OCT. 17, 2008:NWLP 10/14/08 9:55 AM Page 1

GENERAL ELECTION Endorsements of the NORTHWEST OREGON LABOR COUNCIL

U.S. President/Vice President BARACK OBAMA /J OE BIDEN MEETING NOTICES See Page 6 Inside U.S. Senate: JEFF MERKLEY

U.S. House of Representatives DAVID WU First District: EARL BLUMENAUER Third District: Volume 109 KURT SCHRADER Fifth District: Number 20 October 17, 2008 Portland Oregon Secretary of State: KATE BROWN Oregon Attorney General: JOHN KROGER Oregon Treasurer: BEN WESTLUND When Wall Street stumbles, Oregon Labor Commissioner: BRAD AVAKIAN

Multnomah County others pick up the tab JUDY SHIPRACK By DON McINTOSH The meal, and what a big meal it and Washington Democrat Patty Mur - County Commissioner, Dist. 3: Associate Editor will prove to be, is a fallback plan pro - ray were for it, while Democrats Ron CARLA PILUSO County Commissioner, Dist. 4: For six weeks, working people posed by U.S. Treasury Secretary Wyden of Oregon and Maria Cantwell have been looking from the sidelines Henry Paulson — $700 billion in tax - of Washington voted against it.] at a financial system meltdown, while payer funds to buy up exotic Wall The more expensive bill then Columbia County government has taken panicked, in - Street creations. passed the House Oct. 3 by 263-171, EARL FISHER consistent, expensive and so far inef - With outraged constituents calling five days after it had rejected it. County Commissioner, Position 1: fective action to stop it. Ordinary citi - in 10-1 against that idea, the U.S. [Washington Democrat Brian Baird TONY HYDE County Commissioner, Position 3: zens didn’t engineer the collapse, but House of Representatives rejected voted for the second bill, as did Ore - they may be footing the bill — Paulson’s proposal 228-205 on Sept. gon Democrats Darlene Hooley and JENEFER GRANT Circuit Judge: through lost retirement savings, low - 29. But then the U.S. Senate took it up, David Wu, and Republican Greg ered wages, and the taxes they pay. passing the same basic plan but adding Walden. Oregon Democrats Earl Blu - Clackamas County On Sept. 16, the Federal Reserve $150 billion in unrelated tax breaks menauer and Peter DeFazio voted announced the biggest ever govern - and other federal spending. The Senate against it.] CHARLOTTE LEHAN ment bailout of a private corporation bill passed 74-25 with support of The $700 billion figure is by any County Commissioner, Position 4: — the $85 billion rescue of AIG, one Barack Obama (D-Ill.), Joe Biden (D- reckoning a colossal amount of CRAIG ROBERTS Sheriff: of the world’s largest insurance com - Del.), and John McCain (R-Ariz.). money. It’s $2,300 for every man, panies. That was the appetizer. [Oregon Republican Gordon Smith (Turn to Page 4) City of Portland CHARLES LEWIS Commissioner, Position 1: Support Union workers take pride in job Ballot Measure 26-94 (Safe and Successful Children ) Carrying the vote to handle, deliver, count ballots City of Gresham By DON McINTOSH ident of American Postal Workers Associate Editor Union Local 128, and Gregory Stark, SHIRLEY CRADDICK Commissioner, Position 3: Though nearly all of it is behind Executive Board member of National PAUL WARR -K ING the scenes, union members are a big Postal Mail Handlers Union Commissioner, Position 5: part of making Oregon’s vote-by-mail (NPMHU) Local 315. Support Ballot Measure 26-98 (Gresham Police Levy ) system clean, fair, and efficient. That’s Recent postal union conventions because much of the handling, deliv - have passed resolutions calling for Oregon State Senate ery and counting of the ballots is done other states to adopt vote-by-mail, and by union workers. not just because it brings in additional MARK HASS SUZANNE BONAMICI DIANE ROSENBAUM Dist. 14 - Dist. 17 - Dist. 21 - The handling and delivery falls on Postal Service revenue. It also en - JACKIE DINGFELDER LAURIE MONNES -A NDERSON District 23 - District 25 - the shoulders of the mail handlers, hances the image of the public postal postal workers and letter carriers of service to the citizenry. And vote-by- the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), for mail makes it possible for member - OREGON H OUSE OF R EPRESENTATIVES whom taking care of ballots is some - ship groups — like labor unions — to JESSICA ADAMSON TOBIAS READ JEFF BARKER Dist. 26 - Dist. 27 - Dist. 28 - thing like a sacred duty. amplify their political strength: Be - CHUCK RILEY DAVID EDWARDS BRAD WITT “It’s a patriotic thing,” said L.C. tween ballot mail out and Election Dist. 29 - Dist. 30 - Dist. 31 - Hansen, president of Portland-head - Day, groups like unions can get daily MITCH GREENLICK LARRY GALIZIO MARY NOLAN Dist. 33 - Dist. 35 - Dist. 36 - quartered Branch 82 of National As - updates on which of their members CHRIS GARRETT TOBY FORSBERG DAVE HUNT Dist. 38 - Dist. 39 - Dist. 40 - sociation of Letter Carriers (NALC). have voted. That allows them to focus CAROLYN TOMEI JULES KOPEL -B AILEY CHIP SHIELDS Between one-third and two-fifths of Rod Cardwell, a member of National political education and get-out-the- Dist. 41 - Dist. 42 - Dist. 43 - Postal Mail Handlers Union Local TINA KOTEK MICHAEL DEMBROW BEN CANNON postal employees are military veter - vote efforts on members who haven’t Dist. 44 - Dist. 45 - 46 - ans, Hansen points out, thanks to civil 315, uses a hydraulic hand truck to voted yet, and thereby greatly increas - JEFFERSON SMITH MIKE SCHAUFLER NICK KAHL Dist. 47 - Dist. 48 - Dist. 49 - service preferences in hiring. lift a three-quarter-ton pallet of ing turnout. GREG MATTHEWS BRENT BARTON SUZANNE VAN ORMAN Dist. 50- Dist. 51- Dist. 52 - And Hansen said her members are Voters’ Pamphlets. Portland’s central Twenty-eight states allow voters to extra vigilant to see that ballots are post office will process 120 pallets of cast ballots by mail without the need Authorized and paid for by the Northwest Oregon Labor Council correctly delivered, a conclusion Voters’ Pamphlets this election 1125 SE Madison St., Portland, OR 97214 echoed by Brian Dunsmore, vice pres - season. (Turn to Page 4) OCT. 17, 2008:NWLP 10/14/08 9:55 AM Page 2

The Oregon Secretary of State has a new Web site available Ballot Measure 65 so that voters can verify that they are, in fact, registered to vote. You can check the status of your family and friends, too. All you need is a name, zip code, and birthday. To check your voter registration, go to: Labor opposes ‘top two’ primary https://secure.sos.state.or.us/eim/vr/showVoterSearch.do This year, ballot measures spon - working people. It’s opposed by the two strenuous campaigns. Dembrow sored by longtime labor foe Bill Size - Oregon AFL-CIO, the Oregon Educa - says he probably would not have run if more and conservative activist Kevin tion Association, the Oregon State that had been the case. Mannix are staring down at organized Building and Construction Trades The price tag would also have gone labor like a partly-loaded pistol. Meas - Council and most union locals. Labor’s up for the union political committees Bennett Hartman ures 58 through 64 run the gamut of main criticism of the measure is that it that support Dembrow’s election. Not b h budget-busting mandatory sentences to would make it harder for non-wealthy only would they have to fund two cam - Morris & Kaplan, llp tax cuts to the richest taxpayers to muz - people to run for office. paigns, but they would have had to mail Attorneys at Law zles for public employee unions. Measure 65 would institute the “top to a greater number of voters in the pri - m k With unions campaigning to oppose two” primary. No longer would the pri - mary — not just Democrats. those measures, other measures at the mary be the way Democrats and Re - It’s notable, says Oregon AFSCME beginning and end of the ballot aren’t publicans select who they want to nom - Council 75 political coordinator Joe Oregon’s Full Service Union Law Firm getting as much attention. But labor or - inate in the general election. Instead, all Baessler, that most of the backers of the ganizations are taking sides on those as voters would choose among all candi - measure are CEOs and deep-pocketed Representing Workers Since 1960 well — supporting two of the legisla - dates from all parties. The top two vote- business groups. Baessler said the tive referrals on the ballot, and oppos - getters would then square off in the measure has the support of middle-of- ing an initiative that would change Ore - general election, even if they are mem - the-road political figures because they gon politics. The referrals are Measure bers of the same party. The measure think it will result in the election of Serious Injury and Death Cases 56 and Measure 57. The initiative is would also eliminate the right of minor more moderates. In party primaries, Measure 65. parties to place nominees on the gen - candidates must first appeal to mem - Measure 56 would get rid of the eral election ballot. bers of the party; in a top-two primary, • Construction Injuries “double majority” requirement that “It’s going to cost labor a lot more,” the candidate would need to compete • Automobile Accidents dooms many local school and fire dis - said Bob Shiprack, executive secretary for all votes from the get-go. trict levies. Under the double majority, of the Oregon Building and Construc - • Medical, Dental, and Legal Malpractice which passed as part of a 1996 ballot tion Trades Council. “I can’t see one measure authored by Sizemore, local thing in this ballot measure that con - Columbia-Pacific Building & • Bicycle and Motorcycle Accidents property tax measures on the ballot in vinces me it’s a good idea.” Construction Trades Council • Pedestrian Accidents May elections cannot pass unless the Measure 65 could make elections Endorsements for the majority of a district’s registered voters more expensive in several ways. First, Nov. 4 General Election • Premises Liability (injuries on premises) cast ballots, and a majority of those are races that are now basically settled in in favor. But that’s considered undemo - May would drag out to November. In OREGON • Workers’ Compensation Injuries cratic because non-voters can doom a districts that lean strongly Democratic • Social Security Claims levy even when voters approve it by a or Republican, whoever wins the May City of Portland wide margin. primary under the current system is Commissioner #1 Measure 57 is an alternative to fairly assured of victory in November. Charles Lewis Measure 61, one of the two Mannix Michael Dembrow is a good exam - Multnomah County We Work Hard for Hard-Working People! measures. Measure 61 would institute ple. A union activist leader within the mandatory minimum sentences for cer - American Federation of Teachers, Commissioner # 3 tain property crimes. Measure 57, the Dembrow won the Democratic primary Judy Shiprack 111 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 1650 alternative, would increase sentences, for House District 45. Because the Commissioner # 4 Portland, Oregon 97204 but leave discretion in the hands of Northeast Portland district leans Carla Piluso judges and prosecutors, and ensure that strongly Democratic, Dembrow is al - (503) 227-4600 addicts get treatment while incarcer - most assured election in November. Columbia County www.bennetthartman.com ated. But what if Oregon had the top-two Commissioner #3 Measure 65, meanwhile, would radi - primary? Dembrow would have to have Tony Hyde cally change Oregon elections in ways taken twice as much time off from his Fairview Our Legal Staff are Proud Members of UFCW Local 555 that — most labor leaders have con - job as an instructor at Portland Com - City Council cluded — are not in the interests of munity College, and run not one but Commissioner #3 Theresa Davis

