Official See Inside Meeting Notices Page 4

Volume 112 Number 22 November 18, 2011 Portland

Labor strives to keep the focus on Occupy message

BY DON M CINTOSH goal of the Occupy movement is to viduals; it’s pension funds,” Digman ASSOCIATE EDITOR make systemic changes in the eco - told the Labor Press. “But the people The Occupy Wall Street movement, nomic and political systems in this that really run the corporations, man - nine weeks old as of Nov. 19, has the country that are failing the 99 percent agement … are running it to enrich nation’s attention. Yet much of the of Americans who see our wealth de - themselves, not to defend or enrich news media continues to focus on creasing as the wealth of the 0.01 per - shareholders. They’re there every day. problems in the encampments or con - cent of Americans who control policy They’re running the game. Is it unrea - flicts that erupt when authorities try to in this country increases.” sonable to think that they would run evict occupiers — instead of on the Such messages explain why organ - the game for themselves?” economic and political problems that ized labor — from the local rank-and- On Nov. 9, Digman was one of hun - brought the movement about. file to top national leadership — con - dreds of people around the United Jim Oliver, a participant in Occupy tinues to support Occupy. States to lead a “teach-in” that was de - Portland, made that point Nov. 11 in “Sustaining this movement is some - veloped by the group Rebuild the front of a national audience on the PBS thing that should be important to every Dream and organized by MoveOn.org. NewsHour. Sitting next to Portland progressive ally that they’ve made,” Entitled “How the 1% Crashed the Mayor Sam Adams, Oliver was asked says Jessica Giannettino, Oregon AFL- Economy,” the teach-in explained that by interviewer Jeffrey Brown if occu - CIO field organizer — who was one of since the 1970s, Wall Street has influ - piers planned to heed Adams’ Nov. 12 a handful of unionists to overnight with enced politicians to rewrite the rules — deadline to clear out of Chapman and the Portland occupation early on. to cut taxes on wealth and to allow Lownsdale parks. “Their message resonates. It echoes banks to merge until they became “too “The mainstream media has been one that we’ve been saying for a long big to fail.” Now it’s time to come to - talking a lot about petty crimes,” Oliver time.” gether to reverse that, Digman said. replied, “in an effort to detract from the HHH HHH message of the Occupy movement. We’ve been staying focused on our Joe Digman is an organizer at Serv - Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain delivers a message of union For Steve Hughes, the answer is message of social change, trying to call ice Employees International Union support for Occupy Portland at an Oct. 28 solidarity rally organized by the banking local. Hughes is state director attention to who the real criminals are (SEIU) Local 503. Through his staff band Pink Martini at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Sharing the stage with of the Oregon Working Families Party, in our society — people like Jamie Di - union, he’s secretary-treasurer of Com - Chamberlain were Ainsworth United Church of Christ pastor Lynn Smouse- a union-backed third party which has mon, the CEO of JP Morgan Chase, munications Workers of America Lopez, performer Storm Large, and Oregon State Rep. Lew Frederick called for the state government to pull [who] gave himself a $19 million raise (CWA) Local 7901. But for 20 years, (pictured) as well as Congressmen Peter DeFazio and Earl Blumenauer. its money out of the big banks. Hughes last year while thousands of Americans Digman was a stock broker at Dean argues that the big Wall Street banks are being thrown out of their homes.” Witter (now part-owned by CitiGroup) actually hurt local economies, and calls “We are petitioning our government and later A.G. Edwards (now part of “You hear, especially among the left man said. “You hear all this hyperbole. their local branches, “deposit-collect - for a redress of grievances, as is out - Wells Fargo.) So Digman has a back - and labor, that [Wall Street] is all I’m here to tell you: It’s way worse.” ing agencies.” lined in the First Amendment of the ground in finance, and a message to crooked and corrupt and it’s going to “Most of the money invested in U.S. Constitution,” Oliver said. “The deliver. be a disaster for working people,” Dig - companies is not from wealthy indi - (Turn to Page 2) ELECTION RESULTS: Clark County voters support C-Tran, Wylie Washington voters said “yes” to Costco, “no” should invest in circumventing the Legislature: Southwest Washington Central Labor Council, in - with help from organized labor. In Washougal, to Tim Eyman, and “yes” again to standards for pay petitioners, put money into ads, and get laws creases the local sales tax by 0.2 percent to pre - labor-endorsed Joyce Lindsay unseated incum - home care workers. It was a classic “mixed-result” changed that way.” serve C-TRAN bus and paratransit service. bent Michael Delavar on the City Council. election for the state’s labor movement, says But Washington voters narrowly rejected Ini - • Washington State Labor Council-endorsed David Groves, publications director for the Wash - tiative 1125, an anti-tolling measure authored by Sharon Wylie defeated Craig Riley in a special OREGON ington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. perpetual union foe Tim Eyman. “1125 would election for state representative in the 49th District Congressional District 1 The Costco-backed ballot measure to privatize have had a far more direct and negative impact on (Vancouver). Wylie captured nearly 56 percent of Oregon State Sen. Suzanne Bonamici easily Washington liquor sales passed by a three-to-two the state of the economy and jobs,” Groves said, the vote. Wylie, a former two-term Oregon Dem - won the Congressional District 1 Democratic spe - margin, just a year after voters rejected two simi - “so that was a big win to defeat.” ocratic legislator, was appointed to the seat in cial primary with 65 percent of the vote, while lar measures. The difference? Costco, which And voters supported by a two-to-one margin a April following the resignation of Rep. Jim Jacks. Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian got wanted to sell liquor, put a record $23 million into measure backed by Service Employees Interna - She will have to run for re-election again next 22 percent, and State Rep. Brad Witt — a union the campaign. United Food and Commercial tional Union (SEIU) that will reinstate back - year. rep for United Food and Commercial Workers Lo - Workers Local 21 estimates nearly 1,000 mem - ground checks, training, and other requirements In Vancouver City Council races, labor-en - cal 555 — placed third with 8 percent. bers will lose family-wage jobs when the 166 state for long-term care workers and providers. dorsed incumbents Bart Hansen and Larry Smith Bonamici had the sole endorsement of just one liquor stores close starting next April. Another were handily re-elected, while challenger Anne union, Oregon Nurses Association. Avakian was hundred or so Teamsters will lose jobs in the In Southwest Washington: McEnerny-Ogle lost to Bill Turlay. Turlay will backed by Oregon Education Association, state’s liquor warehouse and distribution system. • A local sales tax measure to support C-TRAN succeed Pat Campbell, who lost in the August pri - Painters, Sheet Metal Workers, Operating Engi - “It’s worrisome,” Groves said. “It promotes the passed 54-46 percent. The measure, backed by mary. neers, Laborers, Teamsters, Communication idea for other corporate interests, that maybe they Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757 and the In LaCenter, Jim Irish was re-elected mayor (Turn to Page 3) ...Occupy — the idea — continues to spread (From Page 1) In Sandy, Oregon, there’s a home the home of his mother-in-law. Brown listened as Occupy Portland’s ing to clear the parks?” “Their job is to funnel those de - where James Irvine Jr. used to live. HHH Oliver made his points about big bank “We intend to maintain our occupa - posits upward through the corporate Irvine, a union millwright with Car - greed. tion,” Oliver replied, “in solidarity with structure, generally to out-of-state in - penters Local 96, once built a conveyor On Nov. 13, police forcibly evicted “Yes, we’ve talked a lot about that Occupy Wall Street and with working system at Portland airport, and made Occupy Portland participants from on the program,” Brown said, “and I class Americans who are being thrown terests. What a big box store is to re - $75,000 a year rebuilding turbines at Chapman and Lownsdale parks, by or - appreciate your bringing it up again, out of their homes all across the coun - tail, big banks are to banking: They Bonneville Dam. But he lost work in der of the mayor. Adams said he was but again I want to ask … are you go - try.” pull the money out and up, and it goes the economic crisis that began with the forced to act because of an increase in to their investment priorities.” collapse of mortgage securities, and he crime around the encampment and These days, that often means eco - fell behind on his Chase Bank mort - drug overdoses in the camp — though nomic expansion in China, Hughes gage. Irvine says he navigated the he attributed the problems not to the Harkin/DeFazio ‘Robin Hood said. Chase bank bureaucracy to apply for a activists who organized the camp but “So you have these big banks tak - home loan modification, but the bank to “folks who have added themselves Tax’ would generate $350 billion ing our wealth, funneling it upward, didn’t come through for him. Instead, in to the original organizers.” then reinvesting it into industries that Chase foreclosed and sold the home at But the Occupy movement seems WASHINGTON, D.C. — Oregon billion in needed revenue for our cash- are killing our domestic jobs.” auction. Now Irvine, his wife and their likely to continue in Portland, as else - Congressman Peter DeFazio and Iowa strapped federal government by target - HHH 10-month-old daughter share a room in where. Organizers were planning ma - Sen. Tom Harkin introduced legislation ing speculators flipping stocks a thou - jor actions for Nov. 17 (after this issue Nov. 3 to place a tax on certain trading sand times a minute,” DeFazio said. went to press) — a demonstration at activities undertaken by banking and fi - “We need serious proposals to get our the Steel Bridge promoted by the na - nancial firms. country back on sound fiscal footing. ‘Cool Schools’ project gets $15 tional AFL-CIO, and an audacious Dubbed the “Robin Hood Tax,” the $350 billion in new revenue will reduce plan by some to commit civil disobedi - measure — formally known as Wall our deficit and enable federal invest - million boost from union funds ence and shut down local branches of Street Trading and Speculators Tax Act ments in our future.” The union-owned financial services during the 2011 session. Wall Street banks for a day. — would raise more than $350 billion At the recent G-20 summit of the company Ullico plans to invest up to Cool Schools provides access to fi - Occupy, the idea, seems only to be between Jan. 2013 and 2021, according world’s biggest economies, many lead - $15 million in Oregon’s “Cool nancing for school districts to fix leaky spreading. On Nov. 2 there was a gen - to an analysis released by the Congres - ers endorsed a larger financial specula - Schools” program of energy retrofits roofs, upgrade inefficient lighting and eral strike of sorts in Oakland, Califor - sional Joint Committee on Taxation. tion tax proposed by the European for public schools — according to heating, and make other improvements. nia, which had resolutions of support According to its sponsors, both De - Commission. The European Union is statements Nov. 10 from the American The program pays interest on capital from several local public employee mocrats, the bill would not harm long- considering a tax rate that is more than Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the improvement loans that school districts unions; large picket lines, and sympa - term investing like retirement funds, three times higher. office of Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber. can sign onto; the principal comes from thy from union longshore workers, but instead target financial trading and AFL-CIO President Richard The announcement comes after an existing state fund. The idea is that slowed activity at the port. College complex transactions undertaken by fi - Trumka, who was in Cannes, France, Gov. Kitzhaber met with AFT president the principal would be repaid through campuses increasingly are witnessing nancial and investment firms. for the G-20 meeting and who met with Randi Weingarten in Washington, D.C. savings from lower energy costs. their own occupations. It’s only a few The measure will place a tax of many of the nations’ leaders, praised Weingarten serves on an AFL-CIO Since being signed into law, 11 steps from there to occupying work - three basis points (3 pennies on $100 in Harkin and DeFazio for introducing committee that is seeking to invest school districts have applied for or se - places, as workers did at General Mo - value) on most non-consumer financial their bill, but said the AFL-CIO sup - union pension funds in ways that put cured over $9.5 million for school tors in Flint in 1936 and at Republic trading including stocks, bonds, and ports a larger tax rate on financial spec - union members to work. retrofits. Window and Door in 2008. other debts, except for their initial is - ulation. Cool Schools, one of Gov. Under the program, the work is sub - HHH suance. For example, if a company re - “In order to maximize revenue and Kitzhaber’s signature initiatives, passed ject to the requirement to pay prevail - ceives a loan from a financial company, minimize opportunities for tax arbi - the Oregon Legislature unanimously ing wage. On PBS News Hour, host Jeffrey that transaction would not be taxed. trage, Congress should pass a U.S. fi - But, if the financial institution traded nancial speculation tax in line with the debt, the trade would be subject to what has been proposed in Europe,” the tax. The tax would also cover all de - Trumka said. rivative contracts, options, puts, for - U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) ward contracts, swaps and other com - is among 11 representatives and two plex instruments at their actual cost. U.S. senators to co-sponsor the Wall The measure excludes debt that has an Street Trading and Speculators Tax Act. original term of less than 100 days. The proposed tax, if passed by Con - “This legislation will generate $350 gress, would take effect on Jan. 1, 2013.

Know Your rights if you are injured at work but not sure you need medical treatment or file a claim , at least give the employer notice that you may have hurt your - self at work to protect your rights later , should you need to file a claim .

