Official See Inside Meeting Notices Page 4

Volume 113 Number 4 February 17, 2012 Portland

Aveda sites are leafleted The NLRB also objected to numer - ous rules in Dosha’s employee hand - in six cities, while in book that unlawfully restrict employ - Portland, pickets follow ees rights to discuss and CWA and allies turn up working conditions with each other. a brief occupation Some violations listed in the com - plaint could be resolved if Dosha posts By DON McINTOSH a notice promising not to do those Associate Editor pressure on Dosha things. But the complaint also includes Local unionists in six cities turned a more serious charge: that Dosha fired up public pressure on Dosha Salon Spa massage therapist Mary Christ because Feb. 7 — several days after the Na - of her support for the union. tional Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Soon after she was hired, Christ accused the company of multiple vio - joined her new co-workers in demon - lations of federal labor law. strating support for the union by wear - Dosha is an Aveda-branded salon ing red feathers in their hair. After that, with five Portland-area locations. Last Christ says, she was called into the of - March its employees voted to join fice for several intimidating meetings Communications Workers of America with managers, and ultimately, termi - (CWA) Local 7901. But Dosha hired nated on Sept. 12. former Oregon Republican Party chair “I don’t regret it at all, because Bob Tiernan to handle negotiations [showing the union colors] was the over a first union contract, and no con - Aveda Institute Portland was the site of a brief labor rally Feb. 7. The institute was targeted because its owner, Ray right thing to do, and it’s what I believe tract is yet agreed to after over eight in.” months of meetings with Tiernan asso - Motameni, is also co-owner of Dosha Salon Spa, which stands accused by the National Labor Relations Board of numerous labor law violations before and after its workers unionized last year. Christ is a 27-year-old single mom ciate Al Orheim. with a two-year-old son to support and So on Feb. 7, union staff, members, $14,000 in student debt from Ashmead and supporters leafleted outside beauty school which is owned by conduct before and after the union surveillance cameras at the Hawthorne School of Massage to pay down. She Aveda’s Minneapolis headquarters, at Dosha co-owner Ray Motameni. election — threats, inducements, sur - location, where support for the union is would have made $11 to $13 an hour at Aveda locations in Chicago, Los An - Four days before the blitz, the veillance and discipline — all to dis - most active. Cameras are aimed not at Dosha, but says because she agreed to geles, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and NLRB issued a complaint against courage workers from voting for the cash registers but at areas where em - do massage 35 hours a week, they paid at all five Dosha stores. Dosha, and set a March 20 date for an union, or to dampen hopes for a first ployees meet and discuss. Local 7901 her $15 an hour. Now, she’s at Hand Unionists also picketed Dosha’s administrative law judge to hear the contract after workers voted to union - President Madelyn Elder says man - and Stone massage in Happy Valley, Northwest Portland location and briefly charges. Most of the alleged labor law ize anyway. agers are using them to monitor pro- occupied Aveda Institute Portland, a violations involve management mis - Management also installed several union workers, with chilling effect. (Turn to Page 3) Some unions call it ‘A vicious attack on workers’ rights’ FAA funding bill includes changes to Railway Labor Act In what some in labor are calling “a The 2012 amendments to the RLA guards provided by the NMB. ing a contract. by the NMB that called for a “major - vicious attack on workers’ rights,” were not part of a stand-alone bill, but The union leaders asked that the “The measure has an essential col - ity-rules election process” for railway Congress, for the first time since 1981, rather, were attached to a Federal Avi - amendments to the FAA Moderniza - lective bargaining provision which ad - and airline workers wanting to union - has amended the Railway Labor Act ation Administration (FAA) funding tion and Reform Act of 2012 (HR 658) dresses personnel management issues ize. Before 2010, workers who did not (RLA). The RLA is a federal law that reauthorization bill that has been held be deleted and that Congress pass a that permeated the FAA and soured its cast a ballot in a union election were governs labor relations in the rail and up in Congress for more than a year. “clean FAA reauthorization that all relationship with its workforce for counted as a “no” vote. airline industries. The amendments were pushed by concerned recognize this country much of the past decade,” said Rinaldi. As the Washington State Labor [The Railway Labor Act was en - anti-union Republicans, favored by sorely needs and supports.” “This critical provision ensures the en - Council noted: “This uniquely unde - acted in 1926 with the active support major airlines — and strongly opposed HR 658 does include safety meas - tire FAA workforce will never again mocratic practice was ended and re - of labor and management in the rail - by 18 international unions because ures that bring the air traffic control have work and pay rules imposed upon placed with normal majority-rules elec - way industry. It was amended in 1934 they had nothing to do with FAA fund - system into the 21st century, as well as them.” tions, the same ones that exist for all to establish the National Mediation ing. funding through 2014, which could re - ALPA President Capt. Lee Moak other American workers, and in fact, Board (NMB) to oversee the law and “It’s a vicious attack on workers’ sult in airport construction projects that agreed, but conceded: “There’s no are the standard for all elections from to conduct union elections. The Board rights,” the 18 international union pres - create up to 100,000 . doubt this bill could have been im - local school boards to the presidency.” is an independent agency in the Execu - idents wrote in a letter to Congress There was enough good in the bill proved by omitting provisions unre - The new rule, however, infuriated tive Branch that consists of three board prior to a vote in the Senate. that the National Air Traffic Con - lated to aviation safety. That compro - airline and transportation corporations. members appointed by the president, The revisions, they say, create new trollers Association (NATCA) and the mise was necessary to set the ” for After losing a federal lawsuit to have with the consent of the Senate. In 1936, roadblocks for employees seeking Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) the bill’s approval. the new rule overturned, corporate the Act was extended to include the union representation, take away secret supported it. Senate Democratic leadership and bosses went to Republicans in Con - U.S. airline industry. It was amended ballot rights, increase the threshold NATCA President Paul Rinaldi House GOP leaders touted HR 658 as gress, who inserted a provision to do again in 1951 to permit union-shop needed to call for a union election from praised its section governing collective a “compromise” bill. That’s because so in the FAA reauthorization bill. agreements, followed by legislation in 35 percent of employees signing cards bargaining for his members that pre - House Republicans originally had Democrats opposed it, agreeing 1981 to include public commuter rail - to 50 percent, make collective bargain - vents a future Administration from uni - sought an amendment to the bill to roads.] ing more difficult, and limit the safe - laterally declaring impasse and impos - overturn a rule implemented in 2010 (Turn to Page 7) ILWU #21 ratifies 5-year contract at EGT in Longview LONGVIEW — The International 23, when Washington Governor Chris ILWU, but EGT argued that was a ILWU President Robert McEllrath providing family- jobs for com - Longshore and Warehouse Union Gregoire announced a settlement after “pre-hire” agreement, which would said, “The men and women of the munities like Longview. This agree - (ILWU) signed a five-year collective secretly meeting with the two sides on run afoul