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.
Politics
In this section we cover not just candidate endorsements and union political activity, but also ratings and follow-up. Half the battle is electing union members, friends, and allies. The other half is getting pro-worker public policy enacted, and holding politicians accountable when they fail us.
Oregon’s new Democratic Party chair brings union background
Nathan Soltz was one of the leaders of an effort to unionize among Oregon legislative staffers, who voted to join IBEW Local 89 in 2021.
All in for Mayor Anne
Supporters of Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle packed the Fire Fighters Local 452 hall Jan. 30 to launch her campaign for re-election.
A labor look at the 2024 election
The national results were bleak for labor, but the union movement notched mostly wins in Oregon and Washington.
Labor Council launches website for union-backed candidates
The group is a joint labor effort led by the Northwest Oregon Labor Council and backed by 18 organizations in all.
Unions pull Hillsboro candidate’s endorsement after blowup over Gaza
A Hillsboro City Council candidate used ugly and abusive language with a constituent who disagreed with his support for Israel's war in Gaza.
Portland City Council candidates spurn Portland police union
At least 14 candidates running for Portland City Council this year signed a pledge not to take contributions from police unions.
Union Guide to the November 2024 general election
Union members have the power to decide elections … when they vote.
How unions decide which campaigns to endorse
Union political staff and volunteer member committees spend hundreds of hours preparing questionnaires and interviewing candidates.
RUNNING FOR OFFICE: Terri Niles
It may take a nurse to heal the partisan divide.
RUNNING FOR OFFICE: Chris Flanary
The AFSCME member organizer is running for City Council and wants to make the living wage for Portlanders a priority.Â
RUNNING FOR OFFICE: Tiffany Koyama Lane
‘Teacher Tiffany,’ a member of Portland Association of Teachers, is running the strongest City Council campaign in Portland.
RUNNING FOR OFFICE: Jonathan Tasini
A labor strategist wants Portland to be a policy trailblazer again.
New Labor PAC forms in Portland
Working for a Better Portland PAC will advocate for pro-worker candidates for Portland’s new 12-seat City Council.
Laborers 737 pulls its backing of Rubio for Portland mayor
The union's political director says her record of unpaid parking tickets and other infractions was ‘beyond the pale.’
Oregon Republican signs onto pro-union PRO Act
It’s the latest pro-union stance by swing district Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer, but the PRO Act has little chance of passage.
Labor counts wins in May primary
Oregon labor organizations saw mostly wins among endorsed political campaigns in the May 21 primary, and a number had a union background.
Decision point for Multnomah County
At a moment of crisis, two competitive races will decide the direction of Multnomah County, Oregon’s most populous.Â
A Union Guide to Oregon’s May 2024 primary
This ballot guide lists candidates who have at least one labor organization endorsing them — and who have opponents on the ballot.
UFCW files crop of ballot measures
The grocery union wants repeal of self-service gas, union neutrality at cannabis businesses, and legislative and hospital reforms.
Election results: Mostly wins for labor-backed candidates in SW Washington
The Southwest Washington Central Labor Council saw three of its four endorsed candidates win in Washington’s Nov. 7 election.
