Oregon/Washington

The high cost of low wages

Report says quarter of Oregon's work force is low-wage, and too many rely on public benefits

Labor-backed alliance to push bold agenda in the state capitol

2015 could be a breakthrough year for pro-worker legislation

Legislative committee assignments improve Oregon labor chances in 2015

Paul Holvey will head House Labor, and Michael Dembrow will chair a new Workforce Committee

UFCW Local 555 emerging as a political force in Oregon

Members fund sick leave campaigns and a third party strategy that doesn’t give up on rural areas

What would a REAL pro-worker legislative agenda look like?

Nine ideas to make Oregon more worker-friendly

Oregon bucks national trend, elects labor-friendly pols

No statewide or Congressional race was even close

Knocking on Doors with Working America

AFL-CIO's electoral ground game in Oregon relies on the patient legwork of door-to-door discussions

A labor union look at the ballot in Washington

WSLC wants a pro-worker majority to retake the state senate

Fund schools, not tests: Portland teachers sponsor family fun in Pioneer Square

Teachers unions are throwing a party with free pumpkins, face-painting … and standardized tests.

DOL awards $10.2 million grants to fight worker misclassification

Oregon will get $500,000 to crack down on employers who skirt the unemployment insurance system

A senator for the working class

In his first 6-year term, Jeff Merkley has proven to be one of organized labor’s closest allies

Unionist runs for seat in Oregon Legislature

Scott Mills of Painters Local 1094 challenges GOP incumbent Vic Gilliam in south Clackamas County

Marijuana legalization heading for the Oregon ballot, with likely union support

Meanwhile, paid petitioners go on strike at competing legalization campaign

Washington State Labor Council issues political endorsements

State labor federation backs challenger to SW Washington Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler

Washington AFL-CIO scores legislators for 2014 session

DC-style gridlock afflicted the state capitol in Olympia this year

‘Right-to-work’ initiative dropped

Sponsors of two anti-union initiative petitions — including a so-called right-to-work measure for public employees — have agreed to withdraw their measures aimed at...

State to include apprenticeships in education goals

Apprenticeships, left out earlier, will be counted as a post-secondary credential by the state

Oregon AFL-CIO prioritizes bills for 35-day legislative session

Labor backs crackdown on large employers cutting hours to evade Obamacare requirement.

Washington State Labor Council lays out agenda for 2014 Legislature

State AFL-CIO wants sick leave, crackdown on worker abuse, and a $15/hr minimum wage

Wyden labor liaison Smith Warner headed to Oregon Legislature

Smith Warner was well known in labor circles prior to joining Sen. Wyden’s staff in March 2009.

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