Northwest Labor Press is an independent union-supported newspaper founded in 1900. Our print version is mailed twice a month to about 45,000 members of over three dozen local unions in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Our online version has been maintained here since 1997.
Oregon/Washington
Unions back recall of Coos Bay hospital board
Decisions to close a psychiatric ward and hire a CEO previously convicted of fraud sparked community outrage.
Labor’s chance to send a nurse to Salem
Filling Betsy Johnson’s former seat with a solid unionist would be a big win for labor advocates in Oregon.
Recall removes unionist from Eugene City Council
Longtime union activist Claire Syrett, who was serving her third term on the Eugene City Council, lost a Sept. 6 special recall election.
Primary propels SW Washington labor candidates on to November
Every labor-backed candidate in SW Washington’s Aug. 2 primary will advance to the general election, and two ballot measures were approved.
State audit: Oregon Employment Department was already struggling—before the pandemic
The agency says it has hired hundreds of new workers and is making a handful of changes to improve claim response times.
National three-digit suicide hotline launches
At Oregon's Lines for Life, newly unionized call-takers expect a jump in call volume as the program rolls out.
A Union Guide to Washington’s August 2022 primary
This union-focused ballot guide for Southwest Washington keeps it simple: It only lists candidates who have at least one union endorsement.
Portland-area minimum wage reaches $14.75
Oregon’s minimum wage gets its last big increase July 1 under a 2016 law that phased in raises over six years.
Oregon primary election results
Oregon labor notched mostly wins in the 2022 primary election, particularly in the races that were the highest priority.
A Union Guide to Oregon’s May 2022 primary
Oregon voters have a lot of choices. This is a guide to which candidates want—and deserve—the support of union members and working people.
Labor unions drop Kurt Schrader and back Jamie McLeod-Skinner
Oregon's biggest and most politically active unions appear to be throwing their support behind a progressive challenger.
Crowded race for Congress in Oregon’s newest district
Two of the nine candidates running for Oregon's new Sixth Congressional District have union endorsements, and two others have union ties.
Overcoming PERS rancor, Tina Kotek snags all but one union endorsement
In the Oregon governor's race, those unions that have endorsed in the Democratic primary are lining up in support of Tina Kotek.
Oregon Republican primary for governor draws union foes
Of 19 GOP candidates for Oregon governor, a few have history with unions—stark opposition, or membership, but none have union endorsements.
Oregon Legislature passes pro-worker laws in short session
Highlights include overtime protections for farm and bakery workers, $600 checks to essential workers, and $200 million for apprenticeships.
Washington closes 2022 legislative session with short list of worker gains
Lawmakers supported apprenticeship and green energy, but punted again on proposals to set standards for hospital staffing.
Val Hoyle vies to carry on DeFazio’s labor legacy
Union leaders winced when they learned a labor champion was leaving Congress. Now a candidate with strong labor ties looks to succeed him.
Several unions now favor McLeod-Skinner in challenge to Kurt Schrader
Since 2020, redistricting has made Oregon's 5th Congressional District more favorable terrain for progressives.
OEA backs Tina Kotek, Christina Stephenson
The endorsements were decided by hundreds of delegates at a two-day virtual convention of the union’s political action committee.
Tina Kotek: all but one union endorsement so far
The latest unions to endorse the former Oregon House speaker are Northwest Carpenters and SEIU Locals 503 and 49, totaling 96,000 members.
