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Volume 107 Number 19 October 6, 2006 Portland

The Bus Driver ers-Oregon, and the Carpenters TriMet retiree Ben Union have sponsored bus trips; other unions have made donations. Fain gets behind Bus Project co-founder Joe Baessler the wheel again became Oregon AFSCME’s political coordinator. for the cause Fain climbed aboard the Bus Pro- ject when it was still an idea. At a By DON McINTOSH Christmas holiday family reunion in Associate Editor 2001, his sister’s grandson, Aaron In 26 years driving buses at Imlah, asked him if he would drive a TriMet, Ben Fain was a loyal if not bus for a group he was helping form. particularly active member of Amal- “They had a bus without a driver, gamated Transit Union (ATU) Divi- and I was a driver without a bus,” sion 757. Fain recalls. Since his 2002 retirement, how- Fain, 67, said he had always voted ever, he’s become a bus-borne ac- for progressive politicians and issues, tivist — chauffeuring the mostly but retirement would open up much young progressives of the Bus Pro- more time to get involved. ject to political happenings and door- He decided to keep his commer- to-door canvasses. cial driver’s license active and drive The Bus Project is best-known for the bus, a 1978 MCI Crusader con- mobilizing busloads of volunteers to verted to biodiesel. do a day’s work for progressive can- Fain thinks he’s done probably 95 didates in close electoral races. Since percent of the driving since the proj- 2002, the group’s volunteers have ect began. Volunteering sparked a po- knocked on 200,000 doors and con- litical awakening for him. It strength- tributed to the election of over a ened his belief in the importance of dozen state legislators, said Bus Pro- unions and the power of individuals ject managing director Garrett Dow- to make change by coming together. nen. And the group has close ties to Fain, the son of a bricklayer, several politically-active unions. The worked in union jobs all his life, start- American Federation of State, ing in the early 1950s with the Brick- County and Municipal Employees, layers Union, continuing as a Boeing the American Federation of Teach- (Turn to Page 8)

In Oregon New Yorker pours $2.8 million into ballot measures Out-of-state money has made itself felt in Oregon politics be- it takes in since President Clinton left office, Rich’s group is tar- process for political experiments by deep-pocket ideologues and fore, but a pair of ballot measures up for a vote this November geting state governments, which by law must live within their special favors for moneyed interests. Some initiatives still come has Oregonians wondering about how thoroughly their citizen means. about with grassroots citizen support, but almost every election initiative process can be hijacked to serve a private agenda. Oregon is one of a number of states where Rich’s millions also has measures that were bought and paid for by big money. As detailed in three sets of mandatory campaign finance dis- have financed paid petitioners and political consultants to put That’s why New Yorker Howard Rich may be the most im- closures, every phase of Ballot measures 45 and 48 has been al- identical questions before voters. portant man in Oregon this year. His proposals — Measures 45 most entirely financed by one individual — conservative New Such a top-down campaign is a far cry from the citizen upris- and 48 — don't carry his name on them, but they come with his York real estate millionaire Howard Rich. Measure 45 would set ings Oregonians imagined when they set up the initiative sys- money. term limits for state elected officials, and Measure 48 would set tem. It was supposed to be a way to get around the Oregon Leg- Entities controlled by Rich have given $2 million to a Mis- an inflexible limit on state spending; both are opposed by the islature in cases where legislators were truly unresponsive to the souri group pushing a spending cap, $1 million to an Arizona Oregon AFL-CIO and other labor organizations. popular will: If citizens gather signatures from enough fellow group pushing a spending cap, and $100,000 to an Oklahoma Rich is founder and financier of the group Americans For citizens, statutes and constitutional amendments go directly to group. Limited Government, which contends that government is doing the electorate for approval or rejection. Rich’s contributions to Oregon ballot measure campaigns to- too much, and is charging excessive taxes. But rather than focus But the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1988 that states couldn’t talled $2.8 million, the Oregonian reported Sept. 12. The most on the federal government, which has been spending more than ban the use of paid petitioners, and that opened up the initiative (Turn to Page 5) Let me say this about that —By Gene Klare NLRB ruling changes definition of supervisor, unions will be hit hard WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Re- with Justice. “It is clear that, in the fu- Wilma Liebman and Dennis Walsh, publican-dominated National Labor ture, management will sculpt ‘supervi- both Democrats, say the decision Relations Board (NLRB) voted 3-2 sory’ responsibilities to meet the Oak- “threatens to create a new class of along party lines to slash long-time fed- wood standard; and it is equally clear workers under federal labor law — eral labor laws protecting workers’free- that the anti-worker Board majority will workers who have neither the genuine dom to form unions, and opened the look to apply that standard in other in- prerogatives of management, nor the door for employers to classify millions dustries, as well.” statutory rights of ordinary employees.” of workers as supervisors. Under fed- In Oakwood, the Board agreed with Liebman and Walsh wrote that most eral labor law, supervisors are prohib- the employer that charge nurses are su- professionals and other workers could ited from forming unions. pervisors. But the ruling also sets broad fall under the new definition of supervi- The decision was voted on Sept. 29 definitions for determining who is a su- sor, “who by 2012 could number almost but not released publicly until Oct. 3 (as pervisor that invites employers to clas- 34 million, accounting for 23.3 percent this issue of the NW Labor Press was sify nurses and many low-level em- of the workforce.” They go on to say that going to press). ployees with minor authority as the Republican majority did not follow The NLRB ruled on three cases, col- supervisors, the national AFL-CIO what Congress intended in applying the lectively known as “Kentucky River,” warned. National Labor Relations Act: Wilkerson welcomed but it’s the lead case, Oakwood Health- According to the labor federation, “Congress cared about the precise care Inc. that creates a new definition the Board’s new definition essentially scope of the Act’s definition of ‘super- THE LABOR HALL OF FAME has welcomed Bill Wilkerson, retired busi- of supervisor. The Board ruled 3-2 to enables employers to make a supervi- visor,’and so should the Board. Instead, ness manager of Linoleum and Carpet Layers Local l 236. He was selected for exclude “charge nurses’ who perform sor out of any worker who has the au- the majority’s decision reflects an un- the honor by the sponsoring Northwest Oregon Labor Retirees Council, an affil- clinical assignment from union rights. thority to assign or direct another, and fortunate failure to engage in the sort of iate of the Portland-based NW Oregon Labor Council, AFL-CIO. In the other two cases being consid- uses independent judgment. reasoned decision-making that Con- The Labor Retirees Council started the Labor Hall of Fame in 1997 to provide ered — Golden Crest and Croft Metals “Amazingly, the Board also ruled gress expected from the Board, which recognition to retired unionists for their contributions to the labor movement. — the Board ruled against redefining that a worker can be classified as a su- has the primary responsibility for de- BILL WILKERSON, 65, retired on June 31, 2000, as financial secretary workers as supervisors. pervisor if he or she spends as little as veloping and applying national labor and business manager of Linoleum, “But that reflects management not 10 percent to 15 percent of his or her policy.” Carpet and Soft Tile Applicators Local crafting the facts in the case to the time overseeing the work of others,” the Currently, the NLRB is holding up 1236 after holding the post for 14 years. Board’s satisfaction,” said Paul Bigman, AFL-CIO said. dozens of cases that address the defini- Local 1236 is an affiliate of the Inter- Western Region field organizer for Jobs In their dissent, NLRB members tion of supervisor, and 60 of those are national Union of Painters and Allied union election cases. These cases have Trades and operates out of a union of- been sent back to the various regional fice building at 11105 NE Sandy boards. In some of these cases, work- Boulevard in Portland, which houses ers who voted several years ago to form other Painters-affiliated locals and b h Bennett Hartman a union still are waiting for their ballots Painters District Council 5. Morris & Kaplan, llp to be counted. Wilkerson and his wife, Karel, are Attorneys at Law “The ramifications of this case are residents of Vancouver, Washington, extremely serious; the decision could where they’ve lived most of their lives. m k have a significant impact on the quality He was born as William S. Wilkerson of patient care and workers’rights,” the on June 24, 1941 in the Eastern Wash- American Federation of Teachers ington city of Pasco. While growing up, Oregon’s Full Service Union Law Firm Healthcare said in a press release. he lived there, and in Wishram, Wash., AFL-CIO President John Sweeney across the Columbia River from The Representing Workers Since 1960 called the decisions “outrageous and Dalles, and in Vancouver. His father’s unjustified. The NLRB should protect job caused their moves. John Wilkerson workers’rights, not eliminate them,” he BILL WILKERSON worked for the Spokane, Portland and said. “If the Administration expects us Seattle Railroad as a brakeman on SeriousInjuryandDeathCases to take this quietly, they’re mistaken.” freight trains and as a conductor on passenger trains. He was a union man — a Over the past five years, three of member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. President Bush’s appointees to the five- IN HIGH SCHOOL at Fort Vancouver High and later for two years at • Construction Injuries person NLRB have been recess ap- nearby Clark College, Bill Wilkerson competed in the sports of wrestling and • Automobile Accidents pointments that did not require Senate weightlifting. Bill and Karel Wirth met while in high school and were married on confirmation. April 7, 1962, a short time after he finished his three-year apprenticeship in the • Medical, Dental, and Legal Malpractice floor-covering trade, which he had started while still attending college. He re- ceived his apprenticeship classroom instruction at Beach School in Northeast • Bicycle and Motorcycle Accidents Portland. • Pedestrian Accidents Wilkerson worked at Burgess Floor Covering in Vancouver for six years un- til it went out of business. His next employer was Studer Floor Covering in Van- • Premises Liability (injuries on premises) (International Standard Serial Number 0894-444X) couver, where he worked for 21 years. Bill’s career at Studer’s took him to many Established in 1900 at Portland, Oregon • Workers’ Compensation Injuries as a voice of the labor movement. states where his crew handled floor-covering projects at Albertsons and Safe- 4275 NE Halsey St., P.O. Box 13150, way supermarkets and at motels and condominiums. He left Studer’s to become • Social Security Claims Portland, Ore. 97213 the leader of Local 1236. Telephone: (503) 288-3311 Fax Number: (503) 288-3320 IN HIS YEARS as financial secretary and business manager of Local 1236, Editor: Michael Gutwig Staff: Don McIntosh, Cheri Rice Wilkerson negotiated collective bargaining contracts with employers in Oregon 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- and Washington and performed all the other duties involved in running a local profit corporation owned by 20 unions and councils including the We Work Hard for Hard-Working People! Oregon AFL-CIO. Serving more than 120 union organizations in Ore- union. He chaired the Western States Floor Covering Pension and Health and gon and SW Washington. Subscriptions $13.75 per year for union members. Welfare Trust Funds. He served as vice president of the Columbia-Pacific Build- Group rates available to trade union organizations. ing and Construction Trades Council and was a delegate to conventions of the PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID 111 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 1650 AT PORTLAND, OREGON. Oregon and Washington State Building and Construction Trades Councils, the CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTICE: Three weeks are required for a Portland, Oregon 97204 change of address. When ordering a change, please give your old Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, the Oregon AFL-CIO and meet- and new addresses and the name and number of your local union. