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Volume 108 Number 18 September 21, 2007 Portland

Portland Hilton Sweeney, Edwards will workers rally headline AFL-CIO confab Several hundred hotel workers and supporters marched outside SEASIDE — The Oregon AFL- a.m. Oct. 8. the downtown Portland Hilton CIO will hold its 50th convention Sun- The convention begins at 9 a.m. all Hotel and Executive Tower Sept. day through Wednesday, Oct. 7-10, at three days. 14 to protest slow progress in the Seaside Convention Center. A welcome party will be held on contract bargaining. Workers National AFL-CIO President John Sunday, Oct. 7, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., wore red T-shirts printed with Sweeney, Democratic presidential can- at the Best Western Oceanview Motel, “Hotel Workers Rising.” That’s didate John Edwards, and Oregon Gov. which also will serve as the convention the name of a national campaign Ted Kulongoski are scheduled to ad- headquarters. The state labor federa- by their union, UNITE HERE, to dress convention delegates. tion’s Executive Board, General Board increase union power in the hotel Sweeney is slated to speak at 10 and Committee on Political Education industry. In Portland, UNITE a.m. on the opening day, Monday, Oct. will meet Sunday starting at 1 p.m. at HERE Local 9’s contract cov- 8. Kulongoski is scheduled to appear at the Best Western Oceanview Motel. ering the downtown Hilton 4:30 p.m. After adjournment on Monday, Oct. workers expired at the end of On Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 10 a.m., Ed- 8, delegates will canvass sections of the July. Hilton pastry chef Megan wards, a former U.S. senator from city with Working America, a commu- Futrell, a member of the union North Carolina who ran for vice presi- nity affiliate of the national AFL-CIO bargaining team, said the two dent in 2006 on the John Kerry ticket, that is partnering with labor to create a sides haven't begun to discuss will address delegates. massive workers’ movement. After the wages. Futrell said union On Wednesday, delegates will elect canvass, volunteers will have a barbe- priorities include a reduced new officers and Executive Board cue at Broadway Park in Seaside. workload for the hotel’s house- members. Both president and secre- At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, the keepers, a successorship clause to tary-treasurer posts are up this year. popular Union Label Show will be held protect workers in the event the President Tom Chamberlain is com- at the Seaside Convention Center. hotel is sold, and the right of the pleting the term of Tim Nesbitt, who An Executive Board meeting will be local union elected officials to stepped down in mid-term, and Secre- held immediately following adjourn- take extended unpaid leave from tary-Treasurer Barbara Byrd completed ment on Oct. 10. work while serving their terms. the term of Brad Witt, who was deemed Delegates can register from noon to Currently the hotel only allows ineligible to following the departure of 8 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 7 at the Best six months. United Food and Commercial Workers Western Oceanview Motel, and from 8 to the Change to Win labor federation. a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Nominations will be held at 11:45 Oct. 8-9, at the Convention Center. Of the national AFL-CIO Chavez-Thompson steps down as executive vice president WASHINGTON, D.C. — National AFL-CIO Executive Vice voice of those who often are unheard or left behind. President Linda Chavez-Thompson will step down to return Chavez-Thompson traveled extensively throughout the coun- home to San Antonio and be with her family, effective Sept. 21. try speaking to union and community groups. She has worked Chavez-Thompson, 63, is the first person to hold the office of tirelessly to strengthen state and local labor movements and has executive vice president and the first person of color to hold one served as a strong voice on behalf of civil rights, human rights of the top elected offices at the AFL-CIO. She was elected in and women’s rights. She also has been a national leader on the is- 1995 after serving in a series of leadership roles in the American sue of immigration and immigrant workers’ rights. Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and on the “For millions, she was the face of the AFL-CIO’s new union AFL-CIO Executive Council. movement,” said President John Sweeney. “Linda has broken new AFL-CIO President John Sweeney will ask the Executive pathways for the labor movement. Countless working women and Council to appoint Arlene Holt-Baker to fill Chavez-Thompson’s men, not only in the United States but throughout the Western unexpired term (2009). Holt-Baker, also a member of AFSCME, Hemisphere, have a better life because of all she’s contributed.” has served as Sweeney’s executive assistant for the past several Chavez-Thompson will continue to chair the AFL-CIO Immi- years. She came to the federation from California in 1995 as the gration Committee and serve as head of the Inter-American Re- executive assistant to Chavez-Thompson. gional Organization of Workers, the International Trade Union If approved, Holt-Baker will become the first black woman to Confederation’s regional organization for the Americas. She also hold a leadership position in the national AFL-CIO. National AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Linda Chavez- will serve as an adviser to state federations and labor councils. Chavez-Thompson, who joined the union movement 40 years Thompson, who resigned as of Sept. 21, was a familiar face in Under the AFL-CIO Constitution, she will become the AFL- ago, is a second-generation American and the daughter of cotton Oregon. Here she talks to union members at the 2005 Labor CIO’s first executive vice president emerita. sharecroppers. She says she hopes she has been able to raise the Day picnic at Oaks Park in Portland. Let me say this about that —By Gene Klare Maintenance workers ratify new pact with Portland Schools by one vote By a vote of 40 to 39, maintenance happening. Wages will increase 1 percent in and construction workers on Aug. 29 “We got some help from some January 2009 and 2 percent in January ratified a new four-year contract at school board members to break 2010. Pay scales range from $18 to Portland Public Schools. through this mess,” said Jerry Moss, about $30 an hour, depending on the The unit of roughly 100 trades chief spokesman for the DCU and a craft. workers from more than a dozen dif- business rep for Plumbers and Fitters Employer-paid health insurance ferent unions bargain jointly as the Local 290. “The school board pushed premiums will be capped at $779 a District Council of Unions (DCU). the district to talk to us and to come up month, which means that out-of- The maintenance and construction with something reasonable,” he said. pocket costs could increase, depending crew had been working under a man- Before the implemented contract, on which health plan a worker agement-implemented contract since DCU members were working under a chooses. The previous cap was $764. June 11. That contract contained no contract that expired Jan. 1, 2006. That Martin Luther King Jr. Day was wage increases and higher out-of- contract had also been unilaterally im- added as a holiday. pocket health insurance costs; it elimi- plemented by the school district and The biggest takeaway, Moss said, nated retiree health insurance alto- contained no wage increases. was elimination of the employer-paid gether, stripped workers of two “Our people haven’t had a raise in a retiree health insurance plan. That will holidays, and it had no expiration date. long, long time,” Moss said. sunset on June 30, 2014. The bloody shirt In April, DCU members rejected Following the contract implementa- DCU members with 15 years’ serv- “THIS BLOOD is on your hands, Joe!” the district’s implemented proposal by tion June 11, Moss said discussions ice can retire at age 60 and be covered That exclamation was shouted at Portland Mayor Joe Carson by strike leader a margin of 80 percent, and by a simi- were held “off line.” The two sides under the school district’s health insur- Matt Meehan as he threw a blood-soaked shirt on Carson’s desk at City Hall on lar margin authorized a strike — the came up with a package that members ance plan for five years — or until they July 11,1934. first such authorization in DCU his- narrowly accepted. Had they rejected become eligible for Medicare. The shirt belonged to one of four striking longshoremen who were wounded tory. After a failed attempt at media- the contract, a 10-day notice to strike Moss estimates that one-third of the that day by the police in a fusillade of gunfire at Terminal 4 in North Portland. tion and a 30-day “cooling off” period, would have moved forward. maintenance crew will retire in the THE STRIKE on Portland’s docks was part of a waterfront walkout at West the district implemented its own terms. The four-year contract provides all next two years. A skilled workforce Coast Ports in July 1934. The number of workers involved is reported in a recent As union officials pondered their DCU members a lump-sum payment that once numbered 400 to 500 mem- two-page feature on California labor history in the Los Angeles Firefighter. The next step, some of the workers at- of $1,000 in October 2007 and an- bers, it’s now a skeleton crew em- award-winning union newspaper said: “In 1934, 15,000 longshoremen along the tended a July 9 school board meeting other check for $1,120 in January ployed primarily to do emergency re- West Coast struck when the owners refused to recognize their union or negotiate to let school officials know what was 2008. pairs. a contract. The DCU is comprised of Plumb- “Soon, some 6,000 members of the seafaring unions joined the strike.” ers and Fitters Local 290, Teamsters, Portland unionists held Mayor Carson responsible for the police chief order- Machinists District Lodge 24, Sheet ing his men to shoot at the strikers. Carson was acting at the behest of waterfront Metal Workers Local 16, Electrical employers and other business leaders who were determined to keep the Portland b h Bennett Hartman Workers Local 48, Glaziers Local 740. longshoremen from unionizing under the banner of the International Longshore Laborers Local 296, Cement Masons Association, which represented stevedores at ports on the East Coast. In the af- Morris & Kaplan, llp Local 555, Bricklayers Local 1, termath of the bloodshed at Terminal 4, the police chief was fired and Carson Attorneys at Law Painters Local 10, Floor Coverers Lo- failed to achieve his ambition to occupy the governor’s chair in the state Capitol m k cal 1236, Roofers Local 49, Plasterers in Salem. The wounding of strikers in Portland occurred on Wednesday, July 11, Local 82 and Carpenters. a day that was sometimes called “Bloody Wednesday.” It followed by six days the Two unions that used to belong to killings of two strikers and the wounding of 109 strikers in a battle with police the DCU left last year and are bargain- and strikebreakers in San Francisco on Thursday, July 5, a day that became Oregon’s Full Service Union Law Firm ing separately. Amalgamated Transit known as “Bloody Thursday” and also “Bloody July 5.” Representing Workers Since 1960 Union Local 757, which represents MATT MEEHAN was 37 years old when he confronted the mayor but had about 85 school bus drivers, says the already been a workingman for 23 years. He had started working at age 14 in a school district is dragging its feet with textile mill in his native state of Rhode Island. At age 18 he ran away to sea as a them. A sub-group of members of the member of the Sailors Union. He traveled the world in the Merchant Marine un- Portland Federation of Teachers and til 1928 when his ship docked on the Columbia River at Portland. Looking at the SeriousInjuryandDeathCases Classified Employees Local 111 repre- Rose City, he decided to leave the sea for a job on the docks, where he became a senting campus monitors, occupational stevedore — a longshoreman. • Construction Injuries and physical therapists and community In its account of the 1934 dock strike, The Los Angeles Firefighter reported agents, was transferred into the main that after Bloody Thursday, the California governor sent in the National Guard. • Automobile Accidents PFTCE contract, which at presstime “Soon, 25,000 workers participated in a silent funeral march up Market Street. • Medical, Dental, and Legal Malpractice appeared to be headed for mediation. This display of solidarity led to a four-day general strike that involved over 100,000 workers, with the endorsement of 63 unions,” the union newspaper re- • Bicycle and Motorcycle Accidents ported. WITHIN DAYS of the Terminal 4 shootings, Democratic President Franklin • Pedestrian Accidents Delano Roosevelt sent U.S. Senator Robert F. Wagner (D-NY) to Portland to as- • Premises Liability (injuries on premises) (International Standard Serial Number 0894-444X) sess the situation. However, the auto Wagner was riding in was fired upon, but he Established in 1900 at Portland, Oregon was not hit. In his book, The Portland Red Guide, historian Michael Munk said: • Workers’ Compensation Injuries as a voice of the labor movement. “Although the incident was presumed a mistake, this time the fault was in the 4275 NE Halsey St., P.O. Box 13150, • Social Security Claims Portland, Ore. 97213 hands of the special police.” Sen. Wagner was a leader in the enactment by Con- Telephone: (503) 288-3311 gress of pro-worker and pro-union legislation in the 1930s. E-mail: [email protected] Editor: Michael Gutwig Munk said that after Wagner was here, “The strike ended in victory for the Staff: Don McIntosh, Cheri Rice longshoremen a few days later and led to the formation of today’s ILWU.” 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- THE INTERNATIONAL Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union — We Work Hard for Hard-Working People! profit corporation owned by 20 unions and councils including the Oregon AFL-CIO. Serving more than 120 union organizations in Ore- to represent Pacific Coast workers — was formed in a 1937 convention in Ab- gon and SW Washington. Subscriptions $13.75 per year for union members. erdeen, Washington. 111 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 1650 Group rates available to trade union organizations. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID Harry Bridges of San Francisco sparked the formation of ILWU and served as AT PORTLAND, OREGON. its president until retiring in 1997 at age 76. Bridges had led the San Francisco Portland, Oregon 97204 CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTICE: Three weeks are required for a change of address. When ordering a change, please give your old local out of the ILA, based in New York, because its leadership opposed the 1934 and new addresses and the name and number of your local union. (503) 227-4600 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to strike at Pacific Coast ports. When the ILWU was formally organized at the Ab- NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS, P.O. BOX 13150-0150, erdeen convention, Matt Meehan was elected as its first secretary-treasurer. www.bennetthartman.com PORTLAND, OR 97213 Within a short time, Bridges led the ILWU out of the American Federation of La- bor and into the newly-formed Congress of Industrial Organizations. More re- Our Legal Staff are Proud Members of UFCW Local 555 (Turn to Page 11) PAGE 2 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS SEPTEMBER 21, 2007 Change to Win Rapidly expanding disabled worker holds second programs act as a wedge for privatization national confab The Change to Win labor federa- Critics say an Oregon program to ucts and services from QRFs before they can seek over time. That meant that it was going to be out of tion will hold its second biennial competitive bids from private companies. In provid- compliance with state regulations, which require convention Sept. 25 in Chicago. help disabled workers has run ing the products or services, QRFs are supposed to that at least 75 percent of a QRF’s contracted work Nearly 1,000 delegates, allies amok, threatening public and employ disabled individuals. And a “disabled indi- hours be performed by the disabled. and guests representing the seven vidual,” according to that law, is someone “who, be- To long-time trial attorney Charlie Williamson of Change to Win unions will meet to private-sector union jobs while cause of the nature of disabilities, is not able to par- the Kell, Alterman, & Runstein law firm, those two launch a program the federation has neglecting the truly disabled ticipate fully in competitive employment, and for facts alone were a tipoff that something wasn’t right. been working on since its founding whom specialized employment opportunities must Williamson, who was elected president of the two years ago. By DON MCINTOSH be provided.” Oregon State Bar Association the same year, agreed The seven unions, which include Associate Editor But the experience of PHC at Portland Public in 2002 to represent the district’s fired custodians in Service Employees International On Oct. 9, the largest solar array in the Pacific Schools — and revelations from a related class-ac- a class action lawsuit against PHC. Union, United Food and Commer- Northwest will have its grand opening — atop a tion lawsuit — raise serious doubts about how dis- “We believe PHC hires people who are not dis- cial Workers, Teamsters, Laborers, brand-new 114,000-square-foot industrial building abled its employees are. And that prompted one state abled within the meaning of the law, but classifies UNITE-HERE, the United Farm at Northeast 148th and Marine Drive in Portland. representative, Clatskanie Democrat Brad Witt, to them as disabled and thereby gets government con- Workers and the Brotherhood of The giant manufacturing facility, which will be used push for closer oversight of the growing QRF pro- tracts that are not open to public bidding,” Carpenters and Joiners, represent in part to make solar energy components, belongs to gram. Williamson told the Labor Press. “We believe they some six million workers. a tax-exempt non-profit organization, the Portland PHC was already Oregon’s largest QRF in Octo- are cheating.” Union leaders say they have de- Habilitation Center (PHC). ber 2001 when PHC managers wrote to then-Port- The fired custodians may have had hunches, but veloped and funded an industry- It could make PHC a formidable competitor in land Public Schools superintendent Jim Scherzinger as their attorney, Williamson had the power to de- wide strategic organizing program the fast-growing solar market. Not only does PHC suggesting the school district could save millions pose witnesses and compel testimony. And a lot of that focuses on jobs and industries pay no state or federal corporate income tax, but its and help relieve its budget crunch by replacing dis- information came out in deposition. of the future and that will “lift up new building was paid for in part by the Energy trict custodians with PHC janitors. For example, by PHC’s own admission, eight all workers.” Trust of Oregon (which gets its money from a 3 per- But a couple things were curious about the bid months into the contract with PPS, only 25 percent The Change to Win strategic cent charge on PGE and Pacificorp electric bills) PHC put forward in the spring of 2002. First, PHC’s of PHC’s workers there were classified as disabled. plan calls for: and by private investors who get a tax credit for their proposal said that with an equal number of disabled In its report to the State of Oregon for fiscal year • Uniting at the Workplace: investment. And if school districts or state, county, workers, it would be able to clean the schools twice 2002-2003, PHC estimated 64.32 percent of its la- The Change to Win Strategic Orga- or municipal governments in Oregon want to buy as often as the districts’ non-disabled workers (and bor hours organization-wide were disabled workers nizing Center is uniting workers to solar equipment, they would have to buy from PHC they’d be paid one-third less than the district em- — well below the 75 percent legal requirement. have a voice on the job in work- instead of from a private company like Machinist ployees.) In other words, PHC’s disabled workers PHC met the requirement in subsequent years. places in a range of industries criti- Union-represented Solarworld in Vancouver. could outcompete the district’s non-disabled work- Williamson hired disability expert Scott Stipe to cal to the national economy. That’s because PHC is considered a “Qualified ers. review the personnel files of 70 workers PHC said • Uniting our Resources: The Rehabilitation Facility,” under Oregon’s 1977 Prod- Second, since PHC couldn’t expect overnight to were disabled. Stipe concluded 56 of them were CtW Investment group is organiz- ucts of Disabled Individuals Law. Under the law, find hundreds more disabled individuals to employ, ing workers’ capital into a voice for public agencies in the state are required to buy prod- it said it would have to “phase in” disabled workers (Turn to Page 11) corporate accountability and retire- ment security. • Uniting in our Communities: Carpenters, Electricians, Laborers, Glaziers, Sheetmetal Workers, Floorcoverers, Bricklayers, Cement Masons, Roofers, Asbestos Workers, Family, Millwrights, Painters, Elevators, Plasterers Change to Win is building state and