Wood Village City Council Commissioner #2 Gary Moore

Clatsop County Commissioner #2 Patricia Roberts

Centennial School District Bond Proudly Endorsed By: Measure 26-97 Support • United Food & Commercial Workers Local 555 • Tualatin-Valley Firefighters Association, Local 1660 Washington (representing Scappoose and Clatskanie firefighters) Clark County • Teamsters Joint Council No. 37 ‘Earl Fisher is a person of integrity and County Commissioner #1 • Oregon School Employees Association, St. Helens Chapter 31 vision. His ideas to bring living-wage Pam Brokaw jobs to Columbia County are fresh and County Commissioner #2 • Oregon School Employees Association, Clatskanie Chapter 53 Jeanne Harris original. I’m endorsing Earl Fisher.’ • Northwest Oregon Labor Council SKAMANIA County • Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council Rita Bernhard County Commissioner #2 Columbia County Commissioner Bruce Scherling • Columbia County Democratic Central Committee Paid for and authorized by the Columbia-Pacific BCTC

PAGE 2 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS OCTOBER 17, 2008 OCT. 17, 2008:NWLP 10/14/08 9:55 AM Page 3

McCain’s health care plan would drop 20 million people

By MIKE HALL and cover less than company plans do Moro provides some chilling exam - DeMoro also warns that McCain’s health tax credits—admitted it was When John McCain’s health care — especially for women, older people ples of that magical marketplace Mc - call to reduce regulations on the health coming from some $1.3 trillion in cuts plan comes under scrutiny, his claims and those whose health is less than Cain worships. care industry — echoing his decade’s to Medicare and Medicaid — the cor - that it would solve the nation’s health perfect. “[The] private insurance system long crusade to deregulate the finan - nerstone health care programs for the care crisis are easily stripped away. “That is, if you can find coverage at that welcomes anyone who is sick or cial and banking industries — would nation’s seniors, disabled and low-in - Newsweek economics correspon - all. In 2006, the Commonwealth Fund has a prior medical condition as if they “strip away public protections that come families. dent Jane Bryant Quinn writes that if studied working-age adults hunting for were carrying anthrax. consumers have won in many states, “The Republican presidential nomi - McCain’s health care plan was put into individual policies. One-fifth were “... People like Karen George of such as requirements that insurers nee has said little about the proposed effect, it would drop 20 million people charged more or rejected for health Woodbridge, Va., whose insurer re - cover such ‘frills’ as cancer screening, cuts. ... The McCain campaign hasn’t from employer coverage and throw reasons. cently de - diabetic supplies and minimum mater - given a specific figure for the cuts, but them into the shark tank of the private More than nied her nity stays. didn’t dispute that analysts’ estimate.” insurance world, and “will raise your half found it “McCain’s idea is pretty coverage for “...Reduced regulations and over - In short: McCain’s health care plan costs without changing the game.” hard or im - surgery to sight failed spectacularly on Wall will raise taxes, reduce benefits, raise Writing in The Nation, Rose Ann possible to simple. Tax the value of treat a dis - Street. They’ll make the health care costs, bring a “free-market-Wall- DeMoro, executive director of the Cal - secure a pol - connected crisis worse, as well.” Street” free-for-all to the health care ifornia Nurses Association/National icy they employer-paid health jawbone and Recently, the Wall Street Journal re - industry and cut $1.3 trillion in senior Nurses Organizing Committee, warns could af - insufficient ported the McCain campaign — after and low-income health care. McCain’s plan would turn the health ford.” insurance as part of your airway that months of dodging questions about (Editor’s Note: Mike Hall writes for care industry over to the same deregu - For those her physi - where McCain gets the money for his the AFL-CIONowBlog News.) lated, “free market” philosophy that who don’t regular income ...” cian said sank Wall Street. have health was life- The Wall Street Journal reports Mc - insurance to - threatening. Cain’s health care plan would cut day, they won’t under the McCain Or Barbara Calder of Colorado Medicare and Medicaid by $1.3 trillion. plan. Quinn writes the tax credit might Springs, who was unable to buy insur - In Newsweek, Quinn writes: “Mc - move about 1 million of the 46 million ance to cover her disabling genetic dis - Cain’s idea is pretty simple. Tax the uninsured off the rolls, compared to 34 ease and is moving to her native Bel - value of employer-paid health insur - million under Obama’s proposals. gium to get health care. Or Samuel ance as part of your regular income “If you’re uninsured, the tax credit McAdam of Thornton, Pa., whose in - (62 percent of the non-elderly are in helps you purchase coverage. The only surer denied the oral medication he these plans). In return, he’d give every - hitch — a big one — is that you have needed for his stage-four melanoma.”

one a refundable tax credit.” to be able to afford the premiums up She points out the contradiction McCain’s health care plan, as Sen. front. The tax credit comes later. The that while McCain and other free mar - Barack Obama pointed out: “… is a government will send it to the insur - keters who are “cheerleading” the shell game. Sen. McCain gives you a ance company, which will apply it to $700 billion taxpayer-paid Wall Street

tax credit with one hand, but raises your account.” bailout, they attack any move to enact your taxes with the other.” Quinn says conservatives love the meaningful health care for all legisla - Those tax credits McCain says will “magic of the marketplace,” but De - tion as an assault on the marketplace. let you buy health insurance on the pri - vate market fall far short of the cost to replace most workers’ employer-pro - vided coverage, especially older work - ers, who could face annual premium

costs of $12,000 or more, writes Quinn. She notes that estimates from the non-partisan Tax Policy Center

predict 20 million will lose their em - ployer coverage and be forced into the private market. What do you get in the private mar - ket? “It’s a shock to move from group plans into the harsh world of individ - ual insurance,” Quinn writes. “You get ‘choices.’ But the policies cost more

(International Standard Serial Number 0894-444X) Established in 1900 at Portland, Oregon as a voice of the labor movement. 4275 NE Halsey St., P.O. Box 13150, Portland, Ore. 97213 Telephone: (503) 288-3311 Editor: Michael Gutwig Staff: Don McIntosh, Cheri Rice Published on a semi-monthly basis on the first and third Fridays of each month by the Oregon Labor Press Publishing Co. Inc., a non- profit corporation owned by 20 unions and councils including the Oregon AFL-CIO. Serving more than 120 union organizations in Ore - gon and SW Washington. Subscriptions $13.75 per year for union members. Group rates available to trade union organizations. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT PORTLAND, OREGON. CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTICE: Three weeks are required for a change of address. When ordering a change, please give your old and new addresses and the name and number of your local union. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS, P.O. BOX 13150, PORTLAND, OR 97213-0150

OCTOBER 17, 2008 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 3 OCT. 17, 2008:NWLP 10/14/08 9:55 AM Page 4

Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008 ...Wall Street bailout Oregon Convention Center 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. has DeFazio fuming Portland (From Page 1) The AFL-CIO and Change to Win labor federations also opposed the woman, and child in the country. It’s bailout plan. Oregon Chapter Invites You to equivalent to half the regular federal There were alternatives, DeFazio budget (not counting Social Security, said — including several that he pro - Medicare and Medicaid). It’s more posed. DeFazio wanted the govern - than the year’s spending on the Iraq ment to handle this crisis like it had A Conference: War. It’s almost one-and-a-half times handled the savings & loan crisis in the as much as the 1980s: having federal Ethics in Collective Bargaining: budget for the De - bank examiners care - partment of De - fully look over the Building Trust in the Workplace fense. It’s more than “...and he created books and make judg - 12 times what the these financial ments about which in - federal government stitutions could be A Party to Present: The 2008 LERA Awards spends on education weapons of mass saved with the least in a year. amount of federal in - So the new law destruction that vestment. And DeFazio gives Paulson the 7:45 - 8: 45 a.m. — Registration, Continental Breakfast proposed a way to $700 billion to pur - are destroying make Wall Street pay 8:45 - 9:00 a.m. — Welcome and Preview of the Day chase “troubled as - our economy.” for it too, with a small sets” of nearly any tax on sales of securi - 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. — Conference kind from financial ties. institutions of any kind, in accordance 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. — Awards: Reception and Presentation But the Democrats were panicked, with whatever terms, conditions, pro - and stampeded, DeFazio said. In the cedures and policies he determines, at House, 172 Democrats voted for the whatever price he determines, except bill, while 63 voted against it. Republi - that he’s not supposed to pay more for cans voted 91 for and 108 against. an asset than the seller paid to acquire A week after the vote, DeFazio was it. He’s also supposed to develop a pro - still fuming. gram to insure assets, including mort - “Henry Paulson is a Wall Street gage-backed securities, that were cre - Regiissttrrattiion iincclludess allll matterriiallss,, speculator,” DeFazio said. “He made ated before March 14, 2008. And he’s an unbelievable fortune, left with three required to report back to Congress pe - continental breakfast, quarters of a billion dollars for running continental breakfast, riodically about how it’s going. Goldman Sachs, gave himself a $39 Because the money to buy these se - million bonus the last year he was lluncch,, brreak rreffrresshmenttss,, curities will most likely be borrowed, there, and he created these financial it’s a little like the Wall Street practice weapons of mass destruction that are and Awarrdss Reccepttiion of “buying on margin.” The securities destroying our economy. And we’re Paulson buys will have to earn back going to turn to this guy for advice? their value, plus the interest on the pur - Send completed registration form and payment to: And we’re going to put our trust in chase price, for the taxpayer not to lose him, and give him $700 billion of our money in the long run. Oregon LERA, Attention: Ed Clay money and let him buy anything he “I believe this is one of the greatest wants at any price? That’s the bill that P.O. Box 231239, Tigard, OR 97218 financial mistakes in the history of this passed.” country,” said Oregon Congressman But the Paulson plan is not a give - • IRS ID#: 39-0828504. DeFazio, a fierce critic of Wall Street away to Wall Street, says Monte John - • Fax: 503 524-0997 who was the first to speak against the bill on the House floor. (Turn to Page 5) • Email: [email protected]

The Conference: This year we return to the very popular format of participatory conferences we held in the ... Carrying the vote 90s. The conference is designed: N to maximize participation by all who attend N to tap into their experience and expertise to provide an opportunity for dialogue among practioners and neutrals. (From Page 1) and scours the system to make sure all N ballots make their way to elections of - for a special reason, but as yet only fices. The Opening Keynote Session “On Making Ethical Decisions”: Oregon conducts all elections by mail Finally, when it comes to oversee - in every county. ing the count, the workers at most N Our keynote speaker, Ethicist Doug Wallace , will describe two approaches to ethics: One begins with In Oregon’s system, ballots must county elections departments are absolute principles and the other weighs the consequences of actions. arrive by 8 p.m. Election Day to be union-represented. Multnomah Through small group discussion of actual cases, he will help participants draw out their ethical orientation. counted, and postmarks don’t count. County Elections Division, for exam - N But Hansen said elections officials are ple, has a permanent staff of 14 that’s He will also discuss gender and cultural differences in approaching ethical issues and will introduce a 10-step overly cautious when they say ballots assisted at election time by a tempo - decision-making process to work through ethical issues in organizational settings. have to be mailed several days before rary work force that swells to about Election Day. 250. Twelve of the permanents are Because ballot envelopes are dis - represented by American Federation The Breakout Sessions: tinctive, and USPS employees go to of State, County and Municipal Em - extra efforts, even ballots mailed on ployees Local 88. [AFSCME repre - N Small group discussions focusing on ethical problems that can occur in organizing, negotiating, contract administration, discipline and other aspects of collective bargaining. the day of the election are likely to ar - sents county workers in 16 of Ore - rive in time, Hansen said — provided gon’s 36 counties. Several other N Each discussion group — 9 persons and a facilitator — will be a cross-section of those attending the they are collected by 4 p.m. and counties are represented by the Serv - conference: Labor and management from the public and private sectors, as well as academics and neutrals. mailed in the local area. Hansen her - ice Employees International Union or self goes to Portland’s main post of - by independent employee associa - fice a few hours before the polls close tions.]

PAGE 4 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS OCTOBER 17, 2008 OCT. 17, 2008:NWLP 10/14/08 9:55 AM Page 5

...Union pension funds impacted (From Page 4) are likely to want to increase pension son of Portland-based Quest Invest - contributions — and that would leave ment Management, an adviser to union less money available for pay raises. pension funds. “That is political season In the coming weeks and months, rhetoric,” Johnson said. “This was de - pension fund trustees will start to get a signed to thaw the pipeline of credit.” better handle on how much their funds In September, the credit pipeline be - have lost in this crisis. In the 2001 re - gan to “freeze” because banks held so cession, many pension funds lost 20 to 30 percent of their value, and it took many assets that had lost value, and Endorsed by: stopped lending to each other — fear - several years to overcome those losses. Congress may end up relaxing the x Oregon AFSCME ing the money would be lost if the bor - x NW Oregon Labor Council, AFL-CIO rower went bankrupt. Even the market rules on defined benefit pension funds x for “commercial paper” (unsecured to give them more time to make up for SEIU Local 503 short term corporate loans) was grind - the losses. They’ve done that in the x UFCW Local 555 ing to a halt, as money market funds, a past, but this time, they may have an x Firefighters Assoc. of Clackamas County Local 1159 major buyer, stopped buying. Large additional reason: The Pension Benefit x Tualatin Valley firefighters Union Local 1660 companies were at risk of running out Guaranty Corporation, the federal en - tity that insures pension funds, may it - x Clackamas County Peace Officers P.O.L.I.C.E PAC of money and failing to meet payroll x Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian obligations. self be in trouble. PBGC collects pre - x (October 3, 2008) Johnson points out that taxpayers miums from pension funds and pays The Oregonian Editorial Board out if the funds can’t meet their obliga - will have a chance to be repaid when See more endorsements and information at tion to retirees. Until February, the the government sells back the securi - www.CharlotteLehan.com ties it’s now buying. PBGC had 75 percent of its reserves in Workers too, have a stake in Wall bonds — low-risk debt instruments Street — above all through their pen - which hold their value over time. But sion plans. Stocks have lost a fifth of that month, arguing that the PBGC their value almost overnight, and that The anger was audible at an Oct. 1 needed to increase returns in order to Quest will have an impact on retirement secu - anti-bailout rally of union members lessen the likelihood that taxpayers rity. and workers rights activists held would be called on to cover its liabili - Investment There are two basic kinds of pen - outside the downtown Portland ties, the PBGC Board reduced bonds to federal building. Similar rallies took 45 percent of the mix, and put the re - Q sion plans, and both are under threat because of the crisis. So-called “de - place around the country. mainder in higher risk investments. Management, Inc. fined contribution” plans, popularly In April, the Congressional Budget known as 401(k)s, are typically in - Office warned that was a bad idea, be - vested in stocks, and they’ve lost value meet that obligation. That money is in - cause it meant PBGC was more likely } Serving Multi-Employer to experience a decline in the value of • Serving Multi-Employer in the crash. In 401(k) plans, individual vested. But this year, those pension Trusts for Twenty Years workers shoulder the risk if invest - fund investments lost value. That will its portfolio during an economic down - Trusts for Over Twenty Years ments do poorly. And it’s been a bad put pressure on employers to increase turn — the point at which it is most year: Over the past 12 months, more contributions to help make up for the likely to have to assume responsibility Cam Johnson Greg Sherwood for a larger number of underfunded Cam Johnson Greg Sherwood than half a trillion dollars in value has losses. And that could have an impact Adrian Hamilton Monte Johnson evaporated from 401(k) plans. on workers’ wages. pension plans. That warning now looks Adrian Hamilton Monte Johnson prophetic. Doug Goebel Bill Zenk In the more traditional “defined Many unions take part in jointly- Doug Goebel Bill Zenk benefit” plans, the employer or em - trusteed pension plans with employers. Ultimately, so much of the current ployer group assumes the risk: They Typically, how much employers con - crisis could have been avoided if the ti - Garth Nisbet Pat Worley commit to paying retirees a fixed tribute to those pension plans is part of tans of finance had acted more like a little credit institution at 9955 SE monthly check, and they set aside the contract that unions negotiate. Be - OOnnee SSWW CCoolluummbbiia St., Suite 1110000, PPoorrttllaanndd,, ORR 97258 money to make sure they are able to cause of the recent losses employers Washington St. in Portland. IBEW & 503-221-0158 United Workers Federal Credit Union 503-221-0158 is a non-profit financial cooperative www.QuestInvestment.com that is run in the interest of its 14,526 www.QuestInvestment.com depositors — local union members and REVERSE MORTGAGES IN MEMORIAM their families. Their $60 million in de - posits are managed conservatively. For Those 62 or Older! There are 83 credit unions in Oregon Steve Armony, a longtime union found work at the Beaverton School Could a REVERSE MORTGAGE with approximately 1.4 million mem - Get The Finacial Independence & leader among Portland Public Schools District, first as a courier and later head bers. Some are associated with union lo - Security You Deserve. (PPS) custodians, was killed Oct. 6 in a custodian at Fir Grove Elementary, Work for You? cals. All credit union depositor accounts • No Monthly Payments car crash on his way to work at a where he became a member of the Ore - are federally insured up to $250,000. Imagine a Paym eNont F Loanree, F Repaymentinancially-S asec uLongre R easti rement. Beaverton elementary school. gon School Employees Association “Our members are also union mem - • Supplement YouYou rOwn Reti randem eLivent I ninc oYourme. Home. Armony, 53, worked for almost 30 (OSEA). He retired in 2006, but contin - bers,” said credit union president Bar - years at PPS. He was head custodian at ued to work part time for the Beaverton • No Debt Passes to Your Heirs. bara Mathey, “and people join unions Franklin High School — and chair of School District as a custodial substitute. because they like that extra security.” • YTurnou M aYourintain Home Owner sEquityhip and TIntoitle. Cash or Line Service Employees (SEIU) Local 140 The morning of the accident, he was on The credit union makes mortgage of Credit, Monthly Income, or a Executive Board — when the district his way to Hazeldell Elementary to sub - and consumer loans, but only to mem - TURN YOUR HCombinationOME EQUITY INT O ofC AThese.SH , L INE OF CREDIT , contracted out cleaning of the schools stitute for fellow custodian and OSEA bers, and only if loan officers are sure MONTHLY INCOME OR A COMBINATION OF PLANS . and terminated its custodial workforce local President Terry Graham, who had borrowers aren’t in over their heads. in 2002. After the Oregon Supreme taken that day to work on union busi - Talk with the Reverse Mortgage Specialists at And it doesn’t sell the loans to other Talk with Lynn or Julie, the Reverse Mortgage Specialists at: Court ruled the outsourcing illegal in ness. entities, but holds them until they’re re - 2005, Armony was one of the two-thirds Just before 5:45 a.m., Armony was paid. of custodians who chose not to return to driving his Nissan pickup on Tualatin The current financial meltdown be - PPS. But he chaired the steering com - Valley Highway when the driver of a gan when a housing price bubble mittee that handled negotiations over the Chevrolet Suburban ran a red light and popped — a bubble that low govern - reinstatement. And he joined PPS’ Cus - crashed into him at the intersection with ment-set interest rates and lax private todial Civil Service Board, first as board Murray Boulevard. The crash and inves - lending standards helped set. If De - 360-694-7272 or secretary, and then as a member of the tigation slowed local traffic for hours. 360-694-7272 or Fazio’s skepticism of Wall Street ortho - Lynn Russell board, which oversees the hiring process Armony is survived by his wife, 1-866-684-7272 doxy had held sway, or if Mathey’s 1-866-684-7272 and disciplinary appeals for district cus - Vanessa, and a daughter, Lauren, a stu - prudent practices had been the norm in 205 East 11th Street, Suite 104 Vancouver, WA 98660 todians. dent at Cleveland High School. 205 East 11th Street, Suite 104, Vancouver, Washington banking, workers might not now be After the outsourcing, Armony had A funeral was held Oct. 11. facing a season of uncertainty.