PAGE 2 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS NOVEMBER 18, 2011 ‘Holiday Party’ ... ELECTION RESULTS: Bonamici wins primary Dec. 3 in Salem (From Page 1) Cornilles in a Jan. 31, 2012, special differ in style, in my opinion, she is the Voters did approve renewal of a la - SALEM —The 71st annual “Holi - election to replace Democrat David clear choice. I wholeheartedly support bor-backed public safety levy funding day Party for Children” will be held at Wor kers, Musicians, and Heat & Frost Wu, who resigned mid-term. and endorse her.” the Clackamas County Sheriff’s office, Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Elsinore The - Insulators. Witt, a former Oregon AFL- Days after the election, both Witt On Nov. 14, the Northwest Oregon and a union-supported bond measure to atre, 170 High St. SE, Salem. CIO secretary-treasurer, listed support and Avakian endorsed Bonamici, with Labor Council (NOLC) Executive raise $8.5 million to build a new police The free event, sponsored by the from Machinists, Steelworkers, Witt calling on organized labor to do Board voted to recommend to the Ore - station in West Linn. Marion, Polk, Yamhill Counties Labor Roofers, Bricklayers, Carpenters, Pulp the same. gon AFL-CIO endorsing Bonamici. A labor-endorsed five-year local op - Council, will feature holiday songs by and Paper Workers, Amalgamated “It is imperative that this Congres - In Clackamas County, labor- tion levy to support Beaverton schools Norman Sylvester and Friends, a show - Transit Union, Office and Professional sional District continues to be repre - backed Measure 3-388 passed by a sig - was narrowly rejected by voters. ing of the movie Rio, a visit from Santa Employees, Stage Employees, and sented by a Democrat — and that De - nificant margin, but the measure won’t Claus, and a free goody bag. Sylvester UFCW Local 555. The Oregon AFL- mocrat is Suzanne Bonamici. I spent become law because a competing OHIO ‘CITIZEN ’S VETO ’ recently was inducted into the Oregon CIO stayed out of the primary after no over three months campaigning with measure — 3-386 — received more Ohio voters resoundingly over - Music Hall of Fame. He is a longtime candidate was able to get a two-thirds Sen. Bonamici as an opponent in this votes. turned a law that stripped public em - member of Musicians Local 99 and a backing at a September convention. special primary election, and while we Measure 3-386 requires a county- ployees of collective bargaining rights: retired Teamster. Bonamici will face Republican Rob may not agree on every issue and may wide vote before any new urban re - 2,145,042 Ohioans (61.33 percent) Doors open at 9:45 a.m., newal areas may be created in unincor - voted against Senate Bill 5, while porated parts of the county. The 1,352,366 voted for it. AFSCME backs Oregon City commissioner Clackamas County Commission re - SB 5, which passed the Ohio Senate LCSA’s Yule party The union that represents Oregon 350-2, which represents 70 city em - ferred an alternative measure to voters, by a single vote in March, eliminated City public employees wants to retain ployees. which would have put any new urban the collective bargaining rights of some slated for Dec. 17 Jim Nicita as a city commissioner. “Jim has shown to be a person of in - renewal areas before local voters (not 350,000 public employees. Massive Nicita is facing a recall effort tegrity and a watchdog for the public’s the entire county). The Columbia Pa - crowds turned out to oppose the law, Labor’s Community Service Agency spurred by his opposition to the pro - interest — and the public’s money. cific Building and Construction Trades which was a priority for Republican (LCSA) and the Northwest Oregon La - posed The Rivers mall in Oregon City. Those are the two qualities we say we Council and NOLC endorsed the local Gov. John Kasich. A union-backed bor Council will hold their 15th annual “Jim Nicita has always been a want in elected officials, so this is no vote measure. coalition then collected 1.3 million sig - Presents from Partners Holiday Toy champion for fair labor negotiations time to throw the baby out with the With the vast majority of votes natures to refer the law to voters, and Party Saturday, Dec. 17, at Sheet Metal with our city’s workers, so of course bathwater over a single issue, despite counted, 51,483 voters supported mounted a massive campaign against it. Workers Local 16 Training Center, we commend that,” said Jake Ashen - emotions running high on both sides,” Measure 3-386, and 47,029 voters sup - “Ohio sent a message to every 2379 NE 178th Ave., Portland. berner, president of AFSCME Local Ashenberner said. ported Measure 3-388. politician out there: Go in and make Admission is by ticket only. Forms war on your employees rather than will be available for union locals to fill make jobs with your employees, and out referrals to the party. LCSA then you do so at your own peril,” said AFL- will send out tickets. Mark your calendar now for labor law conference CIO President Richard Trumka. “[This] A toy drive is currently under way to Mark your calendars for Friday, Jan. gon and Columbia Pacific building and tact Norman Malbin by email at Nor - victory represents a turning point in our collect toys for distribution at the party. 27, date of the 16th annual Oregon La - construction trades councils, and the man@ IBEW48.com, or call 503 889- collective work to protect good jobs, Toys will accepted now through Dec. bor Law Conference. Center for Worker Rights. 3669; or Kristi Straight by email at working families, and workplace rights. 15. The conference is for business man - For registration information, go to [email protected], or call 503-889- But it’s more than that. It’s a long-over - Call LCSA at 503-231-4962 to agers, business agents and union offi - www.laborlawconference.com or con - 3660. due return to common sense.” make arrangements for drop off. cers. The goal is to provide information that will help them do their jobs better and to help avoid legal liability. The focus this year is on the basic mechanics of running a union. There will be classes on arbitration, collective bargaining, the National Labor Rela - tions Board, the Oregon Employment Relations Board; classes on how to conduct union elections and required recordkeeping; a class on the world af - ter Wisconsin; and classes on workers’ compensation and Social Security. The conference is sponsored by IBEW Local 48, Oregon AFL-CIO, Northwest Oregon Labor Council, the Labor Education and Research Center of the University of Oregon, the Ore -

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NOVEMBER 18, 2011 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 3 General membership meets 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. OFFICIAL FIRE FIGHTERS 452 LANE , C OOS , C URRY & 21, preceded by a 6 p.m. stewards’ meeting. SIGN PAINTERS & Members meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 2807 Meeting are at 6025 E. Burnside, Portland. NW Fruit Valley Rd., Vancouver, Wash. DOUGLAS BCTC PAINT MAKERS 1094 Delegates meet at noon Wednesday, Nov. 23, at the NORTHWEST OREGON Members meet 3:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, in the IRE IGHTERS Springfield Training Center, 2861 Pierce Pkwy., Spring - District Office, at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. NOTICES F F 1660 field. Members meet 8 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at 4411 SW LABOR COUNCIL Sunset Dr., Lake Oswego. Delegates meet 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, at IBEW LINN -B ENTON -L INCOLN Local 48 Hall, 15937 NE Airport Way, Portland. SOUTHERN OREGON AUTO MECHANICS 1005 GLASS WORKERS 740 LABOR COUNCIL CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL Executive Board meets 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. Executive Board members meet 5 p.m. Thursday, Delegates meet 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, preceded PAINTERS & D RYWALL Delegates meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at the La - 14. Dec. 1, at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. by a 6:30 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at 1400 Salem bor Temple, 4480 Rogue Valley Hwy.