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SEPTEMBER 21, 2007 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 3 Farra elected secretary-treasurer of Transit Union Local 757 Tri-Met streetcar operator Evette race to fill the unexpired term of Tom care and elder care expenses for Tri- trusteeship by the international union. Farra has been elected secretary-treas- Wallace. Met employees. He is now facing a Ken Kinoshita, a member of the Local urer of Portland-based Amalgamated Wallace resigned in February after federal criminal indictment. 757 Executive Board, was named in- Transit Union (ATU) Local 757. She admitting to stealing money from a After Wallace’s confession, he re- terim financial treasurer, serving until out-polled five other candidates in a special fund set up to help pay child signed and the Local was placed in the special election. He finished sec-

EVETTE FARRA ond in the balloting, 214 votes behind Farra. Farra, 37, grew up in the Portland area, graduated from Vancouver’s Mountain View High School, and met her husband at Multnomah Bible Col- lege. In 1993, she became the first in her family to work at Tri-Met, where her mother, step-father, and husband also now work. Farra’s past experi- ence as a business owner in real estate will help in her new position, she said. “It’s a little more involved than bal- ancing a checkbook,” said Farra, who ran for the post against Wallace in 2006, “but it doesn’t take a financial degree.” To bone up on union financial management, Farra will fly to the union’s Washington, D.C., headquar- ters in late October for a week-long training. Local 757 has 4,127 members in Oregon and Southwest Washington, and Tri-Met is its largest employer. Fi- nancial secretary-treasurer is one of the local’s top elected positions, along with president and vice president. Farra will serve out the remainder of Wallace’s three-year term, which ex- pires June 30, 2009. Broadway Floral for the BEST flowers call 503-288-5537 1638 NE Broadway, Portland

