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
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.
Washington state minimum wage rises to $12
And in Seattle, Tacoma, and SeaTac, it's even higher.
First Transit named 2018 Scrooge of the Year
Scrooge of the Year goes to an individual or entity that was particularly hard-hearted to workers.
New Seasons Market announces new $15 an hour starting wage
New Seasons Market has just announced it will raise starting pay to $15 an hour Feb. 1 at all its stores in Oregon, Washington, and California.
Trump White House deletes rule that would have required union-busters to file disclosures
Despite a federal law requiring disclosure, union avoidance consultants can stage manage every detail of an anti-union campaign and still remain in the shadows.
Union coalition says it’s time to restore legal rights for workers and consumers
Companies are increasingly insisting that workers and consumers waive their legal rights through arbitration clauses.
Trump-pardoned felon will raise anti-union funds
Far-right culture warrior Dinesh D’Souza will headline a $115-a-plate fundraiser for the Freedom Foundation.
Trump moves to slash federal workers’ union rights
New executive orders speed the firing of federal workers, slash the use of paid union time to defend them, and mandate the renegotiation of union contracts.
Portland City Council approves resolution on the rights of Uber drivers
A city bureau has six months to come up with a proposal for a City oversight body focused on wages, dispute resolution, and other issues.
AFL-CIO calls on Portland to give Uber drivers a voice
Commissioner Nick Fish says an ordinance to set up a driver "Wage Board" will get May 24 hearing.
Bill to end tribal worker union rights fails in Senate
The vote was 55-41 to end debate, but backers needed 60 votes.
ATU v TriMet: 5-year legal case starts over after state Supreme Court ruling
TriMet, a public transit agency, has spent a bundle to keep the public out of its meetings.
