The Oregon Labor Dispatch: October 16, 2025
UPCOMING EVENTS
NO KINGS: Neighbors & Labor March Together
Oct. 18
On October 18, millions of working class people are rising again to show the world: America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people. Since June, the Trump administration’s authoritarian actions have ramped up, with the deployment of national guard troops to California, D.C., and Oregon. The Oregon AFL-CIO is sponsoring six marches across Oregon.
Support OFNHP on the Strike Line!
OFNHP members at Kaiser are fighting for the future of care and safe staffing and are on strike this week. Sign up to help support them on the strike line and donate to their hardship fund.
MUST READ
Oregon is not a military target
Oct. 15, 2025 | NW Labor Press
Read Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor’s latest piece in the Northwest Labor Press.
Federal judge in Oregon extends temporary block on National Guard deployment to Portland
Oct. 15, 2025 | OPB
On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut extended temporary rulings blocking the Trump administration from federalizing and deploying members of the National Guard to Portland.
OREGON LABOR NEWS
Northwest Kaiser nurses seek double-digit wage increase over 4-year contract
About 4,000 nurses and skilled medical professionals at Kaiser Permanente hospitals in Oregon and Southwest Washington are on strike this week.
Pacific Northwest seasonal farmworkers to earn less following Trump administration policy change
Oct. 13, 2025 | Jefferson Public Radio
Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor under Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, formerly a representative for Oregon’s 5th congressional district, changed what workers under the federal H-2A agricultural program earn in hourly wages.
Oregon ‘underemployment’ is rising rapidly
Oct. 12, 2025 | Oregonians
Oregon’s jobless rate has been climbing steadily for more than two years, inching up to 5.0% amid a historic wave of layoffs among big employers and a general cooling off in the state’s labor market.
FEDERAL ATTACKS
US judge blocks Trump's plan to lay off thousands of government workers
Oct. 15, 2025 | Reuters
A federal judge in California on Wednesday ordered President Donald Trump's administration to halt mass layoffs during a partial government shutdown while she considers claims by unions that the job cuts are illegal.
Senate fails for ninth time to advance government funding plan
Oct. 15, 2025 | Politico
The Senate rejected a GOP-led funding bill for the ninth time Wednesday, all but guaranteeing the shutdown will stretch into next week, at least. Senators voted 51-44 on the stopgap, which would fund the government through Nov. 21.
Trump Signs Memo Expanding His Authority to Spend Federal Money
Oct. 15, 2025 | The New York Times
President Trump on Wednesday signed a memorandum significantly expanding his administration’s authority to repurpose unspent federal funds to pay members of the military during the government shutdown, escalating his challenge to the authority of Congress on spending matters.
ATTACKS ON IMMIGRANTS
Immigration thugs assault, kidnap US citizens in Chicago, Portland
Oct. 6, 2025 | WS
Trump’s ongoing mass deportation operation continues to target citizens and residents alike, provoking mass anger across the United States.
THE LABOR MOVEMENT
Oct. 15, 2025 | AFL-CIO
The AFL-CIO launched today the “Workers First Initiative on AI,” the first comprehensive labor movement agenda establishing principles on artificial intelligence (AI) technology.