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PAGE 4 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS SEPTEMBER 21, 2007 Hundreds rally for health care for 9/11 workers Six years after the Sept. munity organizers and religious lead- showed the whole world how they re- ditions that can be linked to dust expo- dust from the collapsed World Trade ers to rally and say it’s past time to spond to emergencies. Now it is our sure and compensation for jobs that Center. 11, 2001, attacks on the take care of the heroes like Torres who turn,” he added. were lost or other financial setbacks Rep. Fossella summed up the feel- World Trade Center, risked their lives six years ago and are Gary La Barbera, president of the caused by those illnesses. Under the ing of the day when he said: “We have now struggling with disease. The rally, New York City Central Labor Council, proposed bill, Ground Zero health a solemn responsibility to the unsung rescue and recovery which commemorated both Labor said at the rally, “We will never forget programs would be included in the heroes of 9/11 who were exposed to workers affected by the Day and the anniversary of the Sept. those who gave their lives on 9/11. We federal budget on a regular basis. the air over Ground Zero. These men 11 attacks, drew attention to the bipar- will never forget those who lost their Robin Herbert, director of the and women risked their own lives and toxic fallout still have not tisan 9/11 Health and Compensation lives on 9/11. And we will never for- World Trade Center monitoring and safety when New York and our nation gotten the medical or Act, which Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D- get those who are still suffering from treatment program based at Mount needed them most. We must support N.Y.), Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and the effects of 9/11.” Sinai Medical Center, told The New our unsung heroes and make sure that financial help they need Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.) introduced The legislation would cover first York Times about four in 10 of its pa- they, too, are not forgotten.” Sept. 11. responders, rescue workers, construc- tients have had breathing problems, The national AFL-CIO Executive By JAMES PARKS The bill would provide comprehen- tion workers and volunteers who including asthma, and many suffer Council has urged Congress to act im- While more than 600 union mem- sive long-term medical coverage and pitched in during the nine-month mental health problems such as post- mediately to address the pressing bers were killed on Sept. 11, thou- financial compensation for anyone ex- cleanup at the site. Residents, stu- traumatic stress disorder. health needs of workers exposed to sands more who worked in the rubble posed to the toxic dust and debris of dents, office workers and others who A task force appointed by New Ground Zero toxic substances. of the collapsed buildings are at risk Ground Zero. Rescue and recovery were in Lower Manhattan on 9/11 York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) for chronic diseases. workers, their unions, health care ad- also would be eligible to receive estimated that as many as 400,000 (Editor’s Note: James Parks writes Workers like Eduardo Torres, a vocates and survivors and their fami- health monitoring, treatment for con- people might have been exposed to for the national AFL-CIONow blog.) member of Plumbers Local 14 in New lies have long said there is a deadly Jersey, who helped clean up Ground link between the poisonous Ground Zero and has developed chronic respi- Zero rubble and the debilitating ill- ratory disease because of his exposure nesses — and in some cases deaths — to toxic chemicals in the air around of those exposed. They say federal Roger G. Worthington, P.C. leads the fight to find a cure the site. He told a Sept. 10 press con- funding delays and poor organization ference in Piscataway, N.J.: led to the failure of various federal “Staying home and watching the health agencies to respond fully to the aftermath of these cowardly attacks workers’ needs. from the comfort of my living room Mesothelioma The AFL-CIO reported that for the never entered my mind. Even had I for cancer first time, the death of a survivor of anticipated the ailments I would face the Sept. 11 attacks was officially as a result of my involvement at linked to exposure to the toxic mate- caused by asbestos exposure Ground Zero, I don’t think it would rial at Ground Zero. have changed my decision to respond. Rep. Nadler lays the blame on the I hope the federal government will Since 1989, we have been dedicated to helping asbestos cancer patients government. “Government officials at step up to the plate and provide the re- all levels took perilous shortcuts on get justice in the courtrooms and help in the hospitals. In the last ten years, sources for the care and monitoring workers’ safety,” Nadler said. “Many we have recovered over $725 million for our clients. we need.” of you toiled for months on that toxic New Jersey State AFL-CIO Presi- pile at Ground Zero without proper dent Charles Wowkanech said Presi- $34 Million: 60 year-old Navy veteran and carpenter protection. You were unnecessarily ex- dent Bush “has turned his back on posed to hazardous toxins because of $20 Million: 54 year-old engineer workers many times during his time in what the government officials said and $12.6 Million: 69 year-old psychiatrist exposed at home the White House. However, of all the did.” issues he has been wrong on, his fail- $10 Million: 54 year-old woman exposed via father’s clothes New York State AFL-CIO Presi- ure to adequately provide for the brave dent Denis Hughes said “the time is $8.4 Million: 60 year-old Navy veteran and crane operator men and women that gave so much of now for a comprehensive, long-term themselves at a dark time for America commitment from Washington that is disgusting.” addresses the ongoing medical moni- On Sept. 8, hundreds of working toring, compensation and treatment families in New York joined with needs of our Sept. 11 heroes.” 800-831-9399 elected officials, first responders, com- “Six years ago, these heroes For a free booklet of medical/legal information, including medical experts, patient profiles, clinical trials and asbestos products, call us or visit our website. www.mesothel.com Personal finance experts say that af- erage annual return of 12 percent over ter retirement, individuals will spend the life of their 401(k)s, their retirement the equivalent of their final annual funds will be woefully short. salary each year. Mesothelioma typically We’ve helped hundreds The Employee Benefit Research In- Can the boss do that? stitute reports that the median (half the develops 20 to 60 years of patients find the best values are above, and half are below) Ask a lawyer – for free after the first asbestos doctors, coast to coast 401(k) balance is $67,000. Working America, the AFL-CIO’s exposure. Each year and we’re known for Fidelity Investments recently re- community affiliate for people who about 3,000 new cases providing up-to-date ported that the average couple will don’t have a union at work, is offering a spend a minimum of $250,000 on free service that helps workers know of mesothelioma are medical information health care alone after they retire. about their legal rights on the job. diagnosed in the U.S. and patient education. The vast discrepancy between antic- At “Ask-a-Lawyer,” visitors can ipated spending versus anticipated sav- read answers from lawyers, browse Asbestos lawyers for life. ings will leave many retirees in dire topics and send in any question that re- straits. lates to their job. Working America can- Offices in Los Angeles, Orange County, and Dallas, Texas • Lawyers licensed in California, Oregon, and Texas Compass Institute, a private think- not provide specific legal advice, but tank dedicated to investment strategy will answer questions about overtime, Roger G. Worthington, P.C. has donated more than $2.5 Million to medical research research for existing company-spon- workers’compensation, discrimination sored retirement plans, has calculated and pay and benefits. Go to working on a cure for mesothelioma — more than all the asbestos companies combined. that unless investors are earning an av- www.workingamerica.org.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2007 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 5 by a 9 a.m. stewards’ meeting. North Bend/Coos Bay Labor Center, 3427 Ash St., Official Electrical Workers 280 Iron Workers 516 Meetings are at 3645 SE 32nd Ave., Portland. North Bend. Executive Board meets 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, at Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, 11620 NE District 3 members meet 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 32969 Hwy. 99E, Tangent. Ainsworth Cir., #300, Portland. 10, at Courtyard Marriott, 600 Airport Rd., Medford. Bend Unit meets 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Machinists 1432 District 2 members meet 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, IBEW/UA Training Center, 2161 SW First St., Red- Swing and graveyard shift members meet at noon at the Comfort Suites, 969 Kruse Way, Springfield. Notices mond. Labor Roundtable of Wednesday, Oct. 10. Joint Unit meets 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at Regular membership meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 33309 Hwy. 99E, Tangent. Southwest Washington 10. Painters & Drywall Delegates meet 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 28, at Hometown Shop stewards’ training session 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. Auto Mechanics 1005 Buffet, 7809-B Vancouver Plaza Dr., Vancouver, Wash. 20. Finishers 10 Meetings are at 3645 SE 32nd Ave., Portland. Members meet 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 11105 Executive Board meets 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. Elevator Constructors 23 NE Sandy Blvd. 2nd Floor, Portland. 17. Laborers 483 Members meet 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, preceded Members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, preceded Metal Trades Council Plasterers 82 by a 9 a.m. shop steward training class. Shop stewards by 5 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at 12779 NE Whitaker Way, Portland. PLEASE NOTE that nomi- Municipal Employees Delegates meet 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at IBEW Members meet 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 12812 must attend training class and regular meeting to be Local 48 Hall, 15937 NE Airport Way, Portland. NE Marx St., Portland. compensated. nations will be held at this meeting for all elected posi- Members meet 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at the Mu- tions, including Business Representative. Ballots will be sicians Hall, 325 NE 20th Ave., Portland. Executive Board meets 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 8, at NOMINATIONS & ELECTION: Nominations for NOLC board room, 1125 SE Madison, Portland. the position of Vice President will be at our regular meet- mailed out at least 25 days after the nomination meet- Portland City & ing Oct. 20. The election will be Nov. 17, 2007, the same ing. Ballot tally and election results will be held at the Laborers/Vancouver 335 day as our regular meeting. The polls will open at 8 a.m. Dec. 13 general meeting. Also, please keep 6 p.m. Oct. 19, open for a special benefits meeting; more details will Members meet 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1, preceded by a Molders 139 Metropolitan Employees and close at 5 p.m. IAM Constitution, Article B, Sec 4, Members meet 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, preceded reads: Absentee ballots shall be issued and voted in ac- be mailed out. 6:15 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at the Vancouver 189 Labor Center, 2212 NE Andresen Rd., Vanc., Wash. by a 6 p.m. Executive Board meeting at the Carpenters cordance with the provisions set forth in Sec. 3 Art. II, in Hall, 2205 N. Lombard, Portland. General membership meets 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. compliance with the following provisions: (1) the writ- Exterior & Interior 25, 6025 E. Burnside, Portland. ten request for an absentee ballot must be received by Lane County Executive Board meets 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, at the R.S. not later than 30 days before the election; (2) Specialists 2154 Multnomah County 6025 E. Burnside, Portland. the request must contain the members full, current ad- Labor Council dress: (3) if the records of the L.L. indicate that the ap- Members meet 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 1125 Employees 88 plicant is eligible to vote in the election, the R.S. and SE Madison, Suite 207, Portland. Delegates meet 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, at Roofers & Waterproofers 1116 South A St., Springfield. Executive Board meets 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, S.T. shall, within 5 days of the close of nominations, at the AFSCME union office. 