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:
Laborers Local 483
Union democracy
Local 483 re-elects Sotomayor as another contract fight looms
In ways both positive and negative, the local is still feeling the effects of its strike at the city more than three years ago.
Collective bargaining
More workers join union at the Portland Japanese Garden
Management said no to miso soup and rice. Now Brad Avakian is at the table.
Portland
City unions plan rally against job cuts
City unions want the city to consider layoff alternatives like curtailing management bloat and the use of expensive outside contractors.
Analysis
2025: The rest of the story
Since the start of 2025, we’ve reported over 400 stories. Here's an update about what’s happened since we last reported on some of them.
Collective bargaining
Contract negotiations break down in Silverton
Laborers Local 483 and the City of Silverton are clashing over pay, inflation raises, and seniority protections.
Jobs
At the City of Portland, fewer layoffs than feared
Union advocacy over months of public hearings and meetings resulted in scaled back layoff plans in the new city council’s first budget.
Jobs
City of Portland unions say: Cut from the top, not the bottom
Unions at the City of Portland are sounding the alarm at possible layoffs of frontline workers that could unfairly spare city managers.
Portland
Facing $93M deficit, city unions push alternatives to job cuts
Leaders of seven labor organizations visited Portland City Councilors and Mayor Keith Wilson’s offices to discuss how to avoid layoffs.
People
A union arborist, root and branch
Laborers Local 483 member Jayne Lacey has combined a lifelong passion for climbing trees with a commitment to public service.
Workers Rights
Workwear for worrisome streets
Workers who maintain City of Portland sewage infrastructure recently received new city-issued workwear: bulletproof vests.
Collective bargaining
Strike Stories
2023 was the biggest strike year in decades. We asked readers who struck last year to tell what it was like.
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.
Collective bargaining
Laborers Local 483 wins wage hikes for zoo and parks workers in tentative deal with Metro
The agreement will increase wages and paid time off for roughly 250 workers at the Oregon Zoo and regional parks.
Worker safety
City of Portland fined for wrecking bar accident
The Aug. 11 workplace accident sent a metal bar through a City of Portland maintenance worker’s stomach.
Jobs
Portland Bureau of Transportation could lay off 88
Union job cuts in the city's transportation bureau would mean more potholes and fewer streets plowed for snow.
Worker safety
Local 483 raising funds for gravely injured city worker
A City of Portland maintenance worker was impaled by a metal bar at work. His union has launched a fundraiser to support him as he recovers.
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
City workers win wage gains after 3-day strike
The wastewater treatment plant picket drew a police presence after unsubstantiated allegations by Portland mayor Ted Wheeler of picket line violence.
Collective bargaining
Portland City Laborers begin strike
Laborers Local 483 wants raises that keep up with inflation. City HR says no, and Mayor Wheeler prepares to hire scabs.
Collective bargaining
Portland recreation dispute near resolution
City of Portland HR tried to pull a fast one: A revised step scale in which no one would be paid at the top step.
