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
Workers go Wobbly at Muji store in Portland
Workers say wages at the design-savvy home goods store are low compared to comparable retail jobs.
An indie union at Papa Haydn restaurant?
Contested ballots will show if the union has a majority.
KGW workers stand firm against anti-union campaign
How far will Tegna go to avoid accepting workers’ choice to unionize?
KGW producers vote on whether to join IBEW Local 48
As tech reshapes their newsroom, workers are looking to the union for protection.
They help riders in crisis — Now TriMet safety workers want a union
Most TriMet workers are unionized. Now the agency’s crisis-response safety team wants recognition from its private contractor.
Student workers at Portland State form a union
The massive unit would mean nearly wall-to-wall unionization at PSU.
Portland City Council aides unionize
Two unions are vying to represent 41 Portland City Council staffers, triggering a public-sector union election.
Providence Portland medical techs unionize
The unit includes surgical technicians, occupational therapy assistants, and technologists who run ultrasound, MRI and mammogram equipment.
AFSCME organizes workers in the Portland City Attorney’s office
In a break with past stances, the City actually reorganized the office slightly to allow more workers to have union representation.
Portland Rock Gym agrees to recognize union
Climbing instructors, coaches and staff hope to secure better wages, staffing and scheduling.
Newport Symphony goes union
The symphony’s board granted voluntary recognition in July, pending a check of signed union authorization cards that was completed in August.
New Seasons workers at store on Woodstock dump union
The effort was led by workers who were unsatisfied with slow contract negotiations. And New Seasons is now giving raises to nonunion workers.
Providence St. Vincent staff unionize
A unit of nearly 1,100 medical technicians and service workers at Providence’s largest Oregon hospital voted join SEIU Local 49.
Owners close cannabis store after workers form a union
When workers formed United Cannabis Workers in January, Buzz Box voluntarily recognized the union. Then it cut hours and hired new workers.
Fallout from Legacy-OHSU merger sparks union wave
The merger of two of the region's largest health care providers is off, but 3,000 more workers are unionized since its announcement.
Union at ChildRoots
Workers at a Portland childcare chain vote to form a bargaining unit, joining the early childhood education division of ILWU Local 5.
Refugee resettlement workers join OPEIU
Of the International Rescue Committee's 29 U.S. offices, 10 have unionized since 2023, most of them through voluntary employer recognition.
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.
