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