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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (April 20, 2007)
K Independent union goes after Oregon corrections officers, AFSCME members ramers/metro mailing service 3201 N.W. YEON PORTLAND, OREGON 97210 (503) 274-1638 FAX (503) 227-1245 THE ONLY UNION MAILER IN OREGON Visit our Web site at www.kramersmailing.com MEMBERS OF TEAMSTERS LOCAL 223 — Eric Brending, Owner — Gacek Insurance is pro-union... “ 0\ HQWLUH IDPLO\ EHORQJHG WR XQLRQV LQFOXGLQJ P\VHOI :H’YH KDG ORQJVKRUHPHQUHWDLOFOHUNVHGXFDWRUVDQGZRRGZRUNHUV2XUVRQ LV $VVRFLDWH 'LUHFWRU RI ,QWHUQDWLRQDO $IIDLUV IRU WKH $)/&,2 LQ :DVKLQJWRQ'& ಧ$UFKLH*DFHN2ZQHU*DFHN,QVXUDQFH $UFKLH*DFHN2ZQHU*DFHN,QVXUDQFH $UFKLH*DFHN2ZQHU*DFHN,QVXUDQFH ” ...and we can help you save money on insurance! Before at at 800-682-1717. Before you you renew, renew, call call Lynne Sharon 800-682-1717. We’re independent—that means we shop on your behalf to find the best pos- sible company for your auto, homeowner’s, renter’s, and umbrella insurance. If you don’t call us, we can’t save you any money! ϭϮϯϬϬ^DĂůůĂƌĚtĂLJ^ƚĞ͘ϮϲϱDŝůǁĂƵŬŝĞ͕KZϵϳϮϮϮϴϬϬͲϲϴϮͲϭϳϭϳ By DON McINTOSH Associate Editor The Association of Oregon Correc- tions Employees (AOCE), a stand- alone 750-member union, is mounting its biggest-ever “raid” on Oregon AF- SCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees). In union parlance, a raid is an attempt by one union to represent workers who are already represented by another. Like the federal law that covers pri- vate sector workers, Oregon’s public employee labor law recognizes just one union as the “exclusive bargaining agent” for any given group of workers. AOCE was formed in 1992 when AFSCME members at several state prisons voted to leave and form an in- dependent union. Now AOCE pro- poses to triple in size by adding the 1,669 employees who are in AF- SCME’s corrections officer bargain- ing unit. In a petition filed April 3, AOCE asked the Oregon Employment Relations Board to hold an election to determine which union has the most support within that bargaining unit. The agency expects to schedule a vote in late May or early June. One drawback to having two unions for the same kind of worker is that workers lose their seniority when they transfer to an Oregon Department of Corrections facility represented by the other union. AOCE represents all union-eligible workers at the Oregon State Penitentiary, Mill Creek Correc- tional Facility, South Fork Forest Swanson, Thomas &Coon ATTORNEYS AT LAW Jacqueline Jacobson Ray Thomas Kimberly Tucker Margaret Weddell Cynthia F. Newton Tip of the week: If you are a public employee who has been denied long term disability benefits, you are entitled to a trial by jury to determine whether you are eligible for benefits. We represent people on all types of injury and disease related claims. • Workers’ Compensation • Construction Injuries • Personal Injury/Product Liability • Death Claims • Asbestos/Mesothelioma • Social Security Disability We provide straight answers at no cost on any of the above areas of law. CALL US or VISIT OUR WEB SITE ( 503) 228-5222 PAGE 10 And Loving and other AFSCME leaders say there’s value in being in a bigger union. Though its dues are nearly identi- cal to AFSCME’s, AOCE has no paid staff. It pays contract lobbyist Bryan Delashmutt to represent its interests in Salem, and hires the Garrettson Gold- berg Fenrich Makler law firm to han- dle grievances and arbitrations. AFSCME by contrast, has 21,000 members, nearly 50 staff, and offices in all corners of the state. With four full-time lobbyists, it’s one of the largest lobby forces in state politics. That’s important, Loving says, be- cause AFSCME is a public workers union and the executive and legislative branches of government have a say on everything that affects public workers, from pay and benefits to work rules and age of retirement. Loving says AFSCME is taking AOCE’s challenge seriously and is waging a counter-campaign. Until AOCE’s challenge to AF- SCME is resolved, contract bargain- ing for both AOCE and AFSCME will be on hold. The Department of Corrections agreements with both unions expire June 30. Broadway Floral for the BEST flowers call 503-288-5537 1638 NE Broadway, Portland POSITION AVAILABLE Compliance Investigator Since 1981 James Coon Camp, and Oregon Corrections Enter- prises, plus corrections officers at the Oregon State Correctional Institute. AFSCME represents Oregon De- partment of Corrections employees at 10 other locations, including the 1,669 officers and about 1,300 employees in other job classifications. AOCE isn’t part of the AFL-CIO, so it’s not bound by the labor federa- tion’s rules against raiding other affili- ated unions; nor is AFSCME pre- vented from raiding AOCE. Two years ago, AFSCME campaigned for the AOCE unit to return to the fold, but withdrew before an election was held when it appeared it didn’t have major- ity support. AOCE President Bryan Goodman told the NW Labor Press that correc- tions employees have several com- plaints about AFSCME, including a “liberal political agenda” and too much support for Democrats. Good- man said AOCE supporters don’t like being a small part of a much bigger union, and want to be separate from other public employees. And they don’t want their dues to go to AF- SCME’s national headquarters or to pay to organize nonunion workers. They want their dues to be spent only on issues that affect corrections em- ployees. “It’s like they don’t care about county or city workers, steelworkers or anybody else,” counters Oregon AFSCME spokesperson Don Loving. “They have no sense of being part of a larger labor movement.” http://www.stc-law.com NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS The Or eg o n & S W W as h in gt o n F ai r C o nt ra c t i ng Fo u n da t i o n seeks Compliance Investigator to monitor public works construction projects. Requires knowledge of construction industry. Knowledge of prevailing wage laws is a plus. Will train the right candidate. Excellent written, verbal and personal communication skills are required. Travel is expected throughout Oregon & SW Washington to meet with contractors, trade groups, labor organizations and government agencies. Company car provided. Hourly rate competitive. Full-time, permanent position. Pension and Health & Welfare benefits are provided and are subject to one’s union affiliation, if applicable. Submit resume with cover letter by June 20, 2007 to: F ai r Co n t ra ct in g Fo u nd at io n P .O . Bo x 9 15 8 Po r t l a nd , O R 9 7 2 0 7 Contact Person: Corey (503) 244-3644 APRIL 20. 2007
