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:
Oregon AFSCME
Worker safety
Lawmakers hear a plea for safety
Unions are backing a bill in the Oregon legislature to mandate protection for workers who interact with violent mentally ill patients.
Worker safety
Survey: Oregon public employees are unprotected amid growing threats
In a worker safety survey, 67% reported physical violence, threat, trauma, or injury in the workplace and 15% reported physical assaults.
Oregon
Rayfield appoints labor advisors
The Oregon Attorney General-elect wants advice on how to respond to possible future actions by the incoming Trump administration.
Collective bargaining
Hours before researcher strike, OHSU agrees to give raises
OHSU had said it would pay workers only the minimum salary set by the National Institutes of Health. When a strike neared, they reconsidered.
Union Organizing
Do Good Multnomah workers seek union
The workers provide services to the homeless. They want higher wages, more robust staffing, and mental health support.
Collective bargaining
OHSU’s postdoc researchers reach impasse
The two sides have been negotiating since September 2023, and OHSU has refused to offer raises of any amount.
People
Personnel changes
David Groves left the Washington State Labor Council after 32 years. Mike Burlingham left Bakers Local 364 to work for Oregon AFSCME.
Union Organizing
Over 2,000 OHSU research workers join AFSCME
The unit will include workers who conduct lab experiments, order equipment, file paperwork, and care for animals used in studies.
Collective bargaining
Oregon Health and Science University’s wage offer: 0%
Bargaining with about 250 postdoctoral researchers, OHSU's wage offer is remarkable: a three-year contract with raises of 0% each year.
Union democracy
Oregon AFSCME leader joins national leadership
Corey Hope Nicholson will represent AFSCME’s six-state Northwest Region as vice president on the union’s national executive board.
Union Organizing
OHSU lab workers launch union drive
If at least half sign cards within six months, state law requires OHSU to recognize a union for about 2,000 workers in its laboratories.
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.
Collective bargaining
All Good that ends good
The nonprofit that operates several Portland homeless camps fired a whistleblower last year. Now it's at peace with the union.
Workers Rights
Crisis home workers ask Governor Kotek: Fire our boss
Workers have reported getting punched, scratched, and stabbed with pencils, and the staff vacancy rate this year hit an all-time high.
Worker safety
Murder of health aide shows fears were valid
Cascadia Behavioral Health employee Haley Rogers, a member of AFSCME Local 1790-4, was stabbed to death July 16 by one of her patients.
Collective bargaining
Unions reach deals with state of Oregon
Two unions representing nearly 30,000 Oregon state workers reached agreements that would provide a cumulative 13% raise over two years.
Workers Rights
Fired AFSCME supporter wins $20,000 back pay
The National Labor Relations Board determined that camp operator All Good NW fired Michael Rainey illegally.
Union Organizing
Workers at homeless nonprofit New Avenues for Youth vote union
The tally was 69 to 12 to join Oregon AFSCME. The workers provide meals, showers, and internet to young people, and help with housing or work.
Union Organizing
OHSU postdocs want to join Oregon AFSCME
On April 7, a majority of about 240 eligible “postdoc” research staff signed union authorization cards and asked for a union election.
Collective bargaining
New CEO at Central City Concern decides to hit reset with union
What if the Portland-based homeless service non-profit thought of Oregon AFSCME as its most important ally?
