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.
Union democracy
Don’t ever let the slander “union boss” go unchallenged. If you’re a union member, a boss is somebody you work for, but a union officer is somebody who works for you. By law, union members in the United States have the right to vote for their union leadership, and the right to run for union office themselves. In this section, we report on the results of those union officer elections, and on the proceedings of union conventions where decisions are made.
Local 483 re-elects Sotomayor as another contract fight looms
In ways both positive and negative, the local is still feeling the effects of its strike at the city more than three years ago.
Washington labor backs construction jobs, farmworker rights, and a public sector right to strike
Washington State Labor Council’s annual convention also honored labor heroes.
Oregon Firefighters Council president passes the torch
Karl Koenig is stepping down and is succeed by Kevin Larson of Gresham after a unanimous election at the convention in April.
O’Brien and Zuckerman re-elected at Teamsters
Sean O’Brien was reelected to a second five-year term as general president during the union’s June 15-18 convention in Las Vegas.
UAW divests from Israel
A convention resolution calls out Israel for killing at least 70,000 Palestinians and says no UAW funds may be invested in Israel bonds.
Union treasurer accused of embezzling
The treasurer of Clackamas County Employees’ Association was also placed on administrative leave from his job at the county.
AFL-CIO sets goal: 2 million more union members
At the AFL-CIO's 30th national convention in Minneapolis, delegates re-elected leaders and pledged to add 2 million union members by 2032.
Handoff at Plasterers Local 82
Cory DePoppe ran unopposed to be business manager of Plasterers Local 82, succeeds Kent Sickles, who retired May 1.
Newly reelected, Culver sets sights on jobs and growth for Local 737
Local 737’s roughly 2,900 members work in construction, public works, shipyards, and even manufacturing.
DOL looks at cutting paperwork for hundreds of small unions
The Labor department’s LM-2 forms can take 600 hours of union staff time to prepare.
Carpenters reorganize, again
For Portland-area members, this is the sixth time that either their local or regional council was restructured in the last 15 years.
OPEIU Local 11 re-elects Howard Bell
Re-elected unopposed, OPEIU Local 11 leader Howard Bell touts growth, stronger contracts, and a union finding its footing under his watch.
Oregon AFL-CIO rebrands
The Oregon AFL-CIO is changing its public-facing name and will now be known as the Oregon Labor Federation.
ONA members elect reform slate
Caucus for Powerful Reform swept into leadership at Oregon Nurses Association, pledging a more democratic, member-led union.
Local 23 elects a new top officer
Emmanuel Guzman won election as full-time business manager of Elevator Constructors Local 23, filling the unexpired term of Robert Larzalere.
IAFF Local 452 returns incumbents amid plans for regional fire authority
The union kept most leaders in place in late 2025 elections as the Vancouver firefighters union manages growth and change.
Local 23’s Larzalere appointed as Western region organizer
The Portland-based Elevator Constructors union local will elect a new business manager next month.
Unity Slate prevails in AFSCME Local 88 elections
Members re-elected Jackie Tate as president amid tough contract talks with Multnomah County.
Lacrosse union joins house of labor
A new AFL-CIO affiliate, it represents about 400 professional lacrosse players on the 14 teams of the National Lacrosse League.
Oregon AFSCME elects Baessler to top post
In a re-run election, Oregon AFSCME delegates reaffirmed Joe Baessler’s election and kept the current leadership team in place.
