new Democratic Party chair brings union background

Nathan Soltz was one of the leaders of an effort to unionize among Oregon legislative staffers, who voted to join IBEW Local 89 in 2021.

To protect highway workers, lawmakers look to speed cameras

John Hanner wants lawmakers to know that photo radar in highway work zones could avert deaths and injuries — like the one he suffered.

Unions and business agree: Labor bureau is underfunded

Funding the Bureau of Labor and Industries is Oregon labor‘s top priority in the legislature this year. Will lawmakers deliver?

Lawsuit aims to strike down Oregon’s new cannabis labor peace law

Measure 119, sponsored by UFCW Local 555, passed in November with the support of 57% of voters.

Bill would end bar on unemployment benefits for strikers

Striking workers face financial distress, and companies can use this to their advantage. SB 916 intends to even the playing field.

Washington bill would rein in self-checkout

Self-checkout stations harm both customers and grocery store employees, says UFCW Local 3000.

All in for Mayor Anne

Supporters of Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle packed the Fire Fighters Local 452 hall Jan. 30 to launch her campaign for re-election.

Oregon unions prepare pro-labor agenda for 2025 legislative session

Funding BOLI, unemployment for strikers, and sectoral bargaining are some top labor priorities when the legislature meets Jan. 25 to June 29.

Washington labor will push major worker-friendly reforms in 2025

Washington State Labor Council wants the state to be first in the nation to mandate paid vacation.