Inside: See Meeting Notices Page 4

Volume 115 Number 1 January 3, 2014 Portland, Oregon

22001133:: LLAABBOORR IINN RREEVVIIEEWW As reported in the pages of the Northwest Labor Press, 2013 was a year of legislative gains for organized labor, mostly — and a year that saw greater labor unity and a spirit of fight - back among working people. But there were also a number of tough contract fights, and some defeats.

PORTLAND CITY HALL It’s hard to overstate the importance of the new sick leave ordinance passed unanimously by Portland City Council in March. About a quarter of a million workers, nearly all non-union, gained an important human right in the work - place as of Jan. 1, 2014. That’s almost as many workers as all the union mem - bers in Oregon. The measure was spon - sored by City Commissioner Amanda Sick pay advocate Andrea Paluso of Family Forward Oregon, pictured above Fritz after a campaign by Family For - with her children outside Portland City Hall, put together a union-community ward Oregon, Causa, United Food and coalition that won an ordinance extending earned sick days to a quarter of a Commercial Workers Local 555, the million Portland workers who didn’t have it. Oregon Working Families Party, and Working America, among other groups. employee retirement benefits, and gave buster their confirmation votes. Reid away over $500 million in new tax held a vote on a change to Senate rules, OREGON CAPITOL breaks to business owners. and a majority of senators voted to The Oregon Legislature banned the eliminate the filibuster on presidential expenditure of public funds to keep em - CONGRESS nominations (except for U.S. Supreme ployees from unionizing; gave workers A patient campaign by U.S. Senator Court nominations). The result is a the right to take up to two weeks unpaid Je ff Merkley (D-Ore.) to reform the fil - fully functioning National Labor Rela - bereavement leave; and expanded the ibuster bore fruit in 2013. Senate Ma - tions Board for the first time since jority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) at Obama was elected — and a new La - City of Portland employees prevailing wage law to cover public silica dust, and a federal regulation ex - length concluded that too few presi - bor Secretary who has already moved represented by the multi-union projects constructed with donor money. tending minimum wage and overtime dential nominees would ever get a vote several long-overdue regulations: an coalition known as DCTU rallied But lawmakers also trimmed public to home care workers. if minority GOP senators could fili - OSHA rule protecting workers from outside City Hall Aug. 14 to demand a “fair contract now” — with a fair cost of living increase and no concessions on job security. But at Oregon AFL-CIO takes more political action for ‘14 year’s end, they still didn’t have it. At a Dec. 18 meeting of its Executive Board and applying for services that require citizenship or legal independent from the Oregon AFL-CIO. political committee, the Oregon AFL-CIO made three residency. The Oregon AFL-CIO E-Board swore in two new political endorsements: Brad Avakian for re-election Oregon Legislative and Communications Director members: Jim Falvey and Lisa Gourley. NEWLY UNIONIZED WORKERS as Oregon labor commissioner, Oregon Nurses Asso - Elana Guiney said it’s not just foreign-born residents Falvey, president of Portland-based National Asso - In March, a group of 781 graduate ciation staff representative Rob Nosse for state repre - who have trouble getting a regular driver’s license: ciation of Letter Carriers Branch 82, replaced Kevin research assistants at Oregon State Uni - sentative in House District 42, and a “yes” vote on a some senior citizens, and homeless and indigent indi - Card after Card took a job with the national union in versity in Corvallis voted by a 9-1 mar - “driver’s card” referendum that will appear on the No - viduals who don’t have an address or place to store Washington, D.C. Gourley, a board member of Ore - gin to join an existing unit of teaching vember 2014 ballot. The state labor federation en - records, also have had difficulty. gon School Employees Association and president of assistants represented by American dorsed U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley’s re-election at its bien - A “yes” vote on the referendum is a vote to uphold the Linn-Benton-Lincoln Central Labor Council, re - Federation of Teachers (AFT)-Oregon, nial convention last September. the law as passed by the Legislature. places Stacey Chamberlain of AFSCME Council 75. and 287 workers at Mount Hood Com - Republican state Reps. Kim Thatcher and Sal Es - In other business, the Oregon AFL-CIO Executive The Board also dealt with leftover business from munity College Head Start joined Ore - quivel oppose a law passed in the 2013 legislative ses - Board authorized the establishment of a yet-to-be- the September convention. With amendments, the gon School Employees Association via sion that requires Oregon to issue resident driver’s named non-profit, a type of organization known un - Board passed Resolution 12, which puts the state labor signed authorization cards. Workers at cards without requiring that applicants prove legal der the federal tax code as a 501(c)3. Other state labor federation on record supporting a requirement that po - KBOO-FM radio in Portland unionized presence in the United States. So they led a signature federations have set up such groups, which conduct litical campaigns disclose their donors. And the Board — and negotiated a first contract with gathering effort to refer the law to voters. The driver’s policy research, public education and issue advocacy, voted to table Resolution 13, which called on the Ore - Communications Workers of America card, which requires passing a drivers test to obtain, but aren’t allowed to get involved in politics. Those gon AFL-CIO to organize a large public rally in de - (CWA) Local 7901. And Union Cab — allows holders to drive legally in Oregon for three roles could supplement the Oregon AFL-CIO’s other fense of Social Security and Medicare. Instead, the a newly-approved Portland cab cooper - years. Unlike the driver’s license, which is good for work, and unlike labor organizations, 501(c)3s are al - state labor federation will coordinate with the national ative affiliated with Local 7901 opened five years, the driver’s card is not accepted by federal lowed to accept foundation grants and tax-deductible AFL-CIO, which is planning a campaign on the issue for business in April. In June, however, or state governments as a form of identification when contributions. The group would have a board that is later this year. (Turn to Page 7) Labor liaison Smith Warner Machinists to vote on second Boeing offer Members of Machinists District 751 wage increases of only 1 percent every ously proposed). headed to state Legislature in Puget Sound and District W24 in other year, in return for what District