49 mail the absentee ballot: (4) if, in the judgment of the Fire Fighters 1660 General membership meets 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. R.S. and S.T., the member is not entitled to vote by ab- Executive Board meets 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4. Members meet 8 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at 4411 SW Lane, Coos, Curry & 17, preceded by 6 p.m. stewards meeting. sentee ballot, the member will be notified, in writing, Meetings are held at 6025 E. Burnside St. Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11. within 10 days of the receipt of the request for absentee Sunset Dr., Lake Oswego. Douglas Building Trades Meetings are at 5032 SE 26th Ave, Portland. (Phone: ballot. Ballots cast for candidates not nominated in con- 503 232-4807) formity with these provisions (write-ins) shall not be tab- Fire Fighters 452 Delegates meet at noon Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the Northwest Oregon ulated. Springfield Training Center, 2861 Pierce Parkway, All meetings and elections are held at our Union Hall, Members meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 2807 Springfield. Salem Building Trades NW Fruit Valley Rd., Vancouver, Wash. Labor Council 3645 SE 32nd Avenue, Portland, Oregon. Delegates meet 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, at IBEW Delegates meet 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, at the PLEASE NOTE: Rochelle Conrad will be available Linn-Benton-Lincoln Local 48 Hall, 15937 NE Airport Way, Portland. IBEW 280 Training Center, 33309 Hwy. 99E, Tangent. from 8 a.m. to noon during the regular lodge meeting to Glass Workers 740 answer any questions you have concerning health, wel- Labor Council fare and pension plans. Executive Board members meet 5 p.m. Thursday, Sheet Metal Oct. 4, at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. Delegates meet 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, pre- Operating Engineers 701 Portland area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, ceded by a 7 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at 1400 PLEASE NOTE: Master Labor Agreement (MLA) Workers 16 Bricklayers and Allied at 11145 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. Salem Ave., Albany. ratification meetings will be held at the following regu- larly scheduled district meetings in October except Dis- Portland area VOC members meet 6 p.m. Wednes- Eugene area members meet 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8, at day, Oct. 3, at the Sheet Metal Training Center, 2379 NE Craftworkers 1 Best Western Grand Manor Inn, 971 Kruse Way, Spring- trict 5. Linoleum Layers 1236 District 4 members meet 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1, at 178th Ave., Portland. There will be a special Informational meeting Tues- field. Portland members meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, at the Salem area members meet 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, at Portland area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. Cousin’s Restaurant, 2115 W. 6th, The Dalles. day, Oct. 16, at 6:30 pm. at 12812 NE Marx St., Port- District 5 members meet 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, at Sheet Metal Training Center, 2379 NE 178th Ave., Port- land. This meeting will be open to members and their Candalaria Terrace, Suite 204, 2659 Commercial St. SE, 27, at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. land. Salem. Executive Board meets 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1, at Gladstone Union Hall, 555 E. First St., Gladstone. spouses. NOTE: The regular meeting is canceled. District 4 members meet 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. Medford area members meet 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. 10, at Abby’s Pizza, 7480 Crater Lake Hwy., White City. Portland area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, at DTC Office, 148 Main St., Hermiston. Iron Workers 29 District 1 members meet 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, Eugene area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, Carpenters 247 25, at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. the Local 16 Hall, 4748 Franklin Blvd., Eugene. Executive Board meets 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, preceded by at Longview Electricians Hall, 1145 Commerce Ave., Longview, Wash. Coos Bay area members meet 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. at 2215 N. Lombard, Portland. a 5:30 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at 11620 NE 18, at the Labor Temple, 3427 Ash St., North Bend. Ainsworth Cir. #200, Portland. Machinists 63 District 1 members meet 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, at Executive Board meets 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10. Gladstone Union Hall, 555 E. First St., Gladstone. Carpenters 1388 Members meet 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, preceded District 3 members meet 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, at Members meet 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 276 Sign Painters & Warner-Milne Rd., Oregon City. Paint Makers 1094 Members meet 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. Carpenters 1715 15, in the District Office, at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Members meet 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, preceded Retiree Meeting Notices Portland. by a 5 p.m. Executive Board meeting at 612 E. McLoughlin, Vancouver, Wash. ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED Craft Store. If you have any questions, Burnside, Portland. Call Michael Southern Oregon Cement Masons 555 AMERICANS OREGON CHAPTER please give Don Ball a call at 541- Arken for information at 503-239- Central Labor Council Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at 12812 Retirees meet 10 a.m. Thursday, 327-3388. 9858, ext. 124. Delegates meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, at the Labor NE Marx St., Portland. Sept. 27, at Westmoreland Union Temple, 4480 Rogue Valley Hwy.#3, Central Point. Clark, Skamania & Manor, 6404 SE 23rd Ave., Portland. ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS 23 UNITED ASSOCIATION 290 Southwestern Oregon All retirees are welcome to attend. Retirees meet 12 noon Tuesday, Salem retirees meet at noon Wed- W. Klickitat Counties Executive Board meets 10 a.m. Oct. 2, at Kirkland Union Manor, nesday, Oct. 10, at Almost Home Central Labor Council Delegates meet 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1, at the Bay Labor Council Thursday, Oct. 11, in the Northwest Portland. Restaurant, 3310 Market St. NE. Area Labor Center, 3427 Ash, North Bend. Delegates meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, preceded Oregon Labor Council board room, at Portland area retirees meet 10 a.m. by an Executive Board meeting, at the ILWU Local 4 LASS ORKERS Hall, 1205 Ingalls St., Vancouver, Wash. 1125 SE Madison, Portland. G W 740 Thursday, Oct. 18, at 20210 SW United Association 290 Retirees meet 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. Teton Ave., Tualatin. Portland area members meet 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. CARPENTERS 16, at JJ North’s Grand Buffet, 10520 NOTE: Dave Stahly is now the 21, at 20210 SW Teton Ave., Tualatin. Columbia-Pacific Astoria area members meet 6 pm Thursday, Sept. 27, Retired Carpenters meet for lunch NE Halsey, Portland. president of the Tualatin retiree group, at the Astoria Labor Temple, 926 Duane St., Astoria. Building Trades 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 8, at JJ North’s taking over from Jim Walters. Bob Bend area members meet 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. Delegates meet 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 25 and Oct. 2, 25, at the Local 290 Training Center, 2161 SW First, in Kirkland Union Manor II, 3535 SE 86th, Portland. Grand Buffet, 10520 NE Halsey, Port- LINOLEUM APPLICATORS 1236 Murray is still the keeper of the min- Redmond. land. Retirees meet 11:30 a.m. Friday, utes. Meetings start at 10 a.m. on the Brookings area members meet 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, at Curry County Search and Rescue, 417 Rail- Electrical Workers 48 Oct. 12, at JJ North’s Grand Buffet, third Thursday of each month and will road St., Brookings. Marine Unit meets 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24. ELECTRICAL WORKERS 48 10520 NE Halsey, Portland. feature guest speakers on a variety of Coos Bay area members meet 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. Residential Unit meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10. 25, at the Coos Bay Training Center, 2nd & Kruse. General membership meets 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Retirees, wives and friends meet 11 topics. Our October presenter will be Eugene area members meet 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. Sept. 26, preceded by a 5:30 p.m. pre-meeting buffet. a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, at Russellville MACHINISTS Jan Margosian of the Consumer 24, at the Springfield Training Center, 2861 Pierce Park- Wasco Unit meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, at the way, Springfield. Wasco PUD, 2345 River Rd., The Dalles. Park Plaza, 20 SE 103rd Ave., Port- Retired Machinists meet 10:30 a.m. Complaint Division of the Attorney Klamath Falls area members meet 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Coast Unit meets 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, at As- land. Lunch will be served in the main Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 3645 SE 32nd Generals office discussing fraud and Sept. 25, at 4816 S. 6th St., Klamath Falls. toria Labor Temple, 926 Duane St., Astoria. Medford area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. EWMC meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, in the Ex- dining room for $6.50 each, including Ave., Portland. identity theft. In November we will 27, at 650A Industrial Cir., White City. ecutive Boardroom. gratuity. Tours are available following have representatives from our health Roseburg area members meet 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. Sound & Communication Unit meet 6:30 p.m. ORTHWEST REGON ABOR 27, at 742 SE Roberts, Roseburg. Wednesday, Oct. 10. lunch. For more information and N O L providers to answer questions about Salem area members meet 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, Electrical Women of Local 48 meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, reservations, please call Vera Larson RETIREES COUNCIL the health plan choices. at 1810 Hawthorne Ave. NE, Salem. Oct.16, at NIETC, 16021 NE Airport Way. (503) 252-2296. Business meeting from 10 a.m. to This is an opportunity for retirees to The Dalles area members meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. Executive Board meets 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct 3 25, at United Steelworkers Local 8170 Union Hall. and Oct 17. 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 8, at 1125 SE get together and stay in touch. All re- Humboldt-Del Norte Co. area members meet 5:30 Bylaws Committee meets 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. ELECTRICAL WORKERS 280 Madison # 100G, Portland. tirees and spouses are most welcome. p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the Eureka Training Center, 25, in the Executive Boardroom. 832 E St., Eureka, Calif. Meetings are at 15937 NE Airport Way, Portland, un- Retirees meet between 11:45 a.m. Active members that may have the less otherwise noted. and noon Monday, Oct. 8, at The Old OREGON AFSCME time are also invited. DEATH ASSESSMENTS: The following death as- USW 1097 sessments have been declared for Sept. and are payable Country Buffet on Lancaster in Retirees meet 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. Members meet 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, pre- at 50 cents each: No. 2150, Richard Skipper; and No. Salem, which is next to Michael’s 16, at the AFSCME office, 6025 E ceded by a 5:45 p.m. Executive Board meeting at the 2151, Vernon H. Barnes. Union Building, 91237 Old Mill Town Road, Westport.

