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:
SEIU Local 49
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.
Union Organizing
NLRB: Medford hospital must recognize union
Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center breaches labor law; NLRB says the hospital must recognize (and bargain with) SEIU Local 49.
Collective bargaining
Contracts raise wages for janitors and security guards
Service Employees International Union Local 49 represents about 800 security guards and 1,400 janitors in the Portland metro area.
Jobs
‘¿Justicia para los janitors? Sí señor!’
Union janitors with SEIU Local 49 are protesting a decision at the Brewery Blocks to hire a non-union janitorial firm.
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.
Collective bargaining
The biggest health care strike in U.S. history
75,000 workers struck Kaiser Permanente for 3 days. Now a 4-year agreement brokered by the U.S. Secretary of Labor provides 21% raises.
Collective bargaining
Biggest ever Kaiser strike starts with pharmacy workers
Northwest pharmacists walked out Oct. 1, and 75,000 other Kaiser workers in five states began their own strike Oct. 4.
Collective bargaining
Pickets back up at Kaiser Permanente
SEIU Local 49 picketed three hospitals July 24-28 to protest unsafe staffing and draw attention to difficulty getting a new union contract.
Union Organizing
Airport wheelchair attendants for United added to union
As of last month, every wheelchair attendant at Portland International Airport belongs to a union — SEIU Local 49.
Workers Rights
At Portland airport, sitting for the right to sit
Airport contractor Bags Inc. orders wheelchair attendants to remain standing when not assisting passengers.
Workers Rights
Workers petition for a prayer room at the Portland airport
The Port of Portland is exploring the possibility of dedicating a temporary space for prayer at the airport in time for Ramadan.
Workers Rights
PDX tells service contractors to increase PTO
More than 1,000 service workers at Portland International Airport will get a bump in their paid time off accrual this summer.
Labor History
SEIU Local 49 celebrates 100 years
The union's history began in Portland's performance venues in 1922, when theater and dance hall janitors decided to improve their working conditions.
Collective bargaining
Oregon Coast hospital workers ratify contract
A group of 115 workers at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital in Lincoln City have a new three-year contract.
Union Organizing
Providence Medford hospital techs want union
A group of 118 technical employees at Providence medical facilities in southern Oregon is petitioning to join SEIU Local 49.
Collective bargaining
After two strikes, Springfield hospital workers approve contract
The deal means over 22% raises over three years on average for roughly 300 support workers at one of only two for-profit hospitals in Oregon.
Collective bargaining
Strike at Springfield hospital
Over 300 workers held a 5-day strike at McKenzie-Willamette Hospital to protest outsourcing of laundry, food service and housekeeping.
Collective bargaining
Daimler Machinists: $4 raise plus essential worker bonus
Four unions at the Portland truck plant ratified new five-year agreements that raise wages $4, and hold the line on health insurance costs.
Collective bargaining
Frontline healthcare workers strike McKenzie-Willamette
Members of Service Employees Local 49 are fighting for wage increases, improved job safety, and to stop the hospital from outsourcing jobs.
Collective bargaining
SEIU Local 49 ratifies new master janitorial agreement
Members of the union bargaining team that negotiated the master janitorial agreement. (Photo courtesy SEIU Local 49)