Machinists are currently working Portland employed at Boeing Co. have 751 says are vague promises of mak - under a contract that doesn’t expire un - Barbara Smith Warner, la - Smith Warner was well been ordered by their international ing Washington the home for the new til September 2016. That agreement bor liaison to U.S. Sen. Ron known in labor circles prior union to vote on a second contract pro - 777X jet. has been in place since 2008. Wyden (D-Ore.), has been ap - to joining Sen. Wyden’s staff posal the company made Dec. 12. “The only guarantees this contract In a letter to all Boeing Machinists, pointed the new Democratic in March 2009. She worked Boeing has threatened to move pro - makes are that future Machinists won’t International President Tom Buffen - state representative for Oregon for the national AFL-CIO as duction of the new 777X to another have a defined benefit pension, current barger said Jan. 3 will be the “final House District 45. a state legislative issues co - state if workers don’t agree to the deal. Machinists will pay more for health vote” on a contract. He said the union The Multnomah County ordinator and as a campaign The vote was scheduled for Jan. 3, care, and everyone will have sharp lim - “must take the threat seriously” that Board of Commissioners on director against several anti- just a day after Boeing’s assembly its on their future earnings,” said Dis - Boeing will leave Washington (if the Dec. 19 chose Smith Warner, union ballot measures spon - workers returned from their annual trict 751 President Tom Wroblewski. contract is rejected). He wrote that 46, to replace Michael Dem - sored by Bill Sizemore. BARBARA SMITH two-week holiday break (and after this Boeing sweetened its cash offer, given the fact several states have ten - brow. In November, those From 1993 to 1996 she was WARNER issue of the Labor Press went to press). adding a $5,000 lump sum bonus in dered serious offers and incentive pack - same county commissioners the Western Regional field Machinists District 751 is “emphat - January 2020 to a $10,000 ratification ages to the company, “the timeline for appointed Dembrow to the state Senate coordinator for the National Association ically recommending that members re - bonus that was offered in the first pro - the Puget Sound area is expiring.” to fill the unexpired term of Jackie of Letter Carriers. ject the offer,” as it is largely un - posal. The company also withdrew its Prior to the union vote on Nov. 13, Dingfelder in District 23. Dingfelder re - Smith Warner was campaign direc - changed from one that members turned earlier demand to slow the wage pro - the Washington Legislature in a special signed mid-term to join the staff of Port - tor for former labor commissioner Dan down by a 2-to-1 margin on Nov. 13. gression for new hires. The offer reverts session granted Boeing a $8.7 billion land Mayor Charlie Hales. Gardner, a member of IBEW Local 48. Boeing is demanding an eight-year to the status quo, which is that new tax incentive package through 2024. It Dembrow is a longtime union ac - She also has worked as campaign di - contract with drastic concessions in re- hires can reach the top of the pay scale is the largest state tax subsidy for a pri - tivist and former president of the Amer - rector for Forward Oregon and Future tirement and health care benefits, and in six years (and not 16 years as previ - vate corporation in U.S. history. ican Federation of Teachers-Oregon, PAC, and on the re-election campaigns Portland Community College Faculty of Wyden, Gov. Ted Kulongoski, and Federation Local 2277. He was first U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer. Part of SeaTac’s $15 minimum wage measure struck elected to the House in 2008. Commissioners chose Smith Warner SEATAC, Wash. — In a Dec. 27 rul - including paid sick days and the right Alaska Airlines to keep the measure off unanimously to represent District 45, ing, a judge struck down SeaTac’s for employees of contractors to keep the ballot, but that decision was over - which includes parts of Northeast Port - voter-passed $15-an-hour minimum their jobs when the contract changes ruled by the Washington Court of Ap - land, the city of Maywood Park, and the wage for airport workers, but upheld it hands. peals. Parkrose area. She was one of three for hotel and transportation workers The Yes for SeaTac campaign — the This time, Darvas rejected most of nominees submitted by the Democratic outside the airport. coalition of unions, community groups, the grab bag of arguments made by the Party of Oregon. The other contenders King County Superior Court Judge and churches that crafted the initiative initiative’s opponents — that it violates were Thomas Sincic and James Woods. Andrea Darvas ruled that under state — said it would file an expedited ap - the rule that initiatives must encompass Smith Warner stressed to commis - law, the Port of Seattle has exclusive ju - peal to the Washington Supreme Court. only one subject, that it violates the sioners her commitment to education risdiction over SeaTac Airport. Thus, For now, about 1,600 hotel and parking U.S. Constitution’s commerce clause and health care reform, as well as her the airport is not subject to ordinances lot workers who work within the City by mistreating out-of-state employers, many community connections ranging passed by the City of SeaTac, the of SeaTac get raises to $15 an hour, but that it violates state law by letting unaf - from her two children’s school (Beverly 27,000-resident municipality that en - an estimated 4,700 baggage handlers, fected parties sue employers, or that it Cleary) and the Rose City Park Neigh - compasses the airport. Voters in SeaTac car rental workers, and others who is preempted by the National Labor Re - borhood Association to the Children’s had passed in November — by 77 work in the airport itself will have to lations Act. But Darvas agreed with the Book Bank and St. Andrew’s food votes — the highest-in-the-nation min - wait for the results of a legal appeal. jurisdictional argument: The City of pantry. imum wage by ballot initiative. The ini - This wasn’t Darvas’ first time ruling SeaTac may not regulate the airport, Smith Warner told the Labor Press tiative also gave hospitality and trans - on the SeaTac ballot measure. Last because only the Port of Seattle may do she will work to expand the idea of portation workers other rights, summer, she agreed with an attempt by that. “wraparound care” in Gov. John Kitzhaber’s health care transformation to other areas such as housing, job train - ing (including union apprenticeships) and mental health. Smith Warner will resign from her job as Wyden’s labor liaison. Her last day is Jan. 5. She will be sworn in as a state representative on Jan. 15.

Why is it that a worker injured on the job is made to feel like they are now “the accused” who did something wrong? Good question! Don’t let them add insult to your injury!

