...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
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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
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NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS
MARCH 21, 2008