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ings of various central labor councils. He also attended legislative conferences in (503) 227-4600 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS, P.O. BOX 13150-0150, PORTLAND, OR 97213 Washington, D.C., conducted by the national AFL-CIO Building Trades De- www.bennetthartman.com partment. Member Press Associates Inc. Within the Painters and Allied Trades International Union, Wilkerson was a WESTERN LABOR delegate to its conventions and played a principal role in rewriting apprenticeship Our Legal Staff are Proud Members of UFCW Local 555 PRESS ASSOCIATION (Turn to Page 11) PAGE 2 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS OCTOBER 6, 2006 Richmond Baking workers okay first Local 114 contract McMINNVILLE, Ore. — Workers at a small industrial bakery union, Richmond interrogated employees about the union cam- here approved their first-ever union contract Sept. 26 — nine paign and threatened the loss of raises. months after they voted to join Local 114 of the Bakery, Confec- Workers went ahead with their election, voting 6-2 to unionize tionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union March 1, 2006. A day later, the company told workers they weren’t (BCTGM). allowed to leave their work areas anymore because they’d voted in The bakery, one of three owned by Richmond Baking, produces a union, and went back on a promise to promote an employee who organic cookies and crackers, cracker meal, and batter mixes for was believed to have supported the union. the wholesale market. BCTGM representative Eric Anderson led a full-day steward Unionizing meant dignity, improved safety and a pay raise for training for all the workers. They needed to know their rights. the 11 employees. It also takes pressure off union workers at a The election result, however, meant the company was legally larger facility in Indiana. obligated to recognize the union and to bargain a contract. Terry Lansing, secretary-treasurer of Local 114, said BCTGM Workers filed a detailed safety grievance with the company, represents over 100 workers at a Richmond Baking facility in ranging from railings on the catwalks to guardrails on platforms on Richmond, Indiana. The company has been family-owned since top of silos where workers changed filter screens. Richmond re- 1902, and the Indiana plant has been union for generations. But the sponded, and fixed numerous problems, Lansing said. latest generation of company owners decided to try to “whipsaw” After five months, Richmond Baking settled the NLRB charges. the union in contract negotiations last year, suggesting production While not admitting guilt, the company agreed Aug. 29 to post a would be shifted to nonunion bakeries in McMinnville and Alma, notice promising not to do what it had been accused of, and to Georgia, if the union didn’t make concessions. award Dena Ochoa (now Dena Thomas) $6,000 in back pay. She It turned out that the McMinnville workers were eager to organ- waived her right to reinstatement. ize, thanks in part to a history of verbal abuse from the local man- After 11 bargaining sessions and the assistance of a federal me- ager. diator, the two sides reached agreement Sept. 23 on a first union Richmond quality control worker Dena Ochoa was engaged to The Sept. 26 contract ratification meeting. Left to right: Business contract. The pact contains immediate hourly raises of between 50 marry co-worker Darren Thomas, who had been a Bakery Union Manager Terry Lansing, Josh Rinne, Dexter Salisbury, Jeremy cents and $1.75, and 25 cent annual raises thereafter; workers member earlier. They decided to give the union a call, and met with Brown (negotiating team member), Trinidad Quintero (kneeling make $9 to $10 an hour. It also includes a grievance procedure, Lansing and other staff to plan a campaign. in front of Jeremy), Mario Aldaco (negotiating team member), overtime pay after 10 straight hours, safety protections, holiday, While low wages, safety concerns and job security were con- Lacey Kreiger, Business Represenative Gene Beaudoin (kneeling, vacation and bereavement leave, seniority rights for layoff and re- cerns, Lansing said the biggest issue was how they were treated by BCTGM 114), Cory Kovalski (standing behind Lacey), call, job bidding, vacation selection procedures, pension provi- the plant manager — always feeling their jobs were in jeopardy, Angelina Garcia, TR Arriola, Rodolfo Cortez and Kyle Headings sions, continuation of medical coverage while on medical leave, and having to listen to how the manager talked to them and other (sitting). and limits on the use of temporary employees — temps become workers. permanent if they work 60 days in four months. And it has “just On Dec. 27, 2005, Richmond workers filed a petition with the the next day with the NLRB, the federal agency supposed to guard cause” protection — meaning employees can’t be disciplined arbi- National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) requesting a union elec- workers’ right to unionize if they choose to do so. The charge said trarily — management has to document violations of specific rules, tion. Later that day, after the NLRB notified the company by FAX, Ochoa was fired because of her legally-protected union activity. and has to follow reasonable rules before issuing discipline. the Richmond manager called Ochoa at home and fired her over Local 114 also got her a job at another union bakery — Orowheat. “It’s better — working with a union,” said Mario Aldaco, lead the phone. Ochoa was hosting a union meeting when she took the The NLRB set a March 1 date for a union election, and the sanitation worker on swing shift. “You feel protected,” manager’s call, and she put the call on speaker phone so she’d have campaign heated up. The day before the election, Local 114 filed Thomas left Orowheat for personal medical reasons, but hopes witnesses. another charge with the NLRB, saying management was continu- to return. She credits the union for the defense, and for the feeling Local 114 immediately mounted a legal defense, filing a charge ing to break the law in its anti-union campaign. According to the of empowerment co-workers felt.

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OCTOBER 6, 2006 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 3 L ABOR AND P OLITICAL NEWS FROM AROUND THE PACIFIC N ORTHWEST What’s clearly subject to prevailing wage darity Fund for the family, last week- laws. end a dozen union members went to The quasi-independent develop- Mendoza’s home to paint it and prep it ment arm of the Portland City Council to put on the market to sell. Happening has been under fire from city commis- Mendoza was part of a team of sioners, the Oregon Bureau of Labor Carpenter Union staffers who have and Industries and building trades been aggressively organizing largely unions for allegedly circumventing Latino workers in the Pacific North- UA Local 290 to state prevailing wage laws on some of west. “We’ve been told this (home offer members free its public-private development proj- raids and arrests) is happening to a lot ects. of union organizers across the coun- hepatitis testing try,” Savage said. Contributions to the “Luis Men- Plumbers and Fitters Local 290 will Carpenters start doza Solidarity Fund” can be made at offer free hepatitis testing for all of its any branch of US Bank. Checks can members Monday, Oct. 16, starting at fund for organizer also be mailed to US Bank at 636 SE 6 p.m. Grand Ave., Portland OR 97214. Additionally, training for blood- held by Immigration Checks must be made out to the “Luis borne pathogens and infectious dis- The Pacific Northwest Regional Mendoza Solidarity Fund.” ease will be offered to all of the Council of Carpenters has opened a union’s apprentices, and to any jour- “Luis Mendoza Solidarity Fund” fol- ney-level craftsperson who wants it. lowing the union organizer’s arrest last Labor to rally for Local 290 also offers a four-hour month by U.S. Immigration and Cus- pathogens class for its members. Coal miners handbill Portland toms Enforcement (ICE) officers. Kulongoski on Eugene/Springfield will also host Judy O’Connor, executive secretary-treasurer of the Northwest Oregon Labor A representative of Interior/Exte- an event, and all apprentices and jour- Saturday, Oct. 14 Council, joins officials from the United Mine Workers of America and the rior Specialists Local 2154 of Port- neymen and women throughout Local national AFL-CIO Sept. 19 leafleting the Oregon Convention Center during land, Mendoza has worked for the past A labor rally for Ted Kulongoski 290’s jurisdiction will have the testing a meeting of the Northwest Public Power Association. The target was keynote six years as an organizer for the union. will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. made available locally, said John En- speaker Fredrick Palmer, senior vice president of Peabody Energy, the world’s According to Pete Savage, regional 14, at the campaign headquarters of dicott, business manager and financial largest private-sector coal company. The UMW is seeking card-check manager of the Carpenters Council, the Democratic governor. secretary-treasurer of the union. recognition in an organizing campaign at 21 Peabody mines involving some Mendoza, 37, will be charged with Linda Chavez Thompson, vice Plumbers and pipefitters are partic- 2,300 miners, mostly in the Midwest. More and more unions are employing forgery of a federal document. He has president of the national AFL-CIO, ularly susceptible on the job to hepati- the “card-check” method when organizing, to avoid oftentimes adversarial a court date set for December. and Bill Lucy, secretary-treasurer of tis C, a potentially fatal disease of the campaigns when using the National Labor Relations Board. Union officials Officers from ICE, the FBI and the American Federation of State, liver. The hep C virus (HCV) is spread say election campaigns can drag on for months, giving companies the U.S. Marshals arrested Mendoza at his County and Municipal Employees by blood to blood contact, and can be opportunity to harass and intimidate employees into not joining a union. Molalla home on Sept. 7. The family have been invited to attend. acquired through broken skin, the mu- Pictured from left to right are Dave Eckstein of the national AFL-CIO, posted $5,000 bond Sept. 29, but their Gov. Kulongoski will speak at the cus membranes, or the eyes. O’Connor, Bob Kendrick of the the UMW, and Bob Gaydos, deputy director future is uncertain. rally. The free hepatitis