of the National Labor Rela - ILWU have crafted hundreds of col - ment was crafted with the goals of bargaining agreement with EGT, LLC more than a dozen occasions. tions Act. lective bargaining agreements over the safety, productivity, good jobs for the Feb. 10 covering land-side and ship- Since that announcement, Long- Under the terms of Gregoire’s set - past several decades that have made community, and stability for the grain side operations at the multinational view-based ILWU Local 21 opened up tlement, the Port agreed to drop that many companies profitable while also industry in mind.” corporations new grain terminal at the its hiring hall to EGT, which hired a clause from the lease, and ILWU and Port of Longview. group of ILWU members — 25 to 35 EGT agreed to drop unfair labor prac - The agreement, covering both pro - of them, according to the Longview tice charges before the National Labor duction and maintenance work, estab - Daily News. Then on Jan. 30 and 31, Relations Board. Over the course of lishes guidelines for a regular Long - the union submitted cards signed by a the last year more than 200 union shore workforce at the facility for majority of the workers saying they members and activists were arrested day-to-day operations and creates a se - want to be represented by ILWU Lo - for blocking EGT-bound trains and for lect pool of employees who will work cal 21. An arbitrator verified that the clashes with police. ILWU also agreed as needed to service incoming vessels, cards were authentic on Feb. 1, at to call off a massive protest it was plan - barges, trains, and other operations at which point EGT “voluntarily” recog - ning for when the first ship arrived to the facility, the ILWU said. nized ILWU Local 21 as the workers’ export grain. Neither side would disclose any bargaining representative. On Feb. 7, Hong Kong-flagged MV other details about the contract. All this appeared to satisfy legal Full Sources became the first ship to Thus ends a bitter year-long, high concerns EGT had expressed when it dock at the EGT terminal, to be loaded stakes battle — in court and on the sued the Port of Longview last year in with wheat bound for Korea. The two docks — between the union and com - federal court. A clause in the Port’s sides were still negotiating details of pany over whether EGT would employ lease with EGT said that the company the collective bargaining agreement ILWU members at its new $200 mil - was obligated to observe the Port’s when it arrived, but ILWU agreed that lion grain terminal. It all started Jan. working and wage agreement with members would begin loading the ship in a show of good faith. Three days later, a five-year collective bargaining UOTE OF THE EEK is just a game being perpetrated in agreement had been ratified. Q W Washington to maintain the status quo In a joint press release, EGT’s CEO of wealth for the few.” Larry Clarke called the agreement “Folks in this country have to begin ARLENE VIOLET “unique on the West Coast,” adding to ask themselves whether democracy FORMER RHODE ISLAND AG that it “provides us the dedicated work - is still working, or, as I believe, that we HAVE WE BECOME A PLUTOCRACY ? force and the flexibility to run this 21st have fallen into a plutocracy. Gridlock VALLEY BREEZE , F EB . 7, 2012 century facility efficiently and safely.”

PAGE 2 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS FEBRUARY 17, 2012 ...Pressure on at Dosha (From Page 1) Portland Jobs with Justice who were where she says employees are paid and shuttling around the Portland area on treated better than at Dosha. buses for an afternoon of protests. Christ says Dosha HR manager Tri - At one point, Elder – the Local 7901 cia McMackin — the same manager president – addressed students via bull - who fired her in September — called horn. Several students yelled back that Jan. 26 to offer $500 to $1,000 if she’d Aveda is not the same as Dosha, while drop her case at the NLRB. If she didn’t others yelled “let her speak.” The prob - accept the offer, McMackin told her, lem, Elder tried to explain, was that the going to court could take up to a year to students may graduate $10,000 in debt finalize. only to make starting wages at Dosha “I said, ‘No, I want what the NLRB of not much over . has determined is rightfully mine: my CWA is seeking wage increases in its back plus back pay,” Christ said. negotiations with Dosha. To help publicize wrongdoing by Moments into the beauty school Dosha, CWA reached out to other takeover, Aveda Institute Portland man - unions for support. On Feb. 7, local agers called police, and a squad of five central labor councils mobilized officers arrived as demonstrators were leafleters in other cities, while in the re-boarding their buses. Managers Portland area, the Oregon AFL-CIO spoke emotionally about “scare tac - dispatched about 40 unionists for three tics,” declared that the union should ‘We have these Valentines to deliver…’ hours of leafleting outside all five confine itself to the bargaining table, Above, a group of about 80 activists with Portland Jobs low School District — school bus drivers there are still try - Dosha locations. Leafleters included and said they wanted to press charges with Justice drop by for an unannounced visit to Portland ing to get a first contract more than 18 months after they staff and members of CWA, American for trespassing. Protesters, meanwhile, City Hall Feb. 7, demanding a halt to proposed city worker voted to join Oregon School Employees Association. Federation of Teachers-Oregon, the denied that they’d heard any order to layoffs and to fines levied against a homeless encampment. • The Neighbors United worker center in Gresham, a Oregon School Employees Associa - leave in the din of chanting and yelling. The visit was one of seven stops made by two busloads of community organizing space developed by the group We tion, the Oregon Nurses Association, In the end, no arrests were made. union supporters during a six-hour roving protest. Are Oregon. AFSCME, Machinists, and Working Elder says Dosha has implemented At City Hall, “have a heart” was the message delivered to • University Station post office, for a rally to save the America. They also collected 100 sig - several union proposals so far, includ - City Commissioner Nick Fish. Fish agreed to an impromptu postal service. natures on support petitions. ing a safety committee, biohazard train - meeting, and responded, basically, that he has a heart; it’s his • Legacy Health System HQ, for a short protest against The day’s most heated interaction ing procedures, and hepatitis B vacci - pocketbook that’s shriveled up. But Fish told the activists 400 layoffs. wasn’t at one of the Dosha salons, how - nations. And Dosha agreed to he’s all ears when it comes to suggestions on how to avoid • Aveda Institute Portland and Dosha Salon Spa at NW ever, but at Aveda Institute Portland, reimburse employees for bank fees they the cuts. [A day earlier, ABC News released poll results 23rd and Glisan, to demand a contract for a group of hair where a group of about 80 protesters incurred after a rash of bounced pay - showing that 72 percent of Americans support raising taxes stylists, nail techs, and massage therapists. [See Page 1] encountered Dosha co-owner Ray Mo - checks in September. Elder said Dosha on incomes over $1 million. No word on when that proposal The afternoon of protest was part of Portland JwJ’s “Port - tameni and several managers. For a paychecks bounced for at least 20 will come to City Hall.] land Rising” campaign, which calls for good jobs and no noisy 10 minutes, the school — many workers, and then at least 7 workers Other stops: cuts. It was the group’s second bus-borne day of action; the of whose graduates go on to work at two weeks later. Ironically, direct de - • The First Student school bus yard for the Gresham-Bar - first took place June 30, 2011. Dosha — was invaded by supporters of posit of paychecks was one of the first union proposals in bargaining, to which Dosha did not agree. In December, the NLRB dismissed a separate charge in which CWA said it was unlawful for Dosha to change its health care plan without the agreement of the workers. CWA is appealing the of the charge. [Visit nwlaborpress.org for video and images of the protest.]

