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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
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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.
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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