PROUDLY SERVING PORTLAND WORKERS FOR OVER 32 Y EARS

PAGE 2 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS JANUARY 3 2014 IBEW Local 48’s Keith Edwards retires after 44-year career Keith Edwards feels like a truly and in 1996 Bruce tapped Edwards as activist Edwards says he sees more and blessed man. his assistant business manager. When more younger people starting to realize “I’ve had such a good life. Think Bruce retired mid-term in 2000, the lo - the benefit of having a union at work. about it. Because I’m a union electri - cal’s Executive Board appointed Ed - Known as “The Union Guy” in cian, I’ve had health care since I was 20 wards to succeed him. Portland’s black community, Edwards years old. I’ve always had the best Edwards won election to the job says it’s crucial that union members be wages. I’ve had the best working con - outright in 2001. He was the first (and active in their communities, letting peo - ditions. A voice on the job. And now a only) business manager of Local 48 to ple know what the union is all about. great retirement — all because I’m a be elected unopposed. He also was the “I’m always preaching about the union electrician.” first African-American to be elected benefits of being in a union. I’m proof Edwards, 64, retired Nov. 1 from business manager of an IBEW con - of it,” he said. his job as an international representa - struction local nationwide. Outside of the union, Edwards is in - tive for the Ninth District of the Inter - Two years later the international volved with the Coalition of Black national Brotherhood of Electrical came knocking again, hiring him as a Men, the Portland Workforce Alliance, Workers (IBEW). He was honored at a representative for the Ninth District, and the NAACP, where he has served retirement reception Nov. 23 at the which encompasses Oregon, Washing - as president of the Portland chapter. IBEW Local 48 union hall in Portland. ton, Alaska, California, Hawaii, Ne - He also served eight years on the Edwards got his start as an appren - vada, and the northern portion of Oregon Electrical Board under ap - tice at IBEW Local 48 in 1969, a cou - Idaho. Edwards was assigned to locals pointment of Gov. Barbara Roberts. ple of years after graduating from Port - in Oregon and Southwest Washington. “Keith has spent the last 44 years land’s Jefferson High School. In those Keith Edwards, a 44-year member of IBEW Local 48, checks out an exhibit Edwards said what he enjoyed most doing what he can to help the IBEW days there was a one-year probationary at the Oregon Historical Society featuring the 100th anniversary partnership about his job was working with people and make the lives of all those around period before you could join the union. of NECA/IBEW. Edwards, the first black business manager of an IBEW — both on the union side and on the him better,” wrote Local 48 Assistant His official active date was August of local in the nation, retired last month as an international rep. management side — and helping them Business Manager Alan Keser in the 1970. resolve their issues. union’s newsletter announcing his re - During his 44-year career, Edwards “One guy might say the sky is blue, tirement. broke many barriers, including becom - Shortly thereafter the international Barnes. That same year he also was ap - and another guy says the sky is green. And though he says he doesn’t have ing the first African-American business union established a minority caucus for pointed to Local 48’s Executive Board, The truth is somewhere in the middle,” any aspirations to run for elected office, manager of a construction local in African-Americans and Latinos na - following the retirement of Gus Miller. he said. “A lot of the time (finding a so - he will continue working to open doors IBEW history. He also was the first tionwide. Miller was the first African-American lution) it’s just common sense.” for others. In fact, shortly after retiring black to serve as a member of the Na - Edwards spent two years in New to serve on the Board. Edwards says the biggest disap - he had business cards printed that read: tional Joint Apprenticeship and Train - York and New Jersey working as a In 1990, Barnes hired Edwards as a pointment of his career is seeing labor’s “Keith Edwards. Community Activist. ing Committee. traveling electrician. He returned to full-time business representative. fall in both membership and market Retired Union Electrician.” He got his first taste of union ac - Portland in 1988 to work at Swan Is - Barnes retired in 1995. He was suc - share. “The middle class is shrinking, tivism in 1974 when he co-founded the land building oil modules for Alaska. ceeded by Greg Teeple, who a year and the rich ... the rich class isn’t grow - Electrical Workers Minority Caucus. He was a regular at union meetings, later was hired by the international ing, only the net worth of a few indi - “My union embraced it right away,” and in 1989 he was appointed as a union. Local 48’s Executive Board ap - viduals is growing.” Broadway Floral steward by then-business manager Ed pointed Jerry Bruce to succeed Teeple, he said. On the bright side, as a community for the BEST flowers call 503-288-5537 1638 NE Broadway, Portland

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

JANUARY 3 2014 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 3 GLASS WORKERS 740 LINOLEUM LAYERS 1236 PORTLAND CITY & SIGN PAINTERS & Official Eugene area members meet 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, Portland Executive Board meets 5 p.m. Monday, at Best Western Grand Manor Inn, 971 Kruse Way, Jan. 6, at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. METROPOLITAN EMPLOYEES PAINT MAKERS 1094 Springfield. Portland area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. Members meet 3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, in the Salem area members meet 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 23, at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. 