PAGE 6 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS SEPTEMBER 21, 2007 Local Motion August 2007 Union activity in Oregon and Southwest Washington, according to the National Labor Relations Board and the Oregon Employment Relations Board Election results Results: Company Union No Date Union Location Union

Sunriver Police 8/7 Sunriver Police Officers Assn. Sunriver 80 Labor Day unity in Southern Oregon Kerry Sweet Ingredients Union members and their families in the Medford area enjoyed Labor Day at a free picnic at Tou Velle Park sponsored by the Southern Oregon 8/17 Bakers Union Tualatin 30 39 Central Labor Council. Nearly 200 attended. Among them were (photo Food Front Cooperative Grocery lower left) CWA member and activist Smoki Donaldson. (Above) UFCW Local 555 staffer Ken Spray (in yellow T-shirt) fires up the barbecue for 8/29 UFCW Local 555 Portland 820 lunch. With him are from left to right: Retiree Mary Ruth Wooding of SEIU Local 503, Detra Donaldson, (from a CWA family), and Ann Carlson and Alex Krach of the Oregon Nurses Association. Kids (above Representation petitions left) dig in to the feast. (Photos courtesy of Wes Bain) Company Location Union # of employees

Western Beverage Company (decertification) Medford Teamsters Local 962 55 Western Beverage Company (decertification) Eugene

Teamsters Local 206 AFL-CIO Community Services and United Way Partnership Ironwood Communications Vancouver International Association of Machinists 112 In communities across America, United Way and the AFL-CIO are changing the way. From quick Kaiser Health Plan (dental lab support specialists) Portland fixes to real lasting change. In one community, United Way and organized labor are working Oregon Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals, AFT 3 together to provide free tax preparation services for hard-working families, allowing them to Newport Fire and Rescue Newport begin to set aside savings and take the next Newport Fire Fighters 8 steps to long-term independence. That’s change. That’s United Way. That’s what matters. To learn Hanard Machine Salem more about the issues facing your community Carpenters Industrial Council 34 and how you can help, visit unitedway.org

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SEPTEMBER 21, 2007 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 7 VANCOUVER, Wash. — The 17th and awards to union leaders, locals and annual Labor Award Banquet will be political and community allies. Awards banquet held Friday, Sept. 28, at the Vancouver The cost of the dinner is $50 per per- slated Friday, Sept. Hilton Hotel, 301 West 6th Street. The son. A no-host bar opens at 6 p.m. with banquet is sponsored by the Labor dinner served at 7 p.m. 28 in Vancouver Roundtable of Southwest Washington For more information, call Philip and features guest speakers, door prizes Parker at 360-687-5611.

Ken Allen (center) executive director of AFSCME Oregon Council 75, appears at press conference supporting a bill to boost investment in health care and job training for war veterans. With him are Nathan Hepper (left), an Army veteran who served in Iraq, and Eugene Rosolie, president of Veterans in Action. Veterans and union urge Sen. Smith to back vets bill Oregon veterans and their support- Ken Allen, executive director of ers held a press conference in Portland American Federation of State, County last month to urge Oregon U.S. Sen. and Municipal Employees Oregon Gordon Smith to support a bill that Council 75, spoke at the press confer- would boost investment in health care ence. He was there representing the and job training for veterans. Emergency Campaign for America’s A study released in early August Priorities, a coalition of labor organiza- showed Army suicides at a 26-year tions and other human needs activists. high. That report prompted Oregon vet- “Whatever you think of the Iraq erans groups to call on Smith to vote for War, surely we can all agree that pro- the Labor, Health & Human Services, viding our veterans with the services Education appropriations bill, which they need when they return home ought funds critical suicide prevention pro- to be a priority,” Allen said. “And so we grams, as well as job training and respectfully disagree with the president homelessness prevention services. on this issue — and we hope Sen. Among other highlights, the bill in- Smith will, too.” cludes $3.4 billion for the Substance Allen said AFSCME represents Abuse and Mental Health Services Ad- mental health workers throughout Ore- ministration, $228 million for veterans’ gon, and he hears from members “the employment and training programs, need that exists for these brave veter- $23.6 million for the Homeless Veter- ans. “War is hell. And it’s difficult for ans Program and $10 million ear- any of us to imagine what veterans see marked toward traumatic brain injuries. and go through while they are overseas. Swanson, Thomas & Coon President Bush has threatened to “The problem is,” Allen continued, veto the bill. “it follows them when they return ATTORNEYS AT LAW “We left our families, friends and home. Too many service members are Since 1981 careers to serve our country — and afflicted with post-traumatic stress dis- we’d gladly do it again,” said Nathan order or traumatic brain injuries — and James Coon Ray Thomas Kimberly Tucker Hepper, an Army vet who returned they don’t even know it. We must not from Iraq in 2005 after serving as a let our vets suffer in silence when they Jacqueline Jacobson Margaret Weddell Cynthia F. Newton squad leader in Operation Iraqi Free- return home. Some in Congress oppose dom. “All we ask is that Sen. Smith re- this bill, saying it costs too much. But spect our sacrifice by investing in job we’re spending billions on the war in training, health services and other Iraq, so we must disagree when the needs we face when we return home president and others say we can’t afford Tip of the week: No lawyer should charge you a fee up front from war. We need Sen. Smith to stand to take care of our veterans when they in a social security case. Attorney fees must be approved by at our side and oppose President Bush’s return home.” the government, normally only if you win your case. threatened veto.”

