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:
ATU Local 757
Union Organizing
They help riders in crisis — Now TriMet safety workers want a union
Most TriMet workers are unionized. Now the agency’s crisis-response safety team wants recognition from its private contractor.
Collective bargaining
Slow bargaining at C-TRAN
About 70 C-TRAN office workers finalized a new contract, but 240 bus and paratransit van operators are still without one.
Collective bargaining
Salem paratransit drivers ratify deal
After rejecting MTM’s earlier offer, drivers won 7.5% raises and protected health benefits in a new ATU 757 contract.
Workers Rights
Lane Transit District used intrusive drug tests to intimidate workers, union says
ATU Local 757 won a 17-year driver’s reinstatement after he was unjustly fired over an improper “observed” drug test.
Culture
ATU Local 757 sets up minority caucuses
ATU Local 757 members now have Black, Latino, LGBTQ+, and women caucuses to discuss work and community challenges.
Jobs
Transit cuts hit home
Rogue Valley Transit District and TriMet are preparing to slash jobs amid state and federal funding shortfalls.
Retirement
Missed connections
Decades into retirement, transit workers keep in touch with former coworkers thanks to their union, ATU Local 757.
Collective bargaining
ATU members re-vote and ratify TriMet contract
About 2,500 TriMet workers have a new collective bargaining agreement that increases wages 13.6% over four years.
Collective bargaining
TriMet deal comes amid union leadership change
The 4-year agreement was finalized after members voted in new leadership, with a ratification vote set for two days before they were sworn in.
Union democracy
Change in leadership at Amalgamated Transit Union 757
Members of ATU Local 757 have voted TriMet bus operator Bruce Hansen back in as president — nine years after he left office.
Collective bargaining
Tillamook bus drivers get 5-year contract
The five-year contract with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757 raises starting wages about 22% and adds Juneteenth as a paid holiday.
Union Organizing
Cannabis candy makers now union at Gron
Cannabis candy makers at Gron Confections in Portland voted 11-2 to join the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757 in ballots counted Jan. 8.
People
Juggling, hula-hooping bus driver hears birds calling
Bus operator Cindy Kassab, a member of ATU Local 747, heads into retirement with honors after a record 47 years driving for TriMet.
Culture
Look for the union Rose Festival entries
Unions are once again taking part in Portland's annual Rose Festival parades. Here’s a list of who to look for.
Worker safety
Assault a bus driver, commit a felony
ATU Local 757 tells Oregon lawmakers assaults on bus drivers are increasing, and asks to tighten a law classifying such assaults as felonies.
Collective bargaining
ATU wants an end to forced overtime in Lane Transit District contract
About 225 workers are covered by the contract, including bus operators, mechanics, customer service representatives and more.
Building our communities
Presents from Partners
The annual charity drive is a way to make holidays a little brighter for union families that find themselves in hardship.
Collective bargaining
TriMet workers extend contract through 2024
Portland-area transit workers will get raises at the end of this year and next, but otherwise their union contract will remain unchanged.
Building our communities
LCSA helps homeless union members get back into housing
Labor’s Community Service Agency, a nonprofit connected to United Way and local labor groups, is helping union members get back into housing.
Jobs
TriMet starting pay jumps 48% in a year
Amid a severe bus driver shortage, starting pay jumped from $17 to $25.24. Plus a $7,500 sign-on bonus. These are union jobs with benefits.
