Oregon daily emerald., May 21, 1974, Section B, Page 21, Image 29

-Candidates for labor commisioner
Dwyer: for the rank and file
Stevenson: an advocate
An interest in "the rank and file
working people" prompted W.J.
"Bill" Dwyer to seek the office of
labor commissioner.
Dwyer, a Eugene resident, is a
newcomer to politics but has
taken "a lifelong interest in
problems confronting the working
man and woman." His past
experience includes working for
the United'AFL-CIO Organizing
Committee, political coordinator
in the fourth congressional district
for the Oregon AFL-CIO in 1966,
membership in Retail Clerks local
201 in Eugene and Hotel Restau
rant emplo
yes union in
Fairbanks, A
iaska.
Dwyer is fo
cusing on
pension re
form and the
backlog in ci
vil rights
cases as ma
jor issues in
his campaign. Dwyer
He asserts that employes are
often cheated on pension plans,
and that people are often "locked
into their jobs" because of
pension plans.
Noting that there is almost
always a long wait for civil rights
plaintiffs, Dwyer said he would
expand this department to give
complaints prompt attention.
Dwyer also said apprenticeship
programs should be more recep
tive towards women and that he
would work actively in behalf of
women's labor rights.
r
Reform of the Labor Commis
sioner office is another of Dwyer's
priorities. He believes the office
should be non-partisan and sub
ject to a two-term limitation
because "when people get too
comfortable (in their office)
they're not responsible to the
people."
Dwyer agrees with the other
candidates in his race that the
office needs more publicity to
make people aware of its func
tions. He disagrees with the belief
that the office needs expansion
now, believing that "we have to
strengthen existing resources
first." He refutes opponent Bill
Stevenson's claim that many
reforms should be instituted
through the Legislature. Dwyer
said "Stevenson should have
done these things when he was in
the Legislature. The key to being
an effective labor commissioner is
being a good administrator."
"An advocacy role for the Labor
Commission and not just en
forcement" is the goal of Bill
Stevenson, Democratic candidate
for Oregon Labor Commissioner.
The functions of Labor Com
missioner currently include
responsibility for enforcing laws
on apprenticeship and training
programs, fair labor standards and
civil rights.
Knudson:
says he can save 3 million dollars
Robert Knudson is the only
republican candidate running for
labor commissioner. His priorities
differ from those of the other
candidates as Knudson's first act
as commissioner would be to
move the main offices of the
apprenticeship and wage and
hour divisions to Portland. He
says "60 to 70 per cent of our
work is in Portland, and we've got
to be where the workload is."
Knudson believes that with this
switch he would be "better
servicing the people."
He also said he can save the
state ot ure
gon $3 million
by giving ap
prentices 50
percent of a
journey
man's pay
and then gra
dually in
creasing it.
K-nucson
does agree 10
with the other k nu dsort
candidates that too much power
No show
I
I
Chas Thompson (Dem.-Scio) is
also in the race, but we were not
able to contact him.
has been taken away from the
labor commission. He sees con
ciliation as a valuable area that
should be returned to the labor
division, but says that the
electrical and boiler division is
"pretty well entrenched where it
is at the moment."
In regards to democratic can
didate Bill Stevenson's proposals
to enlarge the labor commission,
Knudson was emphatic. "He was
right there in the Legislature and
never said a word" when power
was taken away from the com
mission, according to Knudson.
Knudson's qualifications for
office include seven years on the
labor bureau and five years
working for minority and ap
prentice programs.
Corinne Huffman
Stevenson
points out
that some
former areas
of the Labor
Commission
have been re
moved from
its domain,
and sees this
as a result of Bvl HH
passive lead- Stevenson
ership. He would work for
reinstatement of the State Con
ciliation Service and the right to
legal counsel.
Stevenson also believes that
because of a breakdown in
communication” between the
Commission and the public, many
workers are unaware of their
rights or unable to receive help.
He says that when workers have a
complaint, there is often a delay
of up to eight mohths in
processing cases.
Reform of private employment
agencies is another goal. Noting
the high prices they demand,
Stevenson says "We may want to
seriously consider establishing a
ceiling on the fees that such
agencies can charge."
To accomplish his goals,
Stevenson hopes to establish a
close liaison with the State
Legislature A former State
Representative, Field
Represesentative for the AFL-CIO
and member of the Ways and
Means Committee, Stevenson
believes he has the legislative
experience to actively provide the
leadership and relationship with
the legislature he says is lacking.
Paid Stewart tor Representative Committee, Box *04, Eugene, Oregon 97401
4 74. Chris Schroder, Margann Holser Co Chairs
JOHN STEWART
Democrat for the people of Oregon
For State Representative (Dist. 41)
I wont to express myself os completely, clearly and candidly on several issues. I want
there to be no mistake or doubt about where I stand.
NUCLEAR POWER. Plutonium 239, the most poisonous element ever handled by man.
Is the very heart of the nuclear Industry. In the biosphere Plutonium 239 presents a
major carcinogenic hazard for the next thousand human generations.
I support the proposed 6 year Moratorium on Nuclear Power Plant construction In
Oregon and pledge to fight unsafe nuclear development.
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY. Disclosures that Weyerhaeuser Corp. has violated
Department of Environmental Quality standards for 10 of the past IS months
demonstrates how corporations bid open definance to law. Weyeraeuser, which
continues to discharge effluents with excessive biochemical oxygen demand Into the
McKenzie River, could have been fined about SI million for these violations, but
instead the government bends over backwards to meet Weyeraeusers needs.
PUBLIC CAMPAIGN FINANCE. Special Interests have obtained undue Influence over
governmental bodies by contributing heavily to campaigns. We need public compalgn
financing to take the "for sale" sign off of public offices and policy.
TAX REFORM. Our tax structure continues the concentration of resources In a small
portion of our society. We need comprehensive tax reform designed to fairly
distribute the tax burden ond thereby create a more equitable distribution of
resources.
HUMAN RIGHTS. A most urgent need Is to ensure equality under law for both sexes. I
have proposed that Oregon revise all laws to standards prescribed by the Equal Rights
Admendment as an interim measure until ratification of the national Equal Rights
Admendment occurs.
HEALTH CARE. The right to adequate health care should be guaranteed every
Oregonian. This Includes a comprehensive preventive medical program. During the
1973 Legislative Session I worked with Rep. Vera Katz on Health Care Reform.
NEW ENERGY SOURCES. Solar Energy must be developed as a power source. It Is
practical-even for Oregon.
Mass Transit, Wilderness Preservation, Lane-Use Planning, Daycare, Drug Law Reform
and other Issues can't be covered here. Please, examine the candidates and their
positions In this Important primary. Then cast an intelligent vote - be it for me or my
opponent.
Beyond campaign Issues we all must examine candidates underlying phlllsophical
values. Because the real challenge we face Is building a society where we have the
assurance that we care about each other. We must end our worship of more and more
material goods and begin to cherish the undeniable worth of our fellow human beings
living in harmony with our planet.
Thank you for your consideration. I would appreciate your vote.
John Stewart