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PAGE 8 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS SEPTEMBER 21, 2007 Proposed by Portland City Council Labor Council opposes tax-funded day labor center The Northwest Oregon Labor the day workers,” emphasized Judy John Mohlis, executive secretary- tively looking at available sites in the ness representative of Painters District Council took action Aug. 27 opposing O’Connor, executive secretary-treas- treasurer of the Columbia-Pacific city that are currently up for lease or Council 5, who attended a meeting on a proposed day labor center that is be- urer of the Labor Council. Building Trades Council, said having a purchase, and possibly space that Sept. 5. “We can at least keep an eye ing subsidized by the City of Portland. John Endicott, business manager of day labor facility likely would do noth- would be donated. on what’s happening.” The action came at the request of Local 290, said a city-financed day la- ing to alleviate the real problem, which The mayor and City Council main- The last general meeting of stake- Plumbers and Fitters Local 290 and bor facility provides encouragement is employers exploiting workers for tain that a day worker hiring site will holders was Sept. 19, after this issue of has backing from the Columbia-Pa- for day laborers. cheap labor. “If the city wants to do offer a number of solutions to those af- the NW Labor Press went to press. cific Building and Construction Trades “Currently, there is an incredibly something, maybe it should look at the fected: Council. well-honed system in place to coordi- people hiring day laborers,” he said. • Small businesses benefit from no The labor organizations sent letters nate workers, provide them with job Union officials also are miffed at longer having workers congregate on Firefighters use to Mayor Tom Potter stating their dis- opportunities, negotiate health care, their exclusion from a committee com- streets or impede business traffic. pleasure. and ensure a family wage. It’s called prised of self-identified stakeholders • Law enforcement officials believe new card-check “It’s the facility we’re opposing, not organized labor,” Endicott said. such as day laborers, Hispanic organi- a monitored day worker site separates zations, businesses, churches and criminals who prey on day workers law to secure union neighborhood groups. from those who are earnestly seeking NEWPORT — In August, a group “It was an oversight not to reach out work. of eight employees at Newport Fire & to labor,” said Kevin Easton of the • A safe and sanitary day worker Rescue became the first in Oregon to Washington BCTC mayor’s office. site will ease traffic congestion in the make use of a new state law that re- Potter and the City Council set areas where workers congregate. quires public employers to recognize a aside a $200,000 grant as part of the • The wages paid to day workers di- union based on “card check.” supports single-payer Safe Access For Everyone (SAFE) minish their need to tap social services Once the Oregon Employment Re- public safety initiative. The money will networks. lations Board determines the appropri- be used as “seed money” to help find Currently, day laborers search for ate definition of the bargaining unit, a health care legislation and secure a location for a day labor work on street corners along SE 6th new union, the Newport Professional The Washington State Building ing trades council to endorse HR 676. center and to contract with a non-profit Avenue near East Burnside and SE Fire Fighters Association, will be rec- and Construction Trades Council en- Previously, state councils in Maine organization to operate it. Easton said Ankeny Street. Employers and home- ognized. The group would be an affili- dorsed a bill in Congress that would and Texas endorsed the legislation. the city hopes the creation of a hiring owners looking for workers drive ate of the International Association of create a single-payer health care sys- HR 676 would institute a single- center will spur more investment from through and pick up whomever they Fire Fighters and its Oregon affiliate, tem in the United States. payer health care system in the U.S. the private and public sectors. need. The city, Easton said, estimates the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council. House Resolution 676, introduced by expanding a greatly improved Potter has hired a consultant for the day worker population to be 80 to The new law, passed by the Oregon by U.S. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Medicare system to every resident. $20,000 to act as project manager. A 120 people, depending on the season, Legislature earlier this year, makes it has 77 co-sponsors in Congress and HR 676 would cover every person request for proposal to operate the cen- Since the upheaval, the mayor’s of- easier for public employees to union- has been endorsed by 312 union or- in the U.S. for all necessary medical ter will be release Oct. 9. Proposals are fice has reached out to union officials ize; when a majority of workers in a ganizations in 44 states, including 22 care, including prescription drugs, due back Oct. 26. The goal is to have a and several meetings have been held given workplace sign that they want to state labor federations (including the hospital, surgical, outpatient services, new day labor center operational by with other stakeholders to try to reach belong to a union, that union gets auto- Washington State Labor Council) and primary and preventive care, emer- January 2008. some common ground. matic recognition. The national labor 86 central labor councils. gency services, dental, mental health, A location has yet to be secured, “At least we have a seat at the movement has been pushing Congress Delegates representing 81 con- home health, physical therapy, reha- but Easton said the committee is ac- table,” said John Kirkpatrick, a busi- to pass a similar law to cover private- struction union locals passed a resolu- bilitation, vision care, chiropractic and tion at the 51st annual convention of long-term care. the Washington Building Trades Passage of HR 676 would end de- Council stating that HR 676 is “…the ductibles and co-payments and, ac- best means to provide national health cording to Conyers, would save bil- care for all by expanding and improv- lions of dollars annually by ing the current Medicare system.” eliminating the high overhead and The Washington State Building profits of the private health insurance Trades Council is the third state build- industry and HMOs.

