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:
UA Local 290
Culture
UA Local 290 will have a new hall in Vancouver
The local is spending $8.6 million to purchase and remodel the 3-acre property. Nearly 1,000 of Local 290’s 5,100 members live in Washington.
People
Pipes of purpose: How a master plumber can change lives
From Brazil to Nepal, South Africa to New Guinea, Jed Scheuermann taps the skills of his trade to safeguard human health and dignity.
Training the Next Generation
Biden cabinet official drops by UA Local 290
U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su visited Oregon for a whirlwind two-day tour of training programs Feb. 22-23.
Collective bargaining
Trades workers ratify contract at Home Forward
The three-year contract covers 56 trades workers. It raises starting pay $9 an hour on average and adds new safety provisions.Â
Union Organizing
Pipefitters stay non-union
Workers at HIS Innovations Group make $3 to $9 an hour below equivalent union members, but rejected unionization in a 4-5 vote on Feb. 22.Â
Union democracy
Paul Elder takes office as UA 290 business manager after election challenge denied
In his first week as business manager, Elder hired seven new staff, filling a vacancy and replacing six others he let go.
Union democracy
UA Local 290 election challenged
The rep assigned to investigate hopes to conclude within a month, at which point the results would be upheld or a new election ordered.
Union democracy
Members elect new leadership at UA 290
In his third run for UA 290 business manager, longtime benefit trustee Paul Elder outpolled incumbent Joe Neely and three others.
Union Organizing
A Hillsboro tech firm sold for $100 million. Its workers think they should get a raise.
Not a dime of investors' fat payday was shared with the pipefitters who make the products the company sells.
Building our communities
Tradeswomen build nations
It was the largest gathering of its kind. At Women Build Nations, 3,900 attendees paraded down the streets of the nation’s capital.
Jobs
Portland Public Schools is skimping on maintenance
A new report paid for by the district confirms what union tradespeople who maintain schools have been saying for years.
Training the Next Generation
For Portland-area plumbers and fitters, no more night school
A switch to daytime classes is leading to dramatic gains at the Plumbers and Fitters Local 290 training center in Tualatin.
Building our communities
Recruiting out in the community
R&B. Barbecue. And a chance at a family wage. The Community Pulse Series is meant to recruit people of color to the trades.
Union democracy
A new generation takes the helm at UA 290
Business Manager Lou Christian retired effective May 31, and was succeeded by the assistant business manager, Joe Neely on June 1.
Retirement
RECIPE FOR HEALTH: Cook your own food
A Portland-based chef educator leads a cooking class for Local 290’s retirees wellness program. She says healthy eating starts with tastiness.
Collective bargaining
Gas distribution workers get $7.32 increase over 3 years
UA Local 290's agreement covers about 80 members who install and maintain natural gas pipelines for natural gas utilities.
Collective bargaining
UA 290 wins $13.54 increase in new three-year deal
The agreement came through an unusual "co-interest" bargaining process first tried 7 years ago, open to any member who wanted to take part.
People
Apprentice tells her story at the Capitol
Culture change in construction is real, and it’s happening, Local 290 member Kasey Finegan told lawmakers and their staffmembers.
Training the Next Generation
UA Local 290 apprentices compete
Apprentices at the UA Local 290 Training Center square off in four specialties: HVAC, plumbing, steamfitting, and welding.
National
Biden: ‘Let’s finish the job’
Three Oregon union members were guests at Joe Biden's 2023 State of the Union address, which featured heckling and off-script engagement.
