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
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• FREE Mortgage Assistance Benefit
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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
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