Workers Rights

Union campaign ramps up as 360 Sheet Metal fires supporters

Sheet Metal Local 16’s relationship with the newly unionized Vancouver firm has gone from bad to worse, with legal charges multiplying.

The return of Joy Silk

The NLRB is about to get tough on unionbusting. Its general counsel announced a policy that could stop employers from crushing union drives. 

Case dismissed: Scabby the rat beats the rap

Scabby is 12' tall and has red eyes, fangs, and claws. It may be scary looking, but the beloved inflatable is not an outlaw, the NLRB says.

Union-busting bakery pays $580k to settle overtime case

Workers sometimes win when they raise the union banner, even when they lose the union.

Precision Castparts must recognize Machinists Union

Precision—a key Boeing supplier—has lost its marathon effort to avoid recognizing the choice of a group of welders to unionize.

Government report says NLRB is understaffed

According to a March 29 report, the drop has been dramatic. Since 2010 the NLRB has lost 452 employees, or 26%.

NLRB drops Trump rule that would have blocked graduate student unions

Trump NLRB appointees had declared that student teaching assistants aren't employees under the National Labor Relations Act.

House re-passes the PRO Act

The U.S. House passed the PRO Act—labor’s top priority—March 9. Five Republicans joined all but one Democrat voting yes.

Right to work bill gets pummeled in Montana Legislature

For Montana’s labor movement, it was a fight for life: Union foes thought they'd pass “right to work” given a 2-1 Republican House majority.

A fix for America’s broken labor law

Congress may soon consider the most game-changing pro-union legislation in 80 years. The PRO Act would restore workers’ right to unionize.

New NLRB acting attorney backs off lawsuit against Scabby the Rat

The previous general counsel, a management-side labor lawyer appointed by Trump, tried to muzzle Scabby the Rat as soon as he took office.

Seattle mandates $4 per hour COVID pay boost for grocery workers

In an 8-0 vote Jan. 25, Seattle City Council ordered large grocery stores to pay $4 an hour hazard pay til the end of the COVID-19 emergency.

ATU fights to save apprenticeship, and win back the right to strike

SB 690, a bill introduced by Oregon State Senator Chris Gorsek, would restore the right to strike for public transit workers like bus drivers.

Oregon’s prevailing wage law investigated

A new study finds that Oregon's prevailing wage law raises the wages of workers on public construction projects, but not the project cost.

Oregon Justice Department says legislative workers can’t unionize

Legislative aides don’t have the right to unionize after all, says Oregon's Attorney General in objections on behalf of the Legislature.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown proposes more money for labor law enforcement

Oregon Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle is asking for an additional 25 full-time staff. The governor’s recommended budget proposes to add 11.

Les Schwab Tires pays workers $16 million for missed breaks

A lawsuit said Les Schwab routinely shorted workers on lunch breaks. Oregon law requires an uninterrupted meal break of at least 30 minutes.

Portland Airport implements new $15 wage floor

The new policy would raise wages above $16.55 for 900 service workers in January 2022. SEIU Local 49 calls that too little too late.

Homeless crisis workers seek respect

Central City Concern is on the front line of the region’s homeless crisis. Workers held a protest to draw attention to three demands.

Will Oregon get serious about labor law enforcement?

BOLI’s staff has shrunk by a third since 1995—even as Oregon added a million new residents and legislators gave it new laws to enforce.