Free Newsletter
Steel Bridge protest shines light on infrastructure crisis
Demonstrators plan to line the Steel Bridge in order to raise awareness about its 鈥渟tructurally deficient鈥� status and recent cuts to the Portland Bureau of Transportation鈥檚 discretionary budget.
Carpenters picketing outside Central Library in downtown Portland
Picketers in downtown Portland this morning are members of the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters. The group is at the Multnomah County Central Library to protest general contractor R&H Construction, according to union representative Joshua Montero. R&H is the contractor on a renovation project currently happening at the library.
Unions say they are more diverse than nonunions
Officials of several local unions point to data they say shows that, in all instances, minority representation in unions is equal, and in some cases better, than in open-shop firms.
National labor board overturns 2 Bush-era union decisions
In a pair of 3-1 decisions made public Tuesday, the National Labor Relations Board overruled two George W. Bush-era decisions that address the protections provided by federal labor law for new collective-bargaining relationships between unions and employers.
Open-shop contractors complain of union intimidation
Nonunion contractors say union representatives' recent behavior - such as following employees and sitting outside their homes - is invasive and intimating. Union representatives rebut the allegations and counter that their actions are completely legal.
Union reps can’t mosey onto construction sites, school board says
The North Clackamas School District board of directors shot down a policy pitched by board member and passionate pro-union advocate Sam Gillispie that would allow union representatives access to school construction sites. The representatives would be allowed to question workers on site to make sure they鈥檙e being paid the state-mandated prevailing wage.
Local plumbers’ union pickets contractor over labor negotiations
Members of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 290 picketed the offices of Gormley Plumbing + Mechanical in McMinnville.
Union takes smaller projects to keep people employed
One local union is seeking to boost its market share by engaging union contractors willing to take on smaller projects 鈥� like tenant improvements and residential construction 鈥� for less pay.
Unions anxiously await Intel work
With Intel remaining hush-hush on the details of its big Oregon projects, unions in the state are getting antsy. They worry they won't be able to supply enough workers needed for the company's $8 billion facilities expansion in Hillsboro.
TriMet, union negotiations stall
Contract negotiations between transit agency TriMet and the Amalgamated Transit Union, Division 757, have stalled over health care, according to Mary Fetsch, Trimet spokeswoman. “Obviously, we want a fair contract […]
Worker injured at Resource Access Center site
A Portland construction worker was critically injured earlier this month when a load of metal fell on top of him at a construction site in Northwest Portland.
Carpenters union accused of financial wrongdoing
The international carpenters union has taken over operations of the Portland union local amid allegations of misused union credit cards and inadequate supervision.
News
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $10.6 million in top bidders | July 31, 2026
- Many Oregon counties struggling to maintain their fairgrounds
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion
