People

On the job with the Portland Police Association

Portland Police officer Jordan Zaitz says she’s frustrated and discouraged by worsening crime. She looks to her union as a source of support.

Dave Tully hits the road

After 32 years as a union organizer, rep and officer, Teamsters Local 223 president Dave Tully, 61, retired on May 31.

ONA names new director

Oregon Nurses Association has hired Anne Tan Piazza as executive director following an eight-month nationwide search.

Bob Tackett heads home

Bob Tackett will return to Arkansas after decades of Oregon union involvement, most recently with the Northwest Oregon Labor Council.

Homecoming for Liz Shuler

In 1993 U of O grad Liz Shuler went to work at Portland-based IBEW Local 125, her father’s local. Today she’s America’s top union leader.

IBEW honors life savers

Three Local 48 members helped save the lives of two ironworkers after a roof collapse on a construction project in summer 2020.

Introducing Colin Staub

NW Labor Press brought on a new labor reporter Jan. 3. Colin Staub has reported for the Newberg Graphic and trade papers the last 7 years.

Labor Press editor to retire 

Michael Gutwig, 65, is retiring Dec. 31 after 35 years as editor of the Northwest Labor Press.

For a lifelong labor educator, the end of the ninth inning arrives

Bob Bussel did security for Cesar Chavez. He had lunch with the real Norma Rae. And he spent 27 years training generations of labor leaders.

PERSONNEL REPORT

Portland JwJ has a new leader, as does Unite Oregon, and Governor Brown appoints a new batch of labor officials to state advisory boards.

Back on the job with Musicians Local 99

Eighteen months after the Oregon Symphony went silent, Alicia Waite and her fellow members of AFM Local 99 are back making music. 

On the job with Iron Workers Local 29

Courtney Newberg found her dream job in a tough, traditionally male construction craft.

Labor peace at TriMet?

With a new general manager at TriMet, an era of antagonism between the transit agency and its union may have come to a close.

Belinda Reagan closes the book on decades of involvement

Reagan was president of Portland Federation of School Professionals, AFT Local 111, representing 1,400 staff at Portland Public Schools.

PERSONNEL REPORT

Sherman Henry and Lina Stepick leave LERC, ONA's director departs, and Mayor Wheeler reappoints Willy Myers to Prosper Portland.

Doctor Organizer: Joe Crane

In 2009, Joe Crane was working graveyard on the Portland Frito-Lay assembly line. Today he’s national organizing director at a doctors union.

Oregon honors first Education Support Professional of the Year, Paula Steinweg

The new award, for school support workers, is the result of an OSEA-backed bill passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2019.

Governor Brown nominates unionists

Several union figures were among the 76 individuals recently appointed by Oregon Governor Kate Brown to state board and commissions.

New workforce liaison at Oregon AFL-CIO

Josh Hall was president of United Steelworkers Local 7150. Now he'll help dislocated union workers get unemployment and other benefits.

Leadership change at Portland Jobs with Justice

Will Layng is leaving as executive director to return to SEIU, where he formerly worked as organizing director at Local 49.