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FEBRUARY 17, 2012 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 3 Board position-at-large will be held at this meeting. Meetings are at 6025 E. Burnside, Portland. Humboldt-Del Norte Co. area members meet 6 p.m. OFFICIAL IRON WORKERS 29 Elections in April if necessary. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Eureka Center, 634 Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, March 1, preceded Meetings are at 25 Cornell, Gladstone. California St., Eureka, Calif. by a 5:30 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at 11620 NE ROOFERS & W ATERPROOFERS Ainsworth Circle #200, Portland. MACHINISTS 1432 49 UNITED STEELWORKERS 1097 NOTICES Swing and graveyard shift members meet 11 a.m. Executive Board meets 7 p.m. Thursday, March 1. Members meet 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, pre - IRON WORKERS Monday, March 12 Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, March 8. ceded by a 6:15 p.m. Executive Board meeting, in the Regular membership meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Meetings are at 5032 SE 26th Ave., Portland. union office building, Westport. SHOPMEN 516 March 14. Members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at 11620 Shop stewards’ training session 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. SHEET METAL WORKERS 16 AUTO MECHANIC 1005 NE Ainsworth Circle #200, Portland. 18. Executive Board meets 6 p.m. Thursday, March 8, at Meetings are at 25 Cornell, Gladstone. Portland area VOC meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, March Public employee unions Members meet 10 a.m. Saturday Feb. 18, preceded 11620 NE Ainsworth Circle, #300, Portland. 7, at the Sheet Metal Training Center, 2379 NE 178th by a 9 a.m. shop steward training class. Shop stewards Ave., Portland. plan ‘Day of Action’ must attend training class and regular meeting to be METAL TRADES COUNCIL Portland members meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, compensated. 320 Delegates meet 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28. at the Sheet Metal Training Center, 2379 NE 178th Ave. rally in Salem Feb. 20 Executive Board meets Wednesday, March 14, at 4:30 Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, March 8, at Joe Executive Board meets 10 a.m. Thursday, March 8. Medford area members meet 4 p.m. Wednesday, p.m.. All meetings and elections are held at our Union Edgar Hall, Teamsters’ Complex, 1850 NE 162nd Ave., Meetings are at the IBEW Local 48 Hall, 15937 NE March 14, at Wild River Pizza, 2684 N. Pacific Hwy. SALEM — and public Hall, 25 Cornell, Gladstone. Portland. Airport Way, Portland. Eugene area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, March PLEASE NOTE: Rochelle Conrad will be available 8, at the Local 16 Hall, 1887 Laura St., Springfield. service unions, the Oregon PTA, the from 8 a.m. to noon during the regular lodge meeting to Coos Bay area members meet 4 p.m. Thursday, Oregon League of Conservation Vot - answer any questions you have concerning health, wel - LABORERS 483 MULTNOMAH COUNTY March 15, at Abby’s Pizza, 997 First St., Coos Bay. fare and plans. ers and many other groups will join MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES EMPLOYEES 88 forces for a “Day of Action” rally at Executive Board meets 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, March SIGN PAINTERS & BAKERY , C ONFECTIONERY , Members meet 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, preceded the State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 20 by a 5:30 p.m. stewards’ meeting, at the Musicians Hall, 7. AINT AKERS OBACCO ORKERS AND 325 NE 20th Ave., Portland. General membership meets 7 p.m. Wednesday, P M 1094 — President’s Day, T W March 21, preceded by a 6 p.m. stewards’ meeting. Members meet 3:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, in the RAIN ILLERS Meetings are at 6025 E. Burnside, Portland. District Office, at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. The Oregon Education Associa - G M 114 LABORERS /V ANCOUVER 335 tion is spearheading the event, but Executive Board meets 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, Members meet 7 p.m. Monday, March 5, preceded followed by a 9 a.m. general membership meeting, in by a 6:15 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at the Vancou - NORTHWEST OREGON SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AFSCME, the Service Employees the meeting room at 7931 NE Halsey, Suite 205, Port - ver Labor Center, 2212 NE Andresen Rd., Vanc., Wash. International Union, and the Oregon land. LABOR COUNCIL LABOR COUNCIL Delegates meet 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, at IBEW #48 Delegates meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, preceded School Employees Association- BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED LANE COUNTY Hall, 15937 NE Airport Way, Portland. by an Executive Board meeting, at the ILWU Local 4 American Federation of Teachers, Hall, 1205 Ingalls St., Vancouver, Wash. also are involved. CRAFTWORKERS 1 LABOR COUNCIL Delegates meet 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at OFFICE AND PROFESSIONAL Funding for schools will be a fo - PLEASE NOTE: The February meeting has been 1116 South A St., Springfield. SOUTHWESTERN OREGON canceled. EMPLOYEES 11 cal point, but all the unions are coop - Members meet 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, at the CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL erating to make sure the rally empha - OPEIU Local 11 meeting room, 3815 Columbia St., EMENT ASONS LANE , C OOS , C URRY & Delegates meet 6 p.m. Monday, March 5, at the Bay sizes all state budgets and doesn’t pit C M 555 Vancouver. (From I-5 take exit 2 to 39th street, go west Area Labor Center, 3427 Ash, North Bend. Members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, March 15, at 12812 DOUGLAS BUILDING TRADES about ½ mile to Columbia St., 3rd light) The purpose of one group against the other. NE Marx St., Portland. the meeting is to conduct general business and accept Delegates meet at noon Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the nominations for open offices. Please note: Nominees The rally starts at noon on the Springfield Training Center, 2861 Pierce Parkway, UNITED ASSOCIATION 290 must be present to accept or have written acceptance of Portland area members meet 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. front steps of the State Capitol in COLUMBIA -P ACIFIC Springfield. nomination submitted at this meeting. 17, at 20210 SW Teton Ave., Tualatin. Salem. Several unions are providing BUILDING TRADES Astoria area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, LINN -B ENTON -L INCOLN PAINTERS & D RYWALL at the Astoria Labor Temple, 926 Duane St., Astoria. transportation and lunch. Delegates meet 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 21 and Feb. Bend area members meet 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, For more information, contact 28, in Kirkland Union Manor II, 3535 SE 86th, Portland. LABOR COUNCIL FINISHERS 10 at the Local 290 Training Center, 2161 SW First, Red - Delegates meet 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, preceded mond. your respective union, or call Jesse at Members meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at Brookings area members meet 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, ELECTRICAL WORKERS 48 by a 6:30 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at 1400 Salem 11145 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. Website: www.iupat - the Oregon AFL-CIO at 503-232- Ave., Albany. Feb. 28, at Curry County Search and Rescue, 517 Rail - Your Business Manager Meeting, Saturday, Feb. 18, local10.org. road St., Brookings. 