#3, Central Point. Members meet 10 a.m. Saturdays, Nov. 19 and Dec. Portland area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, Ave., Albany. FINISHERS 10 17 preceded by a 9 a.m. shop stewards’ training. Stew - at 11145 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. Members meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 11145 ards must attend training class and regular meetings to Eugene area members meet 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5 at NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. www.iupatlocal10.org. be compensated. Best Western Grand Manor Inn, 971 Kruse Way, Spring - LINOLEUM LAYERS 1236 SOUTHWESTERN OREGON All meetings are at 25 Cornell, Gladstone. field. Executive Board meets 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, at PLEASE NOTE: Rochelle Conrad will be available Salem area members meet 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. PLASTERERS 82 CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL from 8 a.m. to noon during the regular lodge meeting to Candalaria Terrace, Suite 204, 2659 Commercial St. SE, Portland area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. Members meet 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 12812 Delegates meet 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5 at the Bay answer any questions you have concerning health, wel - Salem. 22, at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. NE Marx St., Portland. Area Labor Center, 3427 Ash, North Bend. fare and pension plans. INSULATORS 36 MACHINISTS 63 PORTLAND CITY & Executive Board meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7. Executive Board meets 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7. SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON BAKERS 114 Members meet 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9. Members meet 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, preceded by METROPOLITAN EMPLOYEES ELECTION NOTICE: Ballots will be mailed Mon - Meetings are at 11145 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. a 9 a.m. stewards’ meeting. 189 LABOR COUNCIL day, Nov. 28, 2011 to all members who were in good All meetings are at 25 Cornell, Gladstone. Delegates meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, preceded by standing on Nov. 15, 2011. Ballots must be marked and General membership meets 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22. an Executive Board meeting, at the new OPEIU Local mailed back to the Post Office Box immediately. Bal - IRON WORKERS 29 11 building. 3815 Columbia St., Vancouver, Wash. lots will be picked up and counted Dec. 13, 2011. Executive Board meets 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13. Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, preceded by Meetings are at 6025 E. Burnside Portland. PLEASE NOTE NEW LOCATION. The regular membership meeting will held at 1 pm, a 5:30 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at 11620 NE MACHINISTS 1432 Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, in the Union's meeting room at Ainsworth Cir., #200, Portland. Swing and graveyard shift members meet at 11 a.m. 7931 NE Halsey St., Suite 201, Portland, Oregon. Elec - Monday, Dec. 12. ROOFERS & W ATERPROOFERS tion results will be announced at that time. Regular membership meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. UNITED ASSOCIATION 290 IRON WORKERS 14. 49 Portland area members meet 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. SHOPMEN 516 Shop stewards’ training session 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. Executive Board meets 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1. 18, at 20210 SW Teton Ave., Tualatin. 19. Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8. Bend area members meet 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. BOILERMAKERS 500 Members meet 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at 11620 All meetings are at 25 Cornell, Gladstone. 22, at the Local 290 Training Center, 2161 SW First, Members meet 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at 2515 NE Meetings are at 5032 SE 26th Ave, Portland. (Phone: NE Ainsworth Cir., #300, Portland. Meeting date 503 232-4807) Redmond. Columbia Blvd., Portland. changed because of the Christmas holiday. In the event Brookings area meetings have been canceled for Nov. a quorum is not present on that date, for the purpose of MARION -P OLK -Y AMHILL and Dec. conducting local union business. SALEM BUILDING & Coos Bay area members meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED LABOR COUNCIL 22, at the Coos Bay Training Center, 2nd & Kruse, Coos Executive Board meets 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, CONSTRUCTION Bay. CRAFTWORKERS 1 LABORERS 320 followed by a 7 p.m. general meeting at 2110 State St., Eugene area members meet 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. The December meeting has been canceled. Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at Joe Edgar Salem. TRADES COUNCIL 21, at the Springfield Training Center, 2861 Pierce Park - Hall, Teamsters’ Complex, 1850 NE 162nd Ave., Port - Delegates meet 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at the way, Springfield. land. IBEW 280 Training Center, 33309 Hwy 99E, Tangent. Klamath Falls area meetings have been canceled for CEMENT MASONS 555 METAL TRADES COUNCIL Nov. and Dec. Members meet 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Holi - Delegates meet 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22. Medford area members meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. day Inn, 8439 NE Columbia Blvd., Portland. If you plan LABORERS 483 Executive Board meets 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8. SHEET METAL WORKERS 16 22, at 950 Industrial Circle, White City. PLEASE to attend, please call the office at 503 232-9341 before Members meet 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, at the Meetings are at IBEW Local 48 Hall, 15937 NE Air - Portland area VOC meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, NOTE DATE CHANGE. Nov. 30. PLEASE NOTE : The Dec. 15 meeting has Musicians Hall, 325 NE 20th Ave., Portland. port Way, Portland. at the Sheet Metal Training Center, 2379 NE 178th Ave., Salem area members meet 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, been canceled. Portland. at 1810 Hawthorne Ave. NE, Salem. ABORERS ANCOUVER OLDERS Portland members meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at The Dalles area meetings have been canceled for Nov. ENTRAL REGON ABOR L /V 335 M 139B the Sheet Metal Training Center, 2379 NE 178th Ave., and Dec. C O L Members meet 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, preceded by a Members meet 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, pre - Portland. Humboldt-Del Norte Co. area meetings have been COUNCIL 6:15 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at the Vancouver ceded by a 6 p.m. Executive Board meeting at the Car - Medford area members meet 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. canceled for Nov. and Dec. Delegates meet 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, at UA Labor Center, 2212 NE Andresen Rd., Vanc., Wash. penters Hall, 2205 N. Lombard, Portland. 14, at Wild River Pizza, 2684 N. Pacific Hwy., Medford. 