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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (June 18, 2010)
June 18, 2010 :NWLP 6/15/10 10:10 AM Page 3 WSLC-backed Pridemore quits congressional race Recognition night in Portland The Northwest Oregon Labor Council recognized nearly two dozen members, community activists, and labor-friendly businesses June 5 at its annual Labor Appreciation and Recognition Night. Some 225 people attended the event, including U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and United Way of the Columbia-Willamette President Marc Levy. In its 13th year, the event recognizes folks from the Portland metropolitan area for their efforts in helping to better the lives of all workers. It also is a fundraiser for the Helping Hands Fund of Labor’s Community Service Agency. This year $2,177 was raised. This year also served as a tribute to former executive director Glenn Shuck, who retired after 26 years with the labor agency. Levi presented Shuck with a plaque for his service on the board of directors of United Way. Shuck also received the first-ever “Del Ricks Community Service Award,” in honor of the late Del Ricks, who served as LCSA’s executive director for 17 years. “Business Appreciation” awards were given to Hollywood Impress Printing and Ferguson Wellman Capital Management. The first-ever “Heritage Award” was presented to Judy O’Connor, retired executive secretary- treasurer of the Northwest Oregon Labor Council. Recognition awards went to: Gene Beaudoin and Brenda Kenderdine of Bakers Local 114; Clif Davis, Joe Esmonde, and Steve Vidito of IBEW Local 48; Leanna Hakala and Jerry Morris of the Oregon Alliance for Retired Americans; Bruce Holte of International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 8 and Port of Portland commissioner; Chuck Piluso, retired longshoreman; Dan Clay of UFCW Local 555; Shannon Walker of the Southwest Washington Labor Council and UFCW Local 555; Marty Blake, retired Service Employees International Union; David Rives of the American Federation of Teachers/PCC Faculty Local 2277; Linda Rasmussen, retired Communications Workers of America; and Mark Niemeyer, Cyntha Dominguez, and Joann Guiterrez, Western States Regional Joint Board Local 107. “This was a great evening. I can’t thank you enough for your contributions and support of Labor’s Community Service Agency,” said Bob Tackett, executive secretary-treasurer of the Northwest Oregon Labor Council. G LENN S HUCK VANCOUVER — Washington State Labor Council-endorsed congressional candidate Craig Pridemore has with- drawn from the primary election in Washington’s 3rd District, where in- cumbent Democrat Brian Baird is not seeking re-election. Last month, Pridemore, a state sen- ator representing Vancouver’s 49th District, won the endorsement of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL- CIO, following a contentious Commit- tee on Political Education (COPE) con- vention. Fellow Democrat Denny Heck, a businessman and chief of staff to for- mer Gov. Booth Gardner, also was seeking the endorsement. Heck has support of the Machinists Union and several building trades locals, plus the unaffiliated Service Employees Inter- national Union and Washington Educa- tion Association. Following much debate, Pridemore won the AFL-CIO endorsement on a roll-call vote of 96,086 to 41,576. Less than a month after the endorse- ment Pridemore announced he was ending his campaign and supporting Heck. Pridemore said Washington’s special legislative session earlier this year set his campaign too far behind in fundraising to be competitive. “I regret the need to exit this race, but it is clear to me that the long ses- sion placed our campaign at a clear dis- advantage,” he said in a press release. Pridemore said Heck “is now in the best position — and is the best candi- date — to win the seat. I encourage my supporters to help him and Sen. Patty Murray in their elections this Novem- ber.” Under Washington’s “top two” pri- mary, the two candidates with the most votes — whether Democrat or Repub- lican — qualify for the November gen- eral election. One other Democrat is in the race, along with four Republicans. WSLC delegates will have the op- portunity to reconsider the race at its Constitutional Convention Aug. 9-12 in Tacoma. Labor council changes name VANCOUVER —The Clark, Ska- mania, West Klickitat Counties Central Labor Council has a new name: South- west Washington Central Labor Coun- cil. The council’s Executive Board voted in February to change the name. The action required a bylaws change and approval from the national AFL- CIO. That approval was received ear- lier this month, said council President Shannon Walker. The labor council represents nearly 8,000 members from 39 unions throughout Clark, Skamania, and West Klickitat counties in the State of Wash- ington. Know Your Rights If your employer forces you to work in dangerous work conditions, you can make a CONFIDENTIAL report to OSHA by calling (800) 922-2689 JUNE 18, 2010 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 3
