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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 13, 2016)
NORTHWEST East Oregonian Page 2A Wednesday, January 13, 2016 Portland dock work wanes, but pay doesn’t PORTLAND — You work, you get paid. You don’t work, you still get paid. It’s a deal that helped longshore union members at the Port of Port- land collect more than a million dollars in salaries last year, even as FDUJRFRQWDLQHUWUDI¿FDOPRVWJURXQG to a halt and workloads fell fast. The longshore union has UHDSHG WKH EHQH¿WV IRU GHFDGHV RI a port-supported fund that pays members whether or not they work. During a lockout at the Port of Portland’s grain terminal in 2013, the fund paid $1 million over the course of a year — while no work was going on at all. Terminal 6, Portland’s container port and the former lifeblood of the state’s small and medium-sized exporting industry, now receives a single ship per month. Between April and July, the container terminal had no work at all. Elvis Ganda, the head of terminal operator ICTSI Oregon, said the company hires for just 30 eight-hour shifts a month now — down from 500 jobs a week before February. That means longshore workers are doing 1 percent of the work they were doing before. But dock worker pay at the Port of Portland barely took a hit. The International Longshore and Ware- house Union has a pay guarantee plan that assures many longshore workers will be paid for nearly a full week of work at nearly four times minimum wage, regardless of how much work there is to do. Union advocates say the plan JLYHV PHPEHUV ¿QDQFLDO FHUWDLQW\ LQDEXVLQHVVWKDWFDQHEEDQGÀRZ over time. But critics of the longshore union say the plan is why union members aren’t working with the port oper- ator to bring shipping lines back to Terminal 6. “It’s not much incentive to go back to work,” Ganda said. Without the union on board, port RI¿FLDOV VD\ EULQJLQJ 3RUWODQG¶V direct ties to Asia and Europe back is a hard sell. Greg Borossay, a general manager of the Port’s marine trade development, said that ongoing liti- gation between the Port of Portland, the union and ICTSI Oregon doesn’t necessarily need to be resolved to bring interested carriers back, but a workforce with a history of slowdowns could hurt Terminal 6’s chances. “It would certainly be helpful if the labor issue could be fully resolved,” Borossay said at an BRIEFLY Oregon Board of Agriculture meeting in December. The Portland chapter of the union has been found guilty by the federal labor board and judges several times in the past few years of intentionally slowing work on the docks at the container terminal, making threats WR ,&76, 2UHJRQ RI¿FLDOV DQG other unfair labor practices. Hanjin Shipping Co. and Hapag-Lloyd both stopped calling at Terminal 6 in the midst of a West Coast-wide slow down, but the Port or Portland issue started before and likely will continue long after other ports are back to normal. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union did not respond to repeated requests for comment. In 2013, a union spokeswoman said the pay guarantee plan is necessary for workers who have families and mortgages to survive during disagreements with the port. 7KH 3DFL¿F 0DULWLPH $VVRFLD- tion, which represents 29 West Coast container port operators, maintains the pay guarantee fund and each port contributes based on the tons of cargo going in and out. That means the ports in the Puget Sound and in Los Angeles are heavily subsidizing the lack of work in Portland. Other states already prohibit that practice. Public sector employees’ union SALEM — Oregon is one of more membership averages 17 percent WKDQVWDWHVWKDWFRXOGIHHOVLJQL¿- in states that ban mandatory fees cant impacts from a U.S. Supreme compared with 49 percent in states, Court case that seeks to strip a long- such as Oregon, that allow mandatory standing power of public sector labor fees, according to an amicus brief by unions to collect fees from workers a group of social scientists in support of the labor unions. who decline to join. 2I¿FLDOV ZLWK 2UHJRQ SXEOLF The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Monday, Jan. 11, in a case sector labor unions said the case is an brought by a group of 10 California attack on the democratic principles of teachers who say the mandatory fees labor unions and on the middle class, trample on the free-speech rights ZKLFK KDV EHQH¿WHG HFRQRPLFDOO\ of workers who oppose the union’s from unions’ work better wages and causes. The court is scheduled