290 Training Center, 2161 SE 1st St., Redmond. Eugene area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at Sheet Metal Local 16 Hall, 1887 Laura St., Spring - LANE COUNTY MULTNOMAH COUNTY field. UNITED STEELWORKERS 1097 COLUMBIA -P ACIFIC Coos Bay area members meet 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. Members meet 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, pre - LABOR COUNCIL EMPLOYEES 88 15, at Abby’s Pizza, 997 First St., Coos Bay. ceded by a 5:45 p.m. Executive Board meeting, in the BUILDING TRADES Delegates meet 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, at Executive Board meets 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. union office building, 91237 Old Mill Town Rd., West - Delegates meet 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Nov. 22 and Nov. 1116 South A St., Springfield. 7. port. 29, in Kirkland Union Manor II, 3535 SE 86th, Portland. ELECTRICAL WORKERS 48 Your Business Manager Meeting, Saturday, Nov. 19, Retiree Meeting Notices in the Meeting Hall. Call Nancy at 503-251-9681 for an appointment. Bylaws Committee meets 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. Joe Hill Night 21, in the Executive Boardroom. Alliance for Retired Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 25 Cornell, Marine Unit meets 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, the Americans Oregon Chapter ELECTRICAL WORKERS 280 Gladstone. celebration slated Meeting Hall. Executive Board meets 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. Executive Board meets 10 a.m. Retirees meet between 11:45 a.m. 7 and Dec. 14, in the Executive Boardroom. Thursday, Dec. 8, followed by an 11 and noon Monday, Dec. 12, at The NORTHWEST OREGON LABOR Nov. 19 in Portland Coast Unit meets 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at Astoria ETIREES OUNCIL Labor Temple, 926 Duane St., Astoria. a.m. General Membership meeting, in Old Country Buffet on Lancaster in R C Washington Unit meets 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, the Northwest Oregon Labor Council Salem. If you have any questions, Business meeting from 10 a.m. to A Joe Hill Night Celebration, at Round Table Pizza, 5016 NE Thurston, Vancouver. “Fanning the Flames of Discontent,” Electrical Workers Minority Caucus meets 5:30 p.m. board room, at 1125 SE Madison, please give Don Ball a call at 541- 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12, in the Tuesday, Dec. 13, in the Executive Boardroom. Portland. All retirees are welcome to 327-3388. Northwest Oregon Labor Council will be held Saturday, Nov. 19, from Residential Unit meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, in attend. board room, at 1125 SE Madison 7 to 10 p.m. at Star E Rose Cafe, the Dispatch Lobby. Sound and Communication Unit meets 6 p.m. ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS 23 #100G, Portland. 2403 NE Alberta St., Portland. Wednesday, Dec. 14, in the Meeting Hall. BAKERS 114 Retirees and wives meet 11:30 a.m. Union members have been cele - Wasco Unit meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, at Northern Wasco County PUD, 2345 River Road, The Retirees meet 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Denny’s OREGON AFSCME brating Joe Hill Night as a Portland Dalles. Dec. 22, at Izzy’s Pizza, 1307 NE Restaurant, 12101 SE 82nd Dr., Retirees meet 10 a.m. Tuesday, tradition since 1990. Holiday Banquet & Award Presentation meets 5 p.m. social hour, 6 p.m. meeting, Friday, Dec. 16, at Holiday 102nd Ave., Portland. Happy Valley. Dec. 20, at the AFSCME office, 6025 Hill, an organizer for the Indus - Inn Portland Airport, 8439 NE Columbia Blvd., Port - E. Burnside, Portland. Call Michael trial Workers of the World (IWW) land. Meetings are at 15937 NE Airport Way, Portland, un - ELECTRICAL WORKERS 48 GLASS WORKERS 740 Arken for information at 1-800-521- was framed on a murder charge and less otherwise noted. Retirees meet 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Retirees meet 11:30 a.m. Thursday, 5954 ext. 226. DEATH ASSESSMENT: No. 2286, Chris W. Terrell. executed by a firing squad in Salt The Nov. 2011 assessment is $1.50. Dec. 13, at CherryWood Village, Dec. 15, at Izzy’s Pizza & Buffet, Lake City, Utah on Nov. 19, 1915. 1417 SE 107th, Portland (from Wash - 1307 NE 102nd Ave. & Halsey, Port - TRANSIT 757 Some of his last words echo today, ELECTRICAL WORKERS 280 ington Street - Proceed to 102nd, turn land. Retirees meet 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, “Don’t mourn for me, Organize!” Executive Board meets 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. right ; this turns into Cherry Blossom; Dec. 7, at Westmoreland Union Music will be performed by Gen - 7, at 32969 Hwy. 99E, Tangent. Turn right on 107th to main entrance INSULATORS 36 Manor, 6404 SE 23rd, Portland. Bend Unit meets 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at the eral Strike and I Wobble Wobble. IBEW/UA Training Center, 2161 SW First St., Red - at Village Square — 1417 on front Retiree breakfast 9 a.m. Thursday, The suggested donation is $5 to mond. door) for the annual holiday lunch - Dec. 1, at the Dockside Restaurant, UNITED ASSOCIATION 290 Joint Unit meets 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at $20. Proceeds benefit the Alliance 33309 Hwy 99E, Tangent. eon. Dues are due for the year. For 2047 NW Front Ave., Portland. Portland area retirees meet 10 a.m. reservations and more information, Thursday, Dec. 15, at 20210 SW newspaper. ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS 23 please contact Glenn Hodgkinson at MACHINISTS Teton Ave., Tualatin. For more information contact Jim Members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, preceded by 503-656-0028. Retired Machinists meet 10 a.m. Cook at 503-703-1693. a 5:30 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at 12779 NE Whitaker Way, Portland.

PAGE 4 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS NOVEMBER 18, 2011 Postal worker rallies continue Portland-area letter carriers and their Local Motion allies held early morning rallies the week of Nov. 7 to encourage Congress October 2011 to save the U.S. Postal Service, without layoffs and cutbacks. A list of Oregon and Southwest Washington workplaces deciding The postmaster general is proposing whether to be union-represented – as reported by the National massive post office closings, reducing Labor Relations Board and the Oregon Employment Relations Board. days of delivery and service standards, as well as huge workforce cuts starting Voting in union elections Nov. 18 if Congress doesn’t act to fix it. “The cuts are not necessary. The Date Workplace (Location) Union Yes No postal service is not broke,” said Jim Cook, president of Portland-area Na - 9/29 First Student (Grants Pass) Teamsters Local 962 D E C E R T 45 59 tional Association of Letter Carriers 10/12 Fund for the Public Interest call center (Portland) CWA Local 7901 19 5 Branch 82, which organized the rallies. “Despite competition from the Internet 10/18 Franz Bakery outlet (Springfield) Bakers Local 114 4 0 and the severe recession, the U.S. Postal 10/19 Oregon Health Authority (Salem) SEIU Local 503 15 36 Service had remained profitable. The fi - Postal workers rally in front of the Piedmont/MLK Jr. Post Office in 10/19 Teacher Standards & Practices Comm. (Salem) SEIU Local 503 14 2 nancial problem was created by Con - Northeast Portland Nov. 8 to save Saturday and door-to-door delivery. gress and Congress can fix it.” Congress is considering several bills, two of which will dramatically cut 10/18 Franz Bakery outlet (Newport) Bakers Local 114 6 6 Cook pointed to a 2006 congres - service. The rally was one of four held by NALC Branch 82 the week of Nov. sional mandate requiring the Postal 7. Following this event, USPS management warned the union that any letter Service to pre-fund 75 years of retire - carriers caught picketing in uniform would be immediately suspended and ment benefits within 10 years, which possibly fired. Requesting a union election costs USPS $5.5 billion per year and Workplace (Location) Union Number of workers in unit makes the Postal Service appear to be Committee on Oversight and Govern - Postal worker unions oppose this bill losing money. No other U.S. govern - ment Reform on Oct. 13. The bill had too, saying