There were 69 people in attendance at the March regular meeting of
Carpenters Local 247. We had a special presentation from Anastasia of REACH
Community development regarding low income housing and home repairs. State
Representative Steve March was also present to explain his candidacy for
Multnomah County Auditor.
Under Reports, we heard about the controversial
tram financing issue involving the South Waterfront project and discussed
dispatch procedures. We also heard from 247 delegates about the February
quarterly meeting of the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters.
We had reports from John Svob on Mayday planning; Christie Kern on the MACG
(Metropolitan Alliance for the Common Good) event Thursday; and from Ben
Basom, Northwest Oregon Labor Council delegate. Our local was warmly
received at our first Labor Council meeting.
Under “Good of the Order,” we discussed organizing, termination slips,
trust issues, quarterly food and U.S. taxes. We passed the hat for Wendy
Holmes’ family, because her husband will be laid up for several months
following back surgery. The members agreed to match the collection from our
contingency fund up to $247.
Be at your next meeting and participate in the decisions which are made
on YOUR behalf.
Mike Couch, Beckyrae Franks, Sarah Brophy, Brad Chaussee, Tyna McMillan, and
Mark Wagoner were awarded Local 247 Carharrt jackets for attending at least
11 of the last 12 union meetings.
Political chair Joe Baron in a handshake with State Representative Steve
March, who is running for Multnomah County auditor.
General membership
Meets the second Tuesday, April 11, at 6 p.m. at the Carpenters Hall, 2215 N.
Lombard, Portland.
Retirees
Retirees meet for lunch the second Monday, April 10, at 11 a.m. at JJ North’s,
10520 NE Halsey, Portland.
Executive Board
Executive Board meets the fourth Tuesday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the
Carpenters Hall, 2215 N. Lombard, Portland.
Volunteer Organizing Committee
VOC meets the first Tuesday, May 3, at 6 p.m. in the Conference Room on the
first floor of the office. For more information, contact Jason Sheckler at
503-367-7694.
In a layman’s way of thinking, the original Builders Board was established to
protect consumers from unscrupulous and unqualified builders. Probably the
easiest way to define these builders is to say they are the ones doing our work.
As I look through the Construction Contractors’ Manual and Senate Bill 248,
which was passed during the 1981 legislative session, not one reference or
mention of a carpenter is noted. Did the CCB and their attorneys forget the
carpenter?
We cannot sit quietly on the sidelines while the media exposes all the
problems the Construction Contractors Board faces. The CCB is a complete failure
and is costing Oregonians millions of dollars because of its inability to
control its builders.
The time will come when bonding companies will no longer pick up the tab for
mistakes of those they insure. Our employers are complaining about the high cost
of bonding and the unfair competition from these so-called “builders.”
We must do more to promote and elevate our trade. We should take a good look at
what we have done in the past, where we are today and how about tomorrow?
Let me remind you of a few accomplishments that we have made. Your union,
starting as Carpenters Local 50, has been in existence since 1883. Our people
have built or worked on most, or nearly all, of the buildings in the City of
Portland and surrounding areas.
With the expertise and knowledge of our architects, engineers and employers,
we have built the finest homes and most beautiful structures in the City of
Portland.
In the absence of good apprenticeship training programs in the early 1920s,
the building trades joined hands with our employers and those connected with the
building industry to establish the Oregon Building Congress. For the next 60 or
more years they sponsored award banquets to honor graduating apprentices and
recognize outstanding skilled craftsmen with the Guildsman Award.
Today we have an outstanding apprentice training program sponsored and funded
through a joint committee of employers and carpenters. We have health and
welfare, vacations and pensions.
We owe Brother Roy Coles (a regular attendee of our retired group) a big
“thank you” for his leadership in negotiating these benefits and setting up our
trust funds.
Yes, we have made some improvements. To keep what we have, we must work
together to finish our task. Talk to your friends, your neighbors and anyone who
will listen. We have a proud history and a good message to send.
We have an election year coming up. Talk with your candidates and ask them if
they will support our cause. Make sure we address the main issue of poor
workmanship as pointed out in an editorial in The Oregonian.
We should be able to suggest solutions. Maybe a good start would be a law
requiring a certificate of completion from a recognized (or authorized)
apprenticeship program. Those already in the trade could be grandfathered in by
a continuous record of employment by an established employer, or in a number of
other ways.
In closing, I’d like to suggest we do not argue our position. We have a good
opportunity to discuss the facts.
Fellow Members, We are looking for members to volunteer their time and skills
for one day! On Saturday, April 29, 2006, we will be assisting individuals in
our community with various home repairs through Rebuilding Together with
Christmas in April.
Rebuilding Together with Christmas in April is the leading local volunteer
organization that, in partnership with the community, rehabilitates the homes of
low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly, disabled, and families with
children so that they can continue to live in warmth, safety, and independence.
If you are interested, please contact the office and Dawn or Sherrie will be
happy to sign you up and send you the information to complete. Thanks so much
for your help! We need your help … so please volunteer! Mark your calendars for
April 29!
Please note: This is an opportunity for everyone! Even if you know someone
who doesn’t have any construction skills, there is cleaning and landscaping and
lots of other miscellaneous tasks to be completed. Please bring the family!
Anyone can help!