OCTOBER 17, 2008 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 5 OCT. 17, 2008:NWLP 10/14/08 9:55 AM Page 6

Salem Unit meets 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Meetings are at 5032 SE 26th Ave., Portland. (Phone: Official 32969 Hwy. 99E, Tangent, OR. Laborers 483 Metal Trades Council 503 232-4807) Delegates meet 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. Elevator Constructors 23 Municipal Employees Executive Board meets 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 13. Salem Building Trades Members meet 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the Mu - Meetings are at the IBEW Local 48 Hall, 15937 NE Members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, preceded Delegates meet 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at the sicians Hall, 325 NE 20th Ave., Portland. Airport Way, Portland. Notices by a 5:30 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at 12779 NE IBEW 280 Training Center, 33309 Hwy. 99E, Tangent. Whitaker Way, Portland. Laborers/Vancouver 335 Molders 139 Sheet Metal Exterior & Interior Members meet 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, preceded by a Members meet 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, preceded Auto Mechanics 1005 6:15 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at the Vancouver La - by a 6 p.m. Executive Board meeting at the Carpenters Workers 16 bor Center, 2212 NE Andresen Rd., Vanc., Wash. Hall, 2205 N. Lombard, Portland. Members meet 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, preceded Specialists 2154 Portland area VOC members meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, by a 9 a.m. shop stewards’ training session. Stewards Members meet 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 1125 Nov. 5, at the Sheet Metal Training Center, 2379 NE must attend steward meeting to be compensated. There SE Madison, Suite 207, Portland. Lane County Multnomah County 178th Ave., Portland. will be a second reading of and vote on two proposed Portland area members meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, bylaw changes. Labor Council Employees 88 at the Sheet Metal Training Center, 2379 NE 178th Ave., Executive Board meets 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. Fire Fighters 452 Portland Delegates meet 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 1116 Executive Board meets 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5. 12. Members meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 2807 Medford area members meet 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. South A St., Springfield. General membership meets 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. All meetings and elections are held at 3645 SE 32nd NW Fruit Valley Rd., Vancouver, Wash. 12, at Wild River Pizza, 2684 N. Pacific Hwy., Medford. 19, preceded by a 6 p.m. stewards’ meeting. Ave., Portland. Eugene area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, Meetings are at 6025 E. Burnside, Portland. PLEASE NOTE: Rachel Conrad will be available Lane, Coos, Curry & at the Local 16 Hall, 4748 Franklin Blvd., Eugene. from 8 a.m. to noon during the Regular Lodge meeting to Fire Fighters 1660 Coos Bay area members meet 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. answer any questions you may have about Health and Members meet 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at 4411 SW Douglas Building Trades Northwest Oregon 20, at Abby’s Pizza, 997 First St., Coos Bay. Welfare and Pension plans. Sunset Dr., Lake Oswego. Delegates meet at noon Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Springfield Training Center, 2861 Pierce Parkway, Labor Council Bricklayers and Allied Glass Workers 740 Springfield. Delegates meet 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at IBEW Lo - Southern Oregon cal 48 Hall, 15937 NE Airport Way, Portland. Executive Board members meet 5 p.m. Thursday, Craftworkers 1 Nov. 6, at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. Linn-Benton-Lincoln Central Labor Council Our annual informational meeting will be held 6:30 Portland area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. Office & Professional Delegates meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Labor p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at our Union Hall at 12812 NE 6, at 11145 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. Labor Council Temple, 4480 Rogue Valley Hwy.#3, Central Point. Marx St., Portland. This meeting will be held in place of Eugene area members meet 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, Employees 11 Delegates meet 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, pre - our regularly scheduled Union meeting. All of the pro - at Best Western Grand Manor Inn, 971 Kruse Way, ceded by a 7 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at 1400 Members meet 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, in the Union fessionals that Local 1 does business with have been in - Springfield. Southwestern Oregon Salem Ave., Albany. Office, 7931 NE Halsey, Portland. vited to make a short presentation. They will be avail - Salem area members meet 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at able to take any questions you may have. This meeting is Candalaria Terrace, Suite 204, 2659 Commercial St. SE, Central Labor Council open to our members and spouses. Pizza and refresh - Salem. Linoleum Layers 1236 Painters & Drywall Delegates meet 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, at the Bay ments will be served after the meeting. Please take ad - Area Labor Center, 3427 Ash, North Bend. vantage of this opportunity to meet the people who help Portland area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. Finishers 10 us at Local 1 — and ask questions if you have any. Iron Workers 29 23, at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. Executive Board meets 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, at Members meet 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 11105 Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, preceded by Transit 757 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. NE Sandy Blvd., 2nd Floor, Portland. T-shirts, sweat - a 5:30 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at 11620 NE Charter members meet 7:30 p.m. Monday, October Portland area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. shirts and coveralls are for sale in the office. Carpenters 247 Ainsworth Circle #200, Portland. 20, at the Salvation Army, Rose Center for Seniors, 211 20, at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. PLEASE NOTE Executive Board meets 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at NE 18th Ave, Portland (18th & Sandy Blvd, adjacent to DATE CHANGE DUE TO THANKSGIVING HOLI - the Carpenters Hall, 2205 N. Lombard, Portland. Plasterers 82 the ATU office.) Charter day members meet 10 a.m. DAY. Iron Workers Members meet 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 12812 Tuesday, October 21, at Schoppert Hall, 1801 NE Couch, NE Marx St., Portland. Portland. Carpenters 1388 Shopmen 516 Machinists 63 Salem members meet 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 21, Members meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 276 Members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at 11620 NE at the West Salem Branch Public Library 395 Glen Creek Executive Board meets 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5. Warner-Milne Rd., Oregon City. Ainsworth Cir., #300, Portland. Portland City & Road, Salem. Members meet 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, preceded by Eugene members meet 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, October a 9 a.m. stewards’ meeting. Metropolitan Employees 22, and Eugene day members meet 10 a.m. Thursday, Meetings are at 3645 SE 32nd Ave., Portland. Carpenters 1715 Labor Roundtable of October 23, at the Woodworkers Local Lodge, 1124 Members meet 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, preceded 189 South A St., Springfield. by a 5 p.m. Executive Board meeting at 612 E. Southwest Washington Machinists 1432 General membership meets 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. Corvallis members meet 7:45 p.m. Thursday October McLoughlin, Vancouver, Wash. Delegates meet 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at Hometown 28. 23, at Woodstock Pizza, 1045 NW Kings Blvd. Swing and graveyard shift members meet at noon Buffet, 7809-B Vancouver Plaza Dr., Vancouver, Wash. Executive Board meets 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. Medford members meet 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October Wednesday, Nov. 12. Meetings are at 6025 E. Burnside, Portland. 23, at the Hampton Inn, 1122 Morrow Rd., Medford. Regular membership meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. Clark, Skamania & Portland School Bus members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, 12. Laborers 320 October 23, at Rigler School, 5401 NE Prescott. Shop stewards training session 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. W. Klickitat Counties Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at Joe Edgar Roofers & Waterproofers Vancouver members meet 7 p.m. Sunday, October 26, 18. Hall, Teamsters’ Complex, 1850 NE 162nd Ave., Port - at the Laborers Hall, 2232 NE Andresen, Vancouver. Meetings are at 3645 SE 32nd Ave., Portland. Labor Council land. 49 Tillamook members meet 1:00 p.m. Sunday, October Delegates meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, preceded by Executive Board meets 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6. 