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
Union foe Bill Sizemore spends 18 days in jail
The anti-tax crusader jailed for failing to file tax returns; and more jeopardy may be on the way.
Washington labor convenes in SeaTac for jam-packed convention
The state AFL-CIO released its ranking of Washington lawmakers, and it wasn't pretty.
AFL-CIO tallies slew of anti-union votes in Congress
The national AFL-CIO has released its interim rating of members of Congress for 2011.
Backers file second ballot initiative aimed at public employee unions
Former columnist David Reinhard is behind a new initiative campaign aimed at public employee unions.
AFL-CIO won’t hold endorsement vote until U.S. Rep. Wu’s resignation is official
The AFL-CIO’s next gathering is its state convention Sept. 25-28 in Eugene.
UFCW’s Brad Witt runs for Congress
UFCW Local 555 rep Brad Witt is challenging Congressman David Wu in the Democratic primary.
Oregon Legislative session 2011 a mixed bag for labor
Oregon lawmakers wrapped up the 2011 Legislative session June 30. If there was anything memorable in it for working people, it was that lawmakers finally cut corporate tax breaks down to size … except when they were giving out new ones. It was also the year that the Oregon Legislature gave state agencies a new aspirational goal: Lay off managers, not just front-line state employees. In a state with 9.6 percent unemployment, the closest lawmakers got to passing a jobs bill was a pilot project that will employ some workers on energy efficiency retrofits of public schools, or maybe the new law removing procedural roadblocks to pipelines and other “linear” construction projects.
Local voters mostly reject union picks in Oregon’s May 17 election
Portland voters rejected a six-year $548 million bond measure repairing and remodeling schools.
Agencies near and dear to labor mostly spared cuts by Legislature
Among state agencies of concern to labor - BOLI, LERC, ERB - the scenario is belt-tightening but no disabling cuts.
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.