189 District Office, at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. at Candalaria Terrace, Suite 204, 2659 Commercial Executive Board meets 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14. Notices St. SE, Salem. General membership meets 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. MACHINISTS 63 28. SOUTHEASTERN OREGON Executive Board meets 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8. Meetings are at 6025 E. Burnside, Portland. Members meet 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11. NOTE: LABOR COUNCIL AUTO MECHANIC 1005 INSULATORS 36 There will be District Delegates elections at the Janu - Delegates meet 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at the Executive Board meets 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. Executive Board meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8. ary meeting. Woodworkers Hall, 3836 Altamont Drive, Klamath 15. Members meet 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10. Meetings are at 25 Cornell, Gladstone. ROOFERS & W ATERPROOFERS Falls. Members meet 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, preceded Meetings are at 11145 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. by a 9 a.m. shop stewards’ training session. ALL 49 MEMBERS are invited to shop stewards’ training. MACHINISTS 1432 Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9. SOUTHERN OREGON Stewards must attend steward meetings to be com - Swing and graveyard shift members meet at 11 Executive Board meets 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6. pensated. IRON WORKERS 29 a.m. Monday, Jan. 6. Meetings are at 5032 SE 26th Ave., Portland. CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL Delegates meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the La - LEADERSHIP CLASSES: Resumes are now be - Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, preceded Regular membership meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. (Phone: 503 232-4807) bor Temple, 4480 Rogue Valley Hwy. #3, Central ing accepted for Leadership 1 classes. Interviews will by a 5:30 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at 11620 NE 8. Point. be held at our executive board meeting held at 4:30 Ainsworth Cir., #200, Portland. Shop stewards’ training session 9 a.m. Saturday, p.m. Jan. 15, 2014. Jan. 18. All meetings and elections are held at our Union Meetings are at 25 Cornell, Gladstone. SALEM BUILDING TRADES Delegates meet 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at the Hall, 25 Cornell, Gladstone. SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON IRON WORKERS IBEW 280 Training Center, 33309 Hwy. 99E, Tan - MARION -P OLK -Y AMHILL gent. CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL SHOPMEN 516 Delegates meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at a loca - AKERY ONFECTIONERY Executive Board meets 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9. LABOR COUNCIL tion to be determined. B , C , Members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23. Delegates meet 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, preceded TOBACCO WORKERS AND Meetings are at 11620 NE Ainsworth Cir., #300, by a 6:30 Executive Board meeting, at 2110 State St., SHEET METAL WORKERS 16 Portland. Salem. Portland area VOC January meeting has been can - SOUTHWESTERN OREGON GRAIN MILLERS 114 celed. Executive Board meets 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, in Portland members meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, at CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL Delegates meet 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, at the Bay the meeting room, at 7931 NE Halsey, Suite 205, Port - ETAL RADES OUNCIL the Sheet Metal Training Center, 2379 NE 178th Ave., M T C Area Labor Center, 3427 Ash, North Bend. land. PLEASE NOTE: An Executive Board position LABORERS 320 Executive Board meets 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9. Portland. PLEASE NOTE: SPECIAL NOMINA - will be filled at this meeting. If interested, please con - Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at Joe Delegates meet 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28. TIONS for Business Representative Position #1 will tact Local 114. Edgar Hall, Teamsters’ Complex, 1850 NE 162nd Meetings are at the IBEW Local 48 Hall, 15937 be held at the Portland meeting. Potential candidates Ave., Portland. NE Airport Way, Portland. refer to the SMWIA Constitution Article 12, Section 3 UNITED ASSOCIATION 290 regarding qualifications. To be Eligible, nominees Portland area members meet 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan must be a member in Good Standing for two years 17, at 20210 SW Teton Ave., Tualatin. The following BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED LABORERS 483 MID -C OLUMBIA prior to nomination, cannot be a convicted felon and locations will be able to participate remotely in the must present a current dues receipt (January’s 2014 Regular Business Meeting at 7:30 on the 3rd Friday of CRAFTWORKERS 1 MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES LABOR COUNCIL dues paid in December) at the meeting. every month: Bend, Eugene/Springfield, Eureka, Members meet 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 12812 Members meet 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, at the Delegates meet 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 3313 W. PLEASE NOTE: Special Election Local 16 Busi - Medford, and Salem. NE Marx St., Portland. Musicians Hall, 325 NE 20th Ave., Portland. 2nd, The Dalles. ness Representative Position #1 will at the following Astoria area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. DATES, TIMES AND LOCATIONS FOR 2014. 23, at the Astoria Labor Temple, 926 Duane, Astoria. Monday, Jan. 27 - Wild River Pizza, 4 to 4:30 PM, Brookings area members meet 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, MOLDERS 139B 2684 N. Pacific Hwy, Medford. Jan. 21. Please contact Craig Spjut at 707-496-1767 CEMENT MASONS 555 LABORERS /V ANCOUVER 335 Members meet 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, pre - Tuesday, Jan. 28 – SW Oregon Training Center, 4 for location information. Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at 12812 Members meet 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, preceded by ceded by a 6 p.m. Executive Board meeting at the Car - to 5 p.m., 1887 Laura St., Springfield. Coos Bay area members meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. NE Marx St., Portland. a 6:15 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at the Vancou - penters Hall, 2205 N. Lombard, Portland. Wednesday, Jan. 29 – Abby’s Pizza, 4 to 4:30 p.m., 21, at the Coos Bay Training Center, 2nd & Kruse, ver Labor Center, 2212 NE Andresen Rd., Vanc., 997 First St. Coos Bay. Coos Bay. Wash. Wednesday, Jan 29 – UA Training Center, 4 to 4:30 Klamath Falls area members meet 5 p.m. Tuesday, MULTNOMAH COUNTY p.m., 1810 Freeway Ct., NE. #110, Salem. Jan. 21, at 4816 S 6th St., Klamath Falls. CENTRAL OREGON Wednesday, Jan. 29 - Abby’s Pizza, 4 to 4:30 p.m., The Dalles area members meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. LANE COUNTY EMPLOYEES 88 1938 S Highway 97, Redmond. 21, at the United Steelworkers Local 9170 Union Hall, LABOR COUNCIL General membership meets 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. Thursday, Jan. 30 – Abby’s Pizza, 4 to 4:30 p.m., The Dalles. Delegates meet 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, at the LABOR COUNCIL 15. 