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
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.
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.
