Posts tagged Portland
OREGON: Oaks Park workers launch push to unionize amid heat wave
August 23, 2023 //
Powell’s Union Workers Say They Will Strike Sept. 4
August 15, 2023 // In a statement, Powell’s defended its offer as fair. “Powell’s proposal includes immediate wage increases for every employee in the bargaining unit and annual wage increases every year of the contract, making our wages competitive with the majority of retail wages in Portland,” the company said in an email. “In addition, we proposed reduced health care monthly premiums for the majority of employees, eliminating deductibles for the majority of doctors’ visits, and an enhanced 401(k) retirement plan match.” The company expressed optimism that it would reach a deal at the bargaining table. The union says that in a recent strike vote, 92% of workers voted to walk off the job. They last struck Powell’s in 2003 but now plan to hold a one-day “unfair labor practices strike” Sept. 4 before negotiations resume Sept. 4 and 6.
Hospital doctors at Providence St. Vincent vote overwhelmingly to unionize
August 4, 2023 // The union vote comes amid a wave of organizing by health care workers. Doctors are less likely to unionize, but that could be changing.
Behavioral health workers at Legacy Health’s Unity Center seek to unionize
July 20, 2023 // The move comes even as Legacy Health is facing a “financial crisis,” a top executive recently told The Oregonian/OregonLive, with losses of $10 million a month forcing it to sell off its laboratory services unit. While the number of employees involved is small, the filing is significant because Legacy has been the slowest health system in the state to unionize. For years, only nurses at Legacy’s Silverton hospital belonged to the nurses union. In 2019, nurses at Unity voted to approve the union after the health system fought the organizing campaign. Earlier this year nurses at Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center followed suit. Separately, Legacy has accused the state of pressuring it to unionize while slapping the system with hefty fines for violating the state's meal break rules.
PORTLAND: Workers unionize at Friends of the Children
June 21, 2023 // Workers at the nonprofit Friends of the Children Portland voted 40-3 to join AFT-Oregon in mail ballots counted June 1. The newly unionized unit includes 53 workers ranging from youth mentors to accountants.
U.S. Independent Professionals Earned $286 Billion in 2022, a Nearly 10% Increase Compared to 2021, According to Fiverr’s Sixth Annual Freelance Economic Impact Report
May 19, 2023 // Women see a clear advantage to freelancing over traditional employment This year’s report reveals that women are pursuing freelance work for a number of reasons, including that they prefer to work from home (41% versus 31% men), want more flexibility in their schedule (39% versus 22% men), feel burned out (25% versus 17% men), want to avoid an unpleasant or toxic work environment (26% versus 15% men), and experience a lack of enjoyment in their work (22% versus 13% men). The ability to “work from anywhere” remains a priority for freelancers and more plan to work and travel next year The ability to “work from anywhere” while traveling is a major factor or somewhat of a factor in the decision for nearly three-in-four (73%) freelancers who work independently to do so. Working remotely while traveling is becoming more common, with one-third (32%) of independent professionals reporting they did at least some work from remote locations in 2022 compared to only 23% in 2021.
More than 600 city of Portland workers out on strike
February 2, 2023 // Portlanders will feel an impact from the strike, though it’s not clear yet just how deep or how quickly. Mayor Ted Wheeler has authorized using independent contractors to do some of the work of striking city employees. Local 483 includes people responsible for fixing sewage leaks, cleaning trash at city parks, and clearing streets of ice and snow, among other tasks. At a City Council meeting Wednesday, union representative James O’Laughlen urged commissioners to agree to the union’s proposal.
Portland city laborers rally outside Portland City Hall ahead of planned strike
January 30, 2023 // More than 600 Portland workers in the wastewater, parks and transportation fields plan to strike on Feb. 2, starting at midnight. The groups of workers planning to go on strike, according to the union, include: About 280 Bureau of Transportation workers, from concrete finishers to asphalt rakers to utility workers About 200 Parks & Recreation workers, from park technicians and turf technicians to horticulturalists and park rangers About 100 Bureau of Environmental Services workers, namely sewage and wastewater employees Other city employees, including fleet and vehicle workers
Starbucks announces closure of Portland store that voted to unionize
November 17, 2022 // Starbucks says it reviewed whether the store was thriving, the workers felt supported and whether customer needs were met. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree tweeted that this is blatant union busting, and she's demanding the National Labor Relations Board investigate right away. Maine
Voodoo Doughnut workers unionize in second attempt
October 13, 2022 // The vote came after a previous union campaign in 2021 ended in a 9-9 tie, meaning a loss for the union. But after a year, the tide shifted. Union supporters changed tactics for the 2022 campaign in response to feedback from coworkers. Some workers wanted to minimize picketing and marching on the boss, both of which were part of the prior year effort.