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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2009)
May 1, 2009 :NWLP 4/28/09 9:56 AM Page 7 Big Three ramp up auto production … in Mexico Labor bowls for muscular dystrophy Union members raised $13,000 April 26 at the 20th annual Labor Bowl Challenge, which benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Pictured above, Bakers Local 114 President Georgene Barragan visualizes a strike in the Hollywood Bowl, location of this year’s event. Muscular dystrophy is a heredi- tary condition marked by a progres- sive weakening and wasting of the muscles over time. About 250,000 Americans have some form of mus- cular dystrophy. Since the event’s inception in 1989, Portland-area unions have collected a total of $301,328.75. Money goes to buy wheelchairs and braces for children, as well as research and summer camps. The numbers are in. Production of cars and light trucks last year by U.S. automakers went … up. Just not in the United States. Robert Scott, an economist with the progressive Economic Policy Institute, reports that at the same time General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler were cut- ting production in the United States last year, they were increasing it in Mexico. Production fell 24 percent in the U.S., but grew nearly 5 percent in Mexico. As a result, the Mexican share of “Big Three” vehicle production in North America rose 3.7 percentage points, while the U.S. share fell 2.5 points (the Canadian share also fell). That fact is relevant as GM and Chrysler return to Congress asking for billions of dollars in restructuring aid. While most of the vehicles GM and Chrysler built in Mexico were trucks, Ford leads the big three in off-shoring car production to Mexico. Over a third (34.4 percent) of all Ford cars built in North America last year were made in Mexico, a far greater share than either GM (5.7 percent) or Chrysler (0 per- cent). Will GM and Chrysler use new gov- ernment loans to catch up to Ford in the off-shoring race, or will they invest the funds in U.S.-based production? GM has invested $3.6 billion in Mexico in the past three years, and has recently be- gan making its Aveo subcompact car only in that country. “Taken together,” Scott concluded, “these facts make an ‘Invest in Ameri- ca’ requirement an essential component of any further government assistance for U.S. auto companies.” Participation is open to any union member or supporter, and two local unions have made the event a priority: Letter Carriers Branch 82 and Fire Fighters Local 43. This year’s event started with a remembrance of Branch 82 vice president Kelly Pendell, who died Feb. 6 of cancer. The event was a passion of hers. Harley motorcycle raffle tickets on sale to benefit Doernbecher Children’s Hospital A new Harley-Davidson motorcycle will be in the cards for one lucky raffle participant at this year’s “Unions for Kids” Motorcycle Poker Run slated for Saturday, June 13, at IBEW Local 48’s union hall at 15937 NE Airport Way, Portland. A limited number of tickets will be sold at a cost of $10 each. All proceeds go to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland. “The event has grown from a $2,500 donation to Doernbecher’s in 2003 to a $50,000 donation in 2008,” said Unions for Kids committee president Lee Dun- can, who is a business representative of Electrical Workers Local 48. The motorcycle is a 2009 Dyna Low Rider FXDL and is valued at $16,999. Money also is raised the day of the motorcycle ride through registration fees, from sponsors, a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, and a chili cookoff. Unions for Kids is a registered non- profit and an all-volunteer organization, with all proceeds going to the kids at Doernbecher Hospital. Tickets for the motorcycle raffle can be purchased at the IBEW & United Workers Federal Credit Union, 9955 SE Jobs with Justice collecting money for Employee Free Choice ad buy Portland Jobs with Justice is raising money to place a half-page ad in the Oregonian. The ad is intended to show community support for the Employee Free Choice Act, a bill in Congress that would make it easier for workers to Nominations deadline for Labor Council’s recognition night May 15 The deadline for submitting nomina- tions to the Northwest Oregon Labor Council’s Labor Appreciation and Recognition Night is Friday, May 15. Persons inside and outside the labor community will be recognized at a din- ner slated Saturday, May 30, at West- moreland Union Manor. The dinner and awards ceremony MAY 1, 2009 Washington St., Portland, and at the Carpenters Hall at 2215 N. Lombard, Portland. The raffle drawing will take place following the Motorcycle Poker Run on June 11. For more information, call Duncan at 503-260-5905 or visit their Web site at www.unions forkids.org. serves as a fundraiser for Labor’s Com- munity Service Agency. Dinner tickets are $10 per person. Raffle tickets also are sold for $1 each or seven for $5. The labor council also is accepting cash and prize donations for the raffle. For more information, or to order tickets, call 503-235-9444. unionize and get a first union contract. Andrea Townsend, Portland JwJ staff organizer, said the group will place the ad when the campaign has the names of 300 supporters donating $5 or more, likely early May. The ad will cost $5,500 to $6,000, depending on which day it runs. “The Employee Free Choice Act will restore our middle class and give workers the freedom to bargain for a better life,” the ad will say. “We call on Congress to immediately pass this vital legislation and start building an econ- omy that works for everyone.” Checks can be sent to Portland Jobs with Justice, 6025 E. Burnside, Port- land, OR 97215; or donations can be made online at www.jwjpdx.org. The ad is part of a national campaign by Jobs with Justice chapters. NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS Chase is backing union members with the Union Plus ® Mortgage Program — a home purchase and refinancing program exclusively for union members, their parents and children. • FREE Mortgage Assistance Benefit If you are unemployed or disabled. • A wide variety of mortgages Choose from fixed rate, adjustable-rate, and low- or no-closing costs options. • Special Lending First-time homebuyer and less-than-perfect credit programs. • Savings on closing costs Member-only savings on new purchases and refinance. It all adds up to more home-buying power. Contact your local Union Plus Mortgage Specialist Call Bob Krueger at: 503-490-0459 Union Plus is a registered trademark of Union Privilege. Eligibility for mortgage assistance begins one year after closing on a Union Plus Mortgage through Chase Home Finance. This offer may not be combined with any other promotional offer or rebate, is not transferable, and is available to bona fide members of par- ticipating unions. For down payments of less than 20%, mortgage insurance (MI) is required and MI charges ap- ply.All loans are subject to credit and property approval. Program terms and conditions are subject to change with- out notice. Not all products are available in all states or for all loan amounts. Other restrictions and limitations apply. ©2008 JP Morgan Chase & Co. All Rights Reserved. P-UP 104 2A-7604 PAGE 7
