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:
OPEIU Local 11
Collective bargaining
At Reed College still no union contract after a year
The workers currently make $17,260 per year, which after taxes is less than the cost of the room and board in the dorms where they work.
Workers Rights
Unions say Clark County owes members a 20% raise after it hiked the pay of its top manager
Four unions representing county employees filed grievances citing “me too” contract clauses. The case is in the hands of an arbitrator.
Collective bargaining
Local 11 wins big contract gains at NW Natural
Workers won a commitment to return to a defined benefit pension if details pass muster, plus wage increases totaling 24% over four years.
Collective bargaining
Tensions rising between NW Natural and union
The utility company informed union workers that it plans to train non-union staff to do their jobs in case there is a strike.
Collective bargaining
OPEIU Local 11 wants big changes at NW Natural
Under new leadership, the union will push the regulated monopoly to restore workers' pension and commit to end outsourcing.
People
Planting the seeds of solidarity
Union stewards like OPEIU Local 11 officer Kim King are the backbone of the labor movement.
Union Organizing
Reed College workers vote to join OPEIU Local 11
Reed housing advisors previously formed an independent union in 2018, but the college refused to recognize the union and filed legal appeals.
People
PERSONNEL REPORT
Staff changes at OPEIU Local 11, Oregon AFSCME, Oregon AFL-CIO, Oregon Building Trades, and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley's office.
Union Organizing
Reed College student workers want to join OPEIU Local 11
Forty-four housing advisers who live and work in dorms are unionizing after Reed changed their job duties without giving them a say.
Collective bargaining
No surprise to employees of Clark County: Study shows they’re underpaid
Consulting firm Baker Tilly conducted the study, which shows that on average, Clark County wages trailed other employers by 4.7% to 9%.
People
New union rep for Northwest Natural
Jordan Fosdick, a service technician at the natural gas utility, will represent nearly 600 members of OPEIU Local 11.
Union democracy
Bell outpolls incumbent at OPEIU Local 11
Longtime Northwest Natural steward Howard Bell outpolled two-term incumbent Maureen Goldberg and was sworn in to a three-year term May 9.
Union Organizing
Oregon Catholic Press dumps union
The Portland-based nonprofit publisher prints sheet music, missals and other resources for church services.
Union Organizing
Abortion support group recognizes union
The Beaverton-headquartered National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF) announced it would voluntarily recognize OPEIU Local 11 union representation.
Jobs
Cities look at banning natural gas
A handful of unions say prohibiting natural gas in new construction is bad for workers, for energy diversity and for cost.
Union democracy
To Zoom or not to Zoom: Labor navigates a return to in-person meetings
Some local labor organizations see an argument for hybrid meetings, which incorporate in-person and virtual attendance options.
Union Organizing
Workers at Clinton-linked non-profit vote against union
Workers at the Alliance For A Healthier Generation contacted OPEIU Local 11 last year expressing interest in unionizing.
National
U.S. government launches pension rescue
In the Portland area, Plasterers Local 82 and OPEIU Local 11 could undo pension benefit cuts almost immediately.
National
How the COVID relief bill saves union pensions
The just-passed COVID relief bill will rescue and restore over 100 declining union pension plans.
People
Northwest Labor Press staff changes
Northwest Labor Press office manager Cheri Rice is retiring after 20 years; succeeding her is Jill Lukens. Both have long connections to local unionism.