26, at the Odd Fellows Hall, next door to the Bay City an Executive Board meeting, at the ILWU Local 4 Hall, Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13. Fire Hall in Bay City. 1205 Ingalls St., Vancouver, Wash. AMR Northwest Josephine County, LAMAR Adver - tising and Valley Transit- See your liaison officers. PLEASE NOTE: ATU members are invited to at - Columbia-Pacific tend any of the above-listed meetings. Building Trades Retiree Meeting Notices Delegates meet 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 21, Oct. 28 and United Association 290 Nov. 4, in Kirkland Union Manor II, 3535 SE 86th, Port - ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED friends and let’s fill the bus! For reser - NORTHWEST OREGON LABOR Portland area members meet 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. land. 17, at 20210 SW Teton Ave., Tualatin. AMERICANS OREGON CHAPTER vations, call Vera at 503 252-2296. RETIREES COUNCIL Astoria area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, Retirees meet 10 a.m. Thursday, Business meeting from 10 a.m. to at the Astoria Labor Temple, 926 Duane, Astoria. Electrical Workers 48 Bend area members meet 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, Electrical Women of Local 48 meets 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, at Westmoreland Union ELECTRICAL WORKERS 280 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, in the at the Local 290 Training Center, 2161 SW First, Red - Oct. 21, at 5th Quadrant, 3901b N. Williams, Portland. Manor, 6404 SE 23rd Ave., Portland. Retirees meet between 11:45 a.m. Northwest Oregon Labor Council mond. General Membership Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Brookings area members meet 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, in the Meeting Hall. Show-up early for free Executive Board meets 10 a.m. and noon Monday, Nov. 10, at Home - board room, at 1125 SE Madison Oct. 28, at Curry County Search and Rescue, 417 Rail - sandwiches and specifically designed tee-shirts. Doors Thursday, Nov. 13, in the Northwest town Buffet on Lancaster in Salem, #103G, Portland. road St., Brookings. open at 5:30pm. Coos Bay area members meet 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. Marine Unit meets 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, in the Oregon Labor Council board room, at which is next to Michael’s Craft store. 21, at the Coos Bay Training Center, 2nd & Kruse. Meeting Hall. 1125 SE Madison, Portland. If you have any questions, please OREGON AFSCME Eugene area members meet 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. Executive Board meets 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Nov. 5 give Don Ball a call at 541-327-3388. Retirees meet 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the Springfield Training Center, 2861 Pierce Park - and Nov. 12, in the Executive Boardroom. way, Springfield. Coast Unit meets 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at As - CARPENTERS 21, at the AFSCME office, 6025 E Klamath Falls area members meet 5 p.m. Tuesday, toria Labor Temple, 926 Duane St., Astoria. Retired Carpenters meet for lunch INSULATORS 36 Burnside, Portland. Call Michael Oct. 21, at 4816 S 6th St., Klamath Falls. Electrical Workers Minority Caucus meets 6 p.m. Medford area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. Wednesday, Nov. 12, in the Executive Boardroom. 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at Home - Retiree breakfast 9:30 a.m. Thurs - Arken for information at 503-239- 23, at 950A Industrial Circle, White City. Residential Unit meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, in town Buffet, (by Mall 205) 10452A day, Nov. 6, at the Dockside Restau - 9858, ext. 124. Roseburg area members meet 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. the Dispatch Lobby. 23, at the Roseburg Labor Temple, 742 SE Roberts, Sound and Communication Unit meets 6:30 p.m. SE Washington, Portland. rant, 2047 NW Front Ave., Portland. Roseburg. Wednesday, Nov. 12, in the Meeting Hall. TRANSIT 757 Salem area members meet 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20, Vancouver Meeting, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at at 1810 Hawthorne Ave. NE, Salem. Round Table Pizza, 5016 NE Thurston, Vancouver. ELECTRICAL WORKERS 48 IRON WORKERS 29 Retirees meet 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, The Dalles area members meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. Wasco Unit meets 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Retirees, wives and friends meet Retirees meet 11:30 a.m. Wednes - Nov. 5, at Westmoreland Union 21, at the United Steelworkers Local 9170 Union Hall, the Northern Wasco PUD, 2345 River Rd., The Dalles. The Dalles. Meetings are at 15937 NE Airport Way, Portland, un - Tuesday, Nov. 11, and travel on a day, Nov. 12, at the Union Hall meet - Manor, 6404 SE 23rd, Portland. Humboldt-Del Norte Co. area members meet 5:30 less otherwise noted. FREE 47-seat luxury bus to Lucky ing room, 11620 NE Ainsworth Cir - p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Eureka Training Center, DEATH ASSESSMENTS: The following death as - 832 E St., Eureka, Calif. sessments have been declared for October and are Eagle Casino in Rochester, WA. The cle #200, Portland, for a catered UNITED ASSOCIATION 290 payable at 50 cents each: No. 2189, Francis E. Koenig; bus will first pickup at 8 a.m. from holiday luncheon. Rusty Pipe retirees meet 2 p.m. No. 2190, William G. Fergusson; and No. 2191, Donald USW 1097 R. Shaffer. Westminster Presbyterian Church, NE Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Springfield Members meet 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, pre - 16th and Weidler, (plenty of parking MACHINISTS Training Center, 2861 Pierce Parkway. ceded by a 5:45 p.m. Executive Board meeting, in the to the north available) the bus will Retired Machinists meet 10 a.m. Salem area retirees meet 12 noon union office building, 91237 Old Mill Town Rd., West - Electrical Workers 280 port, Oregon. Executive Board meets 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at leave at 8:30 a.m. from Russellville Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 3645 SE 32nd Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Almost Home 32969 Hwy. 99E, Tangent, OR. Bend Unit meets 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Park Plaza, 20 SE 103rd Ave., and re - Ave., Portland for bingo, a brief busi - Restaurant, 3310 Market St. SE. USW 8378 IBEW/UA Training Center, 2161 SW First St., Red - turn at 4:30 p.m. Receive casino ness meeting and lunch at a restaurant Retirees meet 10 a.m. Thursday, October meeting has been canceled. mond. coupons, and enjoy a lunch plus raffle to be determined at the meeting. Nov. 20, at 20210 SW Teton Ave., Tu - Eugene Unit meets 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the LU 290 Training Center, 2861 Pierce Parkway, and snacks for the drive home. Bring alatin. Springfield.

PAGE 6 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS OCTOBER 17, 2008 OCT. 17, 2008:NWLP 10/14/08 9:55 AM Page 7

Steelworkers mount union campaign at Oregon Steel United Steelworkers (USW) is jority of the Portland plant’s produc - nearing the end of a three-month cam - tion and maintenance workers sign paign to unionize 566 employees at union cards, Oregon Steel Mills is sup - Evraz Oregon Steel Mills. posed to recognize the union. The operation, in Portland’s River - The agreement commits both sides gate Industrial District, includes a spi - not to disparage the other. Because ral pipe plant, a structural tubing plant, USW initiated the campaign in early and a rolling mill that turns slab steel August, the union has until Nov. 4 to into steel plate used in rail cars, barges, gather the cards. natural gas pipelines, wind towers and But the campaign has not been military armor. trouble-free. Oregon Steel Mills has The Portland complex has been hired the Burke Group, a Malibu, Cali - nonunion since the company — then fornia consulting firm that specializes known as Gilmore Steel — perma - in “union avoidance.” And both union nently replaced striking union mem - and management accuse the other of bers in 1983. violating certain terms of the neutrality But in 2004, Oregon Steel Mills agreement. An arbitrator will rule on agreed to be neutral towards unioniz - those charges Oct. 15 (after this issue ing efforts, as part of the settlement of of the Labor Press went to press) and a six-year labor dispute at Rocky could give the union more time to sign Mountain Steel — its Pueblo, Col - up workers if its charges are found to orado subsidiary. Oregon Steel Mills have merit. has since been bought by the Russian steel company Evraz. The neutrality agreement, part of the union contract that covers the Pueblo workers, gives the USW a one- Broadway Floral time 90-day window during which it for the BEST flowers call can talk with workers in company 503-288-5537 break rooms, and contact workers 1638 NE Broadway, Portland from a company-provided list. If a ma -