testing is funded of organizing for the union. Nearly two dozen Portland-area union members “He has a wife and two kids, and Immediately following the event through a partnership with Roche helped leaflet. Several members handed out fliers inside the conference room now he’s not allowed to work,” Savage union volunteers will visit union Pharmeceuticals. before being asked to leave. The NWPPA is an organization of 148 companies said. households in the area. that are allied with the electric utility industry. Palmer was there pitching the To help, the union has set up a Soli- The Kulongoski campaign head- value of coal for future energy needs. “We’re here letting potential customers PDC sessions know of the problems at Peabody,” Gaydos said. explore prevailing quarters is located at 128 NE 7th Ave. awards or the health care conference, work wage issues (off Davis), Portland. call Burton White at 503-590-3535. The Portland Development Com- mission held the first of three work Nominations are sessions it has scheduled to discuss SEIU president construction wages on projects that it sought for awards helps finance. in labor relations Stern in Portland to The first work session held Sept. 20 promote new book attracted about 45 people and featured The Oregon Chapter of the Labor little discussion, but lots of history on and Employment Relations Associa- Andy Stern, president of the second how state prevailing wage laws work. tion (LERA) is soliciting nominations largest union in America, will be in Oregon Labor Commissioner Dan to honor individuals in labor relations, Portland Oct. 17, making several pub- Gardner and his staff gave a 90-minute including union leaders, managers, ac- lic appearances and talking about his presentation on wage laws, how sur- ademics and others devoted to excel- recently published book. veys are conducted, the importance of lence in labor-management relations. In his book, “A Country That apprenticeship training and more. The awards will be presented at a Works: Getting America Back on The format for the next work ses- reception following LERA’s confer- Track,” Stern, president of 1.8-mil- sion on Wednesday, Oct. 18, will in- ence “Crisis in Health Care: What Are lion-member Service Employees In- clude two panels, one with invited We Doing About?”to be held Wednes- ternational Union (SEIU), gives his union officials, and another panel with UFCW leaflets new nonunion grocer day, Nov. 15, at the Oregon Conven- account of the debate that led SEIU to invited representatives of nonunion About a dozen members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555, tion Center in Portland. leave the AFL-CIO last year. It also construction contractors. One to two including Stuart Fishman, above, leafleted the Sept. 20 grand opening of Save- Individuals honored will have describes his strategies for American hours will be open to public testimony. A-Lot at 6828 SE Foster Road in Portland to let shoppers know the employer demonstrated commitment to the col- unions to respond to globalization and The work session will be held from doesn’t have a union contract. The discount grocer will open 25 to 30 stores lective bargaining process, integrity, a changing business environment. 4 to 9 p.m. in the PDC conference in the Pacific Northwest over the next year. A store at 6100 SE King Rd. and involvement in the labor relations Stern will appear Oct. 17 at Pow- room at 222 NW Fifth Ave., Portland. Milwaukie, also opened the same day. Save-A-Lot is one of a number of community. Two awards are open for ell’s City of Books on W. Burnside at A third work session originally grocery chains owned by Minnesota-headquartered SuperValu Inc., which union members, one for an officer, noon, and at the Lucky Labrador pub scheduled for Nov. 7 has been bought the Boise-based Albertsons chain in June of this year. Since then, business agent or attorney and one for at 1945 NW Quimby at 7 p.m. He will rescheduled for Thursday, Nov. 9. It Albertsons has closed six of its least profitable stores in the Portland area. a steward who administers a collective also meet with members of SEIU Lo- also will run from 4 to 9 p.m. Most of the some 300 union employees at the stores were transferred to other bargaining agreement. cals 503 and 49 in the afternoon. Following the work sessions, the locations, as called for in the Local 555 contract. Save-A-Lot stores are For nomination forms, e-mail Ore- And the day prior (Oct. 16) he’ll be PDC board will consider whether or typically 15,000 square feet and have 15 to 20 employees each. While Save-A- [email protected] . The deadline to a guest at 8 a.m. on the Thom Hart- not it should set wage and benefit re- Lot has operations in 39 states, most of its 1,154 stores are in the Midwest. submit nominations is Thursday, Oct. mann show, 690-AM, and at 6 p.m. on quirements on projects that aren’t None are unionized. 26. For more information about the Labor Radio, KBOO 90.7 FM.

PAGE 4 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS OCTOBER 6, 2006 ...New Yorker drops millions in two Oregon ballot measures

(From Page 1) ture gathering efforts. on him to publish a Web site — and Employers Rights; Grover large deposit of cash into the Oregon recent campaign finance report, Oct. While there’s no evidence of a sim- howierichexposed.com — that points Norquist’s group Americans for Tax campaign organizations. That won’t 2, showed at least $30,000 more. ilar degree of fraud in Oregon this up a close relationship between Rich Reform; and the Club for Growth, a be known until the next reports are “My question would be, ‘Has he time, critics of the two Oregon meas- and many other well-funded far-right conservative group targeting Republi- due, shortly before the deadline for ever set foot in Oregon?’ ” said Ore- ures say the measures wouldn’t have groups and causes, including cam- cans who are perceived as too moder- mail-in ballots. gon AFL-CIO President Tom Cham- qualified for the ballot without Rich’s paigns to privatize Social Security; the ate. For more information about the berlain. “The thing about Oregonians riches. Swift Boat Veterans for Truth cam- How will Oregonians vote on the November 2006 election, look to the which folks on the East Coast don’t “There’s no support for Measure paign to discredit John Kerry; the con- two measures if Rich funds a flurry of Oct. 20 issue of the Northwest Labor understand is we hate being told what 48 from the grass roots,” said Becca servative “free market” think-tank TV ads? Uherbelau says its plausible Press, in print and online at to do.” Uherbelau, spokesperson for Defend Cato Institute; the vehemently anti- that Rich may have waited until after www.nwlaborpress.org. Similar sentiments prompted Mon- Oregon, a coalition of over 100 labor union National Alliance for Workers the reporting period to make his next tana Governor Brian Schweitzer to and community groups that formed to challenge Rich to a debate. Rich de- oppose Measure 48 and Measure 41, cline to respond. Montana is one of which would cut income taxes, mostly the states where Rich’s measures cir- for the wealthiest. culated. The measures qualified for While Rich is very private and Westmoreland's Kirkland the ballot, but were disqualified after hardly ever grants press interviews, a Union Manor Union Manors the Montana Supreme Court found a group called Ballot Initiative Strategy pattern of widespread fraud in signa- Center put together enough research 6404 SE 23rd Avenue 3530 SE 84th Avenue Portland, Oregon 97202 Portland, OR 97266 503•233•5671 503•777•8101 Fire Fighters, 18 other unions Marshall Kirkland establish sportsmen’s group Union Manor Manors Make Union Plaza TORONTO (PAI) — The Fire union-made products and equipment 2020 NW Northrup the 1414 Kauffman Avenue Fighters and 18 other unions are set- and offer merchandise and sports trips Portland, Oregon 97209 Vancouver, WA 98660 ting up their own union-based group to to union member. Schaitberger says 70 Difference appeal to hunters, fishermen and percent of his union’s members hunt, 503•225•0677 360•694•4314 women, and other outdoor sports en- fish, camp or participate in other out- thusiasts. door activities. • Planned Events, • Studio and One-Bedroom Apartments • No Costly Buy-In or The new Union Sportsmen’s Asso- ciation will build on alliances that Clubs, and Activities • Affordable Rent includes Utilities Application Fees many unions have with the Theodore • Ideal Locations offer (except phone and cable) • Federal Rent LEGAL PROBLEMS?? Roosevelt Conservation Partnership easy access to Bus Subsidies Available (TRCP), delegates to the IAFF con- www.theunionmanors.org For $16 a month Lines, Shopping, and (Must Qualify) vention in Toronto decided. TDD 503•771•0912 Both the TRCP and the new group coverage includes: Entertainment will “unite union men and women O Unlimited toll-free phone who share a common interest in hunt- consultation with attorneys. ing, fishing and shooting” and will fo- O A comprehensive will with cus “on conserving, maintaining and yearly updates is included. enhancing access to land and water O Representation for traffic tickets, available to the general public,” the accidents, criminal, and civil suits. O Fire Fighters Union said. The unions Coverage on IRS tax audits. O Swanson, Thomas & Coon will pay, through TRCP, proportionate Divorce, child custody, bank- ruptcy and many more benefits.* start-up costs for the first two years of ATTORNEYS AT LAW the new group. After that, it will be on THESE LEGAL SERVICES its own. 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OCTOBER 6, 2006 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 5 at North Bend/Coos Bay Labor Center, 3427 Ash St., Official Elevator Constructors 23 Marion-Polk-Yamhill North Bend. United Association 290 Members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, preceded by District 5 members meet 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. Portland area members meet 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. a 5:30 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at 12779 NE Labor Council 11, at Gladstone Union Hall, 555 E. First St., Gladstone. 20, at 20210 SW Teton Ave., Tualatin. Whitaker Way, Portland. PLEASE NOTE: Nomina- Executive Board meets 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, District 3 members meet 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, Astoria area members meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. tions of officers will be held at this meeting. followed by a 7 p.m. general meeting at SEIU Local 503, at Courtyard Marriott, 600 Airport Rd., Medford. 