Workers Rights

Judge could lower ILWU jury award

ILWU argued that a jury accepted a grossly inflated estimate when it ordered $93.6 million in economic damages.

U.S. House passes labor law reform

The PRO Act would restore the power of workers to unionize, bargain collectively, and strike.

Union volunteers help enforce laws against construction wage theft on Multnomah County projects

Volunteers are helping County officials police construction work sites to make sure contractors are obeying labor laws.

Is there forced labor in Oregon? New task force aims to find out

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has appointed a task force to study labor trafficking and identify ways the Legislature can tackle the issue.

CNN pays $76 million to settle union-busting complaint

It’s the biggest settlement in the 84-year history of the National Labor Relations Board.

Teen Vogue columnist preaches union fire to packed hall of Oregon unionists

More than 300 unionists took part Jan. 31 in the Oregon Labor Law Conference, a yearly training on collective bargaining, organizing, legislation, and worker rights. 

Oregon AFL-CIO ramps up pressure on Rep. Kurt Schrader to get behind labor law reform

The Protecting the Right to Organize Act would protect the right to strike, prevent misclassification of workers, increase penalties for retaliation, and more, but Democrat Schrader isn't on board.

Station owner trying to bust union at KOIN-TV

Station owner Nexstar Media Group told about 40 workers at KOIN 6 TV Jan. 8 that it will no longer recognize their union.

Is Grand Central Baking getting ready to fire union supporters?

A wholesale bakery manager quit after being told to target union supporters for discipline.

2019 Scrooge of the Year: BURGERVILLE

Burgerville has twice been nominated for Scrooge of the Year by the group Portland Jobs With Justice, but this year, the fast food chain won the most votes for its record of firing union supporters and stonewalling union negotiations.

Jury says ILWU owes $93 million for dock slowdown

The decision threatens the survival of the West Coast longshore union.

Portland Uber driver advisory board holds its first meeting

A newly formed nine-member committee will come up with suggestions for new regulations that Portland City Council could pass in order to improve conditions for drivers and the riding public.

Union contract avoidance: Multnomah County says seniority rights don’t apply

Nonunion non-profit CareOregon is taking over work that's been done by unionized County employees up to now.

Union crushed at Eugene metal distributor Farwest Steel

When a campaign by United Steelworkers reared its head, the company’s reaction was swift and brutal.

Protest: Fred Meyer underpays women employees

A July 24 Oregon AFL-CIO rally at Fred Meyer called on the public to shop somewhere else.

Oregon minimum wage will rise again on July 1

The 2019 raise will bring the minimum wage to $12.50 an hour within the Portland metropolitan area’s urban growth boundary, $11.00 an hour in the predominantly rural counties of eastern Oregon and the southern Oregon coast, and $11.25 an hour everywhere else.

Multnomah County approves wage theft pilot

Starting July 1, union reps can volunteer to help enforce prevailing wage and wage and hour laws on County construction projects.

Multnomah County takes on wage theft

The county could soon draft union reps to help with enforcement.

Multnomah County may require non-profit contractors to stay union-neutral

A “union-neutrality” ordinance could be one of several reforms aimed at improving Multnomah County social services. Currently, low pay and heavy caseloads at nonprofit contractors are producing high turnover and lower quality services.

Trump appointee wants to ban Scabby the Rat

Standing 25 feet tall, with scary red eyes and yellow fangs, Scabby the Rat is a union hero and an eye-catching sign of a labor dispute.