pre-funding retiree health in - Neighbor Impact Head Start (Redmond) OSEA D E C E RT 12 ment agency is required to pre-fund re - not been acted on by the full House at surance is still the top policy priority. Down River / ITW (Woodland) AWPPW D E C ERT 12 tirement in this manner. press time. The measure ties the future of Saturday Akzo Nobel Coatings (Salem) Teamsters Local 324 D ECERT 29 “This was a union-busting trick by A postal reform measure in the Sen - service to profitability and mandates the Eagle Painting and Construction (Hubbard) Painters District Council 5 2 the Republicans,” Cook said. ate — the 21st Century Postal Service phase-out of door-to-door delivery for A labor-backed bill in the U.S. Act (S. 1789) — cleared the Homeland 35 million households and businesses, House (H.R. 1351), which has a bi-par - Security and Governmental Affairs putting 80,000 postal jobs at risk. LEGEND tisan majority of co-sponsors (226), Committee Nov. 9 on a bipartisan vote “A retiree health pre-funding man - : workers will be union-represented : workers will be on their own would address the pre-funding issue. of 9-1. The committee is chaired by date will make profits impossible,” The bill, however, is bottled up in com - Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.). NALC said. DECERT : A decertification election occurs when some union-represented workers declare that the union no longer has majority support. A ‘yes’ vote is a vote for the union. mittee by its chair, right-wing U.S. Rep. Darrel Issa (R-Calif.). Issa has introduced his own bill, which would gut collective bargaining rights for postal workers and privatize much of the work, among other things. H.R. 2309 was approved by the House

NOVEMBER 18, 2011 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 5 EE BARGAIN COUNTER Who’s On Our Side? FR By Tom Chamberlain Free classified ads to subscribers DEADLINE: Friday prior to publication housands of Oregonians who message and mission of social and Published 1st and 3rd Fridays Tbelieve in the message of the economic justice. 99% flooded downtown Portland Pundits have tried to define the derstand that while we are part of the Now accepting e-mail Saturday and Sunday in support of 99ers as a political movement. They movement, we are not the leaders of Send to: [email protected] maintaining the Occupy Portland en - are not, and they may not evolve into the movement. Much like the rela - campment. one. Remember — in large part, tionship between the Civil Rights Mail to: NWLP, PO Box 13150, Portland OR 97213 For many, the camp itself was the these are the folks who dove into the and union movements, our move - (Please include union affiliation) movement. For others, the camp was 2008 election of change and ex - ments will often complement each an important symbol of a larger pected a new America, where we all other. • 15-20 words • No commercial or business ads • 1 ad per issue movement that has captured the shared in wealth and prosperity. In - We have similar goals and objec - • All lower case ( NO CAPITAL LETTERS, PLEASE ) • imagination and the promise of hope stead, they have witnessed more tives, and we can fight shoulder-to- for Americans who believe that their wealth transferred to the über-rich. shoulder to restore American social government has failed them, who They are disenfranchised from the and economic justice. But we must Ads MUST include area code or they will not be published lost confidence in elected officials political system and believe that treat the 99% leadership, whether it when they close their eyes to the change can only occur from social is the general assembly or commit - AutomotivE matte black, never used, $125. 503-493- activism. tees, a new governance structure or a 7413 lack of jobs and the loss of homes, in ford 351-w gt heads, complete, big favor of deep-pocketed supporters The strength of the 99% is not in continuing evolution of leadership, valves, potted, converted to 3/8 studs, from Wall Street. their political ambitions, and it is not as equals. $500. 503-630-4177 wAntEd For others, the closure of the dependent on an encampment. Our best chance for change in ’52 ford 4dr, $2,500; ’91 ford pickup ¾, old woodworking tools, planes, camp is positive, unshackling the Physically occupying a park America is ensuring that the 99% $1,750. 503-289-0066 (ed) levels, chisels, handsaws, slicks, adzes, movement survives and evolves — ’04 toyota camry, clean, ac, ps, pd, wrenches, folding rulers, leather tools, movement from the camp that had long-term isn’t sustainable. But 58,900 miles, $12,000. 503-658-8788 such a strategy was essential, bring - beyond the park encampments — tool chests. 503-659-0009 become a magnet for the homeless, motorcycles, scooters, quads, run - mentally ill, and those in the grip of ing attention and focus to the move - and into the future. They will need ning or not, riding lawnmowers,vws, trac - alcohol and drugs — the people ment and the problems inherent with funds, supplies and support. We will housing tors, cash paid, will pick up. 503-880-8183 most failed by the system the 99% is an economic and social system that need to develop a relationship with lincoln city vacation rental, 3 bdrm, 2 collector pays cash for older toys, protesting but, unfortunately, also has forgotten about the vast majority them where we all listen and respect bath, $100/night, slps 8, wi-fi, 2 blocks to older oil paintings and older american art each other’s ideas and perspectives. beach, 4 blocks to casino. 503-804-7976 pottery. 503 703-5952 those whose presence brought a of Americans. rockaway ocean front, 503-777-5076, collector wants u.s., german, & growing need for services and grow - For the 99% — at least in Port - The 99% is on our side. It is a 5 bdrms/2 ba, call for fisherman’s special japanese military items, hats, helmets, ing public safety concerns. land — to survive will require it to moment in history that will not be http://home.comcast.net/~rockaway.beach uniforms, flags, swords, bayonets, rifles, Over several weeks I have met evolve into a sustainable movement. repeated for generations. We must rockaway beach rental, 3 bdrm, 2 bath, pistols, etc. 503-852-6791 To do so they must maintain their continue to be on their side. Let’s sleeps 10, jacuzzi, 5 min to beach and shops. silver coins, us and canadian, 1964 with various members of the en - vacationhomerentals.com/43026, ocean front avail and older dimes, quarters, half-dollars and campment’s committees. They all unique identity. They must continue not waste this moment. 3 bdrm, 2 bth duplex, 214 e 20th st, vancou - dollars for top silver prices. 503-806-6287 had the symptoms of weariness to deny any group the power to co- ver/arnada area, no smoke/pets, $1,195/mo, lifelong collector buying us and about their eyes, but all were fear - opt them. Tom Chamberlain is president of view at craigslist.org posting id 2696026305, world coins to add to collection, paying less, and have a true belief in their As union leaders we need to un - the Oregon AFL-CIO. then call 503-803-0118. fairly, any amount welcome. 503-939- 8835 miscEllAnEous solid wooden rocking airplane, perfect. $50. For thE homE 503-771-1570 CWA #7901’s Elder to co-chair group vintage drag saw built in portland in 1927 by vaughan motor works, needs work, asking promoting greater access to broadband $300. 503-730-0604 Citing broadband’s ability to spur should be available to every family and The Internet Innovation Alliance sPorting goods economic growth and improve the qual - business person in the state, no matter supports reforming the Universal Serv - mini 14 clips, 30-40 rd, new $15, $20/ Rain Forest Boots ity of life among many communities, a where they live,” Elder said. ice Fund to include broadband. It also astra a -100 9mm nickel, new in box, Made in America! sell or trade. 