Oregon/Washington

Washington State Labor Council releases state lawmaker ratings

As tallied by the AFL-CIO, Southwest Washington has some of the most pro-worker legislators in the state, and some of the most anti-worker.

A union guide to the 2021 primary election for Southwest Washington

Washington’s 2021 primary helps determine city councils and school districts. Ballots are mailed July 16 and must be postmarked by Aug. 3.

How working people and unions fared in the 2021 session of the Washington Legislature

Washington State Labor Council will soon report on the 2021 legislative session. Judging by a draft version, it was a good session for labor.

How working people and unions fared in the 2021 session of the Oregon Legislature

This year as always, Oregon labor unions asked lawmakers to make life better for working people in big and small ways.

Oregon labor’s May 18 ballot scorecard

In Oregon's May 2021 election, unions and labor councils got active in races for school boards, and won nearly three in four.

Washington labor legislation update

Bills to give farm workers the right to overtime pay and create a COVID-19 workers’ comp presumption look likely to pass.

Oregon labor legislation update

Union-backed bills to give sick leave to construction workers and set the prevailing wage at the union rate have passed at least one chamber.

A union guide to Oregon’s May 2021 special election

Oregon’s May 2021 special election is about who will lead our schools. Ballots will be mailed April 28 and are due back May 18.

Unionist seeking House seat falls short

Multnomah County Commission appointed Andrea Valderrama as state rep for HD 47, passing over former union president Adrienne Enghouse.

Union leader vies to succeed state rep Diego Hernandez

Kaiser Permanente nurse Adrienne Enghouse, former president of OFNHP, is one of three candidates being considered for the vacancy.

ATU fights to save apprenticeship, and win back the right to strike

SB 690, a bill introduced by Oregon State Senator Chris Gorsek, would restore the right to strike for public transit workers like bus drivers.

Labor prepares 2021 state legislative agendas

The union movement will be pushing fairly modest proposals when state legislatures meet in Salem and Olympia in 2021.

Emergency? Send a firefighter to the House

Firefighter Dacia Grayber is a union true-believer with the work ethic of a super-volunteer and the courage to confront any adversity.

Oregon Supreme Court upholds PERS cuts

The Oregon Supreme Court say lawmakers can cut benefits going forward, just not benefits employees have already earned.

A union guide to Washington’s Aug. 4 primary election

Ballots will be mailed July 17 and must be return postmarked by Aug. 4. The top two vote getters, regardless of party preference, go on to the November general election.

Oregon 2020 primary election results

It was a moderately successful election night for Oregon labor, with a narrow win for secretary of state, a significant loss in Clackamas County, and nine new pro-union candidates winning Democratic legislative primaries.

A union guide to Oregon’s May 19 primary election

It's a busy ballot, and often local labor unions didn't agree on who to back. But there's no more comprehensive guide to which candidates want—and deserve—the support of union members and working people.

Union members running for office

A handful of union members are running for office on Oregon’s May 19 primary ballot, and thanks to the Oregon Labor Candidate School, they know how to campaign.

Union-backed initiatives would punish GOP walkout

The measures would fine Oregon lawmakers who fail to show up — and disqualify them from running for re-election.

Telling labor’s story to lawmakers

For a day, there were more union construction workers than legislators in the State Capitol building.

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