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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (March 21, 2008)
...Avakian tapped labor commissioner (From Page 1) elected labor commissioner. Now he’ll be one of two lobbyists in the Politi- cal/Legislative Affairs Department of IBEW, which represents 700,000 American workers and is one of Washington, D.C.’s most politically involved unions. “It’s an exciting time to be in D.C.,” Gardner said. “The Democrats are in control of Congress, and we’ll most likely have a Democratic presi- dent.” Gardner’s tenure at BOLI was a breath of fresh air for the labor move- ment after two terms of labor commis- sioner Jack Roberts, a Republican who downsized the agency and even proposed the elimination of the office he was elected to. Gardner on the other hand, with his background in a construction trades union, was a staunch ally of labor and a frequent presence at strike picket lines, union protest rallies and labor events of all kinds. Gardner was offered the new job after meeting with IBEW officials last month while he was in Washington, D.C. for a meeting of the National As- sociation of Government Labor Offi- cials, which he serves as president. “It was a hard decision to leave Oregon and to leave elected office, but it was an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up,” Gardner said. “I’m returning to my roots as an advocate for work- ing people.” Gardner said salary was also a fac- tor in the decision, noting that the new Broadway Floral for the BEST flowers call 503-288-5537 1638 NE Broadway, Portland job comes with a sig- nificant raise. All of Oregon’s statewide elected of- ficials have had a pay freeze since 2001, and Gardner’s $72,000 salary as BRAD AVAKIAN commis- sioner was less than that of 10 of his subordinates within BOLI. Gardner said he expects to testify in November when a special legislative commission looks at Ore- gon statewide elected official salaries. Though he became a journeyman electrician in his native Illinois, Gard- ner, 49, has spent most of his working life in Oregon, first as a working elec- trician, and then as Local 48 vice pres- ident and three-term member of the Oregon House of Representatives rep- resenting Southeast Portland. He was elected House Minority Leader in 2000 by his Democratic colleagues. In 2002, he won election as labor com- missioner, defeating three lesser- known candidates. BOLI commis- sioner is a non-partisan position, so the May primary serves either to nar- row the field or determine the winner; Gardner clinched the race with more than 50 percent in the May primary. That year Gardner also served as one of the chief petitioners on the 2002 ballot measure that raised the Oregon minimum wage and pegged future an- nual increases to inflation. He ran un- opposed for reelection in 2006. Gardner said his proudest achieve- ments at BOLI include requiring agri- A Labor Person For Labor’s Issues Edward ‘Ed’ Garren Portland City Council, Position 2 www.edforportland.com Paid for by Friends of Ed Garren, 813 SW Alder, Portland, OR K ramers/metro mailing service cultural employers to give meal and rest breaks; helping resolve a five-year battle over when prevailing wage rates apply to projects that mix public and private funds; and funding pilot proj- ects to expose high school students to career opportunities in the building trades. Last month, Gardner considered running for Congress in the district being vacated by Democrat Darlene Hooley, but decided against it, citing family reasons. Gardner is divorced and his two high-school-aged children live in Oregon. The new job will re- quire that he move to D.C., but Gard- ner said it will help him pay for col- lege for his kids. Before his public announcement, Gardner called several Oregon labor leaders, including Oregon AFL-CIO president Tom Chamberlain. “I thought it made a lot of sense considering Dan’s background,” Chamberlain said. Chamberlain gives Gardner credit for having rebuilt BOLI. Chamberlain said Gardner’s campaign for budget increases benefited from his credibil- ity among lawmakers from his having served as minority leader. BOLI’s budget rose slightly during Gardner’s tenure, but the agency still has 36 fewer staff than it had in 1996. Gardner leaves some unfinished business, including further plans to ex- pand apprenticeship opportunities. And last year he wasn’t able to pass a bill that would have returned Oregon overtime law to the eight-hour-day standard. In 1985, the Oregon Legisla- ture changed the state overtime stan- dard to a 40-hour week, which