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:
Multnomah County
Jobs
$573 million in public funds? Now the Blazers decide
Multnomah County and Portland City Council approved tentative commitments totaling $208 million in taxpayer-funded arena renovations.
Jobs
Portland weighs public cash for Blazers arena upgrade
Billionaire Tom Dundon, head of an investment group that now owns the Portland Trail Blazers, wants taxpayers to pay for renovations to the Moda Center arena. Portland City Council members, organized labor, and the public are split on the idea.
Jobs
At Multnomah County, layoffs and more layoffs
The Labor Press spoke with AFSCME Local 88 President Jackie Tate about the tough budget times ahead.
Jobs
Multnomah County weighs cuts
The county is looking to cut positions for the second year in a row, and it may be on track for more cuts every year for the next few years.
Collective bargaining
Multnomah County workers vote on new contract
The new agreement sets a $21 minimum wage and raises of 2.4% or at least $1 per hour retroactive to July 2025.
Union democracy
Unity Slate prevails in AFSCME Local 88 elections
Members re-elected Jackie Tate as president amid tough contract talks with Multnomah County.
Collective bargaining
AFSCME Local 88 presses Multnomah County for $3 raises
Bargaining with Multnomah County has now stretched out three months past expiration of the most recent contract.
Jobs
Keeping contractors honest: Volunteers help Multnomah County protect prevailing wage
Who’s making sure construction workers aren’t getting cheated by employers? A small team of county workers and union volunteers.
Jobs
Multnomah County budget will lead to layoffs
The $4 billion budget approved by Multnomah County leaders for the fiscal year that starts July 1 cuts at least 100 staff positions.
Union Organizing
Security guards unionize at Multnomah County
The security officers work for Inter-Con Security Systems, which started a five-year, $40 million contract with Multnomah County last year.
Analysis
How Oregon election workers ensure accurate ballot counts
Every election season, union members in Oregon ensure the security of ballots, and the accuracy of counts.
Jobs
Multnomah County cuts a deal with AMR
AMR says its slow response times are because it’s hard to find and keep paramedics. Multnomah County is going to make it easier for them.
Multnomah County
Decision point for Multnomah County
At a moment of crisis, two competitive races will decide the direction of Multnomah County, Oregon’s most populous.
Collective bargaining
Under-market workers get pay bump at Multnomah County
About 300 union workers at Multnomah County will get raises this month to bring their salaries in line with other public sector employees.8
Collective bargaining
Multnomah County and AFSCME sign union contract for dentists
The contract covering 20 Multnomah County dentists sets the total number of patients they see in a 10-hour shift to 21.
Collective bargaining
Multnomah County dentists authorize strike
Dentists say seeing more patients per day will lower the quality of care they offer to Medicaid enrollees and uninsured or homeless patients.
People
The job: Put an end to homelessness
Katie DeSantis was homeless for 20 years. Then she secured stable housing, earned a degree, and began working for homeless service agencies.
Collective bargaining
Multnomah County: You’ll get your pay … later
The county says workers won’t get retroactive raises—ratified in November with back pay stretching back to July—until February.
Workers Rights
Nurse union asks district attorney to prosecute Providence for wage theft
Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt says he’s ready to prosecute employers who commit wage theft. Oregon Nurses Association has one in mind.
Collective bargaining
AFSCME Local 88 members ratify Multnomah County contract
The vote came after about seven months of bargaining and a handful of rallies AFSCME staged outside county facilities.
