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.
Workers Rights
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.
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.