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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 2019)
PAGE 6 | October 18, 2019 | NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS Bricklayers Local 1 Oregon expands jurisdiction BAC Local 1 Oregon now covers workers in Idaho, Montana, and portions of Washington. The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craft- workers (BAC) has expanded Local 1 Oregon to include East- ern Washington and the states of Idaho and Montana. More than 400 workers in those states were members of the former Local 3. Local 1 assumed all adminis- trative responsibilities Oct. 1. At the same time, the interna- tional union announced that it will dissolve the Pacific North- west Administrative District Council, effective Jan. 1, 2020. The new Local 1 Oregon/ Washington/Idaho/Montana will represent more than 1,300 craftworkers in the trowel trades, including bricklayers, stone and marble masons, tile- setters, terrazzo workers, point- ers/cleaners/caulkers, refractory specialists, and finishers. The union’s headquarters will remain at its current loca- tion at 12812 NE Marx St. Port- land. A union hall in Eastern Washington will be located at 3923 E. Main St., Spokane, Washington. The expansion is expected to bring increased union presence and resources to these regions, and the transition should be smooth, as all of the BAC members in these areas partici- pate in funds administered by the Masonry Industry Trust Ad- ministration, said Business Manager Matt Eleazer. “On a day-to-day level, things aren’t going to change overnight. Collective bargain- ing agreements are the same as they were before, and fringe benefit forms will remain the same,” Eleazer said. In addition to his role as busi- ness manager, Eleazer will con- tinue as president of Local 1. Oregon field rep Mike Titus will serve as secretary-treasurer. Apprenticeship Coordinator Shawn Lenczowski, Idaho/ Montana field rep Justin McEwen, and Eastern Wash- ington/Idaho field rep Dustin Bradford will serve as vice chairs. Matteo Russo will con- tinue as an organizer and field representative for all areas. “I am excited to see what the Northwest can do together as one,” Eleazer said. “We will be stronger together. That is a promise.” In support of UFCW’s gender pay gap cam- paign, union re- tiree Everice Moro and 150 others took part in a Sept. 21 Oregon AFL-CIO protest at a Warrenton Fred Meyer store. ...UFCW approves grocery contracts From Page 1 to parity with Schedule A by the end of the three years. The new agreements also give Schedule B workers greater opportunity to bid into open Schedule A posi- tions within their stores. Apprentices, who typically start at $0.10 above minimum wage, will also see raises of up to $2 an hour under the contract: Whatever amount the local min- imum wage increases, they’ll get the same amount, maintain- ing the premium they earn above minimum wage. Workers’ next check will be big, with raises retroactive to the previous contract expirations. The agreement also makes slight improvements to dental and vision benefits, and adds a hearing aid benefit, with no in- crease in the member share of health premiums. Members typ- ically contribute $10 a week. Benefits are provided through a joint health trust which has built up reserves equal to about 20 months of op- erating expenses. To give em- ployers a break, Local 555 agreed to reduce employer pay- ments into the fund until the re- serves reach six months. “THERE IS NO GOOD SOCIETY WITHOUT A GOOD UNION, AND THERE IS NO GOOD UNION THAT ISN'T REBORN EVERY DAY IN THE PERIPHERIES, THAT DOESN'T TRANS- FORM THE REJECTED STONES OF THE ECONOMY INTO CORNER STONES.” —POPE FRANCIS