503-949-9314 coalition of busi - Oregon IIA will spend the coming supports the more efficient use of spec - rifle scope, bushnell elite 3200, 2x7, nesses, unions, and months educating state leaders and oth - trum, as well as the proposed merger of try a pair on, you’ll like them. non-profit groups ers about the importance of mobile AT&T and T-Mobile, which it says is a tough boots for the northwest. have formed an broadband and its many benefits. The key way to achieve broadband avail - Oregon chapter of state ranks 27th in the country in Inter - ability to more than 97 percent of the the Internet Innova - net access, according to the National U.S. population. For more about IIA, al’s shoes 5811 sE 82nd, Portland 503-771-2130 tion Alliance (IIA) Broadband Map. go to www.internetinnovation.org. Mon-Fri 10-7:30 Sat 10-5:30 Sun 12-6 to promote broad - MADELYN band access and ELDER adoption through - out the state. IBEW Local 970 in Longview Broadway Floral IIA is a national coalition that in - merges with Portland-based #48 for the BEST flowers call cludes companies such as AT&T, 503-288-5537 OneEconomy, and Connected Nation. Two local affiliates of the Interna - counties — but those are slated to in - 1638 NE Broadway, Portland “Broadband drives opportunity in tional Brotherhood of Electrical Work - crease incrementally until Jan. 1, 2014, everything, from our economy to edu - ers (IBEW) have merged as of Nov. 1 when they will equal Local 48’s wage cation and entrepreneurship to health — 191-member IBEW Local 970, and benefit package. Members who care,” said Madelyn Elder, president of based in Longview, Washington, will were on Local 970’s out-of-work lists Communications Workers of America now be part of Portland-headquartered were added into Local 48’s lists based (CWA) Local 7901. Elder recently was IBEW Local 48, which had 3,647 on the date they registered. named co-chair of Oregon IIA, along members prior to the merger. Local 970 business manager Mike with Brad Hicks, CEO of the Med - Members of both unions approved Bridges joins Local 48’s staff as a busi - ford/Jackson County Chamber of the merger in voting held in September. ness representative for Southwest Commerce. Local 970’s business manager and Washington, and Local 970 office ad - “High-speed Internet helps busi - president become members of the Lo - ministrator Sue Harris will join Local nesses connect to new markets and stu - cal 48 Executive Board. 48’s staff in a similar capacity. dents connect to classrooms anywhere Wages and benefits are slightly The Local 970 business office will in the world. Those opportunities lower in Local 970’s jurisdiction — maintain office hours until January, and Washington’s Cowlitz and Wahkiakum will be closed thereafter.

PAGE 6 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS NOVEMBER 18, 2011 Senator threatened ‘guns-a-blazing’ if NLRB moved on Boeing “He told me … he would go to the say jobs are the nation’s No. 1 priority,” • Ban money for the NLRB’s pro - NLRB budget. GOP lawmakers Hill to prevent me from litigating the the AFL-CIO said. posal to streamline union recognition “If these documents represent the case… I said that I had the CEO on tape Currently, Republicans who control election processes, including consoli - position Chairman Rehberg intends to have launched saying that the move to SC was not be - the U.S. House are trying to defund the dating all the complaints in one hearing. take into negotiations with the Senate, nearly 50 attacks cause of economics but because of the NLRB and ban the Board from acting • Ban the notice, which the NLRB it looks like we’re in for a long, difficult Machinists strike. I said I had a triable in a half dozen different fields of labor has already promulgated, telling em - process,” DeLauro commented. “The on the NLRB this case and that I would do whatever I relations. ployers they must put up agency-pro - Rehberg draft injects a whole host of thought was right under the NLRA [Na - House Labor Appropriations Sub - vided free posters informing workers of new, contentious legislative issues into year alone tional Labor Relations Act].” committee Chairman Denny Rehberg their rights to join — or not join — the process, most of them quite extrane - In a letter released Nov. 9 about Gra - (R-Mont.) inserted the bans over the unions. The NLRB has delayed final ous to the task at hand. WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. ham’s and Boeing’s threats, Rep. Elijah protests of the panel’s top Democrat, implementation of that rule until Jan. While Rehberg’s draft bill, with all Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) threatened to Cummings (D-Md.), the ranking De - Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) She defended 31. its anti-worker provisions, has yet to get come out with “full guns a-blazing” mocrat on the House Oversight and the NLRB and workers. And she said • Exempt “small businesses” from through the GOP-run House Appropria - against the National Labor Relations Government Reform Committee said: Rehberg isn’t even letting other legisla - labor law coverage. DeLauro pointed tions Committee, the Democratic-run Board (NLRB) if NLRB acting General “No corporation should be able to tors work on the measure, making them out that under the Small Business Ad - Senate Appropriations panel approved Counsel Lafe Solomon issued a com - discriminate against American workers “bystanders” to his ideology. ministration’s definition of “small busi - its money bill — including NLRB plaint against the Boeing Co., which is and then avoid accountability for its ac - The NLRB riders that Rehberg in - ness,” which Rehberg adopted, a firm funds — last month. accused of moving production away tions by using its political influence in serted would: could have up to 1,000 workers and be (Editor’s Note: Mike Hall of the from its state of Washington facility in Congress to seek to undermine the rule • Reaffirm federal labor law’s 76- exempt. AFL-CIO NOW News Blog and Press retaliation for the workers exercising of law. These new documents raise seri - year-old ban on covering farmworkers Republicans also have proposed a 17 Associates Inc. contributed to this re - their right to strike. The threat was made ous concerns that this may be exactly — and extend it to “employees engaged percent cut — $49 million — in the port.) nine days before the NLRB issued the what happened in this case.” in the maintenance and operation of complaint April 20. In 2011 alone, Republicans have ditches, canals, reservoirs, and water - Graham’s threats were revealed in launched nearly 50 attacks on the ways” where 95 percent of the water Solomon’s notes on the phone call that NLRB and the NLRA. goes for farms. The Hill newspaper obtained through “They’ve introduced 24 bills and • Ban the NLRB’s proposal to force Take your message the Freedom of Information Act. In amendments; approved one continuing more disclosure by — and enforce rules OPEN those notes Solomon writes: resolution; held eight hearings; and tied on — what Rehberg calls “persuaders” further, occupiers “He said that if a complaint was up the agency with eight threatening let - and labor calls union-busters. filed, it will be very, very, nasty… He ters, four official requests for docu - • Ban money to approve creation of To The Editor: said that if a complaint was issued he ments, and one subpoena — none of “micro-unions,” an idea floated by sev - The Occupy Portland movement FORUM was going ‘full guns a-blazing.’ ” which created a single job,” said Zoe eral labor law professors. did a great job of drawing our attention Since the complaint was issued, Re - Bridges-Curry of American Rights at • Ban the board from issuing any de - to the social inequities resulting from publican lawmakers have threatened to Work, a nonprofit advocacy organiza - cision to change the Bush-era standard corruption, double standards, and cut the NLRB’s funding, block nomina - tion promoting the freedom of workers for secret-ballot elections. abuse of power in American politics and commerce. But with the appear - and pipeliners who will work on the tions to the board, and impose new laws to organize unions and bargain collec - • Ban “electronic, remote or absen - pipeline as part of the 1%. Tell that to to curtail its authority. tively with employers. “So it’s clear that tee voting” in union representation elec - ance of drug dealers, arsonists, and sanitation issues, the occupation of the unemployed on our hiring list. Solomon’s notes on the case also re - their ultimate aim is to eliminate the tions, forcing all the votes to be cast on - Ron Murray veal that Boeing General Counsel Mike rights and protections that ensure the 99 site. Putting all voting onsite gives public-owned spaces should end. We need to take the original positive mes - UA Local 290 (Retired) Luttig threatened to bring congressional percent a fair shake in the workplace.” employers another shot at taking names Portland pressure if the NLRB issued a com - “The assaults on workers’ rights of union supporters for later discipline, sage further in our individual day-to- plaint. come at a time when most Americans harassment or firing. day thoughts, social exchanges, and actions. Every day we need to reaffirm End Bush tax cuts why we think what we think, with a fo - Statement by AFL-CIO President cus on the 2012 elections. Richard Trumka on Republican pro - With our consumer dollars we posal to permanently extend Bush tax should help grow small, locally owned cuts. — therefore locally accountable — “On Nov. 9, Republicans on the so- businesses. Large corporations may called “Super Committee” proposed employ thousands, but they hold those lowering tax rates for the richest Amer - jobs hostage in return for corporate icans while cutting hundreds of billions welfare in the form of tax breaks and/or of dollars in Social Security and subsidies. Government and corpora - Medicare benefits that middle class tions should be accountable to us, not Americans depend on. This is Robin vice versa. And with the upcoming Hood in reverse: class warfare against election cycle, let’s do our best to re - the American middle class on behalf of mind government that it’s supposed to the top 1 percent. govern for us, not over us. “You can’t use budget deficits as an Steve Weaser excuse to cut middle class benefits one NALC Branch 82 minute, and the next minute propose Portland making the deficit worse by lowering tax rates for rich people. After all, Bush tax cuts are the number one reason why ‘Occupiers’ show projected deficits are so high over the next 10 years. If we want to bring down true colors the federal deficit, we have to start by To The Editor: letting the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy Labor’s support of the Occupy Port - expire on schedule. Haven’t Republi - land demonstration has ultimately been cans noticed that Americans from every revealed as knee-jerk and misguided at walk of life are fed up with this con - best. Whereas the “movement” spirited stant catering to the demands of the 1 itself as representing “the 99%” and percent? This is the same kind of tone- highly critical of big business, it has deaf overreaching on behalf of the 1 now shown its true colors and is demon - percent that voters in Ohio overwhelm - strating against the Keystone pipeline ingly rejected yesterday. Democrats on project — a critical construction project the Super Committee should firmly for America and her workers. Perhaps come out against this proposal and those who oppose Keystone consider stand with the 99 percent of Americans the highly-skilled plumbers, pipefitters, who are demanding change.”

NOVEMBER 18, 2011 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 7 Troubles continue with First Student Bus drivers at Portland Public Schools ink new deal BY DON M CINTOSH separate division of First Group, but in 1997, and have outlived their 10-year ASSOCIATE EDITOR uses the same negotiators. life expectancy. Tompte says there were School bus drivers at Portland Pub - And all around the Portland metro 25 buses per mechanic when she lic Schools have a new union contract area, units of First Student have their started in 1993 and that today there are — 14 months after their old one ex - own fights with the company. Three 50 buses per mechanic. pired. The settlement, with bus con - groups of workers represented by Ore - Many of those complaints are likely tractor First Student, came three weeks gon School Employees Association to be remedied, however, said Portland after an Oct. 3 strike vote by the 220- (OSEA) are waiting for a federal Public Schools transportation services worker bargaining unit. The drivers are judge’s decision in a National Labor director Andy Leibenguth. That’s be - members of Portland-based Amalga - Relations Board (NLRB) case that has cause under the district’s new six-year, mated Transit Union Local 757. been under way since mid-2010. In its $69-million contract with First Stu - But the agreement is likely to be a investigation, the NLRB found that dent, the company will be moderniz - temporary peace, said Anna Tompte, a First Student repeatedly violated fed - ing its school bus fleet next year. member of the Local 757 Executive eral labor law and failed to bargain in For now, Tompte said drivers at Board. Tompte — who drives students good faith with OSEA-represented Portland Public Schools are happy at Hayhurst, Rieke, and Robert Gray school bus drivers at the Gresham-Bar - with the new contract. The vote to rat - schools — will soon be back negotiat - low, Lake Oswego, and Molalla school ify was unanimous, once 30 workers ing with First Student. The new con - districts — canceling wage increases, who voted “no” changed their votes. tract expires in less than 10 months. attendance bonuses, and matching con - Two 2.5 percent raises bring the start - And bargaining begins Jan. 26 for a tributions; canceling meetings and re - ing wage up to $13.22, and the top rate separate contract covering bus me - fusing to meet with union bargaining “They send us out there with buses that are marginal,” says First Transit (reached after six years) to $15.76 — chanics. teams; refusing to answer basic ques - school bus driver Joe Clyde. Clyde, who drives students at Lincoln High for most work. Because the two-year First Student is a division of First tions necessary to bargain; and refus - School, used to work as an aircraft mechanic at United Air Lines and at contract is retroactive to Sept. 1, 2010, Group, a multi-national transit indus - ing to negotiate wages, benefits and Horizon. Above, he uses a tire gauge to show wear on the rear tires at the bus most drivers will get a back pay check try contractor based in the United economic issues until all non-eco - yard at 6755 NE Columbia Blvd. Under a new six-year contract with the of around $500. Workers also got some Kingdom. nomic issues had been agreed to. district, however, First Student will bring in new buses next year and retire protection against increased insurance Even as Portland Public Schools As a for-profit enterprise, First Stu - old ones. premiums: First Student agreed to ab - bus drivers settle for now, their fellow dent makes money when it limits sorb all premium increases up to 12 Local 757 members have authorized a worker pay — and maintenance costs. frequent breakdowns, bald tires, broken an antenna for nine months, so when percent, and split 50-50 any increase strike at First Transit, which has a con - Drivers interviewed by the Labor Press two-way radios. Don Morrison, who dispatch wanted to communicate about above that. tract with TriMet to drive the vans that complained at length about problems drives students at Vestal, Whitman, and a lost child, they were unable to reach “We walked away with 80 percent transport the disabled. First Transit is a with the buses they’re given to drive — Sellwood schools, says he didn’t have him. Many of the buses were purchased of what we asked for,” Tompte said.

PAGE 8 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS NOVEMBER 18, 2011