1195, extension 114. in the Meeting Hall. Call Nancy Reames at 503-251- Coos Bay area members meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9681 for an appointment. LINOLEUM LAYERS 1236 PLASTERERS 82 21, at the Coos Bay Training Center, 2nd & Kruse. Bylaws Committee meets 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, Portland area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. Eugene area members meet 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. in the Executive Boardroom. Members meet 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, at 12812 20, at the Springfield Training Center, 2861 Pierce Park - New coalition to 23, at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. NE Marx St., Portland. Electrical Workers Minority Caucus meets 5 p.m. Executive Board meets 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 5, way, Springfield. Tuesday, Feb. 21, in the Executive Boardroom. at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. Klamath Falls area members meet 5 p.m. Tuesday, advocate for universal General Membership Meeting meets 6:30 p.m. PORTLAND CITY & Feb. 21, at 4816 S 6th St., Klamath Falls. Wednesday, Feb. 22, in the Meeting Hall. Doors open at Medford area members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. health care in Oregon 5:30 p.m. MACHINISTS 63 METROPOLITAN EMPLOYEES 189 23, at 950 Industrial Circle, White City. Marine Unit meets 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, in the Salem area members meet 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, at Executive Board meets 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 7. General membership meets 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. Seven labor unions joined with 21 Meeting Hall. Members meet 10 a.m. Saturday, March 10, preceded 1810 Hawthorne Ave. NE, Salem. Meetings are at 15937 NE Airport Way, Portland, un - 28. The Dalles area members meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. community organizations to form a by a 9 a.m. stewards’ meeting. PLEASE NOTE: Nom - Executive Board meets 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13. less otherwise noted. inations for Conductor-Sentinel and one (1) Executive 21, at the United Steelworkers Local 9170 Union Hall. DEATH ASSESSMENTS: There are no deaths to re - new coalition that will advocate for port in February. universal health care in Oregon and the U.S. A founding meeting was ELECTRICAL WORKERS 280 held in Portland Jan. 27. Executive Board meets 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. Retiree Meeting Notices 4, at 32969 Hwy. 99E, Tangent, OR. The coalition grew out of a part - Bend Unit meets 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at the nership between Health Care for All- IBEW/UA Training Center, 2161 SW First St., Red - mond. ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS 23 NORTHWEST OREGON LABOR Oregon, Portland Jobs with Justice, Eugene Unit meets 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, at AMERICANS OREGON CHAPTER Retirees meet 11:30 a.m. Wednes - RETIREES COUNCIL Mad As Hell Doctors, and Physicians the LU 290 Training Center, 2861 Pierce Parkway, Springfield. Retirees meet from 10 a.m. to 3 day, March 7, at Denny’s Restaurant, Business meeting from 10 a.m. to for a National Health Program. Two Salem Unit meets 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, at p.m. Saturday, March 10, at Madi - 12101 SE 82nd Ave., Happy Valley. 11 a.m. Monday, March 12, in the years ago those organizations formed Salem Heights Community Center, 3505 Liberty Rd. S., the Oregon Single Payer Campaign Salem. son’s Grill, 1109 SE Madison St., Board Room, at 1125 SE Madison, Portland, for the State Convention. ELECTRICAL WORKERS 280 #103B, Portland. (OSPC), which last year held a con - ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS 23 Cost is $20/per person and includes Retirees meet between 11:45 a.m. ference in Portland attended by 500 Members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, March 8, preceded registration, morning , lunch, Monday, March 12, at HomeTown OREGON AFSCME people. OSPC also spearheaded the by a 5:30 p.m. Executive Board meeting, at Kirkland dessert, beverage, and gratuity. This Buffet on Lancaster in Salem. For Retirees meet 10 a.m. Tuesday, introduction of HB 3510 last year in Union Manor II, 3535 SE 86th, Portland. year’s theme is “Whence the Middle more information, call Don Ball at March 20, at the AFSCME office, the Legislature to create a single- FIRE FIGHTERS 452 Class ...” Speakers will be Dan Torres 541-327-3388. 6025 E Burnside St., Portland. Call payer financing system that guaran - Members meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, at 2807 of SEIU on security; some - Michael Arken for information at 1- teed universal access to health care NW Fruit Valley Rd., Vancouver, Wash. one from the Oregon Center for Pub - INSULATORS 36 800-521-5954 ext. 226. for all Oregonians. lic Policy, and former AFL-CIO pres - Retiree breakfast 9 a.m. Thursday, The unions signing on to the coali - GLASS WORKERS 740 ident Tim Nesbitt. We are taking March 1, at the Dockside Restaurant, UNITED ASSOCIATION 290 tion’s founding are: American Feder - Executive Board members meet 6 p.m. Thursday, March 1, at 11105 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. donations of peanut butter and tuna 2047 NW Front Ave., Portland. Rusty Pipes meet 2 p.m. Thursday, ation of Government Employees Lo - Portland area members meet 7 p.m. Thursday, March fish for union-needy families. Schol - March 1, at the Eugene Training Cen - cal 2157; Communication Workers of 1, at 11145 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. Eugene area members meet 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, arships are available by contacting FLOOR COVERERS 1236 ter. America Local 7901; Laborers Local at Holiday Inn Express, 3480 Hutton St., Springfield. Scott @ 503-675-7764. Retirees meet 11:30 a.m. Friday, Salem retirees meet 12 noon 483; the National Association of Let - PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE. ter Carriers Branch 82; the National Salem area members meet 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at All are welcome to attend. Feb. 17, at Izzy’s Pizza, 1307 NE Wednesday, March 14, at Almost Candalaria Terrace, Suite 204, 2659 Commercial St. SE, 102nd Ave., Portland. Home Restaurant, 3310 Market St. Association of Social Workers-Ore - Salem. PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE. BAKERS 114 NE, Salem. gon; the Oregon Nurses Association; Retirees meet 11:30 a.m. Thursday, MACHINISTS Retirees meet 10 a.m. Thursday, and Service Employees Local 49. NSULATORS I 36 Feb. 23, at Izzy’s, 1307 NE 102nd Retired Machinists meet 10 a.m. March 15, at 20210 SW Teton Ave., The coalition plans to meet again Executive Board meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 7. Members meet 7 p.m. Friday, March 9. Ave, Portland. Wednesday, March 1, at 25 Cornell, Portland. soon to elect a board of directors, de - Meetings are at 11145 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. Gladstone. velop a strategic plan, and finalize the selection of a name.

