May 1, 2009 Volume 110 Number 9
 

Campaign at DePaul shows how hard it is to unionize under current U.S. labor law
 At a food packaging plant in North Portland, a group of workers saw what can happen when they try to express their right to join a union.

 

[Left, Joe Crane, a volunteer organizer for Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Local 364, found strong iinterest in unionizing at DePaul Industries. That wasn't enough.]

Fred Meyer remodels stores nonunion, stymies UFCW in The Dalles
Fred Meyer, at one time a reliable employer of union labor, has been using nonunion contractors in remodeling projects at Portland-area stores. Meanwhile, some workers on the inside — represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 — are having trouble getting a first union contract.
Rep. Wu doubtful Congress will reform health care system with single-payer plan
Wu, a Democrat representing the First District, told nearly 60 union leaders at an April 15 breakfast meeting sponsored by the Northwest Oregon Labor Council that President Obama is likely to retain the current employer-based system.
Nurse associations from Oregon and Washington help launch new union
The Oregon Nurses Association has joined a newly formed national nurses union that includes nursing associations from Washington, Montana, Ohio, New Jersey, and New York. The six state associations disaffiliated from the United American Nurses (UAN) in December of 2007.