May 2, 2003

Labor headlines from the May 2, 2003, edition of the Northwest Labor Press

"We have to start going to Wal-Mart, because America is already shopping there," says Mike Leonard, head of the Department of Strategic Programs of the United Food and Commercial Workers.

AFL-CIO's Nesbitt tells City Club tax reform needed

The crux of his talk was an appeal for support for labor's agenda in the 2003 session of the Oregon Legislature.

Ballot Measure 26-48 to aid Multnomah County schools backed by labor

Most labor councils and unions in the Portland metropolitan area have endorsed Ballot Measure 26-48, the temporary income tax measure to restore basic necessities for schools, senior citizens and public safety.

Labor counts win for corporate accountability reform

The State of Oregon has heeded a unionist's plea to vote its own stock at annual meetings

Security guards seek first ILWU contract at Metro

All that remains is the wage issue. Officers are asking for a 5 percent raise to make up for wage freezes in recent years, and say the employer's offer - a 0.4 percent increase - is an insult.

Labor criticizes budget proposals of Oregon's governor, legislators

Co-chairs of the Joint Ways and Means Committee and Governor Ted Kulongoski rolled out their respective budget proposals April 17-18 - and both drew swift reaction from organized labor.