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
Oregon Legislature: A lot at stake for working people
Lawmakers debate minimum wage, wage theft, UI for locked-out workers, and affordable housing.
SW Washington union officials meet with Governor Inslee
Inslee said he supports a minimum wage raise, paid sick leave, and an I-5 replacement bridge.
Washington State Labor Council opposes carbon tax Initiative 732
I-732 was supposed to be revenue neutral, but would cost the state $914 million over four years.
Governor Brown appoints two labor nominees to workers’ comp committee
Kevin Billman of UFCW and IBEW Local 48 staff attorney Diana Winther are nominees for MLAC.
The return of Kurt Schrader
After his Fast Track vote, the Oregon Congressman visits the House of Labor
$15 ballot measure passes 15,000 signatures
Organizers say they’re aiming to have 30,000 by the time Legislature meets in February.
New public-sector ‘right-to-work’ measure filed in Oregon
Four other versions of the measure were submitted in March, but have since been withdrawn.
Union coalition gets ready for Round Two
Fair Shot will push a minimum wage and tougher laws on wage theft and racial profiling in 2016.
Anti-union group targets Oregon public sector unions
Billionaire-funded group tells home care workers to save money by quitting their union
State AFL-CIO scores Washington lawmakers
Four SW Washington Democrats get 100 percent, but a Centralia Republican leads the anti-labor pack
Washington Legislature budget battle nearly closes state government
An 11th hour deal increases school funding and gives public employees first raise in 7 years.
A landmark session, but Oregon labor wanted more
A big Democratic majority led to high expectations, but Oregon lawmakers balked at minimum wage and other labor priorities
Labor agenda advancing in Oregon Legislature
Sick leave, ban the box, and a retirement plan for all workers are heading to the governor's desk
Most labor-backed candidates win office in Oregon special election
Of the 4 unionists on the May 19 ballot who went to Oregon Labor Candidates School, 3 won office
Oregon labor’s legislative agenda still in the air
With six weeks left in 2015 session, Oregon Legislature enters the season of deal-cutting.
La Center, Wash. school board passes right-to-work resolution
Under state law, the school board can’t change union rules, so the action was symbolic.
Electing labor’s own
Four rank-and-file union members are vying for public office in Oregon's May 2015 ballot
MAY 2015: OREGON UNION VOTER GUIDE
In low-profile races, in a low-turnout election, union voters can really make a difference.
Oregon Senate President says he won’t allow vote on minimum wage increase
"I'm not going to do minimum wage," Courtney tells Southern Oregon chamber of commerce members
John Kitzhaber resigns amid ‘media frenzy’
In spite of the recent scandal, unionists laud Kitzhaber for his labor record