PAGE 4 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS FEBRUARY 17, 2012 Unions promote home fire safety at hockey game

Ap prentices from Plumbers and Fitters Local 290 and to 2010. members of Fire Fighters Local 43 sloshed to a 0-0 tie at Local 290 team members are, s tanding from left to right: the annual “Broom Ball” match held during intermission of Evan Sargent, Paul Nadeau, Phil Card, Tyler Kleser, Curtis the Portland Winterhawks hockey game Feb. 4 at Portland’s Larson, Blake Johnson, Nichet Newsome, and Chris Ander - Memorial Coliseum. In Broom Ball, contestants don tennis son; kneeling from left to right: Corby Campbell, Zach shoes and plastic sticks and try to slap a foam ball into the Wright, and Shane Halifax. net. Team Fire Fighters (pictured below right) was comprised The event is used to increase fire safety awareness and of Mike Schutz, Shon Christensen, Isaac McLennen, Andy promote residential fire sprinkler safety. Local 290 offers a Ligatich, Stu Johnson, Mike Wight, Jeff Ripley, Tom Chips, training program for residential fire sprinkler system instal - Zach Parish, Ryan Johnson, and Rob Hartsock. lation that is endorsed by the Portland Fire Bureau and the Local 290 is a major season sponsor of the Winterhawks. Oregon Building Codes Division. During the season it awards $100 to a “Player of the Month.” Local 290 owned the Broom Ball Cup (pictured above On Feb. 4, goalie Mac Carruth was presented a check by with team members) going into the Feb. 4 match. Because of Jed Scheuermann, assistant training coordi - the tie, the Plumbers and Fitters retained the cup for another nator, and Shane Halifax, a former Winterhawks player, now year. Fire Fighters owned the Cup for three years from 2008 an apprentice steamfitter.

FEBRUARY 17, 2012 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 5 Free work-themed comedy Who’s On Our Side? show in Portland Feb. 19 By Tom Chamberlain In coordination with the new Work usually make you groan). Connects Us All media campaign, the Laughing Liberally features come - Oregon AFL-CIO is sponsoring a free dians from Comedy Central (Negin any, including myself, will and understands that the wealth im - comedy show Sunday, Feb. 19, at He - Farsad), Showtime (Lee Camp), and Mlook back on the compromises balance between the 1% and the lium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th Ave., MSNBC (Katie Halper). sition took courage and a deep- made to reauthorize the Federal Avi - is destroying the middle class Portland. The show starts at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but you must be seated belief that workers aren’t bar - ation Administration (FAA), includ - and pushing the poor to the brink. The national touring company 21 or over to get in. Food and drinks gaining chips in a high stakes politi - ing a provision that makes it more There are politicians who care. Laughing Liberally and some of Port - will be available for purchase. cal poker game. difficult for a worker to join a union, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D- land’s own local talent will joke about For more information, call 503-232- To elect more Jeff Merkleys, we as another example of the old idiom: Ore.) is one of them. When he work, politics (and other topics that 1195. “Democrats love unions at election served in the Oregon Legislature he cannot afford to endorse candidates time but are more than willing to not only supported workers, he was based solely on a political party. We a champion. As speaker of the Ore - must look at candidates’ history and throw workers under the bus be - EE BARGAIN COUNTER tween elections.” Time after time, gon House in 2007, he ushered their positions. When candidates re - R some Democrats have been quick to through the most progressive work - fuse to state, on the record, their po - F ignore workers and the unions that ers’ agenda in the nation. As a U.S. sition on workers’ issues, they do not Free classified ads to subscribers represent them. The failure of the senator, Merkley has become an deserve our endorsements. U.S. Congressional Democrats to even stronger advocate for workers, Last November I was reading DEADLINE: Friday prior to publication prioritize the Employee Free Choice and he and his staff regularly com - questionnaires from candidates in Published 1st and 3rd Fridays Act in 2010 is the perfect example. municate with workers in Oregon. House District 36. One candidate While many Democrats are, at I cannot think of a major issue answered the bulk of the questions Now accepting e-mail best, passive on our issues, the alter - that impacts workers — whether it is with “yes” or “no” responses. While natives can be far worse. If you dis - trade, implementing or removing her responses weren’t anti-worker, Send to: [email protected] agree, you haven’t been watching tariffs, or the recent FAA budget, they lacked commitment. Her oppo - Mail to: NWLP, PO Box 13150, Portland OR 97213 where I haven’t received a call from nent, Jennifer Williamson, wrote the 2012 Republican presidential de - (Please include union affiliation) bates. The candidates all seem to be Sen. Merkley or his staff asking for elaborate answers and committed to running on platforms that would our input in his decision making sponsor key bills. Williamson’s • 15-20 words • No commercial or business ads • 1 ad per issue decimate unions as we know them, process. Congressmen Earl Blume - commitment to workers was evident. reminiscent of the anti-union legisla - nauer, Peter DeFazio and Kurt As union members, our endorse - • All lower case ( NO CAPITAL LETTERS, PLEASE ) • tion that has been passed or intro - Schrader maintain similar relation - ments and our political campaigns duced in state after state. ships with Oregon workers. are often the margin of victory in Ads MUST include area code or they will not be published Given the choice between back - Sen. Merkley’s honesty and re - close races. We must support pro- ing out of the political process and spect for Oregon workers is clear. worker candidates and hold elected letting these candidates destroy the What he tells you in Oregon is re - officials accountable, not just for Automotive WAnted middle class, I’ll take the passive flected in his positions and votes in their votes, but for the relationships 2004 jay flight 5/W #28.5 RlS, well olD WooDWoRKing tools, planes, supporters. Washington, D.C. When he voted they build with Oregon workers. maintained, $16,500.00 obo. 503-646- levels, chisels, handsaws, slicks, adzes, The candidates who will be on 9802, ask for Ron wrenches, folding rulers, leather tools, But there is another option. against the FAA budget because it tool chests. 