2016 PNLHA Conference

Labor, Justice and the Environment: Historical Insights, Alliances and Challenges

May 20 – 22, 2016
Portland Oregon

Labor environmentalism and climate change headline program

Labor historians, students, environmental activists, politicians and trade unionists gathered at the Portland State University Conference Center in Portland on May 20-22, 2016 to share views on “Labor, Justice and the Environment.”

Washington AFL-CIO president Jeff Johnson updated the conference on the Paris Climate Change Conference with author Jeremy Brecher joining him via Skype.

More than 20 workshops, presentations, films and displays brought labor history to life. Among the topics addressed:

  • A historic coal strike in Depression-era Washington and the 1980s canning strike in Watsonville, California
  • Fighting to save the Canadian and US postal services and longshore workers in the Pacific Northwest
  • Labor environmentalism and building coalitions to tackle climate change
  • Conscientious war objectors on the Oregon coast and making labor history digital style
  • Chinese and Indian workers in Astoria, Oregon, and the history of Oregon’s African-American loggers
  • Canadian women’s march against poverty, the living wage fight, and retirement security
  • US premiere of Goodwin’s Way and a film about the Denver Romero Theatre Troupe
  • The literature of labor, and preserving historical labor records

Conference participants also enjoyed musical interludes provided by the Portland band General Strike, Washington State environmental singer-songwriter Dana Lyons, and Eugene’s roots duo Monday Morning Denial. Exhibitor display tables will also be available.

Event Contact:
Ron Verzuh, Oregon Vice-President, Pacific Northwest Labor History Association.

We thank these Co-Sponsors for their support:

  • Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757
  • BC Government Employees Union
  • International Association of Machinists District W24
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Credit Union
  • Labor’s Community Service Agency, Inc.
  • Labor Education and Research Center
  • Marion-Yamhill Central Labor Council
  • Northwest Oregon Labor Council
  • Oregon AFL-CIO
  • Oregon Historical Society
  • Oregon School Employees Association
  • Portland Federation of School Professionals
  • Service Employees International Union Local 503
  • Service Employees International Union Local 49
  • International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 206
  • United Steel Workers District 12
  • Marcus Widenor

Registration & Lodging Information

Schedule of Plenaries, Workshops, & Panels