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:
U.S. Department of Labor
National
DOL raises overtime threshold for 4 million salaried workers
Under a new DOL rule, salaried workers who make less than $43,888 a year will qualify for overtime pay effective July 1.Â
Workers Rights
Tip theft at Pizzicato and McMenamins
A Portland-area chain agreed to pay $540,000 to 367 employees after U.S. DOL found managers were unlawfully sharing tips given to workers.
National
Biden nominates Julie Su to be Secretary of Labor
If confirmed by the Senate, she would replace Marty Walsh, who is leaving to become head of the National Hockey League Players’ Association.Â
Workers Rights
America’s top wage and hour law enforcer
Jessica Looman, former head of the Minnesota building trades union council, now leads the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division.
National
A Laborer atop the Department of Labor
Marty Walsh, sworn in as labor secretary March 23, is the former head of Laborers Local 223 and the Boston Building Trades Council.
National
Biden names former union leader as nominee for labor secretary
If confirmed by the newly-seated Democratic Senate, Marty Walsh would be the first union member to serve as labor secretary since 1977.
Workers Rights
Nonunion concrete contractor gets prison sentence in wage fraud case
Caught violating prevailing wage, he lied to investigators about repaying the money — and offered money to employees to lie and say he'd paid them.
National
Trump Labor nominee confirmed
Alex Acosta was sworn in April 28, the day after a 60-38 confirmation vote in the Senate.
National
Trump’s Labor Secretary nominee: Puzder withdraws; Acosta up next
After Puzder, Acosta comes as a relief to labor.
People
Labor secretary taps Worley for national Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship
The committee advises the Secretary of Labor on matters facing the registered apprenticeship system.
Union democracy
Re-run election confirms Shirley Block and Jon Hunt as leaders of ATU Local 757
Block got 55 percent of the vote, and Hunt got 52 percent.
Union Organizing
New rule forces union-busters into the daylight
The Department of Labor has eliminated a reporting loophole that lasted 54 years.
Trade
Foreign trade ruled a factor in Newberg paper mill closure
About 200 workers lost jobs at WestRock, formerly SP Fiber.
National
DOL awards $10.2 million grants to fight worker misclassification
Oregon will get $500,000 to crack down on employers who skirt the unemployment insurance system
Union democracy
Machinists re-elect Buffenbarger
Challenge slate led by Jay Cronk plans to dispute election results
National
Union numbers held steady in 2013
Washington is again the fourth-most union state, while Oregon drops to 12th
Union democracy
Boeing controversy fuels challenge to top Machinist posts
After an investigation, DOL is overseeing a re-run of the election for national Machinists officers
Trade
Nearly 2,000 Oregon jobs lost to trade in 2012
Oregon Fair Trade Campaign's tally: 55,000 Oregon jobs lost since NAFTA
National
Union members down to 11.3 percent of U.S. workforce
New York is the most unionized. Washington's #4, Oregon #9.
Workers Rights
Blueberry growers fined for minimum wage violations, but Avakian cries foul
Back pay and civil penalties total $240,000 for violating the rights of 1,100 workers.