to working conditions. “Our belief is this truly is another release its ruling in June, according to the Center for Individual Rights, a attempt by the haves to have more QRQSUR¿WODZ¿UPWKDWUHSUHVHQWVWKH and to have the have nots just do what they’re told,” said Hanna Vaandering, teachers. If the teachers are successful, the president of the Oregon Education case could reverse a nearly 40-year Association, which represents 43,000 precedent the court set in 1977 to teachers and support staff at commu- nity college and K-12 campuses. allow for the mandatory fees. “It could have a huge impact “We will survive and will continue to on public sector unions in that the advocate for public education.” /DERU XQLRQ RI¿FLDOV UHIHU WR lifeblood you depend on would effec- tively dry up, that is union dues,” said mandatory fees as “fair share” fees Keith Cunningham-Parmeter, a law because the money pays for the cost professor at Willamette University of collective bargaining and pursuing grievances. Without mandatory fees, who specializes in labor law. Oregon is one of more than 20 workers who decline to join the union states where public sector employees ZRXOG VWLOO UHDS WKH EHQH¿WV RI WKH are forced to pay mandatory fees. union without paying any of the cost, Didn’t receive your paper? &all 1--522-255 EeIore noon 7Xesday tKroXJK )riday or EeIore 1 a.m. SatXrday for same-day redelivery — Founded Oct. 16, 1875 — 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton 541-276-2211 333 E. Main St., Hermiston 541-567-6211 2I¿Fe KoXrs Monday tKroXJK )riday, a.m. to 5 S.m. &losed maMor Kolidays SUBSCRIPTION RATES /oFal Kome delivery SavinJs off Fover SriFe E=Pay 14.5 41 SerFent 52 ZeeNs 173.67 41 SerFent 26 ZeeNs 1.6 3 SerFent 13 ZeeNs 47.77 36 SerFent E= Pay one-year rate ZitK a montKly Fredit or deEit FardFKeFN FKarJe www.eastoregonian.com To subscribe, call 1-800-522-0255 or go online to www.eastoregonian.com and click on ‘Subscribe’ East 2reJonian (USPS 164-980) is SXElisKed daily e[FeSt SXnday, Monday and 'eF. 25, Ey tKe E2 Media *roXS, 211 S.E. 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Periods of rain An afternoon shower in spots 46° 34° 44° 34° SATURDAY A rain or snow shower in spots A bit of morning snow, then rain Rain and drizzle in the morning PENDLETON TEMPERATURE FORECAST 44° 32° 42° 35° 45° 36° HERMISTON TEMPERATURE FORECAST 44° 33° 45° 33° PENDLETON through 3 p.m. yesterday TEMPERATURE HIGH Yesterday Normals Records LOW 37° 26° 41° 27° 61° (1933) -19° (1909) PRECIPITATION 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date 0.06" 0.12" 0.67" 0.12" 0.25" 0.67" HERMISTON through 3 p.m. yesterday TEMPERATURE HIGH Yesterday Normals Records LOW 35° 41° 64° (1945) 26° 28° -9° (1937) PRECIPITATION 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date 0.03" 0.08" 0.49" 0.08" 0.15" 0.49" SUN AND MOON Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today First Full Jan 16 Jan 23 45° 32° 42° 32° 46° 34° Seattle 49/39 ALMANAC Last 7:33 a.m. 4:34 p.m. 9:39 a.m. 9:16 p.m. New Jan 31 Feb 8 ADVERTISING Advertising Director: Jennine Perkinson 541-27-263 MSerkinson#eastoreJonian.Fom NEWS To submit news tips and press releases: Fall 541-66-1 fa[ 541-276-314 email neZs#eastoreJonian.Fom Multimedia consultants 7erri BriJJs 541-215-447 tEriJJs#eastoreJonian.Fom Jeanne JeZett 541-364-4531 MMeZett#eastoreJonian.Fom .im /aPlant 541-564-453 klaSlant#eastoreJonian.Fom 'ayle Stinson 541-66-6 dstinson#eastoreJonian.Fom To submit community events, calendar items and Your EO News: email FommXnity#eastoreJonian.Fom or Fall 7ammy MalJesini in Hermiston at 541-564-453 or 5enee StrXtKers in Pendleton at 541-66-1. 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To submit sports or outdoors information or tips: 541-66-3 sSorts#eastoreJonian.Fom COMMERCIAL PRINTING Production Manager: Steve .noEEe 541-66-25 sknoEEe#eastoreJonian.Fom REGIONAL CITIES Today SUNDAY Spokane Wenatchee 40/29 39/32 Tacoma Moses 49/35 Lake Pullman Aberdeen Olympia Yakima 38/27 40/32 48/39 48/35 43/26 Longview Kennewick Walla Walla 47/36 47/36 Lewiston 44/33 Astoria 49/37 50/41 Portland Enterprise Hermiston 49/39 Pendleton 38/24 The Dalles 44/33 46/34 44/36 La Grande Salem 40/28 49/40 Albany Corvallis 49/39 48/40 John Day 45/30 Ontario Eugene Bend 36/24 50/40 43/28 Caldwell Burns 39/25 38/19 Astoria Baker City Bend Brookings Burns Enterprise Eugene Heppner Hermiston John Day Klamath Falls La Grande Meacham Medford Newport North Bend Ontario Pasco Pendleton Portland Redmond Salem Spokane Ukiah