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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 17, 2012)
Mail Handlers hold international union convention in Portland The National Postal Mail Handlers Union held its 100th anniversary con- vention at the Hilton Hotel in Portland the week of Aug. 6-11. Aug. 6, 1912 is recognized as the union’s birthday because that was the first day in which the U.S. Postal Service recognized its right to organ- ize and to engage in the grievance process. The union is an affiliate of the Laborers Union. The theme of the convention, which attracted 280 delegates, was “Honor the Past, Shape the Future.” The host local was Portland-based Local 315. During the week, international union elections were held, with in- cumbent President John Hegarty and incumbent Secretary-Treasurer Mark Gardner re-elected by acclamation. Delegates also passed a resolution endorsing the re-election of President Barack Obama. Guest speakers throughout the week included Arlene Holt-Baker, ex- ecutive vice president of the AFL- Broadway Floral for the BEST flowers call 503-288-5537 1638 NE Broadway, Portland CIO; Terry O’Sullivan, general presi- dent of the Laborers International Union of North America; Fred Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers; Ore- gon AFL-CIO President Tom Cham- berlain; Billy Hayes, general president of the Communication Workers Union of the United Kingdom; Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), who was recognized as the first U.S. senator in history to be elected by a mail-in ballot; Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon); Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Oregon), Danny Davis (D-Illinois), Raul Gri- jalva (D-Arizona); Rep. Richard Neal (D-Massachusetts); and Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz. The National Postal Mail Handlers Union represents 47,000 postal em- ployees responsible for loading and unloading trucks, transporting mail within the facility, preparing, sorting, and containerizing the mail for distri- bution and delivery, and operating a host of machinery and automated equipment. The convention was held at a time when some in Congress are trying to dismantle the U.S. Postal Service — and with their contract talks headed for arbitration, due primarily to the legislative uncertainty. Union Jobs Mean A Better Community Happy Labor Day from Roofers Local 49 Russ Garnett Business Agent Financial Secretary • 5032 SE 26th Ave. Portland, OR 97202 503-232-4807 Labor Day Is Our Day! Be Union! Be Proud! From the Officers, Representatives and Office Staff of Machinists District W24 Lodge 63 in Gladstone, Lodge 1005 in Gladstone, Lodge 1432 in Gladstone, W12 in Klamath Falls, W246 in Springfield, W261 in Central Point, W2 in Aberdeen, W38 in Shelton, W130 in Centralia, W157 in Tacoma, W536 in Longview, W98 in Arcata, California, W364 in Lewiston, Idaho, and Local 88 in Butte, Montana International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, 25 Cornell Ave., Gladstone, OR/503-656-1475 or 503-238-5550 AUGUST 17, 2012 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 7
