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 88
Building our communities
AFSCME sends solidarity funds from Oregon to Amazon Union
A local AFSCME affiliate and its Oregon statewide council are contributing $10,000 to support the independent Amazon Labor Union.
Collective bargaining
In bargaining, Multnomah county workers prioritize workplace safety
AFSCME Local 88 is focused on worker safety, wages and equity in its first full contract negotiation with Multnomah County in five years.
Multnomah County
Unions backing Jessica Vega Pederson for Multnomah County Chair
Delegates to the Northwest Oregon Labor Council voted to endorse Jessica Vega Pederson for Multnomah County Chair at their Feb. 28 meeting.
Union Organizing
Multnomah County pharmacists join AFSCME
Multnomah County has recognized the decision of a group of 30 Health Department pharmacists to join AFSCME Local 88.
Collective bargaining
Pandemic pay for County workersÂ
About 2,000 frontline employees at Multnomah County are getting a $1,500 check to recognize those who worked during the pandemic.
Union democracy
Multnomah County union has new top officer
Josyln Baker ran unopposed after incumbent Percy Winters Jr. opted not to seek a third term. AFSCME Local 88 represents 3,400 workers.
Union Organizing
Homeless nonprofit. Union-buster.
The publicly funded homeless nonprofit Central City Concern just beat back a union campaign. Multnomah County Commissioners are concerned.
Workers Rights
Homeless crisis workers seek respect
Central City Concern is on the front line of the region’s homeless crisis. Workers held a protest to draw attention to three demands.
Jobs
At a model library, cuts and turmoil
Multnomah County Library workers are mourning last month's cut of 128 positions as a major blow to one of the nation's top library systems.
Jobs
Library reduces number of planned layoffs
After weeks of organized public outcry and behind-the-scenes union lobbying, Multnomah County Library averted most layoffs announced in July.
Jobs
Budget’s fine, but library layoffs loom
Multnomah County Library is about to lay off one sixth of its workforce, even though its budget is under no threat.
Collective bargaining
AFSCME Local 88 ratifies 1-year contract extension with Multnomah County
The contract covers 3,200 County workers and the extension provides for a 2.9% cost of living adjustment effective July 1.
Workers Rights
Union contract avoidance: Multnomah County says seniority rights don’t apply
Nonunion non-profit CareOregon is taking over work that's been done by unionized County employees up to now.
Collective bargaining
A picket line of union dentists
A group of 28 dentists at Multnomah County clinics joined Oregon AFSCME last Spring, but they’ve had a hard time reaching agreement on a first contract.
Union Organizing
Multnomah County is opposing a union effort by on-call and temp workers
Just because managers might categorize workers as "temp" or "on-call" doesn't make that accurate.
Jobs
Private monopolies failed to deliver fiber. Now it’s time for municipal broadband.
Coming soon to Portland City Council is a union-backed plan for public-owned Internet access that would be cheaper than Comcast and 40 times as fast.
Politics
AFSCME Local 88 makes endorsements in Multnomah County races
Two first-time candidates got the local’s endorsement: Susheela Jayapal for Multnomah County District 2 and Jennifer McGuirk for Multnomah County Auditor.
Collective bargaining
New union agreement at Multnomah County
AFSCME Local 88’s new contract keeps up with inflation and attempts to address racial equity.
Union democracy
New officers at AFSCME Local 88
Newly elected AFSCME Local 88 president Percy Winters, Jr. succeeds Jason Heilbrun, who did not seek re-election.
People
Janet Irwin of AFSCME Local 88 turns the page on 46-year library career
Irwin was there when the library unionized in 1974, and when it joined Multnomah County in 1990.