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OCTOBER 17, 2008 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 7 OCT. 17, 2008:NWLP 10/14/08 9:55 AM Page 8

2008 Machinists Union Endorsements

Dist. 33-Rep. Mitch Greenlick (Portland) Dist. 35-Rep. Larry Galizio (Tigard) NATIONAL Dist. 36-Rep. Mary Nolan (Portland) Dist. 38-Chris Garrett (Lake Oswego) U.S. PRESIDENT Dist. 39-Toby Forsberg (Oregon City) Dist. 40-Rep. Dave Hunt (Clackamas Co.) Barack Obama Dist. 41-Rep. Carolyn Tomei (Milwaukie) No on 62: Diverting Lottery Funds From School Dist. 42-Jules Kopel-Bailey (Portland) This is another Kevin Mannix measure backed by wealthy, Dist. 43-Rep. Chip Shields (Portland) out-of-state businessman Loren Parks. It would take nearly Dist. 44-Rep. Tina Kotek (Portland) $185 million out of the State School Fund, resulting in fewer Dist. 45-Michael Dembrow (Portland) teachers, larger classes, shorter school years, and less classroom OREGON STATE Dist. 46-Rep. Ben Cannon (Portland) materials. It also pulls money out of job creation programs. Dist. 47-Jefferson Smith (Portland) Dist. 48-Rep. Michael Schaufler (Happy Valley) No on 63: Unsafe Homes U.S. SENATE Dist. 49-Nick Kahl (Troutdale) Exempts specified property owners from building permit re - Jeff Merkley Dist. 50-Greg Matthews (Gresham) quirements for improvements valued at or under $35,000. Dist. 51-Brent Barton (Clackamas) Renters’ advocates, firefighters and other frontline emergency U.S. CONGRESS Dist. 52-Suzanne VanOrman (Hood River) workers, and environmental groups oppose this measure. First Dist.: David Wu; Third Dist.: Earl Blumenauer; No on 64 : Don’t Silence Our Voice Fourth Dist.: Peter DeFazio; Fifth Dist.: Kurt Schrader This measure would silence the voices of working people by stopping public employees — like teachers, firefighters, and BALLOT MEASURES nurses — from using voluntary payroll deductions to donate to OREGON STATEWIDE charities, unions, or other organizations of their choice. Oregon Secretary of State - Kate Brown voters have already defeated this measure from Bill Sizemore Yes on 56: Voting Matters three times. Treasurer - Ben Westlund Restores fairness to elections by ensuring that local meas - ures win by the majority of people who actually vote. Amends No on 65: Save Oregon’s Democracy Attorney General - John Kroger Constitution. This will destroy most of Oregon’s minor political parties, reduce voter choices in an election, confuse the ballots, reward Labor Commissioner - Brad Avakian dirty politicking and give more power to wealthy special inter - Yes on 57: The Better Way to Fight Crime ests that already dominate elections. A measure that allows Toughens sentences for certain drug traffickers, identity more gaming of the system is not the change that Oregon elec - OREGON SENATE thieves, property offenders, and criminals who prey on the eld - tions need. erly, and requires drug treatment or stiffer sentences for those Dist. 1 — Eldon Rollins (Coquille) who refuse treatment. Stops revolving-door justice by address - ing the root cause of crime. Dist. 5 — Sen. Joanne Verger (Coos Bay) WASHINGTON STATE

Dist. 14 — Sen. Mark Hass (SW Portland) No on 58: One-size-fits-all mandate to limit English STATEWIDE learning Governor — CHRIS GREGOIRE Dist. 17 — Suzanne Bonamici (Beaverton) This is a one-size-fits-all teaching mandate that is so poorly Attorney General — JOHN LADENBURG written that most students will be limited to only one year of Auditor — BRIAN SONNTAG Dist. 21 — Rep. Diane Rosenbaum (SE Portland) English – and it makes no exception for students with learning Insurance Commissioner — MIKE KREIDLER disabilities. Would cost the state at least half a billion dollars Lt. Governor — BRAD OWEN Dist. 23 — Rep. Jackie Dingfelder (NE Portland) over the next two years. Public Lands Commissioner — PETER GOLDMARK Secretary of State — SAM REED Dist. 25 — Sen. Laurie Monnes Anderson (Gresham) State Treasurer — JIM MCINTIRE No on 59: Sizemore’s Latest Tax Scheme Sup’t of Public Instruction — TERRY BERGESON This is the same measure by Sizemore that Oregonians have OREGON HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES defeated twice before. By granting Oregonians an unlimited STATE SUPREME COURT Dist. 5-Rep. Peter Buckley (Ashland) federal income tax deduction on state taxes, Measure 59 would Position 3 - MARY FAIRHURST Dist. 8-Rep. Paul Holvey (Eugene) cut $2.4 billion in funding for education, public safety, and Position 4 - CHARLES JOHNSON Dist. 9-Rep. Arnie Roblan (Coos Bay) healthcare. Yet 75% of Oregonians would save less than one Position 7 - DEBRA STEPHENS Dist. 10-Rep. Jean Cowan (Newport) dollar. Dist. 11-Rep. Phil Barnhart (Eugene) COURT OF APPEALS Dist. 12-Rep. E. Terry Beyer (Springfield) No on 60: Paying Teachers to Test Division 2, District 2 - ROBIN HUNT Dist. 13-Rep. Nancy Nathanson (N. Eugene) Requires teachers’ salaries to be based solely on undefined Division 3, District 1 - KEVIN M. K ORSMO Dist. 14-Rep. Chris Edwards (Eugene) “classroom performance,” which will no doubt lead to more Dist. 16-Rep. Sara Gelser (Corvallis) standardized tests and fewer teachers willing to take on the most U.S. HOUSE Dist. 20-Richard Riggs (Salem) challenging assignments. Third District (SW Washington - Brian Baird Dist. 21-Rep. Brian Clem (Salem) Dist. 22-Rep. Betty Komp (Woodburn) No on 61: Warehousing People Doesn’t Work INITIATIVES Dist. 26-Jessica Adamson (Sherwood) This Kevin Mannix measure is a one-size-fits-all approach to I-985 – O PPOSE . This Tim Eyman initiative may seem Dist. 27-Rep. Tobias Read (Washington County) crime that would cost the state $586 million per biennium to all about traffic light synchronization and roadside assistance Dist. 28-Rep. Jeff Barker (Aloha) implement and would require the construction of at least three crews, but in reality, it is about opening carpool lanes during Dist. 29-Rep. Chuck Riley (Hillsboro) more prisons – to the tune of $1.3 billion dollars – while not rush hour and forcing the state to widen highways. Dist. 30-Rep. David Edwards (Hillsboro) even addressing mandatory drug treatment. Dist. 31-Rep. Brad Witt (Clatskanie)

Authorized and paid for by the Machinists Non-Partisan Political League of Oregon, 3645 SE 32nd Ave. Portland, OR 97202

PAGE 8 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS OCTOBER 17, 2008 OCT. 17, 2008:NWLP 10/14/08 9:55 AM Page 9

Apprenticeship programs eligible to apply for grants from Workforce Investment Council Union apprenticeship training and restrictions. cation materials. journey-level skill enhancement pro - To apply for a training grant go to Proposals must be submitted no later grams that serve residents of Clackamas www.wicco.org – Employer Workforce than 4 p.m. on Oct. 31. Funds will be County are eligible to apply for training Training Fund page to download appli - awarded Nov. 6. funds through the Workforce Invest - ment Council of Clackamas County. Approximately $219,600 will be awarded. Average awards are $20,000. “Many training programs aren’t aware that this money is available,” said Ron Murray, a union representative of Plumbers and Fitters Local 290 who represents labor on the Workforce In - vestment Council of Clackamas County. The purpose of the training funds is to create and retain living-wage jobs in Merkley talks to rank-and-file Clackamas County; build a highly Oregon House Speaker and U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Merkley (left) talks to skilled workforce; train current work - AFL-CIO National Organizing Director Stewart Acuff at an Oct. 1 listening ers; and enhance global competitiveness event staged by the Oregon AFL-CIO. At the Portland offices of American of Oregon businesses based on work - Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the state force skills. labor federation assembled a roundtable of six union members from as many A minimum $1 to $1 match of cash unions, each of whom asked Merkley a question about topics from trade to and/or in-kind services is required. El - health care to Social Security for the benefit of several members of the news igible matches must consist of project media. Acuff says the Merkley campaign is one of the national labor related costs covered by the applicant, movement’s top priorities. On Oct. 12, the National Alliance for Retired which are not funded with local, state, Americans endorsed Merkley. The Alliance is an organization of retired or federal governmental resources. union members who want to make their voices heard in the laws, policies, Funds cannot be used for recruiting politics and institutions that affect all older Americans. ARA has an Oregon workers from outside Oregon, paying chapter. wages for participants while in training or to purchase equipment, among other

