Oregon/Washington

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.

Lawmaking season in Oregon and Washington

Oregon and Washington lawmakers have begun their 2020 "short" sessions. Thought timelines are short, labor is still calling on lawmakers to deliver.

UFCW Local 555 endorses Williamson for Oregon Secretary of State

In the May primary, Williamson will face fellow Democrats Sen. Mark Haas of Beaverton, attorney Jamie McLeod-Skinner of Terrebonne, and first-time candidate Cameron Smith.

New Seasons Market to become part of a subsidiary of a Korean retail conglomerate

The sale comes two years after a union campaign that flat-lined when the "B Corp" brought in union-busters.

OSEA won’t endorse legislators who voted for PERS reduction bill

SB 1049 resulted in dramatic reductions to the pensions that public employees will receive.

Oregon AFSCME: ‘No endorsement, no financial support’ for PERS cutters

All but a few Democrats voted to cut public employee retirement contributions. Now they'll go without AFSCME's support for re-election.

Initiative to limit self-checkout grocery stations moves forward

Oregon AFL-CIO says self-checkout eliminates jobs and inconveniences customers.

Public employees file lawsuit to protect PERS retirement benefits

Plaintiffs say SB 1049 is a breach of contract, an illegal taking, and violates the Constitution.

Oregon governor and legislators who voted to cut PERS won’t be on stage at Labor Day picnic

When they were campaigning, the governor and many of the legislators promised not to cut PERS benefits.

How working people and unions fared in the 2019 session of the Oregon Legislature

Lawmakers passed paid family leave and boosted school budgets, but also cut public worker compensation and punted on climate.

Oregon lawmakers vote to cut public employee retirement contributions

Democrats led the charge to divert up to 2.5 percent of public worker pay to shore up PERS.

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