Parry Center strike ends
After nearly two months on strike against a hard-line anti-union stance by Trillium Family Services management, workers at Portland’s Parry Center for Children were jubilant Jan. 26 at the news they’d be going back to work.

[Left: About 100 Parry Center strikers and supporters occupy the lobby of a downtown office tower Jan. 21 to demand an audience with Parry Center Board member Peter Northrup. Thirteen of the protesters were later arrested and charged with criminal trespass.]

AFL-CIO's Witt appointed state rep in District 31
Brad Witt, secretary-treasurer of the Oregon AFL-CIO, has been appointed to the House of Representatives in District 31. He will fill the unexpired term of Democrat Betsy Johnson of Scappoose, who was appointed to the State Senate to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Democrat Joan Dukes, who accepted an appointment to the Northwest Power Planning Council.
Labor’s future: Unions react to SEIU's proposal
A debate begun in November by Service Employees International Union has caught fire among the national leaderships of AFL-CIO affiliated unions. At issue is the structure of the American labor movement, and the discussion could precipitate major changes at the AFL-CIO’s July 2005 quadrennial convention.
Water Bureau worker becomes head of AFSCME Local 189
Carol Stahlke, Portland Local 189’s new union president, learned the meaning of union through struggles with management.
AFL-CIO to battle Social Security privatization scheme
The union movement is gearing up for a nationwide debate over President Bush’s call to privatize Social Security. Critics are having a field day ripping holes in arguments for privatization, and the president’s supporters in Congress are nervous about the political consequences of proceeding with Social Security privatization.
ATU 757 delays strike at Lane Transit District
A transit strike in Lane County was averted — at least for a while — when bus operators and their union, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757, agreed Jan. 31 to a public mediation plan and 35-day cooling off period.