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:
TriMet
Collective bargaining
ATU members re-vote and ratify TriMet contract
About 2,500 TriMet workers have a new collective bargaining agreement that increases wages 13.6% over four years.
Collective bargaining
TriMet deal comes amid union leadership change
The 4-year agreement was finalized after members voted in new leadership, with a ratification vote set for two days before they were sworn in.
Union democracy
Change in leadership at Amalgamated Transit Union 757
Members of ATU Local 757 have voted TriMet bus operator Bruce Hansen back in as president — nine years after he left office.Â
People
Juggling, hula-hooping bus driver hears birds calling
Bus operator Cindy Kassab, a member of ATU Local 747, heads into retirement with honors after a record 47 years driving for TriMet.
Worker safety
Assault a bus driver, commit a felony
ATU Local 757 tells Oregon lawmakers assaults on bus drivers are increasing, and asks to tighten a law classifying such assaults as felonies.Â
Collective bargaining
TriMet workers extend contract through 2024
Portland-area transit workers will get raises at the end of this year and next, but otherwise their union contract will remain unchanged.
Jobs
TriMet starting pay jumps 48% in a year
Amid a severe bus driver shortage, starting pay jumped from $17 to $25.24. Plus a $7,500 sign-on bonus. These are union jobs with benefits.
Worker safety
Unsafe streets: Deteriorating public safety is impacting workers on the job
Attacks on parks workers. Assaults on bus drivers. Safety concerns are driving some employees to leave their jobs altogether.
People
Labor peace at TriMet?
With a new general manager at TriMet, an era of antagonism between the transit agency and its union may have come to a close.
Collective bargaining
Transit union reaches deal with TriMet
As contract arbitration neared, TriMet management dropped its proposal to eliminate its apprenticeship program for bus mechanics.
Workers Rights
ATU fights to save apprenticeship, and win back the right to strike
SB 690, a bill introduced by Oregon State Senator Chris Gorsek, would restore the right to strike for public transit workers like bus drivers.
Collective bargaining
TriMet declares impasse in contract bargaining
An arbitrator will decide if the transit agency can scrap its mechanic apprenticeship program.
Worker safety
Transit: Ridership plummets, but no workers are facing layoff, and cleaners are working overtime
In Eugene and Salem, bus service is now free. In Portland, new machines are disinfecting buses and trains with peroxide mist nightly.
Collective bargaining
Support your transit workers!
Local 757 says TriMet plans to eliminate mechanic apprenticeship programs and privatize bus service for the benefit of big companies like Amazon and FedEx.
Collective bargaining
TriMet stuck on ending apprenticeship
Months of pushback from Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757 has so far failed to persuade TriMet management to put the brakes on a plan to end its apprenticeship programs for bus and light rail mechanics.
Jobs
TriMet awards transit project to union-signatory minority contractor
Raimore Construction will be the general contractor on the $60 million construction portion of the Division Transit Project, which will be the largest construction contract awarded to a minority contractor in Oregon history.
Collective bargaining
Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle to TriMet: Don’t eliminate apprenticeships!
TriMet has been proposing in union contract bargaining to scrap its bus and light rail maintenance mechanic training programs.
Collective bargaining
TriMet talks off to rough start
TriMet wants to get rid of its bus and light rail maintenance mechanic training programs. And maybe contract out maintenance of the electric and hybrid buses it wants to buy.
Jobs
Transit union cries foul as TriMet contracts out shuttle service for its own drivers
Is Oregon’s largest transit agency incapable of operating a single shuttle bus? You might think so given a recent TriMet board action.
Collective bargaining
New TriMet Lift contracts raise wages up to $3.91 an hour
Problems with bathroom breaks and rider wait times are still unresolved.
