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:
UFCW Local 555
Portland
Portland looks at ban on AI-driven grocery pricing
An ordinance sponsored by Portland City Councilor Eric Zimmerman will get its first hearing Sept. 22.
In Memoriam
Sam Gillispie, 1949-2026
An important figure in local labor, he spent 25 years as member, officer, and staff in AFSCME and 18 years as a rep at UFCW Local 555.
Workers Rights
REI must reinstate fired worker
An 11-year employee was fired for clocking in seven minutes early. That was just a pretext, said the judge.
Oregon
Oregon Legislature faces revenue crunch as unions prepare to rally at the Capitol
Oregon lawmakers meet from Feb. 2 to no later than March 8 for their biennial “short session,” and this one is expected to be challenging.
In Memoriam
Keith Jons, 1931-2025
The UFCW leader negotiated hundreds of contracts lifting standards in meat.
Collective bargaining
Near strike at Roth’s in Salem
UFCW Local 555 reached agreement with Roth’s Sept. 10 on a new three-year union contract, just ahead of a strike that was to start Sept. 11.
Jobs
Hospital shake-up may kill for-profit deal
At a public hospital in Coos Bay, union-backed candidates critical of a deal with a for-profit hospital operator take office this month.
Oregon
Judge blocks Oregon’s cannabis labor neutrality law
Voters backed the November 2024 ballot measure by 56%. But Judge Michael Simon ruled that it violates employers’ First Amendment rights.
Jobs
Albertsons set to close Bridlemile store
A Portland Albertsons will close July 1, resulting in layoffs for workers represented by UFCW Local 555 and Bakers Local 114.
Jobs
UFCW Local 555 fights sale of public hospital to private equity firm
Bay Area Hospital, governed by an elected board, is pursuing a partnership with Quorum Health to fix its dire financial situation.
Oregon
Lawsuit aims to strike down Oregon’s new cannabis labor peace law
Measure 119, sponsored by UFCW Local 555, passed in November with the support of 57% of voters.
Analysis
2024: The rest of the story
We’ve reported over 300 stories in 2024. At year's end, we update readers about what happened since we published some of those stories.
Jobs
Dennis Uniform shuts down nationwide
Founded in Portland in 1920, Dennis Uniform eventually grew to become the largest school uniform supplier in the United States.
Collective bargaining
UFCW 555 reaches agreement with Kroger
The Fred Meyer boycott is over. New contracts covering 11,000 workers will raise wages $4.50 over three years for the most senior workers.
Jobs
Kroger/Albertsons merger on trial
Kroger and Albertsons are the big fish that swallowed up almost all other grocery competitors. Now Kroger proposes to swallow Albertsons.
Collective bargaining
UFCW Local 555 strikes Portland-area Fred Meyer stores
The union is now calling on customers to take part in a general boycott of Fred Meyer.
Collective bargaining
UFCW 555 on strike at Fred Meyer (and now opposes the merger)
Approximately 4,500 grocery and meat workers in the Portland area are on strike through Labor Day weekend.
Oregon
UFCW 555 turns in signatures for cannabis union initiative
It would require cannabis businesses to submit signed labor peace agreements if they want to get or renew a license to do business in Oregon.
Collective bargaining
UFCW Local 555 ends dispute with Kaiser
Five months after Kaiser pharmacy and imaging workers struck in Oregon, UFCW Local 555 says members ratified new four-year agreements.
Union Organizing
Workers reject union at Wyld cannabis gummies
With all but one of 35 eligible workers casting ballots, the vote was 12-22 for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555.