Vancouver Walla Walla Yakima Hi 50 36 43 49 38 38 50 44 44 45 40 40 38 51 49 51 36 44 46 49 46 49 40 41 47 47 43 Lo 41 23 28 42 19 24 40 28 33 30 22 28 28 36 42 43 24 33 34 39 29 40 29 26 38 36 26 W r sn r r sn sn r r r sn c sn r r r r sh r r r r r r r r r c NATIONAL WEATHER TODAY Thu. Hi 47 34 38 51 31 32 45 39 45 38 36 37 36 46 48 53 37 45 44 45 42 46 36 36 44 43 39 Lo 43 25 31 45 21 25 42 31 33 29 26 27 29 39 43 46 27 32 34 41 31 43 29 29 41 35 26 Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day. W r sn sf r sn sn r c c sn sn c c r r r c c c r c r c sf r c sh WORLD CITIES Today Beijing Hong Kong Jerusalem London Mexico City Moscow Paris Rome Seoul Sydney Tokyo Hi 34 67 61 44 60 32 45 58 33 83 46 Lo 12 58 41 35 48 13 36 37 16 73 38 W s s s c pc i pc s sf pc r Thu. Hi 38 65 58 41 64 24 45 57 31 97 52 Lo 14 59 45 33 40 2 32 50 21 62 39 W s r s sn pc sn sh sh s t s WINDS Medford 51/36 Klamath Falls 40/22 (in mph) Today Thursday Boardman Pendleton W 4-8 S 6-12 SE 4-8 SSE 6-12 UV INDEX TODAY Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows. REGIONAL FORECAST Coastal Oregon: Periods of rain today. A passing shower or two tonight. Rain tomorrow. Eastern and Central Oregon: Rain today, but snow and rain in central parts and a bit of snow in the south. Western Washington: Rain at times today. Eastern Washington: Rather cloudy today. Morning ice, then ice in the mountains; snow in the north. A little rain across the south and near the Idaho border. Cascades: Periods of rain today. A little snow tonight, accumulating a coating to an inch. Northern California: Showers today; heavy snow, accumulating 3-6 inches in the interior mountains. 0 0 1 family of a worker who died IURPDIDOOKDV¿OHGD million lawsuit against the University of Portland, alleging its faulty equipment caused the accident. According to the suit, Thomas Smith was working at the university arena in 2014 when the lift he was using to reach speakers and lights tipped over. The 55-year-old struck KLVKHDGRQWKHDUHQDÀRRUDQG died from his injuries three months later. The lawsuit contends the lift was in poor repair, and the university allowed it to be used without outrigger supports that could have prevented tipping. The suit also faults Genie Industries, the Washington- based company that designed the lift. A university spokeswoman declined to discuss the lawsuit when reached by The Oregonian. The company also declined comment. Corrections Real Estate Advertising: Jodi Snook 541-27-267 Msnook#eastoreJonian.Fom FRIDAY PORTLAND (AP) — A Multnomah County Circuit Court judge has ruled that a blind woman must give up ownership of her guide dog as it has bitten three strangers. The Oregonian reports that last week Judge Thomas Ryan agreed that the hearings RI¿FHU¶VGHFLVLRQWRUHPRYHWKH German shepherd mix “Noni” from Connie Walker’s home was correct. Walker’s attorney said they will appeal the case to the Oregon Court of Appeals, and Ryan agreed to let Walker keep Noni until the appeals court rules. Until then, Noni must be muzzled while out in public RUFRQ¿QHGWRWKHEDFNRI Walker’s home when caregivers or others visit. The East Oregonian works hard to be accurate and sincerely regrets any errors. If you notice a mistake in the paper, please call 541-966-0818. Legal Advertising: Amanda JaFoEs 541-27-263 aMaFoEs#eastoreJonian.Fom Single copy price: 1 7Xesday tKroXJK )riday, 1.5 SatXrday Forecast THURSDAY Judge rules Gresham woman must give up aggressive guide dog ClassiÀed Advertising: 1--62-21 Flassi¿eds#eastoreJonian.Fom Copyright © 2016, EO Media Group TODAY PORTLAND — Oregonians have a few more weeks to get their health insurance plans locked down for 2016. Sign ups, renewals and changes to existing plans through Healthcare.gov can be made until Jan. 31, the last day of open enrollment. Friday is the deadline for those seeking coverage to start on Feb. 1. Roughly 133,770 Oregonians have selected plans through the federal exchange website as of Jan. 2, up nearly 20 percent from last year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said Tuesday. Oregon has been using the federal exchange website since last spring after ditching its problem-plagued Cover Oregon portal. Individuals without health insurance face high penalties — 2.5 percent of household income or $695 per adult plus $347.50 per child, whichever LVJUHDWHU²ZKHQ¿OLQJWKHLU 2016 taxes. BEND — A new lawsuit argues that state and federal agencies are harming the Deschutes River and its native Oregon spotted frogs. The Bulletin reports