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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 6, 2006)
Jim Bledsoe dies of cancer at age 73; longtime leader in Carpenters Union The International Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners lost a longtime leader with the death of James S. Bled- soe on Sept. 9 in Longview, Wash., fol- lowing a 10-year battle with cancer. He was 73. Bledsoe first joined the Lumber and Sawmill Workers union in 1952 when he went to work at the Fir-Tex sawmill in St. Helens, Ore. Shortly after going to work there the crew voted to strike. During that two-year strike he showed leadership skills and four years later he was elected to the top office of the Port- land Coast Columbia District Council. In 1959 he helped negotiate the for- mation of a multi-employer health and welfare trust with the major forest prod- ucts companies. Bledsoe was elected executive secre- tary treasurer of the Western Council Lumber and Sawmill Workers in 1972. He made health care a central fixture throughout his career. “Jim was always a step ahead of many in anticipating changes in health care,” said Mike Pieti, executive secre- tary treasurer of the newly-created Car- penters Industrial Council. The health care trust was renamed the Bledsoe Health Trust in 2001 to honor his commitment to delivering comprehensive medical care to members, their families and to retirees. Bledsoe led the Western Council in 1983 when workers at 15 Louisiana-Pa- cific lumber mills went on strike — a bat- JIM BLEDSOE tle that ground on for more than two years. Bledsoe shepherded many successful L- P strike-related legal cases before the National Labor Relations Board during one of the most difficult decades for workers in recent times. Bledsoe was persuaded to come out of retirement in 1990 to chair the Forest Products Bargaining Board and then was elected general treasurer of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters in 1991. During his four years in that post he put new systems in place to help safe- guard the union’s funds and protect as- sets of the membership. During his term, Bledsoe also oversaw the Brotherhood’s legislative and political affairs and was an early adherent to what is now called ‘Carpenter Politics.’ He helped shift the union’s focus away from endorsements based purely on political party affiliation and toward an assessment of candidates based on Carpenters’ issues. “Jim had an immense impact on this union. Workers all across the country are better off today because of his intellect, his tenacity, his bargaining skills and his absolute dedication,” Pieti concluded. Bledsoe was born Dec. 25, 1932, in St. Helens, Ore., to Samuel and Minnie Olive Bledsoe. He graduated from Scap- poose High School in 1950. He married Janice Noble on Feb. 23, 1951, in St. Helens. They lived in Warren, Ore., and Deer Island for more than 40 years be- fore moving to Kelso, Wash., four years ago. Bledsoe is survived by his wife, their six children, 16 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. The James Bledsoe Memorial Fund for Cancer Victims has been established to help working families with cata- strophic medical bills not covered by in- surance. Contributions can be sent to: Bank of the West; Attn. Ginger Reece; 401 SW 5th Avenue; Portland, OR 97204. THE UNION PLUS ® MORTGAGE PROGRAM Provided Exclusively by Chase Home Finance When it comes to mortgages, we’re taking a stand for Union members. 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BARGAIN COUNTER Free ads to subscribers DEADLINE: Friday prior to publication Published 1st and 3rd Fridays Send to: NW Labor Press, PO Box 13150, Portland, OR 97213 866-729-6016 866-729-6016 Ext. 3016 Automotive ’77 FORD 1/2 ton, runs good, good cond, Big 6, 3spd, power steering, $1,350. 360 687-3488 ’71 FORD F250, auto, 390, one owner, no DEQ, great work truck, $2,500 OBO. 503 252-2136 MISC AUTO crankshafts and cyl heads. 503 630- 4177 ’05 GMC ENVOY SUV, 4x4, all power, less than 6500 miles, full warranty. 503 262-0723 ’00 HONDA CIVIC DX, 2 dr, black, multi CD, alarm, premium wheels, 56k, $9,000. 503 653- 6749 ’84 - ?? 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P-UP 104 2A-7604 10/05 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS • 15 words or less • Include address label from front page and telephone number • Sorry, we cannot accept ads over the telephone • No commercial or business ads • 1 ad per issue • Type or print legibly Classified ads MUST include area code on all phone numbers or they will not be published IRS PROBLEMS? It all adds up to more home-buying power. Contact your local Union Plus® Mortgage Specialist PAGE 10 E E FR Call Nancy D. Anderson Enrolled Agent/Tax Practitioner 503-697-7757 OLD MAN wants older lever action rifle. 360 896- 6077 For the Home GAME TABLE w/four upholstered swivel chairs, $250. 503 223-3501 KING SIZE mattress/box springs, very clean, pil- low top, $100. 503 659-3297 ZENITH FLOOR model stereo, best offer; two headboards, $45 each, all in good cond. 503 287-4843 KITCHEN/DINING table and chairs, 42” hexagon table, glass top, good cond., $125. 503 539-0288 FREE PIANO, good cond, Ludwig New York, up- right, you move, no stairs. 503 286-4394 Sporting Goods GLOCK MAGAZINES and accessories, models 26 and 36, reasonable. 503 493-7413 (Mark) ONE PRO .45 by ASAI, imported by Magnum Research, LNIB, $550. 503 539-0288 3 ULTRA LIGHT partial Thunder Gull kits, 1 near completed, package deal, $8,000. 503 824-3653 BOAT MOTORS, 15hp Johnson o/b, $250; 9.5 Johnson o/b, $200. ex cond. 503 253-3330 10’ HYDRAULIC ALASKAN pop-up camper, sink, stove, water, very clean, has jacks for re- moval, $2,200. 360 256-7810 ’95 SUZUKI SAVAGE, LS650, ex cond, only 11k miles, $1,750. 541 367-2734 (Sweet Home) TWO HEAVY DUTY George Lawrence rifle leather scabbards, cost $100, sell $30 each. 503 590-7809 SPRINGFIELD 1911A1, $550, partial trade for Ruger singer 6 convertible 22/22 mag. 360 907- 6144 POWAKADDY BATTERY operated walking golf cart, ex cond, paid $675, sell $225. 503 654- 7336 BOAT 11’ aluminum Mirror Craft and oars, nice cond, $425. 503 253-9909 ’96 HOLIDAY RAMBLER travel trailer w/all op- tions, original owner, like new cond, $12,500. 503 653-7089 or 503 816-8666 3006 REMINGTON auto 4 power scope, $350; Marlin 30-30, $165. 503 774-0181 ’93 HITCHHIKER FIFTH wheel, 29’, gliding shelves, dishes, linens, new hitch and awning, $7,250. 503 666-1613 ’03 SUZUKI SAVAGE 650cc, garaged, 3500 miles, saddle bags, crash bars, sissi bar, man- ual, $4,500. 503 621-3090 (Doug) Miscellaneous LADDER, 20-foot, wooden extension, $35. 503- 652-2147 LEWIS & CLARK plates, all colors, reasonable price, one or serving four. 503 965-6073 BLACK PLASTIC nursery pots, all sizes, cheap; heavy duty utility trailer, $400. 503 625-2701 FLAT BED trailer 7.5’ x 16’, heavy duty axle, free carpet, $475. 503 730-2537 OLDER KENMORE sewing machine in antique dark wood cabinet, ex cond, $100 firm. 503 701- 5096 ’93 TRAC HOE Komatsu PCUC 28, $7,500. 541 548-0694 1950 CASH REGISTER, 7 drawers, $350. 503 693-0694 MILLER WELDING machine, 225v, $75. 503 659-6579 GP MEDIUM wall tent, 16x32 w/poles and liner, like new, $800 OBO. 503 476-6614 ANIMAL KENNEL, 12x 7x 6, 1 gate, dog died, $65. 503 761-3592 OCTOBER 6, 2006