is the minimum under federal law. At the press conference announc- ing his appointment, Avakian said he doesn’t yet have any specific plans for the agency. But in their remarks, both Avakian and Kulongoski stressed BOLI’s importance to economic de- velopment. Kulongoski said BOLI is vital to getting employers the highly- trained workers they’ll need in the fu- ture. Gardner has often described him- self as one of two union members in the country that hold statewide elected office; if that’s correct, then his resig- nation leaves just one, California Gov- ernor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a member of the Screen Actors Guild. BARGAIN COUNTER Free classified ads to subscribers DEADLINE: Friday prior to publication Published 1st and 3rd Fridays Now accepting e-mails Send to: Michael492@comcast.net Mail to: NWLP, PO Box 13150, Portland OR 97213 (Please include union affiliation) • 15-20 words • No commercial or business ads • 1 ad per issue • Please print legibly • Sorry, we cannot accept ads over the phone Ads MUST include area code or they will not be published Automotive ’94 OLDS 88, 6 cyl, 4dr sedan, special edition, 1 owner, 38125 miles, $3,750. 503 357-2197 ’91 TOYOTA CAMRY DL, 4d, clean, ex cond, well maintained, 123k, auto doors/windows, jack and spare, $3,500. 503 630-4970 ’47 CHEV STYLEMASTER, 4 dr, $3,500. 503 289-0066 (Ed) ’89 FORD ECONOLINE 350 dually cube van, less engine, rebuilt CG trans, new radiator, all or parts. 503 630-4177 ‘08 FLYBO ELECTRIC CAR 3 door 2 seater $8,000. 503 314-8258 ’02 F-150, 82,000 miles, auto, AC, extra tires, tool box, $5,995. Call Jim 503-357-3293 ’90 JEEP COMMANCHE pickup 4 cyl, 2wd, 4 speed, mach, canopy running driving, work truck. $700. 503 281-5340 Housing ROCKAWAY BEACH house, 3 bed, 2 bath, sleeps 9, great amenities, minutes to beach. 503 355-2136 or 503 709-6018 ROCKAWAY BEACH vacation home, 3 bed, sleeps 8, beachfront, all amenities, $175/nite. 503 842-9607 LINCOLN CITY, nice 2-level beach house, sleeps 6, $350 wk, $175/wkend. 503 762-4816 or 503 351-1408 FISH/HUNT 2 bed, 1 bath mobile home w/garage on Lake Rock Creek Reservoir, 112k. 541 544-2030 Wanted OLD WOODWORKING tools, planes, levels, chisels, rulers, handsaws, shaves, leather tools, slicks, adzes, chests. 503 659-0009 CASH FOR old Mexican jewelry, Taxco. 503 653- 1506 CROSS CUT log saws, slicks, double bit axes, blacksmith hammers, planes, woodworking hand tools. 503 819-3736 REVOLVERS, will pay cash, also Winchester ri- fles. 503 285-6658 or 503 449-0584 (Kenny) TOYOTA/FORD ranger 4x4, older model w/low miles, records, 64-67 Chevelle project car, or parts. 503 257-1082 Junk Cars, Removal of unwanted cars and pick- ups. 503 314 8600 Sporting Goods ’03 SUZUKI LS650, Savage, 50mpg, 4k miles, saddle bags, crash bars, sissi bar, extras. 503 621-3090 BUSHNELL ELITE 4200 6-24x40, $450 OBO; Elite spotting scope (20-60x80), $600 OBO, both new. 503 484-5292 GLOCK 19 compact 9mm pistol w/laser, holster, extra clip and more, $500. 503 253-1003 Harley, 1998, 32.6k miles, softail custom, chrome, black and orange. looks & runs excel- lent, billet wheels, newer tires. 52 mpg, $9, 250. 503 829 6319 Miscellaneous FREE BAMBOO, you dig and haul (area zipcode 97233). 503 252-8658 COLLECTORS PLATES 20 NEW, Women of the Century, first $150 takes ‘em all. 360 573-2055 (Dan) 36X80 INCH DOOR in white aluminum clad frame; has 30x40 inch glass pane and two locks. $30. 503 281-0181 TWO NEW BOXED Vanna White limited edition dolls, each box includes two original outfits, hair- brush, shoes, bracelets, $10 ea. 503-283-4060 Office Space For Rent Three vacant offices; the largest is on the main floor, 300 sq/ft @ $300 mo. The other two are 192 sq/ft @ $200 and 136sq/ft @ $140. All utilities incl. except phone.Meeting room with kitchen, and off-street parking. Contact Carpenters Local 1715 at 360-693 0731or 503-283-2732 • Social Security • SSI - Disability Claims Personal Attention To Every Case Working For Disability Rights Since 1983 THE ONLY UNION MAILER IN OREGON NO FEE WITHOUT RECOVERY Visit our Web site at www.kramersmailing.com 621 SW Morrison, Portland MEMBERS OF TEAMSTERS LOCAL 223 — Eric Brending, Owner — For the Home LAZY BOY wall-hugger recliner, gray, excellent condition, in storage 3 years, $300. 503 655-9639 DINING ROOM TABLE, glass top,ornate metal frame,six chairs,oval 66”x36”,$250, four Sansui speakers, $50. 503 655 3353 Zachary Zabinsky 3201 N.W. YEON PORTLAND, OREGON 97210 (503) 274-1638 FAX (503) 227-1245 PAGE 6 EE R F 223-8517 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS MARCH 21, 2008