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Union-sponsored Oregon Working EE BARGAIN COUNTER FR Free classified ads to subscribers Families Party has spot on ballot DEADLINE: Friday prior to publication By DON McINTOSH So the Working Families Party, for ex - (no Republican entered the race) — Published 1st and 3rd Fridays Associate Editor ample, could use its ballot line to en - in May with heavy backing from or - For the first and maybe the last dorse Democratic or Republican can - ganized labor. Kroger is practically Now accepting e-mails time, Oregon voters will get a chance didates who support its jobs, justice, assured victory in November. There - this November to vote for a candidate and worker rights platform. fore, a Working Families candidate Send to: [email protected] from a union-sponsored political party Voting for a candidate on the wouldn’t end up being a “spoiler,” Mail to: NWLP, PO Box 13150, Portland OR 97213 — the Oregon Working Families Working Families ballot line instead throwing the race to a less-appealing (Please include union affiliation) Party. of the Democratic ballot line shows candidate. Portland labor lawyer J. Ashlee Al - politicians that economic justice is But Measure 65 on the Nov. 4 bal - • 15-20 words • No commercial or business ads • 1 ad per issue bies will appear — on the Working important to those voters. The same lot would completely rework the role Families ballot line — as a candidate dynamic would apply to candidates of major and minor political parties in • All lower case ( NO CAPITAL LETTERS, PLEASE ) • for Oregon attorney general. cross-endorsed by the Libertarian or primary and general elections. If it Ads MUST include area code The Oregon Working Families Constitution parties. passes, all candidates would appear to - or they will not be published Party, modeled on a New York minor The two major parties outlawed fu - gether on the primary ballot, and all chines, pinball machines, neon signs. 360 party, formed in 2006 with the support sion voting in the early 20th century. voters, regardless of party registration, Automotive 256-7810 of seven local unions in order to push The Oregon Working Families Party would choose from among the candi - 4 STUDDED SNOW tires, 31x10.5 50 R, a worker-friendly political agenda and gathered 28,000 signatures to gain mi - dates. The top two vote-getters would 15LT, 90% tread and/or OEM aluminum reintroduce “fusion” voting to Ore - nor-party status, and then tried in the go on to the general election. six hole wheels, fits Dodge Dakota or Du - For the Home gon. Under a fusion voting system, 2007 legislative session and the 2008 The Oregon AFL-CIO opposes the rango. 503 668-7172 (Bob) BIONAIRE AIR PURIFIER, 3 feet tall, ro - ’78 CHEVY CAPRICE classic, 4dr, 350, candidates can appear on the ballot special session to get lawmakers to re - measure. tates, has remote $15. 503-777-9143 V8, AT, loaded w/options, black DINING ROOM CHAIRS, 6 high-back, all- line of more than one endorsing party. store fusion. That didn’t happen. No political party would be as - w/burgundy interior, ex cond, $2,600. 503 leather Parsons chairs, 1 year old, paid Now Working Families’ status as a sured of a spot in the general election, 245-6714 $250 ea. excellent cond. $900, firm. 503- minor party will expire unless it again and primaries would no longer be how ’91 GMC PICKUP w/canopy, 4x4, new 669-5324 clutch system, new fly wheel, stick shift, gathers the signatures, or gets more the major parties choose their nomi - short bed, $2,395 OBO. 541 344-0569 than 1 percent in a statewide race. nees. Instead, each candidate would TIRE CHAINS, new. 1 pr, fits 225/75R14 Sporting Goods thru 6.50-16lt. lug reinforced, USA made,1 That’s why the party asked Albies to be identified by their party registra - BOAT TRAILER F or 16-18 ft boat, good run. tion, and next to their names would pr. fits 12.50-15, 12.50-16.5, $50 per pr. 360 213-9540 cond, $600 obo 503-659-1382 or 503- Albies is an employee-side em - appear the names of any parties that 320-1977 ployment law and civil rights law at - endorsed them. torney with the Portland firm Steen - For minor parties like Working Housing Miscellaneous son, Schumann, Tewksbury, Families, Measure 65’s passage would ROCKAWAY BEACH house, 3 bed, 2 26 CLEAN CLEAR glass one gallon jugs Creighton and Rose. She co-chairs the mean they would no longer have a bath, sleeps 10, great amenities, minutes to beach or shops. 503 355-2136 or 503 w/lids, $1 each. 360 835-8000 Portland Chapter of the National “ballot line” on which to place candi - 709-6018 TWO ANTIQUE dragsaws (1920s -30s), Lawyers Guild. dates they’d nominated. But the party ‘99 MANUFACTURED HOME, 3bed, one is restored, 2nd is apart, but complete, Working Families has no problem name would appear next to any candi - 2bth, office, appliances, front/back decks, w/blades and misc. wood cutting tools. 503 678-1696 (Herb) with John Kroger, who won the Dem - dates who accepted their endorse - .4 acre fenced, on Clackamas River in Ea - gle Creek, OR. $260,000. 503-679-4945 JOHN DEERE 1966 model 112 lawn - ocratic — and Republican primary ment. mower w/hydraulic lift, first year only 999 made, $1,400. 360 892-0864 TOOL BOXES, large, newer Craftsman Wanted roll-around, plus Kennedy with or w/o tools. OLD WOODWORKING Tools, Planes, 503 630-4919 Levels, Chisels, Handsaws, Slicks, Adzes, CARHARTT SANDSTONE Detroit jacket, WE ENDORSE JUDY Wrenches, Folding Rulers, Old Leather never worn, large w/embroidered Carpen - WE ENDORSE JUDY Tools, Tool Chests. 503-659-0009 ters Local 247 logo. $75. 503 807-2582 CASH FOR old oil paintings, toys or pot - TOW DOLLY in excl cond, new wiring, FOR MULTNOMAH COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT #3 tery. 503 653-1506 magnet lights, not many miles, 6 yrs old, FURNACE OIL wanted, will pump. 503 kept inside, $1,000. 503 630-4970. 252-4151 HOLIDAY BAZAAR, Ardenwald Elemen - Northwest Oregon Labor Council, AFL-CIO JUNK CARS, free removal of unwanted tary School, 8950 SE 36th Ave, Milwaukie, cars and pickups, cash for some. 503 314 OR, Winter Wonderland, Saturday, Nov. Teachers Voice in Politics/Portland Association of Teachers 8600 22, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 503-353-5320 AFSCME Local 88 VIDEO POKER machines, old slot ma - SEIU Locals 49 and 503 Portland Fire Fighters Association Local 43 Columbia Pacific Building and Construction Trades Council Painters and Allied and Allied Trades Council No. 5 Teamsters Joint Council No. 37 IBEW Local 48 Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 Iron Workers Local 29 Plasterers Local 82 VVOOTTEE FFOORR JJUUDDYY SSHHIIPPRRAACCKK!!

PAID FOR AND AUTHORIZED BY JUDY SHIPRACK FOR COUNTY COMMISSION

PAGE 10 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS OCTOBER 17, 2008 OCT. 17, 2008:NWLP 10/14/08 9:55 AM Page 11