503-659-0009 our side will be ready to make the haRley DaviDSon , fat Boy, 3k miles, many Truth be told, I don’t care about degraded workers’ rights, he went custom extras, 80" evo, 5spd, black, 1998, MotoRcycleS, scooters, quads, run - political party. I only care whether against U.S. Senate Democratic extra effort. $9,995. 503-730-8967 ning or not, riding lawnmowers,vWs, trac - or not a candidate supports workers, leadership. He went against Senate ’06 lacRoSSe cxl all pwr steering wheel con - tors, cash paid, will pick up. 503-880-8183 believes that workers have an unfet - Majority Leader Harry Reid and Tom Chamberlain is president of trols, dual climate, leather, onStar, remote start, collectoR PayS cash for older toys, tered right to choose to join a union, stood up for workers’ rights. His po - the Oregon AFL-CIO. maintenance records 74k $12,500. 360-835-9730 older oil paintings and older american art ’77 chev ¾ ton 4x4, new brakes, clutch kit, pottery. 503 703-5952 radiator, carb, & more 29,000 actual miles no SilveR coinS, US and canadian, 1964 damage $4,500. 503-618-1701 and older dimes, quarters, half-dollars and ’52 foRD 4DR, $2,500. 503-289-0066 dollars for top silver prices. 503-806-6287 ’93 Rv WinneBago ford 350, 27’, good lifelong collectoR buying US and Washington State Labor Council shape, low miles, $15,000 obo. 360-991- World coins to add to collection, paying 8747 fairly, any amount welcome. 503-939- ’94 gM DieSel short block, rebuilt, still on 8835 engine stand, $1,800 cash. 503-630-4177 U.S., geRMan, japanese military items, backs Rep. Inslee for governor uniforms, hats, helmets, swords, daggers, bayonets, rifles, pistols. 503-852-6791 ousing The early endorsement Groves, and because it’s clear who cil: Ferguson, a Democrat; and Rea - H collectoR, cash paid for old fishing the candidates are. gan Dunn, a Republican. Dunn, son lincoln city vacation rental, 3 bdrm, 2 tackle, wood plugs, reels, creels, salmon comes as Republican State Attorney General Rob of former Washington Congress - bath, $100/night, slps 8, wi-fi, 2 blocks to fishing photos, etc 503-775-4166 McKenna is the only well-known Re - woman Jennifer Dunn, is named for beach, 4 blocks to casino. 503-804-7976 Pay caSh for pre 1964 silver coins, and McKenna leads in the RocKaWay ocean front, 503-777-5076, new american eagle dollars. 503-449- publican to have announced for gov - then-California governor Ronald Rea - http://home.comcast.net/~rockaway.beach 0584 (Kenny) polls ernor, and several polls have shown gan. 5 bdrms/2 ba, call for Winter Special OLYMPIA — The Washington him to be ahead of Inslee. Groves said the labor movement RocKaWay Beach rental, 3 bdrm, 2 bath, State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, has Inslee, a seven-term congressman hasn’t always considered the attorney sleeps 10, jacuzzi, 5 min to beach and shops. sporting goods endorsed Democrats Jay Inslee for representing the First District (North general’s office as a priority, but vacationhomerentals.com/43026, ocean front avail MoDel ReMington 12 ga 2-03-12 poly Rent, 2 bdrm, 1 bth, W/D hookup, range, frig, choke vent rib red bead, factory installed, Washington governor, Bob Ferguson of Seattle), has a lifetime COPE McKenna’s two-term tenure has Bo or $800; 7 mm finnbear rifle (Committee on Political Education) shown what a labor opponent can do microwave, dishwasher; n of foster on 92 for attorney general, and Maria across from Boys & girls club, $650mo. 503- w/4power leupold scope, sling and hard - Cantwell for re-election as U.S. sena - rating of 89 percent from the national in that office: He joined a multi-state 637-5361 case. 541-267-7940 tor. AFL-CIO. [One area of disagree - lawsuit seeking to overturn health The decision to endorse was rati - ment: Inslee, like all of Washington’s care reform legislation signed into fied by delegates to a Feb. 9 legisla - Congressional delegation, is a free law in 2010 by President Obama and tive conference in Olympia, and trader. He voted for NAFTA in 1993 tried to block an automatic minimum comes quite early in the election cal - and all but two NAFTA-style trade wage increase that voters approved. endar: Candidates won’t officially file treaties since then.] He ran for Wash - Cantwell is not expected to have a for office until May 14, and the pri - ington governor once before, in 1996, tough time against her opponent, a mary is not until August. Washington and came in fifth in the Democratic one-term Republican state representa - has an open “top-two” primary, in primary. tive from Eastern Washington. which the top two vote-getters, re - Chris Gregoire, Washington’s cur - Groves said no Republican candi - gardless of party, advance to the No - rent governor, is not running for a dates accepted WSLC’s invitation to vember general election ballot. third term. Gregoire is a Democrat. speak to delegates or returned WSLC’s Early action was taken because the The race for Washington attorney candidate questionnaire. stakes are high for statewide races, general will be a match between two WSLC will decide further political said WSLC spokesperson David members of the King County Coun - endorsements at a convention in May.

