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.
People
Jodi Guetzloe Parker’s life in Labor
Never one to seek the limelight, she served the Laborers for decades as a tireless foot soldier for the cause of labor.
UO LERC now fully staffed
The addition of Rebekah Whittaker and Janet Bauer means LERC can expand its reach of research and trainings.
New union rep for Northwest Natural
Jordan Fosdick, a service technician at the natural gas utility, will represent nearly 600 members of OPEIU Local 11.
The skill to save a life
A union crane operator earns a police commendation for keeping cool when it mattered.
WHY SHE LEFT
Nurses are burned out and quitting the profession like never before. One psychiatric nurse shares why she quit her job at Unity.
Juggling, hula-hooping bus driver hears birds calling
Bus operator Cindy Kassab, a member of ATU Local 747, heads into retirement with honors after a record 47 years driving for TriMet.
Union: How to turn a job into a careerÂ
Workers who help homeless addicts can be one mishap away from homelessness themselves. Their union gives hope it can be a longterm calling.
Roofer to professor, and back again
Local 49’s new organizer Matt Lambert is ready to scream the union gospel from the rooftops.
End of the line
The chief union steward at Portland's shipyard is retiring after 35 years on the waterfront, and 30 years as a member of Laborers Local 737.
The power to elevate
In January, April Sims became Washington's top labor leader. She shared the story of her rise with the Labor Press.
The job: Put an end to homelessness
Katie DeSantis was homeless for 20 years. Then she secured stable housing, earned a degree, and began working for homeless service agencies.
Apprentice tells her story at the Capitol
Culture change in construction is real, and it’s happening, Local 290 member Kasey Finegan told lawmakers and their staffmembers.
At work, finding homes for the homeless
Formerly homeless herself, AFSCME Local 88 member Salma Azizza today works to get unsheltered people into housing and get the help they need.
Mark Medina joins the staff of Portland Jobs with Justice as worker center organizer
The Worker Center project of Portland Jobs With Justice is a response to an explosion of union interest among low-paid service workers.
Donna Hammond takes charge at Oregon Tradeswomen
The longtime union rep has taken a leave of absence from her job at IBEW Local 48 to serve as interim director of Oregon Tradeswomen.
Teri Watson joins the building trades
After 10 years at Oregon OSHA, Watson went to work for the Oregon Building Trades Council and the Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council.
Welcome to Mallory Gruben
Mallory Gruben is joining the NW Labor Press as full-time staff reporter — after helping unionize The Daily Herald in Everett, Washington.
Thank you to Colin Staub
After 13 months reporting on the local labor movement, Colin Staub’s last day as Labor Press staff reporter was Feb. 17.
Kotek names labor liaison
Bob Livingston, who spent the last 20 years at the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council, will serve as Kotek’s legislative director and labor liaison.
Oregon building trades leader will advise the Federal Reserve Bank
Robert Camarillo will be the only representative of labor on the council, serving along a group of mostly business executives.