People

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 career

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.

When faith meets labor, it fuels a fight for the common good

Reverend Dr. David Wheeler, a local labor advocate, situates himself in a long line of progressive, socially engaged Baptists.

Labor commisioner picks deputy straight out of the house of labor

Oregon AFL-CIO political and legislative director Jessica Giannettino Villatoro will serve as deputy to incoming BOLI Commissioner Christina Stephenson.

Amazon Labor Union: ‘a marathon, not a sprint’

Leaders of the new union were the guests of honor at the annual Portland Jobs with Justice dinner this month.

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