PAGE 6 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS FEBRUARY 17, 2012 ... FAA funding bill includes changes to Railway Labor Act (From Page 1) Republicans refused, and let a tem - mer. Eventually, Republicans backed tached, 75-20. All but 17 Democrats there are 3 or more options (including the with labor that the vote should be on a porary FAA funding measure expire, down and authorized another round of and three Republicans supported the option of not being represented by any labor organization) on the ballot and no such op - “clean” FAA bill. which shut down the agency last sum - temporary funding, but not before fur - legislation. Democrat Jeff Merkley loughing 4,000 FAA employees, idling was the lone senator from Oregon and tion receives a majority of the valid votes some 90,000 construction workers on Washington to vote against it. cast, the Mediation Board shall arrange for a second election between the options receiv - airport projects, and costing the gov - Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), called ing the largest and the second largest number ernment some $400 million in uncol - the changes to the Railway Labor Act of votes.’’ [Prior to that, the runoff election lected airline ticket taxes. “less detrimental” than the original lan - would include the top two union choices, Local Motion As the latest round of temporary guage, but he still voted against the bill. even if the “no union” option received more funding was about to expire in late Jan - “My vote is to stand up against the votes than one of the union choices.] uary, Congressional leaders from the notion that a federal agency (the Na - January 2012 House and Senate announced a “com - tional Mediation Board) and the Amer - SHOWING OF INTEREST FOR REPRESENTATION ELECTIONS : A list of Oregon and Southwest Washington workplaces deciding promise” to move the bill forward. FAA ican workers it is charged to protect The Mediation Board, upon receipt of whether to be union-represented – as reported by the National would be funded for four years in ex - should be punished for doing what is change for the anti-union amendments right, what is fair, what is within their an application requesting that an organiza - Labor Relations Board and the Oregon Relations Board. tion or individual be certified as the repre - to the Railway Labor Act. House Re - jurisdiction, and to stand up against a sentative of any craft or class of employees, publicans agreed to drop the revision to process that allows the few and the shall not direct an election or use any other Voting in union elections the majority-rule election process. powerful to hijack this body, to change method to determine who shall be the rep - (However, that provision can be the rule of the game in their favor,” he Date Workplace (Location) Union Yes No resentative of such craft or class unless the changed any time by NMB members.) said. Mediation Board determines that the appli - The leaders of the 18 unions who “The only entity that (the old union cation is supported by a showing of interest 1/10 Akzo Nobel Coatings (Salem) Teamsters Local 324 D E C E R T 13 14 opposed the amendments said the vote system) apparently doesn’t work from not less than 50 percent of the em - 1/13 MetroWest Ambulance (Hillsboro) Teamsters Local 223 76 124 “compromise” was worse than what for is the management of a few power - ployees in the craft or class.’’ [Previously, was in place before; that it actually in - ful airlines,” Harkin said. “These pow - the threshold was 35 percent.] creases the weight of those with no erful companies don’t want workers to Unionizing by majority sign-up AND AUDIT OF NMB: opinion on unionization to the extent have representation. They don’t want Date Workplace (Location) Union Number of workers in unit In order to promote economy, efficiency, that they can prevent a vote from hap - to engage in collective bargaining with and effectiveness in the administration of 1/18 City of Myrtle Creek maintenance (Myrtle Creek) IBEW Local 659 12 pening at all. their workers. They’re deeply con - the programs, operations, and activities of “That’s a step back, not a compro - cerned, I guess, that at some point in the Mediation Board, the Comptroller Gen - Requesting a union election mise,” noted Tom Buffenbarger, presi - the future they just might have to put a eral of the United States shall evaluate and dent of the International Association of few additional dollars into middle class audit the programs and expenditures of the Workplace (Location) Union Number of workers in unit Machinists. workers’ pockets.” Mediation Board. Such an evaluation and audit shall be conducted not less frequently Oregon Child Development Coalition (Wilsonville) Laborers Local 320 DECERT 90 “This should have been a jobs bill, A 248-169 House vote on Feb. 3 not the opportunity for an ideological was mostly along party lines. Some of than every 2 years, but may be conducted assault by the 1 percent,” said the the Democrats voting against it in - as determined necessary by the Comptroller LEGEND General or the appropriate congressional Communications Workers of America. cluded Earl Blumenauer and Peter De - committees. : workers will be union-represented : : workers will be on their own “Workers shouldn’t have to choose be - Fazio of Oregon, and Norm Dicks and In carrying out the evaluation and audit tween jobs and their rights on the job.” Jay Inslee of Washington. DECERT : : A decertification election occurs when some union-represented workers declare required, the Comptroller General shall that the union no longer has majority support. A ‘yes’ vote is a vote for the union. Despite their strong objections, the President Obama is expected to sign evaluate and audit the programs, operations, Senate on Feb. 6 passed the reautho - the bill, but had not at press time. and activities of the Mediation Board, in - rization bill with the amendments at - cluding, at a minimum, information man - (Editor’s Note: Press Associates agement and security, including privacy Inc. and Washington State Labor protection of personally identifiable infor - Council’s The Stand, contributed to mation; resource management; workforce this report.) development; procurement and contracting planning, practices, and policies; the extent to which the Mediation Board follows lead - RAILWAY LABOR ACT ing practices in selected management areas; AMMENDMENT IN HR 658 and the processes the Mediation Board fol - RULES AND REGULATIONS : lows to address challenges in initial investi - The Mediation Board shall have the au - gations of applications requesting that an or - thority from time to time to make, amend, ganization or individual be certified as the and rescind, in the manner prescribed by representative of any craft or class of em - section 553 of title 5, United States Code, ployees; ) determining and certifying repre - and after opportunity for a public hearing, sentatives of employees; and ensuring that such rules and regulations as may be neces - the process occurs without interference, in - sary to carry out the provisions of this Act. fluence, or coercion. The requirements shall not apply to any Not later than 180 days after the date of rule or proposed rule to which the third sen - enactment of this section, the Comptroller tence of section 553(b) of title 5, United General shall review the processes applied States Code, applies. by the Mediation Board to certify or decer - tify representation of employees by a labor RUNOFF ELECTION RULES : organization and make recommendations to The Railway Labor Act is amended by the Board and appropriate congressional inserting after the fourth sentence the fol - committees regarding actions that may be lowing: ‘‘In any such election for which taken by the Board or Congress to ensure that the processes are fair and reasonable for all parties. Such review shall be conducted separately from any evaluation and audit un - der subsection and shall include, at a mini - mum:an evaluation of the existing processes and changes to such processes that have oc - Rain Forest Boots curred since the establishment of the Medi - ation Board and whether those changes are Made in America! consistent with congressional intent; and a description of the extent to which such try a pair on, you’ll like them. processes are consistent with similar tough boots for the northwest. processes applied to other Federal or State agencies with jurisdiction over labor rela - tions, and an evaluation of any justifications al’S ShoeS for any discrepancies between the processes 5811 se 82nd, portland 503-771-2130 Mon-Fri 10-7:30 Sat 10-5:30 Sun 12-6 of the Mediation Board and such similar Federal or State processes.

