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 Organizing
Unions are democratic organizations of workers — united for mutual aid and protection. In this section, we report on efforts to unionize non-union workplaces, and on employer efforts to oppose unionization.
Trump administration: Do your own card check
FMCS will stop providing free “card check” services when employers agree to recognize a union based on signed union authorization cards.
Oregon Tilth goes union
Oregon Tilth is a nonprofit that certifies organic crops and livestock; its 85 workers will be members of OPEIU Local 11.
Security guards unionize at Multnomah County
The security officers work for Inter-Con Security Systems, which started a five-year, $40 million contract with Multnomah County last year.
NIETC apprenticeship instructors join union
The union-sponsored electrical training center voluntarily recognized the unit after all instructors signed a petition seeking recognition.
Outsourced Providence lab workers unionize
The Catholic health chain outsourced diagnostic lab operations and leased their workplace to a giant for-profit company known as LabCorp.
Amazon workers reject union in North Carolina
Independent union CAUSE lost the vote to unionize an Amazon warehouse, but the company may have violated labor law.
Philadelphia Whole Foods workers unionize
Parent company Amazon is already contesting the results, arguing that the National Labor Relations Board lacks a quorum.
Sizzle Pie shuts newly union location
Sizzle Pie management claimed that the closure is unavoidable because they lost the lease. Union members are skeptical.
Legacy nurses go union
Oregon Nurses Association welcomes nearly 2,300 new members from three Legacy hospitals after successful union vote.
Sizzle Pie fires union supporters
Despite the firings, workers at the 624 E. Burnside St. location voted 16-0 to unionize with Restaurant Workers United.
Street Roots workers vote to join CWA 7901
Staff at the nonprofit alternative newspaper and advocacy organization are seeking pay equity, increased staffing, and safety measures.
Whether Legacy or GoHealth, clinic workers want into union
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants at GoHealth urgent care clinics in Oregon and Washington voted 45-1 to join ONA.
Buzz Box Budtenders announce independent union
The dispensary owners granted voluntary recognition to the new United Cannabis Workers, workers announced Jan. 15.
NLRB: Medford hospital must recognize union
Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center breaches labor law; NLRB says the hospital must recognize (and bargain with) SEIU Local 49.
Legacy nurses to vote on union
Nurses cite safety concerns, poor work environments, and uncompetitive wages in historic union drive with ONA.
Street Roots staff are unionizing
Staff at the nonprofit group will vote to certify Communications Workers of America Local 7901 as their representative on Jan. 7.
Ushers join growing Shakespeare Festival union
They’re the latest group voting to join IATSE Local 154. The famed Ashland theater is nearly wall-to-wall union.
At SCRAP Creative Reuse, workers unionize
SCRAP Creative Reuse is a nonprofit in Portland that sells low-cost art supplies and offers arts education.
No to union at McMenamins
IATSE Local 28 says concert production company Monqui Presents chilled union support when it fired two union supporters.
Workers at Peet’s Coffee Broadway shop join IWW
It’s the fifth win in the IWW’s Peet’s Labor Union effort, after four coffee shops unionized in the San Francisco Bay Area.
