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May 6, 2016 | NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS
BUILDING COMMUNITY
UNION MEMBERS HELP
RAISE MONEY FOR MDA
One hundred five bowlers representing 26
union-sponsored teams raised $10,582.50
for the Muscular Dystrophy Association
April 17 at Sunset Lanes in Beaverton. The
National Association of Letter Carriers
Branch 82 sponsors the event, along with
the Northwest Oregon Labor Council.
Branch 82 is the top NALC fundraiser for
MDA in the nation for branches of similar
size. Since its inception in 1989, the Labor Bowl for MDA has amassed $383,582.50. Money is collected
through pledges and a silent auction. The top fundraiser, with $1,700, was Manuel Fagundes, a retired
member of Fire Fighters Local 43. This year, Machinists Lodge 1005 issued a challenge of $40 per
team to bring in an extra $288. All money raised helps kids go to summer camp, buy wheelchairs
and braces, and pay for research. Muscular dystrophy is a hereditary condition marked by a progressive
weakening and wasting of the muscles over time. In the photo above, Chris Jaques (left), president of
NALC Branch 954 in The Dalles, bowls with his son Max, and wife, Angie. Max, 15, is an MDA ambas-
sador who has attended summer camp at Macleay Retreat Center outside of Salem for the last eight
years. Also making an appearance was MDA state goodwill ambassador Jordyn Valdez, 13, and her
family. Top bowlers on the day were Damian Spangler of NALC Branch 82, and Pamela Hanson-Holtry
of Oregon School Employees Association Chapter 48.
oregon machinists council and machinists non-partisan
political league. International Association of Machinists General
President Robert Martinez Jr. (right) installed new officers of the Oregon
Machinists Council and the Machinists Non-Partisan Political League
(MNPL) April 23 at their quarterly meeting in Astoria. Pictured are John
Kleibocker (center), who was elected president of OMC, and John Hall,
who was elected president of MNPL, which is the political arm of Machin-
ists District W24. Others elected to OMC were Mike Hicks Jr., 1st vice pres-
ident; Caryn Kaufmann, secretary-treasurer; and trustees Ray Simonis,
Larry Hendrickson and Mike Hausely. Kaufmann also was elected sec-
retary-treasurer of MNPL, and Tom Feeney was elected vice president.
Terms are for one year. In his remarks to delegates, International Presi-
dent Martinez said the outcome of this year’s presidential election will
have a huge impact on the future of organized labor. He said free trade
agreements, right-to-work laws, taxes on health insurance, and appoint-
ments to the U.S. Supreme Court, National Labor Relations Board, and
other federal agencies that affect workers will all be on the line. “That’s
the reason we’ve got to play ball in politics,” he said. The Machinists
Union endorsed Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary. “But at the
end of the day, whatever happens, we need to come back together,”
Martinez said. Martinez was appointed international president Jan. 1.
He succeeds Tom Buffenbarger, who was the IAM’s top elected official
for 18 years. IAM’s constitution requires elected officials to leave office
at age 65. Martinez, a 35-year IAM veteran, will serve the remainder of
Buffenbarger’s current 4-year term, which concludes July 1, 2017.