25, at the Astoria Labor Temple, 926 Duane, Astoria. Notices 1730 Commercial St. SE, Salem. District 3 members meet 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. Bend area members meet 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, 18, at The Riverhouse, 3075 N. Hwy. 97, Bend. at the Local 290 Training Center, 2161 SW First, Red- District 2 members meet 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, mond. Exterior & Interior at the Marriott Residence Inn, 25 Club Rd., Eugene. Metal Trades Council Brookings area members meet 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Asbestos Workers 36 Specialists 2154 Oct. 31, at Curry County Search and Rescue, 517 Rail- Executive Board meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11. Executive Board meets 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9, at road St., Brookings. Members meet 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13. Members meet 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 1125 NOLC board room, 1125 SE Madison, Portland. Painters & Drywall Coos Bay area members meet 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. Meetings are at 11145 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. SE Madison, Suite 207, Portland. Delegates meet 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, at IBEW Lo- 24, at the Coos Bay Training Center, 2nd & Kruse, Coos cal 48 Hall, 15937 NE Airport Way, Portland. Bay. Finishers 10 Eugene area members meet 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. Members meet 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 11105 23, at the Springfield Training Center. Fire Fighters 1660 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. Klamath Falls area members meet 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Bakery, Confectionery, Members meet 8 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, at the Union Mid-Columbia Oct. 24, at the Moose Lodge, 1577 Oak Ave., Klamath Hall, 4411 SW Sunset Dr, Lake Oswego. Falls. Tobacco Workers and Labor Council Medford area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. Delegates meet 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 3313 W. Pile Drivers, Divers 26, at 650A Industrial Circle, White City. Grain Millers 114 2nd, The Dalles. Roseburg area members meet 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. Glass Workers 740 & Shipwrights 2416 26, at the Roseburg Labor Temple, 742 SE Roberts, Executive Board meets 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, fol- Members meet 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, preceded by a lowed by a 10:30 a.m. General Membership meeting, at Eugene area members meet 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, Roseburg. at Best Western Grand Manor Inn, 971 Kruse Way, 6 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at 2205 N. Lombard, Salem area members meet 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, 7931 NE Halsey, Suite 102, Portland. PLEASE NOTE: Millwrights & Machinery #10, Portland. An executive board position will be filled at this meeting. Springfield. at 1810 Hawthorne Ave. NE, Salem. Interested persons are asked to contact the local union Salem area members meet 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at Erectors 711 The Dalles area members meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. office. Candalaria Terrace, Suite 204, 2659 Commercial St. SE, 24, at the United Steelworkers Local 9170 Union Hall, Salem. Members meet 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, preceded The Dalles. by a 9 a.m. Executive Committee meeting, at the Car- Roofers & Waterproofers Humboldt-Del Norte Co. area members meet 5:30 penters Local 247 Hall, 2205 N. Lombard St., Portland. p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Eureka Training Center, Boilermakers 500 49 832 E St., Eureka, Calif. Iron Workers 29 Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12. Members meet 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at 2515 NE Executive Board meets 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2. Columbia Blvd., Portland. Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at 11620 NE Ainsworth Cir., #200, Portland. Molders 139 Meetings are at 5032 SE 26th Ave., Portland. (Phone: Members meet 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, preceded 503 232-4807) USW 1097 by a 6 p.m. Executive Board meeting at the Carpenters Members meet 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, preceded Bricklayers and Allied Hall, 2205 N. Lombard, Portland. PLEASE NOTE: by a 3 p.m. Executive Board meeting at the union’s build- Iron Workers Nominations of officers will be held at the regular meet- Sheet Metal ing at 91237 Old Mill Town Rd., Westport. Craftworkers 1 Shopmen 516 ing 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Local Hall, 2205 Members meet 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 12812 NE N. Lombard, #103, Portland. If there are no contests, the Workers 16 Marx St., Portland. Executive Board meets 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, at officers will be declared elected at the meeting according 11620 NE Ainsworth Cir., #300, Portland. to the Local bylaws. If there is a contest, the election of Portland members meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at officers will be held on Thursday, Dec. 21, from 7 a.m. the Sheet Metal Training Center, 2379 NE 178th Ave., until 6:30 p.m. Portland. Carpenters 1715 Medford area members meet 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. Labor Roundtable of 11, at Abby’s Pizza, 7480 Crater Lake Hwy., White City. Members meet 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, preceded Eugene area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, by a 5 p.m. Executive Board meeting at 612 E. Southwest Washington Multnomah County at UA #290 Hall, 1174 Gateway Loop, Springfield, pre- McLoughlin, Vancouver, Wash. Delegates meet 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13, at Hometown ceded by a VOC meeting. Buffet, 7809-B Vancouver Plaza Dr., Vancouver, Wash. Employees 88 Coos Bay area meeting has been canceled in Oct. Southgate Mobile & RV Park General membership meets 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. Portland area VOC meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, Cement Masons 555 18, preceded by a 6 p.m. stewards’ meeting. at the Sheet Metal Training Center, 2379 NE 178th Ave., 7911 SE 82nd Ave. Portland. Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at 12812 NE Laborers 483 Executive Board meets 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, Portland, Oregon Marx St., Portland. at the AFSCME union office. Municipal Employees Meetings are held at 6025 E. Burnside St. Spaces Available up to 35’ Members meet 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the Mu- Sign Painters & 503-771-5262 Clark, Skamania & sicians Hall, 325 NE 20th Ave., Portland. Northwest Oregon Paint Makers 1094 W. Klickitat Counties Members meet 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. Labor Council 16, in the District Office, at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Port- Korean War Veterans Labor Council Laborers/Vancouver 335 Delegates meet 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, at IBEW Lo- land. Delegates meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, preceded by There will be no meeting in Oct., meetings resume in cal 48 Hall, 15937 NE Airport Way, Portland. organization is looking for new an Executive Board meeting, at the ILWU Local 4 Hall, Nov. members. The group meets the 1205 Ingalls St., Vancouver, Wash. Southern Oregon Linoleum Layers 1236 Operating Engineers 701 4th Tuesday each month Portland area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. District 1 members meet 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at Central Labor Council (Oct. 24), at noon at Columbia-Pacific 26, at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. Gladstone Union Hall, 555 E. First St., Gladstone. Delegates meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at the Labor District 3 members meet 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, Temple, 4480 Rogue Valley Hwy. #3, Central Point. Milwaukie Elks Lodge, Building Trades 13121 SE McLoughlin Blvd. Delegates meet 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 10 and Oct. 17, at Kirkland Union Manor II, 3535 SE 86th, Portland. For more information, call Retiree Meeting Notices Max Loucks at 503-286-1464 Electrical Workers 48 Marine Unit meets 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23 LLIANCE FOR ETIRED Residential Unit meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11 A R further information and reservations, west Oregon Labor Council board General membership meets 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, AMERICANS OREGON CHAPTER please call Vera Larson at 503 252- room, at 1125 SE Madison, #100G, Bureau of Labor Oct. 25, preceded by a 5:30 p.m. pre-meeting buffet. Executive Board meets 10 a.m. 2296. Portland. Wasco Unit meets 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, at & Industries the Wasco PUD, 2345 River Rd., The Dalles. Thursday, Oct. 12, in the Northwest Wage & Hour Coast Unit meets 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, at Asto- Oregon Labor Council board room, at ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS 23 OREGON AFSCME ria Labor Temple, 926 Duane St., Astoria. Compliance Specialist EWMC meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, in the Ex- 1125 SE Madison, Portland. Retirees Retirees meet noon Tuesday, Oct. Retirees meet 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. ecutive Boardroom. meet 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, at 10, at Kirkland Union Manor, Port- 17, at the AFSCME office, 6025 E. This full-time position is located in Sound & Communication Unit meets 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct 18. Westmoreland Union Manor, 6404 SE land. PLEASE NOTE COR- Burnside, Portland. Call Michael Portland and will investigate allega- Electrical Women of Local 48 meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, 23rd Ave., Portland. All retirees are RECTED LOCATION. Arken for information at 503 -239- tions of violations of prevailing wage Oct 17, at NIETC, 16021 NE Airport Way. Executive Board meets 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct welcome to attend. 9858. rate law through interviews, on-site in- 18 and Nov. 8 GLASS WORKERS 740 spections, evidence evaluation, and Bylaws Committee meets 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct 24, in the Executive Boardroom. CARPENTERS Retirees meet 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. SHEET METAL 16 fact-finding; prepare investigative re- Meetings are at 15937 NE Airport Way, Portland, un- Retired Carpenters meet for lunch 17, at JJ North’s Grand Buffet, 10520 Retirees meet 11:30 a.m. Thursday, ports and enforcement remedies; nego- less otherwise noted. tiate settlements; work with the De- DEATH ASSESSMENTS: The following death as- 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9, at JJ North’s NE Halsey, Portland. Oct. 12, at Village Inn, 10301 SE sessments have been declared for Oct. and are payable at Grand Buffet, 10520 NE Halsey, Port- Stark St., for an informal, low-key partment of Justice to prepare cases for 50 cents each: No., 2119, Arthur E. Cloutier; No. 2120, INOLEUM ARPET OFT ILE administrative hearing or court of law; Jack C. Applegate; No. 2121, Dewey D. Dills; and No. land. L , C , S T luncheon, EVERYONE IS WEL- 2122, Gary A. Thompson. APPLICATORS 1236 COME. For more information, please and provide technical information/in- ELECTRICAL WORKERS 48 Retirees meet 11:30 a.m. Friday, call 503 256-2380. terpretation of laws, rules, and regula- Retirees, wives and friends meet Oct. 13, at JJ North’s Grand Buffet, tions governing wages and working Electrical Workers 280 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 102nd 10520 NE Halsey, Portland. UNITED ASSOCIATION 290 conditions to individuals and groups. A Bend Unit meets 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, at the IBEW/UA Training Center, 2161 SW First St., Red- and E. Burnside, Portland, for a trip on Retirees meet 10 a.m. Thursday, construction-related background is mond. MAX, going through the underground NORTHWEST OREGON LABOR Oct. 19, at 20210 SW Teton Ave., Tu- helpful, but not required. For An- Joint Unit meets 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at the nouncement #LE060397 and applica- Central Electrical Training Center, Tangent. tunnel, to Hillsboro. Senior fare is 85 RETIREES COUNCIL alatin. Executive Board meets 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, at cents. We will enjoy a no-host lunch Business meeting from 10 a.m. to tion materials, call 971-673-0783 or 32969 Hwy. 99E, Tangent. there, before returning on MAX. For 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9, in the North- visit www.oregonjobs.org. Closing date for all applications is Oct. 9, 2006.

