L ABOR
What’s
Happening
UFCW Local 555
backs Kulongoski
for re-election
United Food and Commercial
Workers Local 555 has endorsed Ore-
gon Democratic Governor Ted Kulon-
goski for re-election.
Local 555’s political arm, the Ac-
tive Ballot Club, made the announce-
ment Feb. 2 following its monthly
meeting.
The union is an affiliate of the new
Change to Win labor federation, but
has signed a one-year Solidarity Char-
ter with the Northwest Oregon Labor
Council.
Local 555 also endorsed Skip
Durham for re-election to the Oregon
Supreme Court, Position 1; Gene Hall-
man, a Pendleton trial lawyer who is
seeking an open seat on the Oregon
Supreme Court, Position 6; and Dan
Saltzman, who is seeking re-election
to the Portland City Council.
“Working families are under a lot
of pressure and they need to have
friends in office. We believe these can-
didates will best serve those interests,”
said Local 555 President Gene
Pronovost.
UFCW Local 555 is the largest pri-
vate-sector union in Oregon, with
some 18,000 members.
AND
P OLITICAL
istries of Oregon and the Northwest
Oregon Labor Council.
This year’s theme is “Reclaiming
the Prophetic Voice.”
“In Biblical times, the prophets
played the role of calling the whole so-
ciety towards justice. As labor union-
ists and people of faith, we raise our
voices for justice,” said Margaret But-
ler, executive director of Portland Jobs
with Justice.
Clergy, lay leaders and union mem-
bers are invited to attend. Cost for
breakfast is $5.
For more information, or to regis-
ter, call Jobs with Justice at 503-236-
5573.
NECA-IBEW to
receive Urban
Pioneer Award
Portland State University will
honor the National Electrical Contrac-
tors Association (NECA) Oregon-Co-
lumbia Chapter and the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
(IBEW) Local 48 with its 2006 Com-
munity Organization Urban Pioneer
Award.
The award is in recognition of the
groups’ successful joint partnership
and programs.
“Together, NECA and IBEW Local
48 have partnered to create the nation-
ally acclaimed Electrical Training
Center apprenticeship program, safety
program, health and welfare and pen-
sion plans, and other joint services,”
the university said.
The Urban Pioneer Award was cre-
ated by PSU to honor community
leaders who exhibit the ideals that are
taught to students and are valued by
faculty and community partners.
NECA-IBEW will receive the
award at a banquet May 2 at the Port-
land Hilton Hotel.
“Going Global” will be the topic
at the next Brown Bag Series
Wednesday, Feb. 22, sponsored by
Portland Community College.
Dana Shannon, international
business counselor and trade adviser
to the State of Oregon, will discuss
what’s happening with outsourcing,
Zachary
Zabinsky
• Social Security
• SSI - Disability Claims
Personal Attention To Every Case
Working For Disability Rights
Since 1983
Corrections specialists picket
Community corrections specialists and counselors in Washington County,
members of AFSCME Local 3913, staged an informational picket line Feb.
10 at Washington Community Corrections Facility in Hillsboro to draw
attention to stalled bargaining. The unit voted to join AFSCME last year but
has been unable to come to terms on a first contract. Wages and benefits are
the key issues. “Washington County government has been notoriously anti-
union over the years,” said AFSCME Rep Stacy Chamberlain. “It’s the only
Portland-metro county where a majority of the employees are not in some
union or association.” On Feb. 3, Local 3913 members took a vote authorizing
a strike if a settlement is reached soon.
trade and issues concerning imports
and exports.
The discussion will be held from
noon to 1 p.m. in Terrell Hall 122 of
the Cascade Campus, 705 N.
Killingsworth St.
Attendees can bring lunch; coffee
will be provided. For more informa-
tion, call 503-978-5242.
cacy skills of union women working
in the construction, mechanical and
utility trades.
Participants will learn how to be
more effective leaders in their unions,
workplaces and community.
The institute is from 6:30 to 8:30
p.m. on March 3, and from 8:30 a.m.
to 1:30 p.m. on March 4. Registration
is $55. For more information, call
Connie Ashbrook at 503-335-8200,
extension 22.
Tradeswomen
Leadership Institute
Annual ‘Faith-Labor
slated March 3-4
Breakfast’ March 14
A “Tradeswomen Leadership Insti-
tute” will be held Friday and Saturday, at Portland church
March 3-4, at Sheet Metal Workers
Local 16’s HVAC & Metals Institute,
2379 NE 178th Ave.,Portland.
The institute, co-sponsored by the
Oregon Tradeswomen Network and
the Labor Education and Research
Center of the University of Oregon, is
designed to build leadership and advo-
K
The fourth annual “Faith-Labor
Breakfast” will be held from 8 to 10
a.m. Tuesday, March 14, at St. Philip
Neri Church, 2408 SE 16th Ave. (off
Division St), Portland.
The event is sponsored by Portland
Jobs with Justice, Ecumenical Min-
Labor bowl for
MDA scheduled
Sunday, April 23
The 17th annual Labor Bowl
Challenge to benefit the Muscular
Dystrophy Association (MDA) will
be held Sunday, April 23, from 1 to
4 p.m. at Cascade Lanes, 2700 NE
82nd Ave., Portland.
Portland area labor unions have
raised $257,000 for the charity.
Money raised helps provide wheel-
chairs and braces for youngsters,
medical care, research and summer
camps.
Pledge packets are available at
the Northwest Oregon Labor Coun-
cil or by calling MDA at 503-223-
3177.
PSU will host
Women’s Day event
Sunday, March 5
The 31st annual International
Women’s Day will be held Sunday,
March 5, at Portland State University’s
Smith Center Ballroom, 1825 SW
Broadway, Portland.
Festivities celebrating the value of
women and their contributions to the
community start at 10 a.m. and con-
tinue until 4 p.m. Featured will be
workshops, art exhibits, a health fair,
entertainment, retail vendors and inter-
national food.
For more information, contact
event coordinator Ursula Miniszewski
at 503-516-6440
ramers/metro
mailing service
3201 N.W. YEON
PORTLAND, OREGON 97210
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NO FEE WITHOUT RECOVERY
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621 SW Morrison, Portland
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PAGE 4
P A C I F I C N O R T H W E S T
“Portland’s firefighters support her
re-election because she has provided
real leadership and produced real re-
sults for the workers of Multnomah
County,” said Fire Fighters President
Jack Finders.
“Livability of our community
equals the strength of its educational
system. Diane has stepped out at great
risk to ensure that our children and
teachers have the tools they need to be
successful,” said PAT President Ann
Nice.
Diane Linn picks up
endorsements from
three labor unions PCC ‘Brown Bag
Series’ will explore
Multnomah County Chair Diane
Linn has picked up endorsements
global outsourcing
from three unions in her campaign for
re-election.
The latest is Portland Fire Fighters
Local 43, which made the announce-
ment Jan. 31.
Other labor groups endorsing Linn
are Amalgamated Transit Union Local
757 and the Portland Association of
Teachers, an affiliate of the Oregon
Education Association.
NEWS FR OM AR OUND THE
MEMBERS OF TEAMSTERS LOCAL 223
— Eric Brending, Owner —
NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS
FEBRUARY 17, 2006