Workers Rights

Columbia Gorge behavioral health provider breaks labor law and pays a price

Management wanted to continue one-to-one relationship with workers. But workers preferred a 112-to-1 relationship, and unionized with AFSCME.

What’s Portland Public Schools hiding? Possibly wage theft?

Construction union reps say the district delays, redacts, and charges exorbitantly for public records they need for wage theft investigations.

Study says employers are skirting landmark law aimed at curbing abusive scheduling practices

The only statewide law of its kind, SB 828 was meant to make workers’ schedules more predictable, but a UO study shows it's falling short.

Preschool for All heads to Multnomah County ballot

Two campaigns for free preschool have merged so that Multnomah County voters can decide on a single measure this November.

Over 800 Providence hospital workers lose their union over one smudged ballot

It’s the latest decision by Trump appointees on the NLRB who seem determined to reverse labor rights reforms of the Obama era.

Oregon Fair Work Week law goes into effect July 15

Large retail employers will have to offer predictable schedules and pay for last-minute changes.

Oregon minimum wage going up

The minimum wage rises today from $12.50 to $13.25 within the Portland Metro urban growth boundary.

Secret audio shows Columbia Sportswear plot to fire unionist

In the recordings, managers list the names of union supporters they want to fire and talk about how to build a case that will stand up to NLRB scrutiny.

Trump NLRB sues Oregon to preserve employers right to hold mandatory anti-union meetings

On July 14 a federal court will hear the government's challenge to the state law, which was passed in 2009.

Union-made Black Lives Matter buttons nixed at Burgerville

Burgerville backtracked after online backlash, and said it would produce its own Black Lives Matter accessories for workers to wear if they choose.

Unions react as the nation explodes in protest over George Floyd killing

"in the end, the labor movement is not a building," said the president of the AFL-CIO after protesters trashed AFL-CIO headquarters lobby in D.C.

Plasterers uncover wage theft at luxury apartments in Eugene

When building trades unions police abuses in the construction industry, they're defending all workers, not only their members.

ICTSI refuses to accept $19 million from ILWU and will seek new trial

A new trial would focus only on deciding the right amount of damages, not whether ILWU was at fault in the slowdown at Terminal 6.

Oregon labor commissioner won’t let employers fire workers who lack child care

A temporary rule interprets state law to say that employers with over 25 workers must allow up to 12 weeks unpaid leave for workers to care for their children whose school or daycare has been closed.

Vancouver’s Columbian newspaper terminates union supporters

Of the three workers laid off March 16, two were leaders of the union campaign and were serving on the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild bargaining team.

Judge lowers ILWU jury award

ILWU is now supposed to pay terminal operator ICTSI $19 million, after a federal judge said the evidence did not support a jury award of $93.6 million.

Rat spotted in Vancouver, Washington

General Labor & Industrial Staffing Services' response to the arrival of a giant inflatable rat? Call the police and threaten legal action.

IBEW Local 48 members now get pregnancy benefits

Pregnant members can get up to 26 weeks of benefits, starting 13 weeks before their due date, and ending 13 weeks after the birth.

KOIN-TV moves forward with union-busting

A federal judge is set to hear charges May 19 that Nexstar Media illegally walked away from negotiations with NABET-CWA.

OHSU admits to trolling AFSCME, agrees to full investigation

An outside attorney will interview dozens of OHSU employees to determine if other members of the management bargaining team took part in deceptive trolling.

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