1661 NE Stephens, Roseburg. Social Justice Center, 155 NE Irving Ave., Bend. Delegates meet 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, at Executive Board meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5. Thursday, Jan. 30 – Sheet Metal Training Center, 1 1116 South A St., Springfield. Meetings are at 6025 E. Burnside, Portland. to 7 p.m., 2379 NE 178th Ave., Portland. The position of the Business Representative is also Labor law confab an elected position as a Local 16 Delegate for Repre - COLUMBIA -P ACIFIC LANE , C OOS , C URRY & NORTHWEST OREGON sentation to AFL/CIO, SMWIA functions and any functions where Local 16 Delegates are required. in Portland Jan. 31 BUILDING TRADES DOUGLAS BUILDING TRADES LABOR COUNCIL To receive a ballot a member must be in good Delegates meet 10 a.m. Mondays, Jan. 6 and Jan. Delegates meet at noon Wednesday, Jan. 22, at the Delegates meet 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, at IBEW standing. Dues will need to be paid through Novem - There is still time to register for the 13, at Kirkland Union Manor II, 3535 SE 86th, Port - Springfield Training Center, 2861 Pierce Parkway, Local 48 Hall, 15937 NE Airport Way, Portland. ber 2013 for this election. land Springfield. Medford area members meet 4 p.m. Wednesday, 18th annual Oregon Labor Law Con - Jan. 8, at Wild River Pizza, 2684 N. Pacific Hwy., ference Friday, Jan. 31, at the IBEW PAINTERS & D RYWALL Medford. ELECTRICAL WORKERS 48 Eugene area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. Local 48 hall in Northeast Portland. Business Manager’s Open House Saturday, Jan. 4, LINN -B ENTON -L INCOLN FINISHERS 10 Members meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at the 9, at the Local 16 Hall, 1887 Laura St., Springfield. The conference is designed for busi - from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Meeting Hall, contact Coos Bay area members meet 4 p.m. Thursday, Nancy Reames 503-256-4848 ext 240 for an appoint - LABOR COUNCIL Asbestos Hall, 11145 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. ness managers, business agents and Delegates meet 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, pre - Website: www.iupatlocal10.org Jan. 16, at Abby’s Pizza, 997 First St., Coos Bay. ment. Women of Sheet Metal Workers Local 16 (WOSM) union officers, to provide information Executive Board Meeting meets 6:30 p.m. Wednes - ceded by a 7 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at 1400 Salem Ave., Albany. meet 4:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, at Beaulahland, 118 day, Jan. 8, and Wednesday, January 15 in the Execu - NE 28th Ave., Portland. Children are welcome. that will help them do their jobs better tive Boardroom. PLASTERERS 82 and to help avoid legal liability. Wasco Unit meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at The January meeting has been canceled. Northern Wasco County PUD, 2345 River Road, The In addition to classes on basic griev - Dalles. ance handling and how to obtain docu - Sound and Communication Unit meets 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, in the Meeting Hall. ments for arbitration, guest speakers Washington Unit Meeting meets at 6 p.m. Thurs - will discuss legal secondary boycotts, day, Jan. 9, at the Longview Hall, 1145 Commerce Retiree Meeting Notices Ave, Longview, Washington. the rules on using social media and Electrical Workers Minority Caucus meets 5:30 Working America. p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, in the Executive Boardroom. LLIANCE FOR ETIRED RON ORKERS Residential Unit meets 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, in A R I W 29 6025 E Burnside, Portland. Call Gordon Lafer of the Labor Educa - the Dispatch Lobby. AMERICANS OREGON CHAPTER Retirees meet 12 noon Wednes - Michael Arken for information at tion and Research Center at the Uni - DEATH ASSESSMENTS: No. 2372, David A. Executive Board meets 10 a.m. day, Jan. 8, at 11620 NE Ainsworth 503-239-9858, ext. 124. versity of Oregon will talk about a Lehto; No. 2373, Wayne A. Garrison;, and No. 2374, Larry L. Wagner. The Jan. 2014 assessment is $1.50. Thursday, Jan. 9, followed by an 11 Cir., Portland for a catered lunch. right-to-work ballot measure aimed at a.m. General membership meeting SHEET METAL 16 Oregon, and LERC Director Bob Bus - at 3645 SE 32nd, Portland. MACHINISTS RETIREES Retirees meet 11:30 a.m. Thurs - sell will discuss the Affordable Care ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS 23 All retirees are welcome to attend. Retirees meet 10 a.m. Wednesday, day, Jan. 9, at the Spaghetti Factory, Act and its impact on unions. Members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, preceded by a 5:30 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at 12779 NE Feb. 5, at the Union Hall. 18925 Northwest Tanasbourne Guest speakers include Ronald Whitaker Way, Portland. PLEASE NOTE: Ballots ELECTRICAL WORKERS 48 Drive, Hillsboro. Hooks, director of the National Labor were mailed on Dec. 13, 2013 for the run-off election for Business Representative. Ballots must be returned Retirees, wives and friends meet NORTHWEST OREGON LABOR Relations Board, NLRB 19, and Sub- by Jan. 9, 2014. 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, at RETIREES COUNCIL UNITED ASSOCIATION 290 region 36 Officer in Charge Linda Kings Omelet, 10711 NE Weidler, Business meeting from 10 a.m. to Retirees meet 10 a.m. Thursday, Davidson. Portland. For more info, call Glenn 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13, in the Ore - Jan. 16, at 20210 SW Teton Ave., The conference is sponsored by Lo - FIRE FIGHTERS 452 Members meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 2807 Hodgkinson at 503-656-0028. gon AFL-CIO lower conference Tualatin. cal 48, Oregon AFL-CIO, Northwest NW Fruit Valley Rd., Vancouver, Wash. PLEASE room, (elevator available), 3645 SE Salem retirees meet at noon, Oregon Labor Council, LERC, the NOTE DATE CHANGE. ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS 23 32nd, Portland. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Almost Home Oregon and Columbia-Pacific building Retirees ONLY meet at noon Restaurant, 3310 Market St. NE, and construction trades councils, and FIRE FIGHTERS 1660 Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Westmoreland OREGON AFSCME Salem. the Center for Worker Rights. Members meet 8 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at 4411 SW Union Manor, 6404 SE 23rd, Port - Retirees meet 10 a.m. Tuesday, For registration information, contact Sunset Dr., Lake Oswego. land. Jan. 21, at the AFSCME office, Norman Malbin at 503 889-3669 or [email protected] .

PAGE 4 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS JANUARY 3 2014 Over 50 locations to serve you!

