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.
Tag:
AFSCME Local 189
Collective bargaining
Portland city unions at impasse
City of Portland workers could strike as soon as late January to win across-the-board raises and personal days.
Workers Rights
City of Portland threatens legal action over union pickets
Attorneys for the City of Portland say "practice pickets" are prohibited by the contract Local 189 signed with the city.
Collective bargaining
City of Portland could be inching toward labor disputes
Union contracts covering 1,300 City workers expire Dec. 31, on the eve of the city’s shift to a whole new leadership structure.
Politics
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
Jobs
When snow and ice hit, union members were the first to respond
During severe weather, hundreds of union-represented workers keep the region running, from electric linemen to snowplow and bus operators.
Portland
Union officer launches run for Portland City Council
Housing Bureau employee Chris Flanary, a member of AFSCME Local 189, is one of the first to file for the all-new Portland City Council.
Portland
Out of nowhere, Portland budgets for staff and service cuts
Mayor Ted Wheeler had second thoughts about his own budget proposal. City unions say his last-minute changes will lead to layoffs.
Collective bargaining
At last, auditor’s office gets first union contract
The deal with AFSCME Local 189 comes after Portland City Council chastised auditor Simone Rede for bargaining.Â
Collective bargaining
City Council says new auditor was wrong to make deal with workers
Simone Rede, newly installed as Portland City Auditor, didn’t think a first union contract needed to be so hard.
Collective bargaining
AFSCME 189 files charges after City Auditor orders workers to return to office
AFSCME says Portland city management bargained in bad faith and implemented its re-entry plan without union agreement.
Jobs
Behind the badge, police support staff face backlog and burnout
AFSCME’s Portland Police chapter chair says understaffing is causing delays retrieving towed cars or getting police reports for insurance.
Collective bargaining
City unions in Portland near the brink of a strike
Following drawn out and contentious union negotiations, City of Portland managers are now accused of interfering in strike votes.
Collective bargaining
City of Portland unions declare impasse
The unit of 1,180 city workers in the District Council of Trade Unions could strike as soon as Jan. 19, after bargaining since July 2020.
Union Organizing
Hundreds of unrepresented City of Portland workers get a chance to unionize
City attorneys and HR managers, opposing a union effort by three workers, ended up opening the door to a union for workers across the city.
Union democracy
City of Portland union coalition has new leadership
DCTU—a coalition of six unions—negotiates a collective bargaining agreement that covers about 1,100 City of Portland employees in all.
Jobs
Furloughed workers tighten belts waiting for WorkShare benefits
It seemed like a win-win when unions approved the furloughs, but Workshare benefits promised by the Oregon Employment Department have been slow to arrive.
Culture
In the era of COVID-19, the union hall is going virtual
Unions are finding that holding meetings online is actually increasing attendance. One union is even holding its national convention online.
Collective bargaining
City of Portland unions will vote on furloughs in which workers could actually come out ahead
The federally funded Work Share program will make up for wages lost during furloughs, and city budget savings are earmarked to prevent layoffs.
Union democracy
Portland 911 operators leave AFSCME, join Portland police union
The vote was 67 to 7 in a May 21 election overseen by the Oregon Employment Relations Board.
In Memoriam
Chuck Moffitt, 1952-2019
Moffitt was an accountant at the City of Portland and a union officer in AFSCME Local 189 and Oregon AFSCME.