AFL-CIO’s Trumka says Obama strong on guns, conservation BY SETH MICHAELS our communities and our children, to cess issues important to sportsmen,” percent of the time — have turned respects that. Sen. Obama also re - At a union roundtable discussion in know the facts, where the candidates Trumka explained. “Attacks on Sen. pawn shops into gun shops because spects our rights to decent jobs that Johnstown, Pa., last month, AFL-CIO stand on the issues and then vote Obama’s position on guns are nothing struggling workers have to hock their pay fair wages, health care and pen - Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka what’s best for more than right- guns to pay their mortgages.” sion protection.” met with a panel of 15 union sports - the country.” wing rhetoric meant Michael Fedore, a member of the Pennsylvania will be a decisive men from 12 different western Penn - Trumka, an “There is a lot of non- to distract working Pennsylvania Federation of Teachers state in this fall’s election, and union sylvania unions to discuss Sen. avid hunter and sense out there about people from the crit - who grew up in New Castle, Pa., says volunteers will be working to make Barack Obama’s positions on issues fisher, says cor - ical pocketbook is - he’s voting for Obama because all sure every union member knows what ranging from trade to guns. porate interests Barack Obama taking our sues that affect our workers’ rights deserve respect. issues are really at stake this year. Trumka says Obama is offering the are again trying guns. Workers from our daily lives.” “We come from an area where (Editor’s Note: Seth Michaels co - right solutions for what’s wrong with to exploit the Participants at the schools close on the opening day of ordinates the AFL-CIO’s presidential the economy. He told the assembled issue of gun area are more worried roundtable said that deer season,” he said. “Hunting is a candidate Website, Working Families union members that talking with their ownership, about John McCain while protecting the way of life for us and Barack Obama Vote 2008.) friends and neighbors about Obama hoping to dis - traditions of sports - and the important issues is the best tract gun-own - exporting our jobs.” men is important, way to make sure a pro-worker presi - ing voters from the focus of this dent is elected. real issues like jobs, health care and election is squarely on the economy. “This election is going to decide retirement security. “This election is Kenneth Peterson, president of the IAM, Boeing meet briefly the direction of the economy, where too important to let distortions and International Brotherhood of Electri - A federal mediator called off face-to-face talks between the Machinists we go,” Trumka said. “Whether the falsehood affect it,” Trumka said. cal Workers Local 459 in Johnstown, Union and Boeing Co. Oct. 13, following a short round of bargaining in hopes economy is going to help you, or hurt “Obama gets it. Not only is he said trade tops the issues leading him of ending a strike that began Sept. 6. you. Whether it’s going to be changed crystal clear in his support of the Sec - to vote for Obama this fall. The key stumbling block was job security. or it isn’t going to be changed. It’s up ond Amendment, he is light years “There is a lot of nonsense out “The company is attempting to put the union in an unacceptable position to to you, it’s very, very important for ahead of John McCain on habitat con - there about Barack Obama taking our bargain away our members’ jobs,” said Tom Wroblewski, president of Ma - you and for your future, the future of servation and hunting and fishing ac - guns. Workers from our area are more chinists District Lodge 751. worried about John McCain exporting The union said Boeing wants to eliminate as many as 2,000 employees our jobs,” he said. who perform material delivery, inventory, parts distribution, equipment, and Lisa Stark, a National Rifle Associ - other work. Building trades council backs ation member and organizer for the “It has become apparent that the long-term strategy of Boeing is to elimi - National Union of Hospital and nate these IAM positions and replace the union workers with outside suppli - candidates with union ties Health Care Employees, says the real ers. The words ‘flexibility’ and ‘competitiveness’ for Boeing appear to mean threat to responsible gun ownership eliminating IAM jobs,” Wroblewski said. Several candidates endorsed by the County Commissioner Patricia comes from the stagnation of work - Some 27,000 Machinists at locations in Washington State’s Puget Sound; Columbia-Pacific Building and Con - Roberts; and in Columbia County ers’ paychecks. Wichita, Kansas; Edwards Air Force Base, California; and Gresham, Oregon, struction Trades Council (CPBCTC) construction unions are backing the “The truth of the matter is that walked off the job Sept. 6 after the company refused to make contract im - have union ties — and one candidate re-election of Commissioner Tony George W. Bush and his failed eco - provements in the areas of job security, medical costs, pensions, and wage in - is a union member. Hyde. nomic policies have taken away more creases for both newer and longer-term workers. Gary Moore, a business representa - CPBCTC also endorsed the Cen - guns from average Americans than Portland-based Lodge 63 represents 1,244 Machinists at Boeing’s parts tive of Laborers Local 296, is running tennial School District Bond Meas - any gun control law ever passed in the manufacturing plant in Gresham. for Wood Village City Council with urer 26-97. history of the United States,” she said. The strike has stopped virtually all jet production and reportedly cost Boe - support from the CPBCTC. Wood Vil - In Washington State, CPBCTC has “The economic policies of George ing an estimated $4 billion in profits. No new talks have been scheduled. lage is located north of Gresham in endorsed Pam Brokaw and Jeanne Bush — which McCain supported 90 east Multnomah County. Harris for the Clark County Commis - In neighboring Fairview, the build - sion. In Skamania County, Bruce ing trades council is backing Theresa Scherling is their recommendation for Davis for city council. Davis is the commissioner. wife of Clif Davis, business manager of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 48. In Multnomah County, CPBCTC has endorsed Judy Shiprack and Carla Piluso for two open commissioner Rain Forest Boots seats. Shiprack is the wife of Bob Made in America! Shiprack, executive director of the James Coon Raymond Thomas Cynthia Newton Kimberly Tucker Chris Frost Oregon State Building and Construc - tion Trades Council. Try a pair on, you’ll like them. In other races, the building trades Tough boots for the Northwest. The team at SWANSON, THOMAS&COON council has endorsed newcomer Charles Lewis for Portland City AL’S SHOES Get Workers’ Compensation benefits can help you: Council, Position 1; in Clatsop 5811 SE 82nd, Portland 503-771-2130 Mon-Fri 10-7:30 Sat 10-5:30 Sun 12-6 for on-the-job injuries or illness. County, the nod went to incumbent Workers Compensation Get Social Security benefits Construction Injuries if you can’t work. Death Claims Recover damages if you are injured ramers/metro by someone’s negligence. Personal Injury /Product Liability mailing service Helping injured people Social Security Disability K 3201 N.W. YEON PORTLAND, OREGON 97210 for over 25 years. Call us today at 503-228-5222 (503) 274-1638 FAX (503) 227-1245 Straight answers. No cost for consultation. THE ONLY UNION MAILER SWANSON, THOMAS & COON ATTORNEYS AT LAW IN OREGON 820 S.W. Second Avenue, Suite 200 Visit our Web site at www.kramersmailing.com Portland, Oregon 97204 MEMBERS OF TEAMSTERS LOCAL 223 www.stc-law.com — Eric Brending, Owner —

OCTOBER 17, 2008 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 11 OCT. 17, 2008:NWLP 10/14/08 9:55 AM Page 12

The Biglow Canyon Wind Farm is being built by PGE. It is expected to produce enough electricity to power about 100,000 homes. Local Motion September 2008 Union certifications and decertifications in Oregon and Southwest Washington, as reported by the National Labor Relations Board and the Oregon Employment Relations Board UUnniioonn--TTrraaiinneedd WWoorrkkeerrss HHeellpp BBuuiilldd Recognition elections Name of employer Results: Union Union OOrreeggoonn’’ss RReenneewwaabbllee EEnneerrggyy FFuuttuurree Date Name of union Location Yes No Harry’s Fresh Foods 57 79 BY SHELLEY PARKER Wasco; Pebble Springs, Rattlesnake, over the years,” Clifton said. “Having 8/21 Bakers Local 364 Portland Special Correspondent and Wheatland near Arlington; and a hand in these wind farm develop - Bales Thriftway BOARDMAN, Ore. — High on Three Mile Canyon and Willow Creek ments is exciting. I hear a lot of talk 52 the hills east of the Cascade Range a west of Boardman. about what’s not getting done with al - 9/8 UFCW Local 555 Aloha remarkable transformation is occur - The work ranges from development ternative energy, but I’m out here get - Kaiser Foundation Health Plan ring. As the cows roam and crops of new roads to impressive crane oper - ting it done.” 91 grow, the wind blows — and it blows. ations needed to erect the 282 foot tall From beginning to end, each wind - 9/17 SEIU Local 49 Portland It’s the unique location, topography, towers that have a turbine at the top mill requires approximately 300 man- City of Silverton Public Works Department and climate that makes the majestic with 120 foot turbine blades to catch hours to install. This includes the 05 rolling hills of the Columbia River the wind. transportation infrastructure necessary 9/22 Laborers 483 vs. SPW Assn. Portland Gorge an ideal setting for wind farm - Onlookers gain respect for sea - to access a new site. The life ex - General Electric (decertification) ing. soned equipment operators as they pectancy of each windmill is 20 years, 05 When it comes to renewable en - watch the precision needed to grace - and each will power up to 100 homes. 9/24 CWA Local 7990 Portland ergy, the Pacific Northwest continues fully erect windmill components as Like solar, wind technology contin - to lead the nation. From solar to wind large as 80 tons in the sometimes-un - uously evolves, allowing for better ef - and beyond, the region has made sig - predictable windy conditions. ficiencies and output. Recognition by card check nificant advancements in a relatively Safety is always top of mind and You don’t have to be a construction Name of employer Location short period of time. especially critical on wind farm proj - tradesman or engineer to appreciate Date Name of union Number of employees Members of Operating Engineers ect sites where the heaviest and most the significance of these technological Local 701 are proud to be a part of it. powerful equipment, including 600- advancements. Looking across miles Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School Eugene “Renewable energy work in the re - ton cranes, are used. of picturesque golden plains beneath a 9/3 American Federation of Teachers-Oregon 30 gion has grown exponentially in the The Operating Engineers’ compre - flawless blue sky, hundreds of strategi - last few years,” said Nelda Wilson, as - hensive five-year apprenticeship pro - cally positioned windmills somehow sistant business manager for Local gram involves both textbook and complement the landscape. They cre - Requests for recognition election 701. “Keeping our journeymen work - hands-on training, and is turning out ate a mesmerizing feeling of peace Name of employer Location ing is always a priority, and work in many journeymen and women who that slowly turns into a warming sense Name of union Number of employees this sector is especially welcome. Con - look forward to a chance to work on of hope. It’s a nice realization to see tributing to renewable energy is re - new renewable energy construction. the results of innovation and hard Forgue & Phillips Painting Salem warding.” Dan Clifton, a 27-year journeyman, work by people who are committed to Painters & Allied Trades District Council 5 6 Local 701 currently has 55 journey - has worked on a variety of wind proj - advancing our energy independence men at eight different wind farm sites: ects in both Oregon and California. through renewable sources. Oregon Child Development Coalition Gresham Hay Canyon and Biglow Canyon near “I’ve worked on hundreds of projects Laborers Local 320 50 Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries Wage & Hour Compliance Specialist Prevailing Wage Unit San i t a clogs Announcement LE080115A $2854 - 4153 per month We are looking for a Wage and Hour Compliance Specialist to monitor public works construction projects. Candidate will investigate allegations of violations of prevailing wage rate law on public works projects. Minimum qualifications include: two years of investigative experience in - cluding gathering facts, collecting evidence, examining records, and Zachary interviewing people to verify or dis - • Social Security prove claims of suspected violations Zabinsky of law, rule or policy. • SSI - Disability Claims College-level courses in law, account - Personal Attention To Every Case ing, auditing, or a closely related field Working For Disability Rights may be substituted for up to one year Since 1983 of the required experience. Recruit - ment remains open until sufficient ap - NO FEE WITHOUT RECOVERY plications are received. www.oregon 621 SW Morrison, Portland jobs.org or 971-673-0783 for more information. 223-8517 PAGE 12 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS OCTOBER 17, 2008