Oregon and SW Washington Western Washington Maple Valley - 425.432.4131 Snohomish - 425-374.8451 Arlington - 360.658.3131 Marysville - 360.651.1882 Tacoma - 253.759.9291 Beaverton - 503.641.4207 Auburn - 253.333.9500 Monroe - 360.794.0717 Tukwila - 425.291.9555 Chehalis - 360.996.4075 Bellevue - 425.450.9500 Mount Vernon - 360.848.6777 NEW! Clackamas - 503.905.3380 Bellingham - 360.734.1999 Olympia - 360.866.7669 Gresham - 503.253.4979 Bonney Lake - 253.862.1015 Poulsbo - 360.697.2777 Eastern Washington Ellensburg - 509.790.0080 Longview - 360.578.9999 Bothell - 425.806.0077 Puyallup - 253.770.4342 Kennewick - 509.737.8555 NEW! NE Portland - 503.254.0888 Carnation - 425.333.4101 Renton - 425.430.2029 Pasco - 509.542.9981 Everett - 425.513.2000 Redmond - 206.953.5850 NEW! Downtown Portland - 503.224.0133 Spokane - 509.536.9999 Federal Way - 253.838.3232 SeaTac - 206.243.7788 SE Portland - 503.788.1415 Spokane (North) - 509.468.0866 Issaquah - 425.391.7645 Seattle - 206.623.2666 Salem - 503.391.8920 Spokane Valley - 509.924.0055 Kent - 253.856.3384 Sequim - 360.797.1100 Salmon Creek - 360.718.2355 Walla Walla - 509.522.2220 Lakewood - 253.581.2888 Shoreline - 206.542.4444 NEW! Tigard - 503.906.8600 Wenatchee - 509.886.0500 NEW! Silverdale - 360.915.5977 Lynnwood - 425.744.1022 Yakima - 509.457.5050

JANUARY 3 2014 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 5 Working America signing up National Labor College in Silver workers for health insurance Oregon’s new online insurance ex - Working America become members of change may be broken, but the AFL- Working America, and have access to Spring, Md. will close in April CIO is moving ahead to sign up unin - a free 24-7 phone service to help sched - sured individuals for health insurance ule doctors appointments. SILVER SPRING, Md. (PAI) — erase the debt, Peinovich said, and even Council during a meeting at the college through its community group Working McMurray said the group hopes the The National Labor College (NLC) in failed to cover its own operating costs. several years ago that the fed could not America. effort will help build relationships with Silver Spring, Maryland — the only Peinovich, who came out of retire - continue subsidizing the NLC. Trumka Working America regional mobi - food service workers in particular. A college in the United States with an ex - ment to run NLC after previously run - also chairs the college’s board of lization director Kim McMurray says Working America member coordinator clusive mission to serve the educational ning a private for-profit online college, trustees. the group has signed up 600 people so has been reaching out to restaurant needs of the labor movement — will said the college owed about $30 mil - In 2012, trustees put the campus up far in Oregon, including taxi drivers owners, and the group sends brokers close this year because of financial dif - lion when she took over in 2010. for sale and planned to make the col - with Union Cab and employees of sev - out to sign employees up for coverage. ficulties. At the time of her hiring, she was lege an entirely online institution. eral restaurants. Working America has Oven and Shaker restaurant will be the “I am deeply saddened to report that the college’s fourth president in five The Washington Post reported Dec. also held several enrollment fairs in the next to hold an enrollment event, Jan. 7. the Board of Trustees directed me and years. 19 that college trustees had approved a basement of the Oregon AFL-CIO of - The next open-to-the-public event the college’s officers to develop a plan There had also been high turnover letter of intent to sell the 47-acre cam - fices — in which individuals meet in will be Jan. 13 at the Radio Room, to close the college,” the institution’s in other top administrative offices. pus to Monument Realty. A sale price person with insurance brokers chosen 1101 NE Alberta St., Portland. Sign-up president, Dr. Paula Peinovich, said in a NLC employed 58 faculty and staff has not been announced, but proceeds by the group. for the event is online at www.working statement posted on its website. “The members and had an annual operating will help cover the college’s debts. The local effort is part of a national americahealthcare.com . college has been facing significant fi - budget of $12 million, Peinovich said. campaign by Working America, in Because of delays in the rollout, the nancial difficulties, and the board re - Most of the full-time faculty, repre - Oregon’s minimum wage partnership with the UnionPlus bene - deadline for uninsured individuals to luctantly decided to accept the in - sented by the Washington-Baltimore fits program. Individuals who sign up enroll for 2014 has been extended until evitability of our closure.” Newspaper Guild, took buyouts when increased to $9.10 an hour for individual health insurance through March 31. Peinovich said NLC will offer a the college offered them. The Guild on Jan. 1, 2014 spring semester from Jan. 6 to April 18, also represents part-time faculty there. 2014, with a full range of courses for The AFL-CIO and individual Oregon AFL-CIO hires Nafisah the 260 students already registered. unions are the college’s primary finan - Gradine Storms, [Last fall the college had 599 online cial support, with the labor federation Principal Broker students.] The college still is exploring contributing about $5 million a year. Ula to bolster union organizing the option of an 18 month teach-out, The AFL-CIO also has provided bridge Member of CWA Local 7901 The Oregon AFL-CIO has hired a Michigan Ann Arbor, she became an whereby students could take courses at loans to the college in recent years. 