Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 7, 2020)
NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS | August 7 , 2020 | PAGE 5 Union card gets $1 off beer Subsidized child care helps parents enter building trades By Noah Wass For women and people of color looking to get into high-wage ca- reers in the building trades, con- struction pre-apprenticeship pro- grams can be a hugely important first step. But the programs are unpaid, and can last four to eight weeks. For parents who want to take part, finding childcare and paying for it has been one of the biggest barriers to entry. Now, a program of Labor’s Community Service Agency (LCSA) funded by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) is elimi- nating that barrier by providing free and subsidized childcare. Since April 2019, the Pre-Ap- prenticeship Child Care Initiative (PACCI) has helped 19 partici- pants complete pre-apprentice- ship programs, says LCSA Exec- utive Director Eryn Byram, who worked with International Broth- erhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 48 member Christina Daniels to set up the program. PACCI is open to all, but every participant to date has been a woman or person of color. Inez Merida says childcare made it possible for her to get into Local 290. PACCI program director Jackie Witt—also a member of IBEW Local 48—helps each participant find a childcare provider that works for them, and PACCI pays the provider directly. Tiria Jones, a single mother of six, says PACCI’s childcare program was critical to her suc- cessful completion of Oregon Tradeswomen’s eight-week pre- apprenticeship program in March. “Jackie got me signed up and was able to get my children care for morning and after school programs while my youngest one stayed home,” Jones said. Thanks to PACCI, Jones is now a steamfitter apprentice in Plumbers and Fitters Local 290. She wants to be a welder, and she’s encouraging her daughter to go straight from school into an apprenticeship program, so she can advance while she’s young. Inez Merida says she would not have been able to start her eight-week pre-apprenticeship program without Witt’s support. With her partner working full time, she was staying home to care for her four kids, age 16, 13, 8 and 3. Adding childcare to the cost of Portland rent for a family of six would have ex- ceeded her household’s single income, Merida says. And with class beginning at 7 a.m., find- ing an early morning childcare provider was a serious chal- lenge. Merida says Witt helped her find a place that would work with her schedule, and when she graduated and was no longer el- igible for PACCI funding, Witt connected her with funding from Oregon Tradeswomen Inc. and helped her keep the same childcare provider. Merida is now enrolled as an apprentice at Plumbers and Steamfitters Lo- cal 290. Currently employed by JH Kelly, she hopes one day to start her own outfit (through the union of course) and hire other women to do residential plumb- ing. Six Portland bars and restaurants are now offering a $1 discount to patrons who show their union card. All six venues are owned by Portland restaurateur Josh Johnston. The discount came about after Johnston got to know Operating Engineers Local 701 Business Manager Jimbo An- derson when the two collabo- rated on a St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser for the Children's Cancer Association. The six lo- cations are: ▪ Cadillac Cafe, 1801 NE Broadway ▪ The Independent Sports Bar & Grill, 225 SW Broadway ▪ North 45 Pub, 517 NW 21st Ave ▪ Paddy’s Bar & Grill, 65 SW Yamhill St ▪ Produce Row Cafe, 204 SE Oak St ▪ Satellite Tavern, 5101 N Interstate Ave. At Cadillac Cafe, a union card gets $1 a mimosa or Bloody Mary. At the other five, it’s good for $1 off any beer. There’s no limit to the discounts, except patrons must be 21 or over. “All restaurants are having a hard time right now,” Johnston said. “For people who want to come out and have a meal and a drink, the discount is a way for us to say thanks to the union community.” Union Represented Staff: “Be Union, Buy Union.” * with twice annual cleanings Evening & Weekend Appointments Available Union and Independently-owned locations in Oregon and SW Washington • Beaverton - 503.914.4003 • Chehalis - 360.639.3377 • Eugene/Springfield - 541.622.0602 • Gresham - 503.914.4005 • Longview - 360.639.3388 • Milwaukie - 503.821.0089 • Salem - 503.914.4007 • Vancouver - 360.639.3399 Contact Michael @ 206-380-1751 or email mike@sunrisedental.com