that :DWHU:DWFKRI2UHJRQ¿OHGWKH suit Monday. It says the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and three state irrigation districts are treating a portion of the river as an irrigation ditch rather than a natural resource. The conservation group ZDQWVFKDQJHVLQULYHUÀRZV to improve frog habitat. It also wants the Bureau of Reclamation to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which listed the frog as threatened in 2014. A Boise-based spokesman says the Bureau doesn’t comment on pending litigation. The Deschutes Basin Board of Control president says the lawsuit will impede cooperative efforts to improve frog habitat. The Board of Control ODERURI¿FLDOVVDLG Oregon’s public sector workers are under no obligation to join the union, but they often have to take action to opt out of paying full dues in favor of paying lower “fair share” fees, Cunningham-Parmeter said. While dues might cover the cost of some of the union’s political activities, “fair share” fees are restricted to paying for collective bargaining, grievances and other non-political services, the law professor said. Depending on the contract, some workers who decline to join the union still have to pay full dues upfront and then apply for a rebate for amount of the dues that would have gone toward the union’s political activities. The Oregon Education Associa- tion, for instance, provides rebates usually within a month of when workers apply for a rebate, said VSRNHVZRPDQ/DOLD+LUVFK¿HOG About 10 percent of eligible workers seek the rebate, she said. While labor unions are focused on a worst-case scenario in which the court would prohibit all mandatory fees, the court also could make a more limited ruling, Cunningham-Parmeter said. The court could choose to ban the opt-out process and require that workers opt into paying the full dues, he said. Subscriber services: For home delivery, vacation stops or delivery concerns: 1-800-522-0255 represents the irrigation districts named in the lawsuit. Fatal fall at University of Oregon conservation Portland leads to group sues on behalf $13M lawsuit of spotted frog PORTLAND (AP) — The Oregon labor unions fear setback in Supreme Court case By PARIS ACHEN Capital Bureau Oregon nears health insurance deadline 0 0 0 8 a.m. 10 a.m. Noon 2 p.m. 4 p.m. 6 p.m. 0-2, Low 3-5, Moderate 6-7, High; 8-10, Very High; 11+, Extreme The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index™ num- ber, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2016 -10s -0s showers t-storms 0s 10s rain 20s flurries 30s 40s snow ice 50s 60s cold front 70s 80s 90s 100s warm front stationary front 110s high low National Summary: Very cold air will extend from the northern Plains to the Northeast with areas of heavy snow from the Great Lakes to northern New England today. Rain and mountain snow will fall from California to Washington. Yesterday’s National Extremes: (for the 48 contiguous states) High 74° in Corona, Calif. Low -34° in Embarrass, Minn. NATIONAL CITIES Today Albuquerque Atlanta Atlantic City Baltimore Billings Birmingham Boise Boston Charleston, SC Charleston, WV Chicago Cleveland Dallas Denver Detroit El Paso Fairbanks Fargo Honolulu Houston Indianapolis Jacksonville Kansas City Las Vegas Little Rock Los Angeles Hi 44 48 32 31 45 51 42 32 53 28 22 17 64 50 17 53 7 21 82 64 25 58 47 55 57 65 Lo 22 32 25 20 32 34 30 19 31 23 20 15 45 26 15 30 2 10 66 51 23 34 31 39 38 48 W s s s s pc s sn s s pc sf sn pc s sf s c pc s pc pc s s pc s pc Thur. Hi 44 59 44 45 39 59 39 33 61 49 39 38 66 42 35 58 5 25 82 65 42 62 53 58 62 63 Lo 25 42 38 28 23 45 29 26 42 32 32 34 46 18 32 34 -6 5 67 51 36 49 30 40 51 46 W s pc pc pc sn pc c pc s pc c sf pc pc c s pc sn pc r pc pc s pc pc pc Today Louisville Memphis Miami Milwaukee Minneapolis Nashville New Orleans New York City Oklahoma City Omaha Philadelphia Phoenix Portland, ME Providence Raleigh Rapid City Reno Sacramento St. Louis Salt Lake City San Diego San Francisco Seattle Tucson Washington, DC Wichita Hi 34 53 73 19 19 45 62 31 56 40 31 64 30 31 42 49 46 60 42 34 63 57 49 66 33 52 Lo 29 39 62 14 14 33 48 22 32 26 23 41 12 19 28 31 27 40 33 26 53 46 39 35 24 28 W pc s pc sf sf s s s pc s s s pc s s pc r r pc pc pc sh sh s s s Thur. Hi 50 61 73 35 30 58 68 38 61 42 43 63 28 34 53 42 45 54 54 35 62 55 47 63 47 55 Lo 39 51 68 30 20 43 56 35 35 24 32 43 17 25 33 18 33 47 44 27 52 50 40 38 33 31 Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice. W s pc r c c s r pc s pc pc pc pc pc s sn c sh pc sn pc sh r pc pc s