7886 SE 13th, Portland, OR•Cell/Text 503-784-8326 research specialist to augment its or - activist for racial and economic justice, other institutions and transfer them AFL-CIO President Richard [email protected] Linkedin/GradyStorms ganizing program. Nafisah Ula was re - and spent summers working for the la - back to NLC. Trumka told the federation’s Executive cruited to the state labor federation bor movement. She conducted research NLC will hold a commencement from the national AFL-CIO’s Center for the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center in and closing convocation ceremony on for Strategic Research, where she spent Durban, South Africa in conjunction April 26, 2014. EE BARGAIN COUNTER two-and-a-half years doing research to with United Students Against Sweat - The labor college has been an inde - R help affiliated unions organize new shops. And she served as an apprentice pendent, degree-granting institution for F members. She’ll do similar work in organizer with UNITE HERE in a food 17 years, tracing its history back to the Free classified ads to subscribers Oregon — researching the structure of service worker campaign in San Jose. George Meany Center for Labor Stud - private sector companies, for instance, After earning a bachelor’s degree in so - ies. DEADLINE: Friday prior to publication identifying who the decision-makers ciology from University of Michigan In an interview with the Washington Published 1st and 3rd Fridays are, and helping workplace organizers and a masters degree in political theory Post, Peinovich said the college be - build lists of workers. from the University of Chicago, she in - came burdened by debt incurred in a Now accepting e-mails Ula, 27, grew up in Laramie, terned at the Workers Rights Consor - major renovation at its 47-acre campus Send to: [email protected] Wyoming, a daughter of immigrants tium, an international labor rights mon - that began in 2003. Part of that renova - from Bangladesh. From an early age, itoring group and then went to work as tion included the construction of a Mail to: NWLP, PO Box 13150, Portland OR 97213 she noticed and was bothered by eco - a researcher for Service Employees In - 72,000-square-foot conference center (Please include union affiliation) nomic inequality. At University of ternational Union Local 32BJ, a named for Lane Kirkland, the late 120,000 member union of janitors and AFL-CIO president. • 15-20 words • No commercial or business ads • 1 ad per issue security guards. She joined the national The center, dedicated in 2007, was • All lower case ( NO CAPITAL LETTERS, PLEASE ) • Apprenticeship AFL-CIO in January 2011. unable to generate enough revenue to Ads MUST include area code or they will not be published Opening Glaziers AUTOMOTIVE uniforms, aviation, hats, helmets, swords, The Oregon & SW Washington daggers, bayonets, rifles, pistols. 503-852- ’50 Pontiac chieftain Silver Streak, 2 6791 Glaziers Joint Apprenticeship & door, runs, original piece of american his - BUYinG US & world coins to add to col - Journeyman Training Program tory, $8,950. 503-645-2470 lection, paying fairly, any amount welcome. will be open to accept 503-939-8835 OUSING coLLectoR, cash paid, old fishing applications to create a pool of H tackle, wood plugs, reels, creels, salmon eligible applicants. Applicants fishing photos, etc. 503-775-4166 RocKaWaY Beach rental, 3 bed, 2 bath, coLLectoR PaYS cash for older toys, must be at least 18 years old. sleeps 10, Jacuzzi, 5 min to beach/shops; oil paintings, american art pottery, and cos - Must apply in person and furnish Vacationhomerentals. com/43026 tume jewelry. 503 703-5952 RocKaWaY ocean front, 503-777-5076, a copy of a high school diploma 1947 fRanKLin hiGh School yearbook. 5 bdrms/2 ba, call for fisherman’s Special, and grade transcript or GED and 503-522-6542 http://rockawaybeachfrontrental.com test scores at time of application. 300 acReS in Spray, oregon, trees and Applications will be taken wildlife, $750 per acre or reasonable offer. SPORTING GOODS Jan, 13 thru Jan. 24, 2014 541-468-2961 Monday thru Friday, GoLf cLUBS, left-handed iron sets w/ 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. WANTED bags; titleist Dci 926, $45; topflite tour, $45; adams a2 hybrids, $100. 503-522- Glaziers Training Center oLD WooDWoRKinG tools, planes, lev - 6542 Mt. Hood Community College, els, chisels, handsaws, slicks, adzes, WincheSteR MoD. 12 16 gauge 98%, Room GE 108 wrenches, folding rulers, leather tools, tool $800; Marlin 39a niB 22 cal lever action, 26000 SE Stark St., Gresham, OR chests. 503-659-0009 beautiful, $800 obo, might trade. 360-750- MotoRcYcLeS, quads, boats, tractors, 1739 Women and minorities RVs, trailers, bicycles, autos, lawnmowers, RetiRee DoWnSiZinG hunting guns, encouraged to apply cash paid will pick up 503-880-8183 several rifles and shotguns in new condi - U.S., GeRMan, Japanese military items, tion. 360-225-5108 PAGE 6 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS JANUARY 3 2014 ...... 22001133:: YYeeaarr iinn RReevviieeww (From Page 1) year’s end. Meanwhile, members of Intel’s Ronler Acres campus in Hills - a campaign by the Machinists to union - Machinists Lodge 1005 and Sign boro in 2013, with thousands employed ize Precision Castparts went down in a Painters and Paint Makers Local 1094 throughout the year. And in general, 932 to 1,258 vote. at Daimler’s Western Star truck plant in work in the building trades was up. In Portland struck 22 days and returned May, the massive remodel of the Edith CONTRACT DISPUTES to work after agreeing to a contract Green Wendell Wyatt Federal Building A unit of 1,800 Univer - that was little changed from the was completed: The $139-million stim - sity of Oregon faculty ratified one they rejected before the ulus-funded project employed union la - their first-ever union contract in strike: Raises of $1.30 an bor under a project labor agreement, October, delivering greater hour over three years, but and was completed on time and on job security and raises averag - also increased health in - budget two years and four months af - ing 11.75 percent. That was the surance premiums and ter site work began. product of a six-year campaign. an end to post-65 retiree Union business managers pushed But at year’s end, three other large health benefits. hard in 2013 to develop future work public employee units were hav - And Boeing Inc. told opportunities: If financing comes to - Kedir Wako had a vision that he and fellow cabbies could form a new driver- ing great difficulty securing ac - union Machinists it gether for a convention center head - owned union-affiliated taxi coop. In April, Union Cab became a reality. ceptable contract renewals: 1,600 would leave the Puget quarters hotel in Portland, Hyatt Corp. members of the District Council of Sound behind and locate and its general contractor pledged in can Federation of Teachers (AFT); and Trade Unions at the City of Port - new aircraft assembly 2013 to use union building trades 200-member Boilermakers Local 500, land, 2,000 members of Amalga - elsewhere — if they members to build it — and to remain based in Portland, merged into 350- mated Transit Union Local 757 at didn’t vote to end their neutral toward union organizing efforts member Local 242, based in Spokane. TriMet, and 3,000 members of the own pensions and by the hotel workers union UNITE Service Employees International Union Portland Association of Teachers at sell out future co- HERE once it opens. But the area’s (SEIU) locals 49 and 503 began merger Portland Public Schools. workers with a biggest jobs project, a new