Unions

Report says Theo Chocolate tried to quash union effort

Ashley Gross — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:19:39 +0000

Seattle-based Theo Chocolate is known for its focus on sustainability and fair trade. But a new report says the company doesn’t deserve its "Fair for Life" certification because it tried to prevent workers from unionizing a couple of years ago.

Kitzhaber talks up unions, then tours non-union factory

Chris Lehman — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:47:48 +0000

EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber assured a gathering of blue-collar union workers Wednesday that he is still on their side, despite anti-union sentiment in states like Ohio and Wisconsin.

The Democrat spoke at the annual convention of the AFL-CIO in Eugene. He told the crowd unions helped him get elected to an unprecedented third term. The labor coalition endorsed Kitzhaber in last year’s elections.

The governor pledged to work with unions to create so-called “family-wage jobs.”

Oregon university workers relieved to avoid strike

Chris Lehman — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:49:09 +0000

MONMOUTH, Ore. - Public university employees in Oregon say they're glad they won't be going on strike. But that doesn't mean they're all happy with the tentative contract deal. Negotiators reached that settlement early Thursday morning after an all-night bargaining session.

Hanford union raises concerns with waste treatment plant

Anna King — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 21:15:19 +0000

Hanford contractors are welding the lids onto massive waste mixing tanks later this week. That’s despite serious concerns being raised by engineers at the plant in southeast Washington. A labor union that represents those workers has asked for a work stoppage and filed a formal grievance.

Reporters stop tweeting

Paula Wissel — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 22:50:23 +0000

The Associated Press reporters and photographers around the country weren't tweeting or uploading their stories to Facebook today. They also refrained from using their personal cell phones or cars for business.

Thousands of union members rally in Olympia

Austin Jenkins — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 17:46:05 +0000

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-962447.mp3

A week of protests over state budget cuts culminated with a large union-led rally Friday at the Capitol in Olympia.

The State Patrol estimated the crowd at 7,000 people. There were signs and chants, and a sea of unionized workers on the steps to the Capitol and Supreme Court.

Republicans want governor to renegotiate labor contracts

Austin Jenkins and KPLU News Staff — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:05:49 +0000

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-956883.mp3

It's not quite Wisconsin, but Republicans – and a lone Democrat - in Washington are taking a jab at state employee unions. They've introduced legislation to not fund union contracts negotiated by the governor.

Boeing workers and unions celebrate winning bid for Air Force tanker contract

Bellamy Pailthorp and The Associated Press — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:58:38 +0000

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-954706.mp3

It's a day of celebration and pride at the Boeing plant in Everett, after the company won the $35 billion-dollar Air Force contract for a new aerial tanker fleet.

Grocery workers voting on contract offer, approval likely

Bellamy Pailthorp — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 23:23:00 +0000

Unionized grocery store workers are voting this week on a tentative agreement with their employers at the region's four big chains. Ratification of a new three-year contract looks likely.

About twenty five thousand grocery workers in King, Snohomish, Kitsap and North Mason counties are covered in the contract. Most work for QFC, Fred Meyer, Albertsons and Safeway stores.

The conference that didn’t happen: Mexico Now canceled Seattle event

Bellamy Pailthorp — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 00:10:08 +0000

Organized labor flexed its muscles recently in our region, showing their influence behind the scenes.

Tentative deal reached in grocery chain talks

Bellamy Pailthorp — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 13:37:45 +0000

Grocery workers and their employers have reached a tentative agreement after lengthy contract talks over the weekend. This means shoppers no longer have to worry about a pre-Thanksgiving strike at the four big chains: QFC, Fred Meyer, Safeway and Albertsons.