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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (March 3, 2006)
Multnomah County union backs Wheeler for chair Quarry 8” Safety toe or reg. Gortex/Vibram. Black Try a pair on, you’ll like them. Tough boots for the Northwest. AL’S SHOES 5811 SE 82nd, Portland 503-771-2130 Mon-Fri 10-7:30 Sat 10-5:30 Sun 12-6 (International Standard Serial Number 0894-444X) Established in 1900 at Portland, Oregon as a voice of the labor movement. 4275 NE Halsey St., P.O. Box 13150, Portland, Ore. 97213 Telephone: (503) 288-3311 Fax Number: (503) 288-3320 Editor: Michael Gutwig Staff: Don McIntosh, Cheri Rice Published on a semi-monthly basis on the first and third Fridays of each month by the Oregon Labor Press Publishing Co. Inc., a non- profit corporation owned by 20 unions and councils including the Oregon AFL-CIO. Serving more than 120 union organizations in Ore- gon and SW Washington. Subscriptions $13.75 per year for union members. Group rates available to trade union organizations. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT PORTLAND, OREGON. CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTICE: Three weeks are required for a change of address. When ordering a change, please give your old and new addresses and the name and number of your local union. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS, P.O. BOX 13150-0150, PORTLAND, OR 97213 Member Press Associates Inc. WESTERN LABOR PRESS ASSOCIATION MARCH 3, 2006 Physicians for Social Responsibility. Steward said all four seemed worthy of the local’s support, but Hansen was the clear favorite, as an experienced of- fice-holder with a history of support for unions. Hansen, a former journeyman plumber with Plumbers and Fitters Lo- cal 290, was county commissioner for the same district from 1990 to 1998, be- fore leaving to serve in the Oregon House of Representatives. During his four terms in the Oregon House, he voted in accord with the recommenda- tions of the Oregon AFL-CIO 94.5 percent of the time. “We have a strong tradition in labor of supporting people that have sup- ported us,” said Local 88 Vice President Immel. Multnomah County auditor Suzanne Flynn is leaving because of term limits and is running for a similar position at the Metro regional government. In the race to replace her, Local 88 endorsed State Representative Steve March. March is a former senior management auditor in the Multnomah County audi- tors’ office, and is running against LaVonne Griffin-Valade, a senior man- agement auditor. Steward said Local 88 was impressed with both candidates, but favored March because he has a la- bor background. As a part-time profes- sor of urban studies at Portland State, March is a member of American Fed- eration of Teachers-Oregon. The Ore- gon AFL-CIO gave March a 100 per- cent rating in each of the three legislative sessions he served. Local 88’s endorsement process in- cluded a questionnaire to candidates from its political action committee and a candidates’ forum. Based on their answers to the ques- tionnaire, the PAC made recommenda- tions. Local 88 then held a candidates forum at its Feb. 15 general member- ship meeting, giving members a chance to ask questions of candidates before debating and voting on the PAC recom- mendations. At the PAC and among the more than 150 members at the standing- room-only forum, Wheeler, Hansen, and March had clear majority support. But one PAC recommendation failed to win member approval — endorse- ment of Bernie Giusto, who is running unopposed for re-election as Mult- nomah County sheriff. A majority of members objected, some simply be- cause he is unopposed, and others be- cause of concerns about his personal life raised in newspaper accounts. Employ- ees in the sheriff’s office said Giusto has failed to address union requests that he do something to reduce tension between civilian staff and sworn officers. It’s still possible others could enter the race; the filing deadline is March 7. As the campaign progresses, Local 88’s endorsements are likely to lead to further support by AFSCME for the candidates, including campaign contri- butions, phone-banking, and other vol- unteer work. HEMORRHOIDS The Non-Surgical Treatment We specialize in the non-surgical treatment of hemorrhoids. For over 40 years people throughout the region have turned to the Sandy Blvd. Clinic for fast and effective relief. For more information, FREE consultation and/or a FREE informative booklet call: Write or call for a FREE information booklet and/or a FREE consultation. (503) 232-7609 THE SANDY BLVD. RECTAL CLINIC PORTLAND Steven G. 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Carpenters, Electricians, Laborers, Glaziers, Sheetmetal Workers, Floorcoverers, Bricklayers, Cement Masons, Roofers, Asbestos Workers, Family, Millwrights, Painters, Elevators, Plasterers IBEW & United Workers Federal Credit Union Please join the Credit Union “Annual Meeting” Celebration 2006 Tuesday, March 21st at 7:00pm @ y -wa a - e iv es al g ttende i c e Sp all a to IBEW Local 48 15937 NE Airport Way Portland, Oregon 97230 Gran d p at th rize draw e end ing meeti of the ng Prizes given throughout the event Appetizers will be served Please bring your family and fellow union members For more information call (503) 253-8193 * (800) 356-6507 Electricians, Carpenters, Laborers, Glaziers, Sheetmetal Workers, Floorcoverers, Bricklayers, Cement Masons, Roofer, Asbestos Workers, Family, Millwrights, Painters, Elevators, Plasterers The union that represents most workers at Multnomah County an- nounced Feb. 18 it will back Ted Wheeler for county chair. Wheeler is running against incumbent chair Diane Linn. In her two previous races for chair, Linn had the support of the 2,800-mem- ber American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AF- SCME) Local 88. But a series of deci- sions she made upset union workers, said Local 88 President Becky Steward, and in the union’s meetings there was a clear majority of support for Wheeler, an investment manager with in an inter- est in public policy. Local 88 is also endorsing Gary Hansen for District 2 of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners, and Steve March for county auditor. The election is May 16, and ballots will be mailed April 28. With the Wheeler pick, Local 88 members are in effect saying, “We want a new boss.” The county, which has an annual budget close to $1 billion, is responsible for bridges, jails, libraries and an array of social services for the aged, sick, dis- abled and mentally ill. Commissioners set policy and pass the $300 million portion of the budget that is discre- tionary; the auditor evaluates the per- formance of county programs; and the chair is the chief executive officer of the county — the top boss for county work- ers. Steward said Chair Linn didn’t con- sult county workers or the union before embarking on major departmental reor- ganizations, including the now- scrapped “shared services” model bor- rowed from the business world. “Part of communication is you’ve got to listen,” said Local 88 Vice Presi- dent Shelly Immel, “and she doesn’t lis- ten very well.” Linn has the endorsement of several unions — Portland Fire Fighters Local 43, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757, and the Portland Association of Teachers — but none represent county employees. Local 88 is by far the largest of the eight unions representing county workers, and the only one to make en- dorsements so far. In the race for the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners, the current office-holder, Serena Cruz Walsh, can’t run for re-election because of voter-approved term limits that bar more than two full consecutive terms in county office. Four candidates are vy- ing for Cruz Walsh’s seat — District 2, which covers North and Northeast Port- land. They are Jeff Cogan, an aide to Portland Commissioner Dan Saltzman; Lew Frederick, a former television jour- nalist and spokesperson for Portland Public Schools; Gary Hansen, a four- term state representative; and Xander Patterson, executive director of Oregon Electricians, Carpenters, Laborers, Glaziers, Sheetmetal Workers, Floorcoverers, Bricklayers, Cement Masons, Roofer, Asbestos Workers, Family, Millwrights, Painters, Elevators, Plasterers AFSCME Local 88 also endorses Gary Hansen and Steve March for county offices. Glaziers, Carpenters, Laborers, Electricians, Sheetmetal Workers, Floorcoverers, Bricklayers, Cement Masons, Roofers, Asbestos Workers, Family, Millwrights, Painters, Elevators, Plasterers NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 3
