Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 7, 2012)
...Wyden warns against ‘unfettered export of natural gas’ (From Page 1) ments. “If any one of those facilities is going to be built, I’m going to lead the way to see that it’s union jobs that are building it,” he said. “But we need jobs right now, not 10 years from now.” Keynote speaker U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said he wants to work closely with labor on U.S. energy pol- icy that results in a win, win, win for everyone. “Energy is what drives our ability to manufacture and create good family-wage jobs,” he said. Wyden, who will chair the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Commit- tee next year if Democrats retain control of the chamber, cited a “hot off the presses” report showing carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. have fallen to their lowest levels in 20 years. He said all the evidence points to increased use of nat- ural gas as the reason why. “Natural gas has become a strategic American advantage for us in the last year and half. We got it and the world wants it,” he said. “So, if we go with unfettered ex- ports, for example to Asia, I’m really concerned about what that means for our big industries here, for equipment, and manufacturing, and construction, and food processing, and the like.” [OSBCTC passed a resolution at the convention calling for an expedited re- view of proposed coal and liquefied natural gas export terminals in the state. Regional building trades councils have signed letters of understanding with several companies to build the termi- nals with union labor. ] “We’re going to have to work through the various issues on natural gas exports, and also work through the is- sues on coal exports that I know all of you care a great deal about,” Wyden said. “I think if we think it through to- gether — and working families and the coalition of progressive voices deal with this right, we can strike that balance be- Developers agree to build proposed casino in Wood Village 100% union Developers of a proposed $300 mil- lion entertainment center in east Mult- nomah County have signed a letter of understanding with the Columbia Pa- cific Building and Construction Trades Council to build it with union labor. The LOU was signed Aug. 23, the day developers unveiled The Grange, a multi-use entertainment center featur- ing local restaurants and pubs featuring local wines and beers, a four-star hotel with a water playground, an outdoor plaza for farmers markets and other community events, a bowling alley, movie theater, concert hall, and an up- scale, smoke-free casino. The Grange will be located between Halsey and Glisan streets in Wood Vil- lage, where the abandoned Multnomah Kennel Club operated a greyhound racetrack for nearly 50 years. But before ground can be broken, voters must approve two statewide Bal- lot Measures — 82 and 83 — in the November general election. One meas- ure amends the Oregon Constitution to allow privately owned casinos to oper- ate in the state. The companion meas- ure gives specific approval to build a casino in Wood Village. If both meas- ures pass statewide, voters in Wood Vil- lage still would have to approve it. At the LOU signing, developers em- phasized that the complex will use only private money with no public subsidies, and will be operated by an Oregon company that pays all state and local taxes. They pledged also to recruit and prioritize Oregon companies for the materials, supplies, and labor to build and operate it. The ballot measures are endorsed by Wood Village City Council, the Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council, and the Northwest Oregon La- bor Council. “The Grange will be a sustainable development, generate thousands of jobs, millions of dollars a year for schools and other services and without a cent of taxpayer dollars,” said Wood Village Mayor Patricia Smith. “It will be a fun destination for Oregonians and good for Oregon’s economy.” For more information, go to: www.thegrangeoregon.com. Rosenblum won the Democratic tween having affordable energy, which is important for all of us for good-paying primary for attorney general in May and was ap- jobs, and we can pro- pointed to the tect our treasures post by Gov. (land, air and water).” “I think if we think it John Kitzhaber On Medicare re- through together — and in June, fol- form, Wyden said lowing the res- steps must be taken working families and the ignation of to hold down costs to coaltion of progressive John Kroger. protect the Medicare guarantee. “Anyone voices deal with this right, She is serving the ap- who thinks we don’t we can strike that balance in pointed posi- have to do anything tion until Janu- about Medicare between having ary and must needs to think about win the general just one statistic: affordable energy, which election in No- 10,000 Americans is important for all of us vember to re- will turn 65 every tain the posi- single day for the for good-paying jobs, and tion. She is next 20 years.” we can protect our Oregon’s first Wyden said Presi- female attor- dent Obama started treasures (land, air and ney general. the process with the water).” In conven- Affordable Care Act, and it’s important that it not be repealed. tion business, delegates passed a hand- ful of resolutions, elected officers, and “But there’s a lot more to do,” he said. Oregon Attorney General Ellen handed out two $1,000 college schol- Rosenblum told delegates that she is a arships. Kevin Jensen of Iron Workers Local strong supporter of project labor agree- ments and prevailing wage laws, and 29 was re-elected president and John that PLAs should be standard on all pub- Mohlis of Bricklayers and Allied Trades lic pre-bid construction contracts. “Pre- Local 1 was retained as executive sec- vailing wage laws are critical to sup- retary. Also elected by acclamation porting working families,” she said. “I were Calvin McKinnis of Plasterers Lo- will work aggressively to defend them.” cal 82, vice president; Clif Davis of IBEW Local 48, guard; Bud Bartunek of Painters and Allied Trades District Council No. 5, conductor; trustees Al Shropshire of Plumbers and Fitters Lo- cal 290; John Candioto of Sheet Metal Workers Local 16; Stan Danielson of Insulators Local 36; Matt Eleazer of Bricklayers Local 1; Brett Hinsley of Cement Masons Local 555; Russ Gar- nett of Roofers Local 49; Jeff Gritz of Laborers Local 121; and Board mem- bers Pat Smith of Lane, Coos, Curry, Douglas BCTC; Jon Flegel of Southern Oregon BCTC; Jodi Guetzloe Parker of the Columbia Pacific BCTC; Dave Burger of Central Oregon BCTC; Leroy Marney of the Salem BCTC; and Chuck Little of the Pendleton BCTC. Scholarships were awarded to Tay- lor Rice and Courtney Hamer. Taylor is the daughter of Laborers Local 296 member Dusty Rice. The Gresham High grad will attend Linfield College this fall where she will study athletic training. Courtney is the daughter of Glenn Sandstrom of Plumbers and Fit- ters Local 290. She lives in Laurel- wood, Colorado, and attends the Den- ver School of Nursing. The scholarships were funded by $1,000 contributions from Ferguson Wellman Capital Management and Quest Investment. Recipients were picked by Duke Shepard, a policy ad- viser to Gov. John Kitzhaber. ...More NOLC endorsements (From Page 4) natural resource businesses. Opponents of the measure say ending the estate tax would impact approximately 1,000 of the richest estates each year and cost the state’s general fund around $200 mil- lion every budget cycle. NOLC delegates also took action op- posing Measure 3-401, the only issue that will appear on a special election bal- lot in Clackamas County on Sept. 18. Measure 3-401 was submitted by the Tea Party and would require voter ap- proval before spending county re- sources on any passenger rail projects. PAGE 12 The measure is being funded mostly by out-of-state conservatives, including Nevada millionaire and self-described sex hypnotist Loren Parks. Also in- volved is the Oregon Transformation Project PAC, whose treasurer is Rob Kremer, a leader of the Oregon Repub- lican Party. In other action, a vote of “no confi- dence” in Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe passed unanimously (see Page 1). And a motion to endorse HR 3591, a bill sponsored by Oregon Con- gressman Peter DeFazio to save the Unites States Post Office, also received unanimous support. NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS SEPTEMBER 7, 2012