PAGE 6 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS OCTOBER 6, 2006 Sen. Gordon Smith sees eventual health care change WASHINGTON, D.C. (PAI) — on the issue. Committee Chairman Gordon Smith 10 percent raise, and say ‘Thank you for Medicaid recipients. Smith, then a The aging of the “Baby Boomers” will But since the Baby Boomers are (R-Ore.) in an interview after the ses- for taking it off my hands,’ ” he said. state senator, supported it while then- force Congress to confront the twin now only starting to retire, the two said sion. “It’ll be ripe when the public de- Most businesses would gladly do the state Senator John Kitzhaber (D), an crises in the U.S. health care system on Sept. 21, nothing much may hap- mands we come up with a different same, he stated. M.D., drafted it. — declining availability and rising pen before 2008, if then. formula to solve it,” he said. The Teamsters — like other unions Oregon’s system covers a higher cost of health insurance — say two “The health care issue is ripening, That demand will start with the in talks nationwide — refuses, for percentage of Medicaid recipients than senators who are crafting legislation but it’s not ripe,” said Senate Aging 2008 election, he predicted “when the good reason. “They want certainty and any other states, Smith said, but lines Baby Boomers start really showing up they’re willing to leave wages flat as up health procedures in order of prior- on the rolls” of Medicare and Medic- long as they get pensions and health ity — the top 300 — and limits spend- aid. “All governments will get care preserved,” Smith said of his fam- ing on each set of procedures. He said squeezed. The changes will be driven ily business’ bargaining with the it could be a model for the country, but by demographics,” Smith said. union. that it needs more flexibility in decid- The session, hosted by the New And he disagreed with Service Em- ing which procedures to pay for or not. America Foundation, discussed the fu- ployees International Union President Lincoln noted individuals “can’t ture role of private business in the Andrew Stern, who said the system is negotiate for themselves” with health health care system. Smith and Sen. broken and needs replacement. Stern’s insurers. While Smith is working on Blanche Lambert Lincoln (D-Ark.) union is the largest health care workers catastrophic care legislation, Lincoln is both made the point that the vast ma- union. Smith, by contrast, says the em- crafting a bill to let people and small jority of people in the U.S. get their ployer-based system “can be sal- businesses join the federal workers’ health care coverage through private vaged.” health care pool. businesses — and both said they’re Lincoln pointed out that many There, “for 40 years,” the Office leery of switching. workers do not want to give up the of Personnel Management has used But they also noted health care present system, despite its holes and the weight of numbers to negotiate costs are rising, that businesses are hazards. lowest prices for procedures and eliminating health insurance or forcing “They’re fearful of being left to a drugs, she said. “It’s got 25 to 30 op- workers to shoulder more of its bur- marketplace that won’t provide them tions” for health insurance coverage, dens and that a record number of peo- with a quality product at a price they Lincoln said of OPM’s menu of plans, ple, almost 47 million, are uninsured. can afford,” Lincoln said of a revised which is also available to lawmakers Further, said Smith, many busi- system. And they’re not sure a govern- and their families. “It allows you the nesses would give up health care cov- ment-run system would not lead to ra- opportunity to provide everything at a erage if they could. His family frozen tioning, Smith said. lower price.” foods business, which employs 400 The catch is, there is rationing in unionized Teamsters year-round and the present system already, by price, 600-800 seasonal workers during the senators said. And the present Gephardt visits Operators’ conference times of high harvests and production, health care system also isn’t entirely Broadway Floral has found that health care is the Num- rational, Lincoln noted. Mark Holliday (right), business manager of Operating Engineers Local 701, for the BEST flowers call ber One topic at the bargaining table. By contrast, a decade ago, Oregon poses for photo with Dick Gephardt, former Missouri congressman and “I’d gladly give up the money we instituted its own Oregon Health Care 503-288-5537 Democratic Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, during an paid for health care, and give them a system as a federally-approved plan 1638 NE Broadway, Portland unscheduled appearance at the annual Western Conference of Operating Engineers held the week of Sept. 11 at the Benson Hotel in Portland. The keynote speaker at the conference, which attracted nearly 150 operators from 13 states, was Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski. General President of the Operating Engineers Vincent Giblin opened the gathering with a moment of silence to honor the 47 stationary engineers who lost their lives at the World Trade Center on 9/11. In honor of the dead, local firefighters marched through the assembly to the tune of “Amazing Grace” played by a local bagpiper. The Successfully Protecting Your Rights tragedy pre-empted the Western Conference in Seattle exactly five years ago, just as that meeting began, and participants gathered in the hotel lobby to Juries have awarded more than $12 million watch incoming television news reports about the terrorist bombings. in verdicts for our clients since 2000.

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OCTOBER 6, 2006 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 7 Register to Vote By Oct. 17 Education Department, Head Start, others brace for federal budget cuts The U.S. Labor and Education De- 50 percent ($5 million) cut in a program help schools recruit, hire and train partments and Head Start are going to that funds safety training by unions and highly-qualified teachers to meet get their budgets cut again — if and community-based groups; a $2.1 mil- teacher quality requirements and reduce when the Republican-led Congress lion cut in coal mine enforcement, and a class sizes. moves ahead with an appropriations bill $431 million in cuts to Workforce In- Congress is supposed to pass the that has been dormant since July. vestment Act programs. federal budget before the Oct. 1 begin- In anticipation of the cuts, the Ore- Within the Department of Educa- ning of the federal government’s fiscal gon Employment Department closed tion, some programs will have their year, but sometimes it fails to meet that the downtown Portland employment of- budgets frozen, including Head Start; deadline and passes a “continuing reso- fice and planned to cut 82 positions (6 programs and services for military fam- lution” — basically it’s an agreement to percent of its workforce) over the next ilies; and vocational training grants to continue spending at current levels until year. About 70 percent of its budget states.Some programs will have their the final budget is worked out. Some of comes from federal funds. budgets cut, including No Child Left the current round of cuts could have bad The looming cuts prompted a last- Behind, the Bush Administration’s sig- political consequences for members of minute appeal by the Emergency Cam- nature education initiative. Next year’s Congress up for re-election, so it’s ex- paign for America's Priorities (ECAP), budget for No Child Left Behind is $23 pected that the leadership will wait un- a national ad hoc coalition of unions billion, $1.5 billion less than last year’s. til after the November election to vote and community groups, which is call- That means less money for grants to on the budget bill. THE MARCO CONSULTING GROUP ing on Congress to restore funding. Each year, Congress approves the THE MARCO federal budget through 13 separate ap- CONSULTING propriations bills that cover different ...Volunteer bus driver GROUP parts of the federal government. The (From Page 1) Thom Hartmann Show, a progressive one ECAP has been watching would al- Machinist, a member of a Railway talk radio program that airs 6 to 9 a.m. locate $56.2 billion to Labor, Health & Clerks Union, a Teamster truck driver, weekdays on 620 AM. Human Services and Education. That’s and finally an ATU-represented bus A former Marine, Fain now helps a $400 million cut from this year’s driver at TriMet. But he says he was one sustain a weekly peace vigil in Wash- INVESTMENT CONSULTANTS TO budget, and $1 billion less than last of those members who didn’t want his ington County that began a year ago MULTI-EMPLOYER BENEFIT FUNDS year’s. The impact is worse when infla- dues money going to anything but rep- August. tion is taken into account. resenting existing members; now he And he credits the Bus Project for Within the Department of Labor, the PLEASE CALL JASON ZENK IN TACOMA, WA AT (253) 759-6768 sees unionizing nonunion workplaces his transformation. budget cuts include: A $10 million cut as essential to protect the well-being of “It’s energized me,” Fain said. “It to the Wage and Hour Division, which all workers. was a chance to meet people and do MIDWEST OFFICE EAST COAST OFFICE WEST COAST OFFICE enforces minimum wage, overtime and “It was like a light bulb went on,” things I would never have done.” 550 WEST WASHINGTON BLVD. 1220 ADAMS STREET 2912 NORTH 26TH STREET child labor laws; a $27.8 million cut in Fain said. The inspiration is mutual, say others NINTH FLOOR FIRST FLOOR TACOMA, WA 98407 Trade Adjustment Assistance — the job CHICAGO, IL 60661 BOSTON, MA 02124 “A lot of people in unionized jobs at the Bus Project. Downen said Fain P: 253-759-6768 training and income support program F: 312-575-9840 P: 312 575-9000 P: 617 298-0967 are complacent,” Fain said. “If everyone was one of a few people without whom F: 312 575-9840 F: 617 298-0966 for workers who lose their jobs due to could get involved and do something, I the Bus Project would not have gotten outsourcing or foreign competition; a think the unions and the country would off the ground. be better off.” “With us, he’s a legend,” Downen In four years of volunteering at the said. Bus Project, Fain says he’s gotten to The group, which works hard to give meet Oregon Governor Ted Kulon- volunteers thanks and acknowledg- goski, former governors John Kitzhaber ment, will honor Fain by emblazoning and Barbara Roberts, many local politi- his face on a T-shirt to be worn by vol- cians and an immense network of vol- unteers on an Oct. 7 canvass. The bus unteers. leaves from the east side of Grant High He’s become a regular caller on the School at 9 a.m.

