The nuclear industry is teaming up with big tech to overturn Oregon’s moratorium on nuclear power. Taking a “flood the zone” approach, nuclear proponents have now introduced thirteen bills in the 2025 Oregon legislative session, many of them nearly identical. We need your help to stop these dangerous bills and keep Oregon nuclear-free. Please sign Columbia Riverkeeper’s petition to stop new nuclear reactors in Oregon.
Month: February 2025
Tell City Council: Cut Giveaways, Not Portland City Programs!
Please email City Council and Mayor Wilson to tell them that we strongly oppose the City’s “economic development” agency, Prosper Portland’s, recent decision to waste seven million dollars on a development project that has been rejected by other local governments, community leaders, and private investors.
As Sophie Peel recently reported in Willamette Week, a group called “Made in Old Town” persuaded Prosper Portland to provide them with a loan on terms that violate Prosper Portland’s own guidelines for commercial loans — for a greater amount, at a lower interest rate, and with a longer payback period than they advise.
We need to spend our valuable resources on safe and healthy classrooms, emergency services, affordable housing, Portland Street Response, Parks and recreation, police accountability, and all the other projects that keep our city livable!
1. Prosper Portland should rescind this offer, and
2. Prosper Portland should be audited, to prevent it from making further damaging giveaways.
Contact:
Mayor Keith Wilson: mayor.wilson@portlandoregon.gov; mayor@portlandoregon.gov
District 1 Councilors: councilor.avalos@portlandoregon.gov, councilor.dunphy@portlandoregon.gov, councilor.smith@portlandoregon.gov
District 2 Councilors: councilor.pirtle-guiney@portlandoregon.gov, councilor.kanal@portlandoregon.gov, councilor.ryan@portlandoregon.gov
District 3 Councilors: councilor.morillo@portlandoregon.gov, councilor.koyamalane@portlandoregon.gov, councilor.novick@portlandoregon.gov
District 4 Councilors: councilor.green@portlandoregon.gov, councilor.clark@portlandoregon.gov, councilor.zimmerman@portlandoregon.gov
Providence Strike is Over!
From ONA: In a major victory for the nearly 5,000 ONA represented frontline Providence nurses, all eight RN bargaining units voted overwhelmingly to ratify their contracts and end the strike. The historic agreements come after 46 days on the strike line and more than a year of bargaining, and will set a new standard for wages, staffing, and patient safety at one of Oregon’s largest healthcare systems.
“These contracts represent a major victory for frontline caregivers, but more importantly it’s a victory for Providence patients and the communities we serve,” said Virginia Smith an RN from Providence Willamette Falls and leader of the bargaining unit. “As RNs, we believe that these contracts will lead to greater recruitment and retention of frontline nurses as wages become more aligned with other health systems, and we have staffing language that will allow us to spend more time with the patients that need the most care.”
If you think you see ICE and/or anyone you know is detained, call the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition hotline: 1-888-622-1510. It’s answered every day until about 8pm!
Portland City Councilors urge Providence to bargain in good faith
February 17, 2025 on portland.gov
“It is time for us as Portland City Councilors to weigh in on this matter. At this point, it’s not just affecting the jobs of community members, but also the care of our community members. Providence is one of the largest providers of health care in our community. Our message is clear: Providence, settle this so our constituents can get what they need.” Read the rest here.
Sen. Bernie Sanders returns to Iowa as part of ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour
By Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch
“Sanders…announced Wednesday the launch of his ‘Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here’ campaign.
…The new campaign will target areas won by President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election that elected a Republican to the U.S. House in 2024. Events will focus on issues facing working-class people, according to a news release, and will ‘outline how Americans can fight back against President Trump and Elon Musk.’
In the release, Sanders called for political action as Trump and Musk take actions that are ‘quickly moving the country toward authoritarianism, oligarchy, and kleptocracy.’
‘Today, the oligarchs and the billionaire class are getting richer and richer and have more and more power,’ Sanders said in a statement. ‘Meanwhile, 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and most of our people are struggling to pay for health care, childcare, and housing. This country belongs to all of us, not just the few. We must fight back.'” Read the rest here.
Ongoing: New Seasons Labor Union on Strike!
New Seasons still refuses to reinstate nineteen-year employee Randy Foster, fired for doing the right thing. New Seasons Labor Union will not back down until the company does what is right. Come out to support the strike! More info at nslu.org.
Picket lines will be at Seven Corners (1954 SE Division St) and Arbor Lodge (6400 N Interstate Ave) from 2pm until late.
Sign up to help talk to people in our communities about the boycott! Join a group of NSLU members in talking to customers about why they should honor the boycott for contract. Leaflets will be provided.
Support Randy here, and sign the Boycott Pledge and donate to the Strike Fund here.