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Oregon

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.

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.

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.

Rayfield appoints labor advisors

The Oregon Attorney General-elect wants advice on how to respond to possible future actions by the incoming Trump administration.

Union Guide to the November 2024 general election

Union members have the power to decide elections … when they vote.

Iron Workers Local 29 honors Taylor, Grayber

For their work on union jobs legislation, the legislative committee chairs each got a plaque and a spud wrench.

BOLI at the breaking point

Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries says it’s time for lawmakers to put their money where their mouth is.

UFCW 555 turns in signatures for cannabis union initiative

It would require cannabis businesses to submit signed labor peace agreements if they want to get or renew a license to do business in Oregon.

Labor counts wins in May primary

Oregon labor organizations saw mostly wins among endorsed political campaigns in the May 21 primary, and a number had a union background.

Kotek appoints unionists to advisory boards

Oregon governor Tina Kotek announced new appointments to state advisory boards, and nominees included several figures from organized labor.