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PAGE 8 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS OCTOBER 6, 2006 Labor ponders which Think Again • By Tim Nesbitt direction AOI will go The business lobbying group Asso- fundraising campaigns for United Way. ciated Oregon Industries has installed a Contacted by the NW Labor Press, new president, leaving local labor lead- Clemens copped to backing Okla- ers to wonder what direction the group homa’s right-to-work campaign, along The ‘monkey in the middle’- class squeeze will take politically. with nearly the entire business commu- eing middle class these days dle class lives, but as an agent that is necessary. His challenger, Ron Sax- Jay Clemens, who took over Oct. 1, nity of the state, though he said it was “Bis like being stuck in a game making things worse. ton, argued that we should let the pri- was president of the Tulsa Metro Cham- the governor, and not business, that of ‘monkey in the middle,’ in which We are used to blaming the anti- vate sector solve that problem. “You ber of Commerce in Oklahoma for the raised the issue. Clemens said he’s still the rich get all the tax breaks and the government right-wingers for a give them (working families) better last eight years. Before that, he headed learning Oregon’s business priorities, poor get all the services, and we’re decades-long assault on government paying jobs,” said Saxton, “then we the Bremerton, Wash., Chamber of but doesn’t think a right-to-work law is stuck between them playing by the that has created the cynicism we now worry about those left over.” Commerce; managed financial opera- one of them. [A right-to-work ballot ini- rules and never getting our hands on confront toward taxes and services. “Those left over” nowadays are tions for the Association of Washington tiative has been filed for the 2008 elec- the ball.” But we can’t continue to defend the increasingly those with jobs, who Businesses; and served 13 years as pres- tion, one of a slew of anti-union meas- That’s not a quote I heard from a indefensible, even if the right- can’t afford to pay more taxes and ident of the Boise Area Chamber of ures introduced by longtime union foe focus group; it’s my composite sum- wingers are to blame for it. aren’t getting much help from their Commerce in Idaho. Bill Sizemore.] mary of sentiments that I have Our tax system is unfair, and government. But would they vote for In Oklahoma, Clemens served on the AOI, which bills itself “the voice of gleaned from observations on the many critical government services Kulongoski’s plan to raise the corpo- steering committee of the successful business in the Legislature,” is propos- campaign trail this year. And, it’s a are unfairly limited to the working rate minimum tax to fund Head Start 2001 referendum to make Oklahoma a ing a sales tax as the answer to the state’s sentiment that has a lot to teach those poor. Here are a few examples. and expand college aid to middle-in- “right-to-work” state. Twenty-two budget woes, and has continually advo- of us who are struggling to reconnect Three decades ago, businesses come families? Would they support states, mostly in the South and South- cated business and capital gains tax cuts working-family voters with candi- paid half the total taxes at the state Kulongoski’s proposal to equalize west, are dubbed “right to work” be- while opposing union calls to increase dates who will fight for their inter- and local level in Oregon. By 1990, Oregon’s tobacco taxes with those in cause they prohibit unions from making the $10 a year minimum corporate in- ests. the business share had fallen to a little Washington state to provide afford- membership (and paying dues) a condi- come tax. AOI has also called for con- First, there’s the analysis of what over 40 percent. Now it’s about 25 able health insurance options to the tion of employment — although the tracting out state services. troubles working families. If we get percent. children of all working families? worker still gets the contract benefits. In Despite those positions, former Ore- that right, we are more likely to fash- Three decades ago, you could Saxton says Kulongoski’s propos- what was considered a major blow to gon AFL-CIO president Tim Nesbitt ion a political agenda that can appeal work your way through the Univer- als make him a tax-and-spend politi- unions, 54 percent of Oklahoma voters said the union federation managed over to the large majority of middle-class sity of Oregon by working at a mini- cian. Kulongoski says Saxton is turn- approved the constitutional amendment. the years to have a working relationship America. mum wage job full time during the ing his back on working families. On other issues, Clemens worked in with AOI based on mutual convenience. It’s not so much the middle-class summer and part time during the And middle class voters, like mon- concert with local unions, most notably “We disagree on more issues than speed-up — that we’re working school year. Now you would have to keys in the middle, are looking back a $885 million sales-tax-funded devel- not, but we agree to work together on is- harder and smarter but getting less work 48 hours a week year-round to and forth, trying to decide. opment plan called Vision 2025 that in- sues of agreement,” he said. and less for our efforts. We’ve been cover a full year at the same univer- The key to success for Kulongoski cluded: $183 million to build an arena During the most recent recession, using that analysis for years now, sity. The state’s financial aid for Ore- and other pro-worker candidates in (Tulsa hopes to attract a professional AOI joined the AFL-CIO in calling for with little resonance. gon students is limited to those from this election is to combine an appeal sports team when the arena is completed unemployment insurance extensions. Nor is it “the undeclared war families earning less than $33,000 a to class-based tax fairness with con- in 2008); $22 million in subsidies to Ok- Nesbitt’s successor Tom Chamber- against the middle class,” that subti- year. crete proposals to provide much- lahoma’s largest employer, American lain said the state federation has contin- tles Thom Hartmann’s new book and Three decades ago, most jobs pro- needed help for hard-working middle Airlines, to keep the company from ued to have “a reasonably good rela- sets us up for competing charges of vided health insurance for working class families — starting with educa- moving its 8,000-job maintenance hub tionship” with AOI. This year, AOI went class warfare. Most working families people and their children. Now the tion and health care first and fore- to another state; and a $350 million on record opposing Ballot Measure 48, don’t buy that analysis. state is providing health insurance for most. package of incentives to get Boeing to an initiative on the November ballot that And only tangentially is it the loss one of every four children in Oregon, “Tax fairly, spend wisely” is a build its new 7E7 commercial aircraft in would limit state government spending. of opportunity, although the sense the most ever. But there are still an- good start, but it doesn’t go far Tulsa (Boeing passed on the subsidy.) Opposing the measure is a high priority that our children will have a harder other 117,000 children without any enough. We need to tax fairly and Clemens also worked with labor on for Oregon labor unions. time making it in the work world is health coverage at all — and more spend wisely on the kinds of pro- closer to the core of today’s working than 90 percent of them are in work- grams that can bolster working fami- family angst. ing families. Most of those families lies and restore the middle class of Rather, at the heart of that angst earn more than $37,000 a year, which this country. Politically, we cannot are the insecurity and resentment that is the upper limit for kids in the Ore- do one without the other. And, if we come from a middle-class squeeze gon Health Plan. don’t do both, America’s middle Gradine Storms that I fear most working families per- There was a telling exchange in class will become the leftovers. Real Estate Broker ceive as the economic equivalent of the gubernatorial debate hosted by (Disclosure: I am temporarily “monkey in the middle.” Oregon Public Broadcasting last serving as a political adviser to the Member of CWA 7886 SE 13th Ave. Local 7901 What’s most disturbing about this week. Governor Ted Kulongoski ar- Kulongoski for Governor campaign.) Portland, Oregon 97202 perception is its view of government gued that it was government’s re- Direct: 503-495-4932 — not just as an entity that is unable sponsibility to step in and provide Tim Nesbitt is a former president of Branch: 503-233-8883 E-Mail: [email protected] to make a positive difference in mid- health insurance for children when the Oregon AFL-CIO. www.equitygroup.com/gstorms Each Office Independently Owned and Operated Zachary HEMORRHOIDS Zabinsky The Non-Surgical Treatment • Social Security We specialize in the non-surgical treatment of hemorrhoids. 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CHIROPRACTIC/NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS 223-8517 2026 NE SANDY BLVD., PORTLAND, OR 97232 OCTOBER 6, 2006 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 9 Jim Bledsoe dies of cancer at age 73; BARGAIN COUNTER FREE longtime leader in Carpenters Union Free ads to subscribers • 15 words or less • Include address label from front The International Brotherhood of comprehensive legislative and political affairs and was DEADLINE: Friday prior to publication page and telephone number Carpenters and Joiners lost a longtime medical care to an early adherent to what is now called Published 1st and 3rd Fridays • Sorry, we cannot accept ads over leader with the death of James S. Bled- members, their ‘Carpenter Politics.’ He helped shift the the telephone soe on Sept. 9 in Longview, Wash., fol- families and to union’s focus away from endorsements Send to: • No commercial or business ads lowing a 10-year battle with cancer. He retirees. based purely on political party affiliation NW Labor Press, PO Box 13150, was 73. Bledsoe led and toward an assessment of candidates • 1 ad per issue Bledsoe first joined the Lumber and the Western based on Carpenters’ issues. Portland, OR 97213 • Type or print legibly Sawmill Workers union in 1952 when Council in “Jim had an immense impact on this Classified ads MUST include area code on all phone numbers or they will he went to work at the Fir-Tex sawmill 1983 when union. Workers all across the country are not be published in St. Helens, Ore. Shortly after going to workers at 15 better off today because of his intellect, work there the crew voted to strike. Louisiana-Pa- his tenacity, his bargaining skills and his During that two-year strike he showed cific lumber absolute dedication,” Pieti concluded. OLD MAN wants older lever action rifle. 360 896- leadership skills and four years later he mills went on Bledsoe was born Dec. 25, 1932, in Automotive 6077 ’77 FORD 1/2 ton, runs good, good cond, Big 6, was elected to the top office of the Port- strike — a bat- St. Helens, Ore., to Samuel and Minnie 3spd, power steering, $1,350. 360 687-3488 land Coast Columbia District Council. JIM BLEDSOE tle that ground Olive Bledsoe. He graduated from Scap- ’71 FORD F250, auto, 390, one owner, no DEQ, For the Home In 1959 he helped negotiate the for- on for more poose High School in 1950. He married great work truck, $2,500 OBO. 503 252-2136 GAME TABLE w/four upholstered swivel chairs, mation of a multi-employer health and than two years. Janice Noble on Feb. 23, 1951, in St. MISC AUTO crankshafts and cyl heads. 503 630- $250. 503 223-3501 welfare trust with the major forest prod- Bledsoe shepherded many successful L- Helens. They lived in Warren, Ore., and 4177 KING SIZE mattress/box springs, very clean, pil- ’05 GMC ENVOY SUV, 4x4, all power, less than ucts companies. P strike-related legal cases before the Deer Island for more than 40 years be- low top, $100. 503 659-3297 6500 miles, full warranty. 503 262-0723 ZENITH FLOOR model stereo, best offer; two Bledsoe was elected executive secre- National Labor Relations Board during fore moving to Kelso, Wash., four years ’00 HONDA CIVIC DX, 2 dr, black, multi CD, headboards, $45 each, all in good cond. 503 tary treasurer of the Western Council one of the most difficult decades for ago. alarm, premium wheels, 56k, $9,000. 503 653- 287-4843 Lumber and Sawmill Workers in 1972. workers in recent times. Bledsoe is survived by his wife, their 6749 KITCHEN/DINING table and chairs, 42” hexagon He made health care a central fixture Bledsoe was persuaded to come out six children, 16 grandchildren and eight ’84 - ?? MAZDA B200 5 spd transmission, com- table, glass top, good cond., $125. 503 539-0288 pletely rebuilt, $150. 503 655-6685 FREE PIANO, good cond, Ludwig New York, up- throughout his career. of retirement in 1990 to chair the Forest great-grandchildren. ’70 FORD F250 manual, PS, PB, rebuilt engine, right, you move, no stairs. 503 286-4394 “Jim was always a step ahead of Products Bargaining Board and then The James Bledsoe Memorial Fund new exhaust, runs great, $2,500 OBO. 503 239- many in anticipating changes in health was elected general treasurer of the for Cancer Victims has been established 5947 care,” said Mike Pieti, executive secre- United Brotherhood of Carpenters in to help working families with cata- ’93 PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM, AC, AT, new tires, Sporting Goods paint fading, needs starter, $400 OBO. 503 762- tary treasurer of the newly-created Car- 1991. During his four years in that post strophic medical bills not covered by in- 4189 GLOCK MAGAZINES and accessories, models penters Industrial Council. he put new systems in place to help safe- surance. Contributions can be sent to: STUDDED TIRES 13”, mounted on wheels, 26 and 36, reasonable. 503 493-7413 (Mark) The health care trust was renamed guard the union’s funds and protect as- Bank of the West; Attn. Ginger Reece; used once, $45 cash for both. 503 654-7941 ONE PRO .45 by ASAI, imported by Magnum Research, LNIB, $550. 503 539-0288 the Bledsoe Health Trust in 2001 to sets of the membership. During his term, 401 SW 5th Avenue; Portland, OR ’79 CORVETTE, $6,500; ’95 25’ 5th wheel trailer, ex cond, $8,500. 503 771-8823 3 ULTRA LIGHT partial Thunder Gull kits, 1 near honor his commitment to delivering Bledsoe also oversaw the Brotherhood’s 97204. ‘98 FORD EXPLORER Eddie Bauer V-6, new completed, package deal, $8,000. 503 824-3653 tires, shocks, fully loaded, well maintained, 158k BOAT MOTORS, 15hp Johnson o/b, $250; 9.5 mi, very reliable, $6,900 OBO. 503-310-2246 Johnson o/b, $200. ex cond. 503 253-3330 10’ HYDRAULIC ALASKAN pop-up camper, ® sink, stove, water, very clean, has jacks for re- THE UNION PLUS MORTGAGE PROGRAM moval, $2,200. 360 256-7810 Provided Exclusively by Chase Home Finance Housing ’95 SUZUKI SAVAGE, LS650, ex cond, only 11k LINCOLN CITY, nice 2-level beach house, miles, $1,750. 541 367-2734 (Sweet Home) sleeps 6, $350/wk, $175/wkend. 503 351-1408 TWO HEAVY DUTY George Lawrence rifle (Chris) or 503 762-4816 (Dan) leather scabbards, cost $100, sell $30 each. 503 ROCKAWAY BEACH house, just minutes to 590-7809 beach, sleeps 9, 3 bd. 503 355-2136 or 503 709- SPRINGFIELD 1911A1, $550, partial trade for 6018 Ruger singer 6 convertible 22/22 mag. 360 907- ROCKAWAY BEACH vacation home, 3 bed, 6144 sleeps 8, beachfront, all amenities, $160 nite. POWAKADDY BATTERY operated walking golf 503 842-9607 cart, ex cond, paid $675, sell $225. 503 654- QUIET COASTAL living, Tillamook, 1088 sq ft, 2 7336 bed, garage, 1/3 acre, generous paved driveway, BOAT 11’ aluminum Mirror Craft and oars, nice $169,000. 503 442-1892 cond, $425. 503 253-9909 GOLDENDALE WASHINGTON, large 4 bed ’96 HOLIDAY RAMBLER travel trailer w/all op- w/mother-in-law apt, hunting, fishing, wind surf- tions, original owner, like new cond, $12,500. 503 ing, $130,000. 509 250-0480 653-7089 or 503 816-8666 3006 REMINGTON auto 4 power scope, $350; When it comes to mortgages, we’re Marlin 30-30, $165. 503 774-0181 taking a stand for Union members. Wanted ’93 HITCHHIKER FIFTH wheel, 29’, gliding OLD WOODWORKING tools, planes, levels, shelves, dishes, linens, new hitch and awning, $7,250. 503 666-1613 Chase is backing union members with the Union Plus® Mortgage Program — a home chisels, folding rulers, handsaws, spoke shaves, ’03 SUZUKI SAVAGE 650cc, garaged, 3500 purchase and refinancing program exclusively for union members, their parents and children. slicks, adzes, tool chests. 503 659-0009 COLLECTING OLD log saws, double bit axes, miles, saddle bags, crash bars, sissi bar, man- • FREE Mortgage Assistance Benefit cross cut saw handles, cash paid. 503 819-3736 ual, $4,500. 503 621-3090 (Doug) If you are unemployed or disabled. JUNK CARS, removal of unwanted cars and • A wide variety of mortgages trucks. 503 314-8600 Choose from fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, and low- or no-closing costs options. WANTED FURNACE oil, will pump. 503 252- Miscellaneous • Special Lending 4151 LADDER, 20-foot, wooden extension, $35. 503- First-time homebuyer and less-than-perfect credit programs. 652-2147 • Savings on closing costs LEWIS & CLARK plates, all colors, reasonable Member-only savings on new purchases and refinance. price, one or serving four. 503 965-6073 It all adds up to more home-buying power. IRS PROBLEMS? BLACK PLASTIC nursery pots, all sizes, cheap; Contact your local Union Plus® Mortgage Specialist heavy duty utility trailer, $400. 503 625-2701 FLAT BED trailer 7.5’ x 16’, heavy duty axle, free 866-729-6016 Ext. 3016 carpet, $475. 503 730-2537 866-729-6016 • Haven’t filed for...years? OLDER KENMORE sewing machine in antique • Lost records? dark wood cabinet, ex cond, $100 firm. 503 701- 5096 • Liens-Levie-Garnishments? ’93 TRAC HOE Komatsu PCUC 28, $7,500. 541 • Negotiate settlements. 548-0694 1950 CASH REGISTER, 7 drawers, $350. 503 • Retiring? Have Questions? 693-0694 MILLER WELDING machine, 225v, $75. 503 Union Plus is a registered trademark of Union Privilege. Eligibility for mortgage assistance begins one year after closing on a Union Plus Mortgage through Chase Call Nancy D. Anderson 659-6579 Home Finance. This offer may not be combined with any other promotional offer or rebate, is not transferable, and is available to bona fide members of participating GP MEDIUM wall tent, 16x32 w/poles and liner, unions. For down payments of less than 20%, mortgage insurance (MI) is required and MI charges apply. All loans are subject to credit and property approval. Program Enrolled Agent/Tax Practitioner like new, $800 OBO. 503 476-6614 terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Not all products are available in all states or for all loan amounts. Other restrictions and limitations apply. ANIMAL KENNEL, 12x 7x 6, 1 gate, dog died, ©2005 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All Rights Reserved. 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PAGE 10 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS OCTOBER 6, 2006 Let me say this about that Kulongoski legacy: Open ...Wood-carver champ More than good roads Forum (From Page 2) By JOHN MOHLIS tion report from three years ago. It manuals for the floorcovering trade, including spelling-out the duties of the labor- This summer, the nation celebrated showed that hundreds of our middle- Main Streets across Oregon. This is management committee chairman. 