Politics

AFL’s Tom Chamberlain appointed to port commission

He joins ILWU's Bruce Holte and AFSCME's Ken Allen on the nine-member body.

May 17 ballot measures could put union members to work

Local union groups are supporting two Portland Public Schools property tax measures and several school board candidates.

UFCW’s Witt explores possible congressional race against Wu

Union member (and state rep) Brad Witt is considering a primary challenge to Congressman David Wu.

Judge rules against Sizemore in suit over calling him a racketeer

A circuit court judge has ruled against anti-union ballot measure sponsor Bill Sizemore in his lawsuit against people who called him a "racketeer."

Labor scrambles to find ways to lessen state budget cuts

Oregonians would rather see some taxes increased than watch wholesale cuts to education, public safety and social services. But Republicans are calling for further tax cuts.

Congressman Wu says he’ll oppose Korea FTA

A teary-eyed U.S. Rep. David Wu thanked labor for standing with him, and announced his opposition to the Korean Free Trade Agreement.

Oregon Legislature passes unemployment extension

Two bills signed March 24 will extend unemployment benefits to Oregonians still looking for work.

Oregon Legislature one third of the way through

Several bills backed by organized labor are progressing through the legislative process. Others are still at the starting line.

Bills banning collective bargaining are buried

Washington State Labor Council is tracking dozens of bills that could help or harm union members and working people.

Hundreds rally in Salem for jobs and solidarity

Oregon AFL-CIO sponsored a March 7 “Jobs Rally” on the Oregon Capitol steps

Building trades miffed at Metro for bypassing Shiprack

Building trades unions are miffed that the Metro Council didn't appoint Bob Shiprack to a vacant seat in District 6.

Labor leaders attend Obama Intel visit

A dozen plus Oregon labor leaders attended President Barack Obama’s Feb. 18 “winning the future” speech at Intel Corp. in Hillsboro.

Bill proposes ‘bereavement’ be added to Family Leave Act

A member of Bakers Union Local 114 is behind a bill in the Oregon Legislature.

IBEW’s Malbin to co-chair prevailing wage advisory panel

Norman Malbin is in-house counsel for the IBEW Local 48.

Kitzhaber taps Shepard for labor adviser

Duke Shepard has been Oregon AFL-CIO political director since January 2006.

Shiprack seeks open Metro seat

A freshly retired union official seeks to fill an open seat on the Metro Council.

Unions prepare to defend working families agenda in Salem

Oregon’s citizen legislature convenes Feb. 1.

Labor applauds Clackamas County for Sellwood Bridge funding vote

Clackamas County Board voted Dec. 9 to increase vehicle registration fees to pay for replacing the crumbling Sellwood Bridge.

Labor vote makes the difference in tight Oregon races

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

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.

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