The Oregon Labor Law Conference is a yearly gathering that brings together union staff and leadership from around the Northwest to learn about cutting-edge labor law and build a stronger labor movement. The conference provides training on grievance handling and arbitration, collective bargaining, organizing workers, union governance, legislation, and worker rights.
Founded over 20 years ago by former IBEW Local 48 general counsel Norman Malbin, the conference is created by and for the labor movement. The conference features leading legal practitioners from Oregon, the Northwest, and the nation for a day of dynamic sessions and practical advice, followed by a social gathering to build bridges within the labor movement. The conference sells out every year, and registration is on a first-come, first served basis, so register now.
We hope to see you in January 2024.
–Lillian Killen, John Bishop, Noah Barish, Diana Winther
Conference Co-Planners

Conference Details
Oregon Labor Law Conference
Conference Date:
Friday, January 26, 2024
Registration:
We will begin taking registrants for 2024 in October.
Times:
7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. – Registration
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Conference
4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Social Hour
Location:
IBEW Local 48 Meeting Hall
15937 NE Airport Way
Portland, OR
Cost:
$95 per participant
More Information:
ollc@mbjlaw.com
503-821-0957
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, coffee, social hour refreshments (appetizers and drinks), and conference materials.
Note: Unlike in past years, we will not be providing all conference papers in binders. You will be provided with a folder, notepad, and copies of powerpoint presentations for sessions which you choose to attend. Complete conference materials, such as papers, sample documents, and powerpoint presentations will be available for download. Complete conference materials will also be available on flash drives the day of the conference
2023 Oregon Labor Law Conference – Last Year’s Agenda
IBEW Local 48 | NECA/IBEW Training | |
---|---|---|
Meeting Hall | Center Auditorium | |
7:30-8:30 am | Registration | n/a |
8:30-9:00 am | Opening Conference Organizers: Graham Trainor Oregon AFL-CIO | n/a |
9:00-9:50 am | Keynote Presentation: “Organizing in the Northwest: Struggles, Strategies, and Successes.” Northwest Organizers Panel Discussion with Amanda Sager, Scott Oldham, Darrin Boyce & Sarah Thompson. | n/a |
10:00-10:50 am | NLRB Info & Update Jessica Dietz Office in Charge, Subregion 36 | Oregon Employment Relations Board Info & Update Chair Adam Rhynard & Member Shirin Khosravi |
11:00-12:30 pm | Offensive Bargaining David Rosenfeld | Federal and Oregon Leave Laws Liz Joffe |
12:30-1:20 pm | Lunch with Oregon's new Labor Commissioner with Commissioner(elect) Christina Stephenson | n/a |
1:30-2:20 pm | Organize and Resist David Rosenfeld | Arbitration from the Arbitrators' Perspectives Barbara Diamond and Shianne Scott |
2:30-3:20 pm | Secondary Campaign Theory and Techniques Rich McCracken | The NLRB under Biden Caren Sencer |
3:30-4:20 pm | Social Media Campaigns Rich McCracken | Armour-Globe Elections Caren Sencer |
4:30-6:00 pm | Hosted Social Hour | n/a |