Oregon/Washington

Oregon’s 2018 Legislative Session: Small gains, big misses

This year, like almost every year, the most important bills that might have benefited working people died in the majority-Democratic Oregon Senate.

Oregon AFL-CIO issues May primary recommendations

Kurt Schrader and Peter DeFazio weren't on the list.

How union members could take charge of Democratic and Republican parties

Precinct Committee People play big roles behind the scenes, yet hardly anyone wants to be one.

With logjam gone, new life for labor bills that died last year

Infrastructure and equal pay bills are already moving one week into the session.

Audacious bills. Short timeline. And a big ‘if.’

In the Oregon Legislature's “short” session starting Feb. 5, state lawmakers could pass affordable housing, paid family leave, and a “cap-and-invest” system to limit greenhouse gases.

Big night for Washington labor as votes come in

After four years, Democrats retake state senate majority. And a top labor political aide wins election to Seattle City Council.

Oregon tax on hospitals and insurers will go to voters in January

To preserve Medicaid funding, Oregon AFL-CIO urges yes vote.

Cowlitz County commissioner cancels presentation by anti-union Freedom Foundation

The group was invited to make the case for opening union bargaining to the public.

Washington AFL-CIO rates state lawmakers for key 2017 votes

Paid family leave was a landmark win, but legislators tested anti-union bills in the GOP-held Senate.

Labor highlights from the 2017 Oregon Legislature

Lawmakers passed landmark labor laws, but dropped the ball on tax fairness and housing.

Labor may go to the Oregon ballot on tax reform and workers rights

Oregon’s biggest unions are laying the groundwork for initiatives on the 2018 ballot — in case this year's Democratic-led Oregon Legislature doesn’t deliver.

At the Oregon Legislature: Labor’s agenda in the final stretch

So much to do. And just three weeks to go.

At the Oregon Legislature: Labor’s agenda inches forward

Will the Oregon Legislature ban anti-union ‘right-to-work’ ordinances?

At the Oregon Legislature: A Robust Labor Agenda

Labor muscle helped elect many of Oregon’s legislators. Now Oregon unions are mobilizing behind an agenda of fair taxes, good jobs, and expanded protections for workers rights. Here are some recent highlights.

Oregon labor gearing up for high-stakes legislative session

Labor will push for transportation funding and family leave and fair workweek laws, while grappling with a $1.7 billion budget shortfall.

Housing state of emergency

Around Oregon, home prices and rents are soaring, and homelessness is on the rise

Measure 97 backers take their campaign to the Oregon Legislature

The union-backed coalition wants corporate tax transparency — and for big corporations to pay their fair share.

Election night yields mixed scorecard for Oregon labor

Labor held the line in most races, but several losses stung.

Big wins in Washington for labor

All 12 statewide candidates backed by the Washington State Labor Council won office, and every one of its endorsed measures passed.

Washington election results

Here are the union-endorsed races in Washington we’re following on Election Night.