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SEPTEMBER 21, 2007 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 9 BARGAIN COUNTER Oregon AFL-CIO endorses two FREE Free ads to subscribers • 15 words or less ballot referrals: Measures 49, 50 • Include address label from front DEADLINE: Friday prior to publication page and telephone number SALEM — The Oregon AFL-CIO landowners to transfer the building many other groups. It’s opposed by Published 1st and 3rd Fridays • Sorry, we cannot accept ads over is getting behind a land-use reform rights to new owners and surviving the authors of Measure 37 and many the telephone Send to: proposal and a cigarette tax increase to spouses. timber companies. • No commercial or business ads fund health care — two ballot meas- “Oregonians were sold a bill of Ballot Measure 50 would raise the NW Labor Press, PO Box 13150, • 1 ad per issue ures that will go before voters in No- goods when they voted for Measure state cigarette tax 84.5 cents a pack, to Portland, OR 97213 • Type or print legibly vember. Both are referrals from the 37,” said Oregon AFL-CIO President equal Washington’s tax, and use the Oregon Legislature. Tom Chamberlain. “They thought this proceeds to pay for health care for all Classified ads MUST include area code on all phone numbers or they will This year’s Ballot Measure 49 was about houses individuals could uninsured children and 10,000 low-in- not be published would modify 2004’s Ballot Measure build on their own land. They didn’t come adults, and tobacco use preven- 37 — a property rights measure that think this was about subdivisions.” tion campaigns. voters approved by a three to two mar- After voters approved Measure 37, “We have almost 600,000 Oregoni- gin. Measure 37 said governments many timber companies filed claims ans without health care,” explains Automotive Sporting Goods would have to pay land owners when- seeking to put housing subdivisions Chamberlain, “and 117,000 of them ’86 HONDA, runs excellent, front end damage, INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH bench press bench; ever new land use restrictions reduce on forest land. are kids. You have to ask the question, $300 OBO. 503 786-7742 heavy duty exercise bar and collars; two 60 lb COBRA CB 140 GTL, 40 channel, AM/S.S.B. plates, smaller plates. 503 656-6679 (Harold) property value — or else not enforce “Measure 37 destroys what makes ‘Who pays for their health care now?’ matched w/150 watt amp, $175. 503 658-6108 1947 GIRLS COLSON balloon bicycle w/tank, the new rules on the old owners. Oregon unique,” Chamberlain said. Those of us who have health insur- ’94 JEF GRAND Cherokee Limited, 50k, 1 light, and rear rack, good original condition, $250. Measure 49 limits those special “If big timber is allowed to make ance pay for it, indirectly.” owner, ex cond, plastic side rails, Ford Ranger, 503 363-4994 new, make offer. 503 652-8590 WINCHESTER MODEL 1300 Ranger 12 gauge, rights to property owned by individu- more money from developing the land Hospitals shift some of the cost of ’91 S-10 REBUILDABLE engine, short block, 4.3, excellent cond, $350; Ruger 10-22 w/3x9 scope, als, not corporations, and it reinstates than making wood products, that’s treating the uninsured to insurance V6, $50. 503 630-4177 $150. 503 665-6737 local zoning restrictions and state land gonna cost us jobs.” companies, Chamberlain said, and tax- ‘02 FORD F-150 XLT super crew, 5.4 ltr., all HARLEY DAVIDSON, Night Train, FXSTB, use rules against putting large residen- Besides the Oregon AFL-CIO, payers foot the bill when emergency power, running boards, bed shelf & liner, 79k mi, “2000”, black, 9700 miles, original owner, $15,500 obo. 503-708-6909 garaged, mint cond., $13,995. 503 666-2629 tial developments on farm or forest Measure 49 has the backing of the responders are called to deal with pre- 1 MODEL 12 WINCHESTER shotguns, 1-3”, 1-2 land. Under Measure 49, individuals state’s three largest public employee ventable medical emergencies from _ “, sell or trade. 503 570-8795 could build up to three homes on their unions — the American Federation of untreated conditions of the uninsured. Housing GOLF CLUBS, LH Top Flite, SW-2 iron, with 7- property if they were allowed to do State, County and Municipal Employ- The Oregon AFL-CIO fought hard ROCKAWAY BEACH house, 3 bed, 2 bath, metal and putter, $50. 503-669-5324 that when they bought it, or up to 10 ees, , the Oregon Education Associa- to pass the kids health program this sleeps 9, great amenities, minutes to beach. 503 355-2136 or 503 709-6018 homes if the new rules caused sub- tion, and Service Employees Interna- year in the Legislature. 280 ACRES CENTRAL Oregon, small cabin, wa- Miscellaneous stantial loss of property value. tional Union Local 503, plus the Now it’s gearing up its political ter well, secluded, 30% down, terms, $280,000. UTILITY TRAILER, super HD, single axle, 8 lug, Measure 49 also expands the Mea- Oregon State Fire Fighters Council, network to campaign for the passage 541 468-2961 (Spray, OR) elec brakes, steel ped, 3 ton rated, $1,150. 503 PINE HOLLOW reservoir, home w/garage, 3 829-9374 sure 37 property rights, allowing and state and local Farm Bureaus and of both measures. bed, 1800 sq ft, very nice, lake view, $377,000. QUADRA FIRE wood heater, model Quadra-Fire 360 910-3990 3100, used 1 year, make offer. 503 244-1672 3 STORY BEACH home in Oceanside, Oregon, UTILITY TRAILER, 5x9x2, tilt, 15” wheels, spare, 4 bed, 3 bath. 503 349-7919 or 503 256-1521 jack, bearing buddies, like new, $795. 503 775- http://beachhouseatoceanside.com/ 0379 BI-METAL BAND SAW blades, new, 10’ 10.5 inch ® THE UNION PLUS MORTGAGE PROGRAM x 1 inch, paid $430 for 10, will sell for $20 each. Provided Exclusively by Chase Home Finance Wanted 503 254-1087 OLD WOODWORKING tools, planes, levels, FIRE WOOD, u-haul, maple, cut, split and dry, chisels, folding rulers, handsaws, slicks, adzes, $135 per cord. 503 760-4447 leather tools, chests. 503 659-0009 STOVE PADS , made of aggregate rock, 45”x48” JUNK CARS, removal of unwanted cars and and 48”x48”, you haul, $120 for both. 503 254- pickups. 503 314-8600 3587 CASH PAID for any older toys, older oil paintings, any older costume jewelry. 503 653-1506 CASH PAID for motorcycles, running or not, also guitars, keyboards. 503 880-8183 CROSS CUT log saws, slicks, double bit axes, blacksmith hammers, planes, woodworking hand tools. 503 819-3736 U.S., GERMAN, Japanese military items, hel- mets, fighting knives, swords, daggers, etc. 503 852-6791 When it comes to mortgages, we’re For the Home taking a stand for Union members. BEAUTIFUL BOUND dusty rose carpet, 14’2” x 10’6”, $75; loveseat – cabin style, $35. 503 653- Chase is backing union members with the Union Plus® Mortgage Program — a home 0727 purchase and refinancing program exclusively for union members, their parents and children. KENMORE LAUNDRY center, model 417 w/220v dryer on top, good shape, $250. 503 761- • FREE Mortgage Assistance Benefit 1133 If you are unemployed or disabled. DINETTE SET w/4 chairs and 1 leaf, top 36”, • A wide variety of mortgages brown, metal legs, good cond, $35. 503 253- Choose from fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, and low- or no-closing costs options. 3330 • Special Lending First-time homebuyer and less-than-perfect credit programs. • Savings on closing costs Member-only savings on new purchases and refinance. Zachary It all adds up to more home-buying power. Contact your local Union Plus® Mortgage Specialist Zabinsky 866-729-6016866-729-6016 Ext. 3016 • Social Security • SSI - Disability Claims Personal Attention To Every Case Working For Disability Rights Since 1983 NO FEE WITHOUT RECOVERY 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 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 621 SW Morrison, Portland 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 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. ©2005 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All Rights Reserved. P-UP 104 2A-7604 10/05 223-8517

