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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 9 ...Secretary of state reviewing audit of UO’s arena project (From Page 1) formation. All that and more was laid out by John Williams, a researcher employed by Local 290, at a May 24 hearing of the Oregon Senate Business and Trans- portation Committee. The Oregon Sec- retary of State’s office is reviewing an independent audit of the arena project. Williams was at the Higher Ed Board meeting as well, and asked the Board to commit that no public money will later be used to fund this project. At the Jaqua Center, UO administrators repeatedly claimed that project was built entirely with private money, Williams said, but his research revealed that $333,000 of public money was di- verted from the Knight arena project to pay for Jaqua Center landscaping. Williams also asked the Board to bar subcontractors from bidding if they’ve had a history of wage viola- tions or failing building code inspec- tions. Bob Shiprack, executive secretary of the Oregon State Building and Con- struction Trades Council, also ad- dressed the Board: “When we’ve got this many people out of work and des- perate, it’s our responsibility as labor leaders to make sure that our contrac- tors have a fair shot at those jobs.” Board president Paul Kelly asked Shiprack: “Do your members want this project to happen, if it’s a choice of project or no project? “We just want a process that’s trans- parent,” Shiprack replied, “so that we know that a true competitive low bid is what we’re getting, and that workers are treated fairly on the job.” SW Washington Dems say ‘yes’ to bridge VANCOUVER — A resolution in support of quickly moving forward on construction of a new I-5 bridge over the Columbia River was unanimously ap- proved by Democrats in the 17th, 18th and 49th Legislative Districts. The reso- lution will be presented to the Washing- ton State Democrats convention June 25-26 at the Vancouver Hilton. Replacing the aged lift-span bridge has been under review since 1995, with more than $87 million spent to date. In 2008, a Columbia River Cross- ing Project Sponsors Council unani- mously supported construction of a new 12-lane bridge with light rail, bi- cycle, and pedestrian lanes. Since then, however, some politicians have wa- vered in their support. The application for federal funding must be completed by October, or else the opportunity for funding will be lost for at least eight years. The resolutions calls upon “all agen- cies and elected officials to unite be- hind the project, and be united in recog- nition of the urgency that the project must go forward in this transportation funding cycle.” It further states that “no more stud- ies are needed and all responsible elected officials should move rapidly to complete and submit the applications for funding....” LERA meeting will look at how employers regulate off-duty conduct of employees “When Worlds Collide” is the topic of discussion at the July 13 breakfast program sponsored by the Oregon La- bor Employment Relations Association (LERA). Attorneys Sarah Drescher and Victor Kisch will answer questions and offer opinions about what activities an employer can regulate and discipline ʻAmerican Madeʼ in the Northwest an employee for engaging in. Can an employer prohibit your picture on Facebook if you are wearing clothing with the employer’s logo? Discipline you for a DUI, or a write-up in the newspaper? Terminate an employee for drug use off duty? The breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 13, at Clackamas Com- munity College, 29353 Town Center Loop East, Wilsonville. Cost is $35 ($25 if you pay for a membership in the Labor Employment Relations Associa- tion.) Registrations can be made by e- mail to: oregonlera@aol.com. For more information, contact Jim Bailey at 503-819-4071. LERA is an organization that brings labor, management, neutrals and aca- demics together to improve labor-man- agement relations. Mon-Fri 9:30-7:30 Sat 9:30-5:30 Sun 12-6 Zachary Zabinsky • Social Security • SSI - Disability Claims Personal Attention To Every Case Working For Disability Rights Since 1983 NO FEE WITHOUT RECOVERY 621 SW Morrison, Portland 503-223-8517 JUNE 18, 2010 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 9
