Oregon/Washington

Single-payer summit draws 400

The Oregon Single Payer Conference drew attendees from around the state.

Carpenters dissolve 15 locals, charter four new locals

UBC created four new super-locals of general carpenters, millwrights, pile drivers, and drywall carpenters.

IBEW’s Malbin to co-chair prevailing wage advisory panel

Norman Malbin is in-house counsel for the IBEW Local 48.

Kitzhaber taps Shepard for labor adviser

Duke Shepard has been Oregon AFL-CIO political director since January 2006.

Unions prepare to defend working families agenda in Salem

Oregon’s citizen legislature convenes Feb. 1.

Machinists, Woodworkers district lodges consolidate

A new group, 6,000-member International Association of Machinists District W24, is born of merger.

Kulongoski report takes aim at state employees’ compensation

 Oregon's outgoing governor is proposing that next year's Legislature make a series of cuts to state employee compensation.

AFSCME’s Ridderbusch named to governor-elect’s transition team

Oregon AFSCME staff rep Randy Ridderbusch has been named to Governor-elect John Kitzhaber’s transition team regarding the Department of Human Services, the Department of Corrections and the Oregon Youth Authority.

Mohlis, Byrd named to governor-elect’s transition team

Oregon Governor-elect John Kitzhaber campaigned on job creation, and even before taking office announced the formation of five teams aimed at helping grow Oregon’s economy. Each team will develop statutory and regulatory recommendations for the legislative session that begins Feb. 1.

Labor vote makes the difference in tight Oregon races

In Oregon, organized labor’s get-out-the-vote campaign propelled Democrat John Kitzhaber to the governor’s mansion. Kitzhaber defeated political newcomer Chris Dudley by the narrowest of margins. Labor-endorsed candidates also fared quite well down the ticket.

Oregon, Washington labor weigh election results

Oregon voters mostly returned labor-backed Democrats to office, bucking the national Republican tsunami in the midterm elections. But for Washington's union movement, election night was bittersweet.

Unions fight Washington ballot measure to privatize workers comp

A lot is at stake on the Washington ballot this year, and the Washington State Labor Council, the statewide body of the AFL-CIO, is working to get the word out about ballot measures that will impact workers — like a measure to privatize Washington's workers' comp system.

Labor pulling hard for Kitzhaber

In an Oregon governor's race close enough to hinge on union member turnout, organized labor is pulling hard for John Kitzhaber, while Chris Dudley lacks any union endorsement. That’s because Kitzhaber’s platform is much closer to what the union movement has been advocating in Salem. It’s also because Kitzhaber has sought union support, and Dudley has not.

Organized labor in agreement: ‘Give Congress Heck!’

By DON McINTOSH, Associate Editor One of the most closely-watched electoral races in America is taking place in Washington’s Third Congressional District. Money is pouring...

Portland meeting with Trumka and Kitzhaber draws over 500

National AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka, on a Aug. 23-24 visit to Portland, rallied local union activists to stay politically active despite disappointments, and to help elect John Kitzhaber as governor of Oregon.

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