Oregon/Washington

UFCW Local 555 takes aim at a top Oregon Democrat

Longtime labor legislator Paul Holvey faces an Oct. 3 recall election in House District 8 in Eugene.

Governor Kotek appoints labor lawyer Aruna Masih to Oregon Supreme Court

Masih, 52, has practiced law for more than 25 years. She’s spent most of her career with Bennett Hartman, a prominent pro-labor law firm.

Labor looks back on mostly wins in 2023 Oregon legislative session

Despite a six-week walkout by Senate Republicans, Oregon labor tallied a respectable number of wins in the 2023 legislative session.

UFCW lines up possible reform initiatives

Proposed measures could tighten ethics rules, bar secret caucus meetings, and institute public campaign finance.

Labor legislator Paul Holvey faces recall backed by UFCW Local 555

The effort comes after Holvey stymied UFCW's priority legislation, a bill to require cannabis companies to sign labor peace agreements.

Lawmakers end Oregon’s lowest-in-nation OSHA penalties

A bill to toughen OSHA penalties is on its way to Governor Kotek’s desk after committee room drama and a failed GOP attempt to gut the bill.

Washington gives Uber drivers more workers rights

On May 15, Washington became the first state to extend unemployment insurance and paid family and medical leave to Uber and Lyft drivers.

In Olympia, steps forward for workers

Washington’s 2023 legislative session concluded April 23 with wins for worker safety, workers compensation, and affordable housing.

Oregon bill would let workers refuse unsafe work

SB 907 passed out of the state Senate with a bipartisan 21-8 vote on April 13 and is now being taken up in the House.

Union Endorsements in Oregon’s May 2023 special election

Oregon’s May 2023 special election is mainly for school boards and special districts, plus filling a few vacancies in city and county office.

Local unions. Local politics.

Want to show union solidarity? Consider voting in school board races. Local elections affect communities and the workers that live there.

Labor-backed bills moving forward in the Oregon Legislature

A number of labor-backed bills in the Oregon Legislature have good chances of becoming law, including one to increase Oregon OSHA’s fines.

Breakthrough bill in Oregon Legislature would set safe hospital staffing

Oregon lawmakers have the chance to make historic improvements to healthcare, thanks to the collaboration of labor and hospital management.

Bill would require ‘good faith’ by workers comp administrators

Self-insuring for workers comp may set up too strong an incentive to deny claims. Firefighters and other unions are pushing for reform.

Bill says demolition is public work too

SB 594 would add demolition and hazardous waste removal to the requirement that prevailing wage be paid on public construction projects.

Labor to lawmakers: Workers’ lives matter

Oregon OSHA has the lowest fines in the nation: The average for a fatal accident is $1,077. Oregon labor wants that to change.

Taking a pro-worker agenda to our state capitols

Lawmakers in Oregon and Washington have big plans to help working people in this year's legislative sessions.

Rideshare driver protections start Jan. 1 in Washington

They include minimum per-minute, per-mile and per-trip rates drivers must be paid; paid sick leave; workers compensation; and more.

Oregon paid leave ready to launch

Starting next September, Oregon workers will be able to take up to 12 weeks off using paid, parental leave.

Catching up with Christina

Worker-side labor attorney Christina Stephenson, Oregon’s next labor commissioner, describes her priorities for the job when she takes office next month.

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