FEBRUARY 17, 2012 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 7 Worker strikes in U.S. were up in 2011, but still extremely rare

Large-scale strikes and lockouts major work stoppages, by contrast, in - Two work stoppages that began last rose slightly in 2011, according to the volved 113,000 workers, who stayed year — both lockouts — continued latest numbers from the U.S. Bureau out nine days, on average. Eleven of into 2012: of Labor Statistics. The bureau re - the 19 large-scale work stoppages last • In late November, Cooper Tire leases data once a year on what it year lasted a week or less, including and Rubber Company locked out terms “work stoppages” involving at five hospital strikes that lasted just one 1,000 members of United Steel Work - least 1,000 workers that last at least or two days. ers Local 207L at its plant in Findlay, one day. There were 19 such work Two of the 19 large-scale work Ohio, after they rejected a second stoppages in 2011, up from 11 the pre - stoppages in the BLS list were in the round of wage and benefit conces - vious year. Pacific Northwest — an eight-day sions. The company operated the plant The 2011 strike with the biggest strike by 1,900 teachers in Tacoma, with replacement workers brought in Laurie Kelly, Megan Rivas and Renae Miller, union reps for impact, in terms of lost workdays, was Washington, and a purported 11-day from elsewhere, but locked-out work - United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555, were among the 10-day strike at Verizon by 45,000 strike in April by 1,500 members of ers were ruled eligible for unemploy - 250 attendees at the 16th annual Oregon Labor Law Conference members of Communications Work - Oregon-headquartered United Associ - ment benefits. In January, workers rat - in Portland. ers of America. Also of note was the ation of Plumbers and Steamfitters ified a new contract and went back to four-month lockout by the NFL of Local 290. work. 1,900 members of National Football But details of the Local 290 work • A lockout continues for 1,300 Labor Law forum draws 280 League Players Association. stoppage cast doubt on BLS figures. members of Bakery, Confectionery, While an increase from 11 to 19 Al Shropshire, elected Local 290 busi - Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers in union reps, shop stewards strikes is a 72 percent increase, it ness manager this January, said inter - Minnesota, Iowa, and North Dakota. doesn’t buck the trend: Strikes have mittent pickets were put up at just Their employer, American Crystal Another sellout crowd of almost disappeared in the United three contractors after a multi-em - Sugar Company, is the country’s 280 participants attended the States since 1980. The 1950s averaged ployer agreement expired. Picketing largest sugar-beet processor. 16th annual Oregon Labor Law 352 large-scale work stoppages a year, occurred on just four or five days, with Conference Jan. 27 in Portland. a record which fell to 283 a year in the fewer than 50 members impacted — Coordinated by Norm Mal - 1960s, and 289 a year in the 1970s. far less than the 1,500 members cov - bin, general counsel for the In - Work stoppages then plummeted to 83 ered by the contract. Subsequently, the ternational Brotherhood of a year on average in the 1980s, 35 a employer group’s contract offer im - Electrical Workers Local 48, year in the 1990s, and 17 a year in the proved, and a new labor agreement the day-long conference is all first decade of the 21st century. was approved on a close vote. about educating union reps, And that’s just the number of work Most of the time, a work stoppage shop stewards, and elected offi - stoppages. Strike activity from the is a strike by employees. But as the cers on the latest labor laws so 1950s to 1970s also involved more New York Times noted Jan. 22, lock - they can better represent their workers, and lasted longer: In a typi - outs — once rare — are increasingly members. cal year, one to two million workers being used by employers to squeeze A host of labor law experts took part in work stoppages which concessions out of their unionized were brought in to lead work - lasted on average 20 days. Last year’s workers. shops. Among the presenters were r etired National Labor Bob Bussel, director of the Labor Relations Board (NLRB) re - Education and Research Center gional director Richard Ah - at the University of Oregon, ern; Oregon Employment Re - conducts a hands-on workshop lations Board chair Paul that focused on the national Gamson; and labor attorneys assault on public employees. Liz Joffe, John Bishop, Nel - son Hall, Barbara Diamond, see nothing wrong with it,” Lieb - Mike Tedesco, and Cheryl Coon. man told the union audience. “It’s The luncheon’s keynote nothing more than what employers speaker was Labor Commis - have posted for years. We’ve got an sioner Brad Avakian. OSHA (Occupational Safety and In a morning plenary session, Health Administration) poster; management-side attorney Rick we’ve got an OFLA/ FMLA (Ore - Liebman provided an overview gon Family Leave Act/Family of recent employment law court Medical Leave Act) poster; we’ve decisions, as well as and update got an EEOC (Equal Employment of new statutes and regulations. Opportunity Commission) poster; One topic Liebman touched on we’ve got a BOLI (Bureau of La - KnoW Your rigHts was a new NLRB regulation that bor and Industries) poster on wage has caused a management uproar. and hours; a Department of Labor yoU aRe entitleD to tiMe -loSS The rule requires all private-sector poster — why would this be any BenefitS While the inSUReR iS employers to display a poster that different? All it does is tell employ - DeciDing WhetheR to accePt explains workers’ rights to form a ees what their rights are.” yoUR WoRKeRS ’ coMPenSation union under the National Labor Liebman actually advocates for Relations Act. The regulation orig - the posting requirement, saying it claiM . i f they Do not Pay yoU inally was to go into effect Dec. 21, possibly could possibly ward off a theSe "inteRiM BenefitS ," they 2010, but the backlash by big busi - unionizing drive by nipping in the May oWe yoU a Penalty . ness was so intense (the National bud early whatever problem a Association of Manufacturers sued worker(s) might have. to block it), that it was postponed Liebman believes the third time — twice. It now is set to go into ef - will be the charm.“I suspect this fect April. 30. time it will get posted. Most em - “I break ranks with most of my ployers have gotten used to the fact management colleagues in that I that it is coming,” he said.

PAGE 8 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS FEBRUARY 17, 2012