Northwest Labor Press

Mohlis, Byrd named to governor-elect’s transition team

Dec 3, 2010

Oregon Governor-elect John Kitzhaber campaigned on job creation, and even before taking office announced the formation of five teams aimed at helping grow Oregon’s economy. Each team will develop statutory and regulatory recommendations for the legislative session that begins Feb. 1.

Poor economy leads to layoffs at OR-OSHA

Dec 3, 2010

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration has laid off 10 employees so far this year, including longtime labor liaison David Sparks.

IBEW and NECA light up The Grotto, once again

Dec 3, 2010

Volunteer electricians from IBEW Local 48 helped The Grotto in Northeast Portland get ready for its annual Festival of Lights electricians, mounting panels and assembling temporary power boxes that supply power to more than half a million lights and fiber-optic and animated displays.

Portland Public Schools $548 million bond could put trades union members to work

Nov 19, 2010

Portland Public Schools may ask district voters in May to approve $548 million in bonds to upgrade school buildings. Work would begin summer 2011 if voters approve the bond issue.

Free Geek employees vote to join Portland CWA Local 7901

Nov 19, 2010

A group of 19 workers at local non-profit Free Geek have unionized with Communications Workers of America. Free Geek prides itself on an unusual form of collective management by democratic consensus. But as the group grew, a sub-caste developed — of lower-paid employees who weren’t in the collective.

Delta flight attendants say ‘no’ to union

Nov 19, 2010

In votes counted Nov. 3, Delta Air Lines flight attendants chose not to be represented by Association of Flight Attendants. It was Delta flight attendants’ third unionization vote in a decade.

Labor vote makes the difference in tight Oregon races

Nov 19, 2010

In Oregon, organized labor’s get-out-the-vote campaign propelled Democrat John Kitzhaber to the governor’s mansion. Kitzhaber defeated political newcomer Chris Dudley by the narrowest of margins. Labor-endorsed candidates also fared quite well down the ticket.

Merkley will push for rule change to end filibuster abuse

Nov 19, 2010

Oregon’s freshman Democratic U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley favors reforming a parliamentary procedure known as the filibuster, in hopes that doing so will allow the Senate to get some work done.

Shop for union-made goods this holiday season — and year-round!

Nov 19, 2010

Buying union is about voting with your dollars to support enterprises that pay fellow workers a living wage with benefits. The AFL-CIO has designated the 10 days following Thanksgiving as Buy Union Week. To make that easier, the Labor Press has come up with 10 “Buy Union” gift ideas.

AFL-CIO Poll: Voters punished Dems, but no mandate for GOP

Nov 19, 2010

Though Republican victories in the 2010 elections will put the union Congressional agenda in jeopardy, labor leaders took some consolation from a pair of election night polls commissioned by the national AFL-CIO.