50 years since the Interstate Highway aged concrete bridges have been weak- good news for small business owners WOOD-CARVING is one of talented Bill Wilkerson's avocations. He has System opened new markets and possi- ened to the point that truckers with and employees from Astoria to Ash- carved busts of Indians wearing war feathers. fishermen with a creel and a dog, bilities for America’s farmers, salespeo- heavy loads are forced to waste time and land, and Portland to Pendleton. mountain men and various caricatures — all of them about 10 to 12 inches high. ple and dreamers. gas finding alternate routes. The aging Along with the governor’s trans- His carvings have won two first-place blue ribbons at Clark County Fairs in South- Fifty years from now, Oregon will bridges could cost Oregon 88,000 jobs portation commitments, several compa- west Washington, and many other awards throughout the Southwest. He teaches benefit from Gov. Ted Kulongoski's and $123 billion in lost productivity over nies that he recruited to Oregon — in- wood-carving to seniors at recreation centers in Southern California and Arizona equally smart investments in bringing the next 20 years. In that light, 2003’s cluding Genentech and Google, as well while on winter sojourns with Karel. our state’s transportation system into $2.5 billion upgrade passed to improve as a $500 million commitment to build Professional archery is another of Wilkerson’s pursuits. He helped start the the 21st century. our roads and bridges is a bargain. and improve Oregon’s higher education professional division of the National Field Archery Association, which sponsors As an advocate for sound public pol- Gov. Kulongoski’s subsequent Con- buildings — are putting Oregon to tournaments for bow-and-arrow enthusiasts. He served for many years as the as- icy, I’m impressed by the governor’s nectOregon package last year dedicated work. sociation’s Northwest chairman. He was sponsored by Bear Archery Association. common-sense leadership in breaking another $100 million without raising Three years ago, unemployment in ANOTHER RECREATION interest of Wilkerson’s was competitive target- longstanding gridlock in Salem. It was- taxes. It uses lottery-backed bonds to the building crafts varied from 15 to 35 shooting with muzzle-loaders, which are rifles and pistols loaded with black pow- n’t easy to garner bipartisan support for improve the connection between high- percent. Now, every craft is at full em- der. Due to an on-the-job injury and neck surgery, Wilkerson was forced to dis- two much-needed transportation bills. ways and other transportation types, ployment and starting new apprentices continue his archery and black-powder activities. And as a bricklayer who worked like railroads, airports, port facilities every month. Bill also builds model railroads. with tools on job sites for many years and public transit. The 43 recently-ap- The governor has announced that if KAREL WILKERSON retired about the same time that Bill did. She worked before taking on the job of representing proved projects include more than $4 re-elected, he will work to pass Con- for 20-plus years for the Department of Corrections in Vancouver, where she was thousands of Oregon working families million to the Port of Coos Bay for ma- nectOregon II: another $100 million of a clerical supervisor. The Wilkersons spend much of their retirement time travel- in the construction trades, I’m equally rine and rail improvements, an expan- lottery funds toward rail, aviation, tran- ing in the American Southwest in their 36-foot recreational vehicle. proud of the men and women who will sion of the Redmond airport’s terminal, sit and marine projects. He is also pro- Bill and Karel have a son, Steve; a daughter, Andrea Perkins; and six grand- work hard in the coming decade to turn and a $6.8 million improvement to the posing another investment in our higher children. Steve and son-in-law Noel Perkins are both employed at Studer's Floor the governor’s legislative victory into Ramsey Rail Yard in Portland. ed buildings. To be sure, in an age when Covering and are members of Local 1236. reality. More than 10,000 Oregon construc- American workers are losing their jobs ### The two transportation packages — tion workers — operating engineers, ce- to bad trade deals, Oregon’s investment $2.5 billion in 2003 to upgrade our ment masons and other skilled workers in our infrastructure is a wise one that Kaufmans mark 70th wedding anniversary roads and bridges, and another $100 will be tapped to build this infrastruc- will pay off both in the long run for our Ralph Kaufman, a retired secretary-treasurer of Auto Mechanics Local Lodge million in 2005 to modernize our ports, ture. These workers will receive fair pay improved economy and education — 1005, and his wife, Solveig, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Sept. 6 railways and aviation — will encourage and health and retirement benefits for and in the week-to-week sustenance of at a gathering of family and friends at their assisted living residence in the Beaver- growth, reduce the cost of congestion their work, thanks to Oregon’s prevail- Oregon’s hardworking families. ton area. They were married on Sept. 6, 1936 in Zion, North Dakota. Among those and inefficiency, and provide a gateway ing wage law. That means that they will (Editor’s Note: John Mohlis is exec- attending the celebration was a to the global economy. not only have enough money to feed utive secretary-treasurer of the Colum- nephew, Wayne Burkhart, who And they make good sense: Consider and clothe their families, but they will bia-Pacific Building Trades Council, was present at their wedding an Oregon Department of Transporta- have cash in their pockets to shop on headquartered in Portland.) when he was age four. The Kaufmans have two sons, Murlan and Richard; five grandchildren and four great- grandchildren. Great-grandson Steve Stuart Is Standing Garrett Lindsey, who recently graduated from Penn State Uni- versity, attended the celebra- Strong on the Issues! tion, as did grandson Dan Kauf- man of Portland, a member of Musicians Local 99. Son Murlan lives in the Portland Steve area; son Richard lives in Fal- lon, Nevada. It is sad to report supports that Mrs. Kaufman died of a stroke on Sept. 12. She was 93. Ralph will be 98 on Oct. 31. He good jobs. is a member of the Labor Hall of Fame sponsored by the Steve Stuart with Cager Claybaugh, ILWU Local 4. Northwest Oregon Labor Retirees Council. Local 1005 is affiliated with Portland- based Machinists District Lodge 24. ### Steve Delivers: • Energy • Ideas MONROE SWEETLAND, a leader in Oregon Democratic politics who also had experience in the labor movement, died at age 96 on Sept. 10 in Milwaukie • Results for Labor! and was honored at a memorial service on Sept. 30 at Portland State University. Steve has stood up for working people in He was a member of the Labor Hall of Fame. Clark County, and now they’re standing up SWEETLAND WAS BORN on Jan. 20, 1910 in Salem and grew up in Ore- for him with endorsements: gon and Michigan. After graduation from college in Ohio, he attended law schools • Laborer Local 335 in New York State. He married Lillie Megrath in 1931. She died in 1995. They had • International Longshore & Warehouse Union Local 4 two daughters, Barbara Smith of Alaska and Rebecca Sweetland of Lake Oswego, • SW WA Electrician's PAC #48 who survive him; as do three granddaughters and a great-grandson. • Clark County Central Labor Council In the 1930s he worked in the East for the Congress of Industrial Organizations; • AFSCME • PNWRC and in the mid-1960s after a political and newspaper ownership career in Oregon he moved to California to be a lobbyist for the National Education Association. See the website at www.stuartforclarkcounty.com HE WON ELECTION from Clackamas County to the Oregon House of Rep- resentatives in 1952; later served in the Oregon Senate; ran twice for secretary of Paid for by Committee to Re-Elect Steve Stuart (D), 1010 Washington Street, Suite 240, Vancouver, WA 98660 state, and played a key role in Democratic election victories for statewide and fed- Re-elect Steve because we love it here! eral offices in the 1950s.

OCTOBER 6, 2006 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 11 Crew at Thompson Metal Fab in Vancouver worked long hours to keep tram construction on schedule Months before the Portland Aerial Tram became visible from Interstate 5, a 100-person crew in Vancouver, Wash., was working around the clock fabricating Sheet Metal the steel components for the upper station tower at Oregon Health and Science Uni- versity and the intermediate tower located Workers had off SW Macadam Ave., in Portland. That work crew represented some of the finest craftsmen and women at Sheet crucial role Metal Workers Local 16 — all of them employees at Thompson Metal Fab Inc. in building Thompson played a somewhat unusual role as general contractor for both the fabri- cation and erection work. The company aerial tram subcontracted the actual building of the towers to Carr Construction. (An article fea- turing the topping out of the upper station tower by members of Iron Workers Local 29 at Carr Construction was featured in the Sept. 15 issue of the NW Labor Press.) “For the most part, fabrication went very well. Our guys did an outstanding job. There were very few glitches,” said John Rudi, president of Thompson Metal. As the Daily Journal of Commerce noted, required a lot of skill to hold the toler- Design changes and coordination prob- “The tower was built of five-eighths-inch ances. There wasn’t a lot of room to make lems early on had put the tram project five plate steel with T-stiffeners attached inside adjustments in the field. Our guys had to weeks behind schedule. Once those issues to resist the heavy twisting loads that the make it right in the shop.” were worked out, Thompson’s crew was tram will exert. Full penetration welds Curtis Anderson, field operations man- able to make up ground so that by the time were used wherever the pieces of steel ager for Carr Construction, said the inter- the upper station was topped out on Aug. were spliced together.” mediate tower had to be within one inch 31, it was back on schedule for a ten- The upper station tower (pictured of plumb. “We came in at a quarter-inch. I tative opening on Dec. 15. above) was even more complex, featuring can’t say enough good things about the The 196-foot intermediate tower four tiers and a steel superstructure on top. fabrication work.” Bennett Hartman (pictured above left) was built in The footing required 78 drilled shafts av- Mike Mayes, president of Mayes Test- b h three pieces — each with a complex eraging 70 feet long each and 1,500 cubic ing Engineers, told the DJC that the tram Morris & Kaplan, llp series of welding challenges — the yards of concrete. project is one that “people swell up with Attorneys at Law largest of which was the foot, meas- “It was a difficult fabrication project,” pride thinking they were even involved. m k uring 90 feet long by 33 feet wide at Rudi told the NW Labor Press. “It was Portland doesn’t have an icon. I think this the bottom and weighing 130 tons. very thick steel with a lot of heat input. It is going to be it.”

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