BENNETT HARTMAN
MORRIS & KAPLAN, LLP
Carpenter
apprentice learns
meaning of ‘union’
Last month, Wendy Holmes, a first-year apprentice
at United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 247,
learned the meaning of her union’s middle name.
Holmes, 44, had wanted a career where she could
make a decent living, and came to the Carpenters after
being recruited by Oregon Tradeswomen Inc.
“I knew the union was there to make sure you got
fair wages,” Holmes said, “but I never realized just
how family-oriented it is.”
In February, Holmes’ husband found himself un-
able to work his warehouse job due to back pain. Doc-
tors determined he had a herniated disk, and she, too,
lost work caring for him while they waited for sur-
gery. Insurance would cover the medical costs, but not
the lost wages.
Holmes, in the habit of attending her union meet-
ings, was advised by fellow member John Svob to tell
her story to the members at the March meeting;
maybe they could do something. She panicked when
the time came, so Svob spoke for her.
Local 247 has a custom of giving grants in the
amount of $247 to help community groups or mem-
bers in need. It’s the principle of “charity begins at
Attorneys at Law
Representing Unions and Workers Since 1960
S ERIOUS I NJURY AND D EATH C ASES
• C ONSTRUCTION I NJURIES
WENDY HOLMES
• A UTOMOBILE A CCIDENTS
home” — the union, a family of workers, takes care of
its own.
Members passed the hat for Holmes, raised $106,
and voted for the union to kick in the remainder to
make it $247.
The next day, emotional with gratitude, Holmes
decided to use the money to pay her $15 monthly
union dues, and was surprised to discover a fellow
member had anonymously paid them up for a year.
“It’s wonderful to be a part of an organization like
that,” Holmes said. “I’m really proud to be part of Lo-
cal 247.”
• M EDICAL , D ENTAL AND L EGAL M ALPRACTICE
• U NSAFE P RODUCTS
• B ICYCLE AND M OTORCYCLE A CCIDENTS
• P EDESTRIAN A CCIDENTS
• P REMISES L IABILITY ( INJURIES ON PROPERTY )
• W ORKERS ’ C OMPENSATION I NJURIES
111 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 1650,
Portland, Oregon 97204
503 227-4600
www.bennetthartman.com
NECA boss takes BULL Session by the horns
the BULL Session has
The BULL (business,
raised nearly $2.4 mil-
union and legislative
lion.
leaders) Session Invita-
Gauthier has served
tional Charity Events
on the BULL Session
has selected Tim Gau-
tournament committee
thier, executive manager
for more than a decade.
of the National Electri-
He will continue as ex-
cal Contractors Associa-
ecutive manager of the
tion (NECA) Oregon-
local NECA chapter, a
Columbia Chapter, as
post he has held for 24
the organization’s new
years.
president.
TIM GAUTHIER
“NECA-IBEW Local
“Tim is the perfect
48’s support of the BULL
choice to help lead our or-
Session stems from our roots in this
ganization,” said BULL Session co-
community. For more than a century,
founder Jim Moss. “His leadership
NECA contractors and IBEW electri-
and dedication to helping the commu-
cians have helped build Portland,” said
nity, along with his longtime involve-
ment in the BULL Session, makes him Gauthier. “But, our commitment to our
community isn’t just in providing
a perfect fit for this role.”
quality electrical work. We’re dedi-
NECA and Electrical Workers Lo-
cated to improving our community. I
cal 48 have been title sponsors of the
event for 14 years. The BULL Session hope that as BULL Session’s presi-
dent, I'll be able to help us touch even
holds an annual golf tournament and
dinner/auction to raise money to bene- more lives in a positive way.”
In addition to Gauthier, BULL
fit nine Oregon-based children’s chari-
ties. In the 15 years since its inception, Session board members are Jim Moss,
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