I-5 bridge discussions, which they expected to And large private sector employ - wage scale that over the Columbia River, was no closer conclude in Spring 2014; if they unify, ers were playing hardball with their more than doubled the to reality after years of planning: The the combination would be a 65,000- union employees. In February, United time it takes to reach top pay. With three Oregon Legislature committed $450 member union of janitors, security Grain locked out members of Interna - years still remaining on their existing million to the project, but the Washing - guards, health care workers, and state tional Longshore and Warehouse Union contract, members turned down that of - ton Senate failed to vote the necessary employees. (ILWU) from its export terminal at the fer by a more than two-to-one ratio. matching amount. Nationally, 1.3 million-member Port of Vancouver, and Columbia Grain United Food and Commercial Workers did the same in May at its terminal at JOBS , JOBS , JOBS UNIONS MERGE , AND SPLIT resolved in August to rejoin the AFL- the Port of Portland. ILWU members Union construction workers were In 2013, the 10,400-member Ore - CIO, the federation it broke away from were still locked out of those jobs at kept busy at the massive expansion of gon Nurses Association joined Ameri - eight years prior. But International Longshore and Warehouse Union With the help of union labor, (ILWU), went the opposite direction: Portland’s 18-story, city-block-sized The 50,000-member union of West federal building got a “green” Coast dockworkers disaffiliated with remodel, and reopened in September. the AFL-CIO, citing jurisdictional dis - The names of all the workers are putes with other AFL-CIO unions. printed on glass at the building’s entrance.

DON ’T MOURN ; ORGANIZE The local labor movement also noted the passing of a number of long- time union activists in 2013, including Tommy Malloy, former Teamsters business agent and lobbyist; Bill Fritz, former labor educator with the Univer - sity of Oregon Labor Education and Research Center; Ken Jette, former statewide president of the American Postal Workers Union; Kathy Morris, retired United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 official and expert on workers’ compensation; Lin Mayes, former secretary-treasurer of UFCW Local 555; Larry Kenney, former pres - ident of the Washington State Labor Council; Sandy Fahey, co-founder of the Carpenters Food Bank; and Tom Gates, former president of National As - Machinists picket the Daimler sociation of Letter Carriers Branch 916 Trucks plant in Portland on July 1, in Eugene. Day 1 of a strike that lasted 22 days. Low Prices!

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JANUARY 3 2014 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 7 Operating Engineers rejoin Building Trades Department WASHINGTON, D.C. (PAI) — nificant losses in the recent recession, After nearly eight years since leaving, but by working together as North the International Union of Operating America’s building trades unions, we Engineers rejoined the AFL-CIO can achieve a brighter and more pros - Building and Construction Trades De - perous future for our members.” partment on Jan. 1. Building Trades Department Presi - “Raising our collective voice and dent Sean McGarvey called the reaffil - acting with common purpose through iation “a great day” for the construction this affiliation will benefit not only industry in North America in general, IUOE members, but all union con - and the union construction industry in struction tradesmen and women,” said particular. Operating Engineers international “With the Operating Engineers as a President James Callahan. “We look formal partner, we will better serve the forward to working with (BCTD) to needs of our clients, our customers, our create opportunities for construction contractors and, most importantly, the workers and to provide a reliable and members we represent,” he said. highly skilled workforce for contrac - The Operating Engineers has ap - tors and owners. The construction in - proximately 400,000 members in 123 dustry and its workforce endured sig - local unions throughout the United States and Canada, including Local 701 in Gladstone, Oregon, and Wash - ington Locals 286 in Auburn, 302 in Business group sues Bothell, 280 in Richland, 370 in to stop workers’ Spokane, and 612 in Tacoma. It is the 10th largest union in the rights poster AFL-CIO. With the addition of the Operating WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Na - Engineers, the Building and Construc - tional Association of Manufacturers tion Trades Department now consists (NAM) filed a lawsuit Dec. 18 chal - of 14 national and international unions lenging the U.S. Department of Labor’s that collectively represent nearly 3 mil - rule that requires federal contractors to lion construction workers in the United display posters informing workers of States and Canada. their rights under the National Labor Relations Act. The 11 by 17 inch poster advises employees of their legal rights to organize unions, bargain collectively, and go on strike and picket without ret - ribution by an employer. It also informs workers of their rights not to join a union or be coerced by union officials. The employer group asserts that the regulation violates the free speech rights of employers by forcing them to promote unionization of their work - forces or risk losing federal contracts. Last year, two federal appeals courts struck down a similar poster rule issued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). That rule covered most large private businesses, not just federal con - tractors. The Labor Department rules, which have been in place since 2010, affect federal contractors and subcontractors that employ about 16 million workers. A spokeswoman for NAM told As - sociate Press that her group is challeng - ing the Labor Department rule now based on the precedent set by the ap - peals courts in the NLRB case. The poster rule for federal contrac - tors was approved by the Labor Depart - ment’s Office of Labor Management Standards. It was based on a White House executive order signed by Presi - dent Barack Obama shortly after he took office in 2009. Obama’s executive order rescinded a prior executive order from President George W. Bush that required federal contractors to post a notice informing employees of their rights “not to join a labor union or pay fees for union ex - penses that are unrelated to representa - tion issues.” NAM did not challenge Bush’s ex - ecutive order. PAGE 8 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS JANUARY 3 2014