NOV. 6, 2009:NWLP
11/3/09
10:21 AM
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...’We now have irrefutable
proof that greed is not good’
(From Page 1)
reduced benefits, the American people
are ready for fundamental change that
challenges the status quo.
“We now have irrefutable proof that
greed is not good,” Stuart said. “We
now have proof that the markets by
themselves don’t work for the common
good or the nation’s interests. (We now
have proof) that if all the money and re-
sources go to the top, the bottom and
middle class are starved.”
National AFL-CIO
Secretary-Treasurer Liz
Shuler, who at 39 is the
youngest person — and
first woman — ever
elected to that post, said
she wants to re-connect
with workers in their 20s
and 30s. “These workers don’t know
much about unions ... yet they need
unions more than ever,” she said. “If
things keep going the way they are, and
no one turns things around, this is likely
to be the first generation in the history
of America that will be worse off than
their parents.”
To reach those workers, Shuler, a
member of Portland-based IBEW Lo-
cal 125, said labor will have to use new
approaches, such as electronic tools and
social networking. “We also have to
think about how we’re packaging the
messages,” she said. “With this genera-
tion, we’ll get a lot farther if we use a
little more humor, a little more wit, a lit-
tle more edge.”
Larry Cohen, international president
of Communication Workers of Amer-
ica, said labor is working hard to pass
legislation that will rebuild the middle
class. Top among them are the Em-
ployee Free Choice Act and health care
insurance reform.
“We can win this fight. I’m con-
vinced we can turn this around now,” he
said. “But don’t leave it to people in
Washington. It’s got to be the sales of
working people across this country.”
Turning to politics, delegates passed
resolutions supporting the 2009 Legis-
lature’s Tax Fairness package — Ballot
Measures 66 and 67 in the Jan. 10, 2010
special election. And they agreed to a
one-time per capita tax assessment of $3
per member for the
2010 election cycle.
Delegates heard
from three Democratic
candidates for governor
— former governor
John Kitzhaber, former
secretary of state Bill
Bradbury, and former
Hewlett Packard executive Steve
Shields. Political endorsements were
not on this year’s convention agenda.
The Oregon AFL-CIO presented
awards to unions and union members
for their organizing and political work
in 2008-09. [The Oregon AFL-CIO
convention is held every two years.]
Laborers Local 320 was recognized
for “Most National Labor Relations
Board Union Elections in a Single
Year,” with four; the Oregon Nurses As-
sociation brought in the largest new bar-
gaining unit — 350 nurses at Provi-
dence Medford Medical Center; and
United Steelworkers was recognized for
having the “Most Collaborative Organ-
izing Campaign” at CRT Processing.
Kevin Card of Letter Carriers
Branch 82 received the Pat Quigley
Award for his political activity. The
award was established in 2002 by the
state labor federation as a memorial to
Quigley, a past president and longtime
member/political activist of Insulators
Oregon AFL-CIO
Convention
Resolutions
R ESOLUTIONS C OMMITTEE
• Remove Michael Astrue as com-
missioner of the Social Security Ad-
ministration.
• Build coalitions with union-
friendly co-ops to focus on common is-
sues.
• Utilize unionized child care
providers whenever possible.
• Encourage endorsed political cam-
paigns and candidates to utilize the In-
ternational Alliance of Theatrical and
Stage Employees (IATSE) and IBEW
for events and productions.
• Convene a summit in 2010 on the
creation of sustainable good family-
wage green jobs.
• Build a diverse labor movement in
Oregon through promotion of con-
stituency groups.
Oregon gubernatorial candidates Bill Bradbury (right on Segway) and John
Kitzhaber (center) talk to Brian Lewis, an Oregon AFL-CIO convention
delegate and president of AFSCME Local 1246. Both Bradbury and
Kitzhaber addressed the convention seeking labor’s endorsement for governor
in 2010. The following day, a third candidate, former Hewlett Packard
executive Steve Shields talked about his campaign. Political endorsements
were not on this year’s convention agenda.
Local 36 who died from liver cancer at
the age of 52.
Linda Rasmussen and Grady Storms
of Communications Workers of Amer-
ica were named “Most Reliable Volun-
teers.” NALC Branch 82 received ku-
dos for the “Most Innovative Program,”
which included creating walking maps
for doorbelling in various districts. Ore-
gon AFSCME Council 75 was recog-
nized for “Best Worksite Distribution;”
American Federation of Teachers-Ore-
gon had the “Most Release Timers;”
and six unions were honored for “Best
Coordinated Worksite Flier Program.”
The six were Painters and Allied Trades
District Council No. 5, Sheet Metal
Workers Local 16, Iron Workers Local
29, Laborers Locals 296 and 320, and
International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers Local 48.
L AW AND L EGISLATION
• Oppose Medicare private fee for
service (Medicare Advantage) plans.
• Pass legislation requiring public
employers to remain neutral in union
organizing campaigns.
• Support the American Federation
of Government Employees’ campaign
to organize Transportation Security Ad-
ministration employees.
• Prevent water privatization.
• Support Ballot Measures 66 and 67
on January 2010 special election.
• Ensure efficient amounts of future
job-producing lands in Multnomah,
Clackamas and Washington counties
urban reserves.
• Support the Columbia River Cross-
ing project’s locally preferred alterna-
tive.
• Expand prevailing wage laws and
regional preference laws with greater
accountability in public contracting.
• Oppose any attempts to divert un-
employment insurance trust funds.
C ONSTITUTION AND B YLAWS
• Finance plan to support Labor
2010 program, to include a one-time as-
sessment of $3 per member.
• Establish aYouth Caucus for mem-
bers age 35 and younger, with a seat on
the General Board.
equity group inc.
Grady Storms, B ROKER
GRI, SRES, E.A.S.T.A.R.
Deadline Approaching!
Call me for information on the
2009 Home Buyer’sTax Credit.
Branch: (503) 233-8883
Direct: (503) 784-8326
E-mail: gstorms@equitygroup.com
Web site: www.gradinestorms.com
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NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS
NOVEMBER 6, 2009