news
Investigation
BaseRoots Theatre
Performs ‘Pantomime’
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He said he was fired when managers
told him he wasn’t suitable for the new
position – a position he did not want to
fill. He had been told he could not make
more than three mistakes in a month –
however minor – or be fired.
“We can’t comment on Mr. Murray’s
performance, why he was moved into
another role or why he was separated,”
Krum said. “His supervisor met with
him regularly to ensure that he was
being given the appropriate resources
and training to succeed.”
cerns and mismanagement.
“In addition to the various hotlines
and other resources for partners to
report concerns, including anonymous-
ly, we survey our partners regularly
throughout the company,” according to
Krum. “All partners at Tazo had the
opportunity to respond to an anony-
mous survey last year. … As far as we
know, neither Mr. Shabazz nor any
other individual at the plant has raised
this as an issue. When our partners raise
complaints we promptly investigate and
seek to resolve their concerns.”
the No call No Show that
wasn’t
Investigation
Willis says his troubles also began
when he started questioning procedures
and policies during meetings that were
designed for such a purpose. According
to Krum, Starbucks has an “open door”
policy for such ideas.
“Most of my issues came in meet-
ings,” he said. “They’d say they were
trying to empower us … but when we
brought issues to them … it seems like
they always stuffed them under the
rug.”
When he was fired for his “no call, no
show,” that he denies happened, he said
he applied for unemployment and was
granted it by the state, until Starbucks
appealed the decision. He said he didn’t
have the funds to pay for either the
appeal fee or to mail and produce copies
of his records. He is now being forced
to pay back more than $5,447 he
received in unemployment insurance
compensation that he says was used to
pay bills and other living expenses.
Starbucks says they maintain
resources for employees to report con-
BOLI spokesperson Bob Estabrook
says an investigation into a complaint of
employment discrimination can take
anywhere from 5 months to a year, with
lots of variables. Many cases will be
dropped by complainants before they
reach a conclusion, for a variety of rea-
sons, he says.
After an investigator completes their
investigation, the file is given to a com-
pliance manager, who reviews the case
and makes a determination. The file – if
a complaint is deemed to have validity –
is then moved to the Administrative
Law Process, which resembles a civil or
criminal court. After a trial is conduct-
ed, where both sides can call witnesses
and submit evidence, a decision is made
by one of BOLI’s administrative law
judges.
That decision is presented to the
BOLI commissioner, who signs off – or
doesn’t — on the final order of judg-
ment.
BOLI investigates about 2,000 com-
plaints a year, the vast majority of them
labor-related.
BaseRoots Theatre will be performing a
reading of “Pantomime” by Derek Walcott at 8
p.m. on Feb. 11 and 12 at the Blackfish
Gallery, 420 NW 9th Ave. in Portland. The
show features performances by Bobby Bermea
and Jonah Weston, directed by Wendy Wilcox.
The show features two men on the island of
Tobago off the coast of South America,
involved in a pantomime about Robinson
Crusoe and Friday. One is an English song-
and-dance man trying to get back on his feet;
the other his servant, a former musician from
Trinidad.
The comedic play covers the grounds of
Robinson Crusoe, but speaks more about colo-
nialism, and the relationship between colonizer
and colonized – White and Black.
Supporters of Oregon’s Employment Related
Day Care marched on the state capitol
Wednesday to protest the governor’s recom-
mendation to cut funding to the program.
ERDC helps families with incomes below
185 percent of poverty (about $40,800 per year
for a family of four) pay for child care.
Supporters say the program helps children suc-
ceed in school and allows parents- who repre-
sent a large portion of the workforce- to work.
Coverage at a child care center costs parents
on average over $20,000/year for two children
(one infant and one toddler). This is more than
a single working parent makes at minimum
wage in a year. Without ERDC, the 10,000 par-
ents currently receiving assistance will lose
their childcare, making it difficult for them to
stay employed. According to DHS, any cut to
ERDC will most likely increase the number of
families seeking help from Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), a more
expensive program than ERDC.
lacrosse Team Hosts Free
Clark College Honors
Clinic
On a wonderfully warm afternoon last Student Athletes
Saturday, the University of Portland’s men’s
lacrosse team hosted an Eastside Portland
Lacrosse Day at their new on-campus home
field. Coach Mike Wilkerson and his UP play-
ers taught the kids a variety of lacrosse skills,
before taking traditional powerhouse Western
Washington University to school in a season-
opening 6-5 win. The free clinic drew 50 boys
and girls – some returning players and others
who got to see a lacrosse game for the first
time. “I just really like that school and the peo-
ple involved there,” said parent Tresa Pearson
whose son Quinten is in his third year of
lacrosse. “Benjamin had fun yesterday at U.P.,
and watching the game helped me to under-
stand the sport better. Great Job!” said Reuben
Gilmore.
Daycare Supporters
March on Capital
They are leaders on and off the basketball
court. Now, student athletes Derek Owens and
Deborah Simmers have been honored as the
December 2010 “Athletes of the Month” at
Clark College. Derek Owens came to Clark
College from Tempe, Ariz. Head coach Mike
Arnold says, “His poise and playmaking abili-
ty have helped the Penguins get off to a 7-4
start this season, and his 4.5 assists per game
place him seventh on the NWAACC leader
board for assists.” Deborah Simmers came to
Clark from Anchorage Christian in Anchorage,
Alaska. Head coach Nancy Boone says “Deb’s
game-high 29 points propelled Clark to a 2-1
start in Western Division. Her aggressive and
athletic play has allowed her to average 14
points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2.6 steals
over her first 11 games.”
february 9, 2011 The Portland and Seattle Skanner Page 9