Multnomah County union backs Wheeler for chair
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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.
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Prizes given throughout the event
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Please bring your family and fellow union members
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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
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