PAGE 10 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS SEPTEMBER 21, 2007 Let me say this about that ...Disabled worker programs act as a wedge for privatization ...Matt Meehan (From Page 3) isn’t able to compete for any state con- QRF defenders, so why try to fix it? (From Page 2) probably not disabled, at least within tracts because he’s pre-empted by a Several state employees in the Depart- cently, the ILWU modernized its name to the gender-neutral International Long- the meaning of the law. Many had QRF competitor that gets no-bid con- ment of Administrative Services pro- shore and Warehouse Union. been working at private-sector jobs tracts. vide effective oversight of the QRF IN 1944 with World War II raging, Meehan shipped out on a Merchant Ma- when they were hired by PHC — jobs But Eggers says what burns him up program. The disabled have few rine freighter as a member of the Marine Cooks and Stewards Union so he could they’d gotten in a competitive labor more than the lost business is his con- enough options as it is. get to the Hawaiian Islands in wartime. After he got there, Meehan laid the market without any accommodation viction that a law intended to help the Witt was able to get a watered groundwork for the ILWU to successfully organize workers in the Hawaiian under the Americans with Disabilities truly disabled is being abused. Egger down version of his commission bill dock, sugar and pineapple industries. Act. Several had been laid off because said his competitors have disabled passed out of his own committee. But MEEHAN RESIGNED as the ILWU’s secretary-treasurer in 1948 and be- of factory closure and had “depres- workers operating $60,000 inserter that was the end of it. It went to the came a Portland-based international representative for the union. One of his of- sion” listed as their disability. Ten had machines and $700,000 mail sorting Joint Ways and Means Committee, fice secretaries in Portland was Julia Ruuttila, an activist in labor and leftist been hired by PHC initially as non- machines. and there it died without a hearing. causes who covered Oregon for the ILWU’s Dispatcher newspaper. Meehan re- disabled, and were later reclassified as “At what point do you classify “I put my heart and soul into this tired from the union in 1957 to become arbitrator of disputes between the ILWU disabled. someone as not being able to compete issue,” says Gest, who won’t be re- and the Pacific Maritime Association. He retired from that job in 1963 but con- In the Portland Public Schools when they’re on a riding lawnmower turning next session as an OSEA lob- tinued to serve as a relief arbitrator until 1971. case, it wasn’t that PHC had hundreds riding around school grounds?” Egger byist. “It was almost like a fight with Meehan died on Feb. 24, 1977 at the age of 80. He was living alone in a log of disabled clients that it needed to asks. corporate America, but they’re non- cabin home in the community of Wemme near Mount Hood. His wife Juanita find a contract for. Rather, PHC had a At the Eugene airport, a QRF got a profits.” had lived there with him until her death in 1973. Meehan’s well-attended fu- contract that it needed to find hun- contract to provide security, displacing The class-action lawsuit against neral was held on Feb. 28 at St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral in Northwest Port- dreds of disabled clients for. The PPS a security firm that employed former PHC was dismissed by Multnomah land. More than 40 active and retired union members served as pallbearers and contract increased PHC employment police officers. County Circuit Court Judge Edward honorary pallbearers. He was buried at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. by over 300, to 1,100. At Powder River Correctional Fa- Jones in April 2005 before a jury got MOURNERS at Meehan’s funeral included Harry Bridges, who was in his “Were you in special education cility, a QRF used inmates with sub- to hear it. Jones sided with PHC, final months as union president. Bridges told the crowd: “Matt and I went when you went to school?” PHC re- stance abuse problems to refill printer which had argued that “the union — through a lot together in the early days. We were two union organizers, two cruitment materials asked potential ink cartridges for state agencies, re- not PHC — was the sole cause of working stiffs. Neither of us had much education. We never had any disagree- hires. “Do you experience long-term sulting in job loss for a small plaintiffs’ lost jobs.” Whether or not ments on what we were fighting to advance, the interests of the class to which we depression, have an anxiety disorder, nonunion business in Baker City. PHC knowingly misrepresented itself belonged; but sometimes we had disagreements on the best way to do it.” or take a prescription drug to help you Botkin, Gest, and Egger found in its bid to Portland Public Schools Recalling that there were many critics in business circles when Meehan went cope with life’s struggles?” “With their champion in Witt, the Clatskanie didn’t matter, Jones ruled. Before the to organize workers in Hawaii, Bridges added, “It’s hard to find one today who documentation you may be eligible House rep. Witt, former secretary- custodians were fired by the district, will not admit that the movement which we represent has been of great benefit for PHC’s employment and training.” treasurer of the Oregon AFL-CIO, in- their union (a different local of SEIU to all people in Hawaii, the same as is true of the rest of the nation.” Mary Botkin, longtime lobbyist for troduced two bills meant to rein in than the one representing PHC em- AT THE Multnomah County Labor Council meeting in the Portland Labor American Federation of State, County QRFs. One would tighten up the defi- ployees) had a chance to match PHC’s Center on the night of Feb. 28, 1977, delegates stood for a moment of silence in and Municipal Employees Oregon nition of disabled. The other would bid by agreeing to a $5 million com- memory of Meehan. Council 75, doesn’t think that’s what create an independent board to over- pensation cut. Union leaders thought Matt Meehan’s name is herewith placed on the Labor Honor Roll, which was state lawmakers had in mind when see the QRF industry. As many as 45 the district would compromise. “That started by the NW Labor Press to posthumously salute unionists of years past for they passed the Products of Disabled non-profits are officially recognized as error in judgment cost the plaintiffs their contributions to the labor movement. The Labor Hall of Fame gives recog- Individuals Law. QRFs. their jobs,” Jones wrote. nition to retired union members while they are still living. It is sponsored by the “I am sympathetic to legitimate “When you have $50 million worth Williamson and his clients ap- NW Oregon Labor Retirees Council. programs that provide work for long- of non-compete contracts that are pealed the dismissal to the Oregon term disabled individuals who need awarding the public’s money,” Witt Court of Appeals, which heard the assistance. I think the definition of said, “it begs for both sunshine and case last October, but hasn’t decided what is considered a disability needs public accountability.” yet whether the case can go forward. to be revisited,” Botkin said. At an April 6 hearing on the bills, Meanwhile, in a separate lawsuit, Earlier this year, Botkin joined Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom the Oregon Supreme Court ruled in forces with her longtime colleague Chamberlain said the state labor fed- October 2005 that it was illegal for Mari Anne Gest, a contract lobbyist eration supports the intent of the law. Portland Public Schools to fire the working for the Oregon School Em- “But as the law is being carried out custodians. The district offered them ployees Association, which has a his- now, family-wage jobs are often lost recall, and about 140 accepted. That tory of opposing efforts to outsource to individuals recruited by QRFs who meant the district had to hire 175 more public worker jobs. are paid a lower wage with less bene- using its normal civil service proce- In 2004, PHC’s experience at Port- fits, and who are able to compete in dures. In making the hires, the district land Public Schools earned it “runner- the workplace,” Chamberlain said. considered employment history, an in- up” status in “Outsourcing Journal’s” QRFs also has defenders, Witt dis- person interview, a physical exam annual Outsourcing Excellence covered. Former state representative showing ability to do the job, and a Awards. Gary Hansen, now a lobbyist for graded exam testing reading and “We’re seeing the writing on the PHC, testified against the bills. math. Three-fourths of the 175 custo- wall,” Gest said. “They’re putting [Hansen is a member of Plumbers and dians the district hired through that union workers and family-waged jobs Fitters Local 290 with longtime ties to competitive process had already been out of business,” Gest said, “and labor.] Also testifying were freshman been cleaning the schools — as em- they’re certainly not paying family- State Rep. Sara Gelser, the mother of ployees of PHC. wage jobs to the disabled.” a disabled child, and Service Employ- MATT MEEHAN Botkin and Gest found an unlikely ees (SEIU) Local 49 political director ally in the National Federation of In- Felisa Hagin. Local 49 represents PHC workers, and union officials ### dependent Business, a conservative OFFICE SPACE FEDERAL LEGISLATION to provide a $1,000 monthly pension to U.S. small-business group that is normally there describe PHC as a good union Merchant Marine veterans of World War II passed by a wide margin in the U.S. on the opposite side of organized la- employer, paying wages above the SUBLET perfect for small campaign: 550 sqft House of Representatives. The progress report on House Resolution 23 came bor. area janitorial agreement. [About 35 (20 X 27.5) office space with wet bar and sep- from Christ Vokos, president of the Columbia-Willamette League of U.S. Mer- NFIB’s one-time state board mem- PHC groundskeepers are also union, arate entrance is available for sublet between members of Laborers Local 483.] chant Marine Veterans of World War II, and William Fast, a League member. ber Jerry Egger has made reforming now and December 2008. There are two off- The Oregon Rehabilitation Associ- Vokos is a retired secretary-treasurer of Portland Bakers Local 364, and Fast is the QRF program a long-time per- street parking spaces. We can provide a desk or sonal crusade. Egger, who owns the ation, the QRF industry group, a retired port agent for the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association and a former two if needed. It’s centrally located in SE president of the Multnomah County Labor Council. The legislation now awaits Salem mailing services company brought 150 disabled workers to tes- action by the U.S. Senate of Senate Bill 961, which is the number of the bill in Mid-Valley Presort, says his company tify and rally outside the Capitol. Portland. Call Madelyn at 503-238-6666. the upper chamber. There’s nothing broken, argued

SEPTEMBER 21, 2007 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 11 A new group formed for union Donations members who like to hunt and fish needed for A new group for union members member or retiree in good standing, or Nov. 10 Labor who hunt and fish is offering discounts their family member, can join. on magazines and outdoor gear — and So far, national unions to formally Arts Festival inviting members to bring the power of affiliate include International Brother- It’s crunch time for the upcoming the union idea to conservation efforts. hood of Electrical Workers; the Ma- Pacific Northwest Labor Arts Festival, The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance chinists; Plumbers and Fitters; Interna- to be held at Portland State University (USA) kicked off in January as a project tional Association of Fire Fighters; from 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10. of the Theodore Roosevelt Conserva- Sheet Metal Workers; Iron Workers; For several months now, Jim Cook, tion Partnership (TRCP), a group that Bakers Union; the International Union organizer of the inaugural event, has advocates to protect fish and wildlife of Painters and Allied Trades; Trans- been busy raising money and reserving habitat and preserve public access to portation Communications Interna- venues for the show. November is La- outdoor recreation. USA, based in tional Union; Bricklayers and Allied bor History Month in Oregon, and in Nashville, Tennessee, is open to AFL- Craftworkers; Boilermakers; Operative recognition, the Northwest Oregon La- CIO-affiliated union members and their Plasterers and Cement Masons Interna- bor Council’s Labor History Committee has always held a special event. families, and so far has the backing of tional Association; Elevator Construc- says in offering the discounts, the group This year, Cook came up with the idea of a labor arts festival. The labor 20 national labor unions, plus the AFL- tors; Roofers and Asbestos Workers. looks first for union-made, then for council signed off as a co-sponsor and Cook, a member of Letter Carriers CIO Building and Construction Trades Tom Buffenbarger, president of the U.S.-made, where possible. Products in- Branch 82, has been working diligently to put put it together. Department. International Association of Machinists, clude union-made Corwin Knives and Cook set a budget goal of $15,000. To date, he has raised $5,000. Members join via the group’s web and Ed Sullivan, president of the Build- U.S.-made fishing rods from several All of the planning and committee work is being done by volunteers. Fi- site, www.unionsportsmen.org or by ing and Construction Trades Depart- makers.With a $40 charter membership, nances are needed to rent the venues, for printing costs, to pay performers and calling 1-877-USA-2211 toll-free. ment, are members of the TRCP board. members also get a USA hat and DVD. more. Anne Feeney, who is considered one of the best labor singer/songwrit- Membership is $25 a year, and comes Though it advocates for conserva- Also on the Web site — help plan- ers in America, will be a featured performer. Rebel Voices of Washington State with a subscription to the club maga- tion, USA doesn’t get involved in polit- ning hunting and fishing trips, a mem- also is scheduled to appear. zine, a decal, a $25 Beretta gift certifi- ical campaigns. And its parent organi- ber forum to share hunting tips, a place In addition to music, the festival will showcase art exhibits, films, poets, cate, and a year’s subscription to Guns zation, TRCP, is strictly non-partisan. to post pictures from hunting trips, and a and panel discussions. If you are an artist and would like to participate, con- & Ammo, In-Fisherman, or Petersen’s Recent campaigns include efforts to members-only Trading Post to buy and tact Cook at 503-703-1693 Hunting magazine. Members also get support reauthorization of a federal fish- sell outdoor gear and equipment. To make a donation, call Cook or the Northwest Oregon Labor Council at access to the members-only portion of eries conservation law, and opposing oil A survey of USA’s 20 union affili- 503-235-9444. Or, send your donation, made payable to Northwest Oregon the Web site, which contains deals and and gas exploration leases in Wyoming ates found that 70 percent of their mem- Labor Council, to NOLC, 1125 SE Madison, Suite 100D, Portland, OR discounts on hunting and fishing gear. and Colorado that would have threat- bers hunt and fish. 97214. USA spokesperson Kate Cywinski Any AFL-CIO-affiliated union ened prime mule deer habitat.

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PAGE 12 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS SEPTEMBER 21, 2007