...Oregon AFL-CIO backs Merkley (From Page 1) argued against the early endorsement resolution, saying AFL-CIO member unions hadn’t had time to make their own endorsement decisions. But num- bers argued louder, with delegates representing close to 40,000 union members in favor, and 13,000 op- posed. For the federation to take a po- litical position requires a two-thirds OR Fire Fighters Council endorses Gordon Smith The Executive Board of the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council voted to en- dorse Oregon U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith for re-election. On its Web site, the council said it endorsed Smith because of his spon- sorship of a national collective bargain- ing bill, and for his support of the SAFER Act, another priority bill of the union. The collective bargaining bill was filibustered Dec. 14 by a small group of hard-line anti-labor Republican sen- ators. It won’t be revisited until next year. SAFER grants are used to help fire departments hire more firefighters. On July 26, the U.S. Senate approved $145 million for SAFER grants. On June 15, the U.S. House approved $235 million, more than double the $115 million al- located for 2007. The House and Sen- ate are now working to resolve funding differences between the two bills. “We will continue to support those that sup- port us, regardless of their party affilia- tion,” the Fire Fighters Council said. The Fire Fighters Council called Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Merkley “a great friend and supporter of working families.” The Council credited Merkley, who has been en- dorsed by the Oregon AFL-CIO and numerous unions, for helping pass a bill in the 2007 Legislature that allows firefighters and police to bargain safety-related issues in contracts. That right was stripped from them in 1995. majority; not all affiliates had dele- gates in attendance. Merkley’s role as House speaker in the upcoming special session of the Oregon Legislature was not weighed in the decision to endorse. It’s not clear that any bills of major impor- tance to labor will be voted on in the February 2008 session, which law- makers scheduled as a way to test the feasibility of annual legislative ses- sions. The Legislature normally meets only in odd-numbered years. COPE will look at other endorse- ments at its next quarterly meeting, in- cluding the race for Oregon secretary of state, where several candidates have filed. Politics is a large part of the reason for the existence of the Oregon AFL- CIO, which pools the clout of affili- ated unions to make an impact in the State Capitol. In late November, the federation applied for a quarter-mil- lion-dollar grant from the national AFL-CIO, which it would use to ramp up political efforts at the local level; a decision is expected by mid-January. Happy Holidays! )URPWKH Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO 5LFN%HQGHU3UHVLGHQW²$ODQ/LQN6HFUHWDU\7UHDVXUHU Attorneys at Law Oregon’s Full Service Union Law Firm Representing Workers Since 1960 Serious Injury and Death Cases We Work Hard for Hard-Working People! wslc.org Your DAILY Internet stop for labor news and info. 111 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 1650 Portland, Oregon 97204 (503) 227-4600 www.bennetthartman.com Our Legal Staff are Proud Members of UFCW Local 555 RSHLXDÀFLR Thank You For Your Patronage In 2007. Wishing You And Your Family The Happiest Of Holiday Seasons And A Prosperous New Year! Established in 1900 at Portland, Oregon as a voice of the labor movement. 4275 NE Halsey St., P.O. Box 13150 Portland, Ore. 97213 Telephone: (503) 288-3311 Fax Number: (503) 288-3320 Editor: Michael Gutwig Staff: Don McIntosh, Cheri Rice Published on a semi-monthly basis on the first and third Fridays of each month by the Oregon Labor Press Publishing Co. Inc., a non- profit corporation owned by 20 AFL-CIO unions and councils includ- ing the Oregon AFL-CIO. Serving more than 120 union organizations in Oregon and SW Washington. Subscriptions $13.75 per year to AFL-CIO union members. Group rates available to trade union organizations. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT PORTLAND, OREGON. DECEMBER 21, 2007 Bennett Hartman Morris & Kaplan, llp • Construction Injuries • Automobile Accidents • Medical, Dental, and Legal Malpractice • Bicycle and Motorcycle Accidents • Pedestrian Accidents • Premises Liability (injuries on premises) • Workers’ Compensation Injuries • Social Security Claims (International Standard Serial Number 0894-444X) CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTICE: Three weeks are required for a change of address. When ordering a change, please give your old and new addresses and the name and number of your local union. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS, P.O. BOX 13150-0150, PORTLAND, OR 97213 b h m k 9955 SE Washington St. PO Box 16877 Portland OR 97292-0877 The Credit Union will be closed December 24th & 25th and January 1, 2008. www.ibewuwfcu.com NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 3