Meeting Notices

General membership
Meets the second Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. at the Carpenters Hall, 2205 N. Lombard, Portland. Former State Treasurer Jim Hill will be at the meeting to ask for the support of Local 247 members in his run for governor.

Retirees
Retirees meet for lunch the second Monday, Dec. 10, at 11 a.m. at JJ North’s, 10520 NE Halsey, Portland.

Executive Board
Executive Board meets Wednesday, Dec. 26, at 7 p.m. at the Carpenters Hall, 2205 N. Lombard, Portland. 

The tax relief act of 2001

Enhanced benefits for college savings

Representing the largest tax cut in recent years, the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation act of 2001 includes a number of benefits for those saving for education expenses. And while most changes don’t go into effect until 2002, becoming familiar with opportunities presented by the new law now will help you evaluate your savings approach and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Section 529 Plans: “Tax-Free” Growth
Most states sponsor tax-sheltered college savings accounts referred to as “529 plans” for the section of Internal Revenue Code that created them. Under the current law, funds in a 529 plan grow tax-deferred and upon withdrawal for qualified higher education, distributions are taxed at the beneficiary’s rate. 

Under the new law, beginning in 2002, distributions from a 529 Plan will be tax-free if withdrawn for qualified higher education expenses. This change provides parents and grandparents with the ability to plan for college expenses on a tax-free basis, thereby increasing the power of saving for children of all ages. 

The 2001 Tax Act provides additional education-related benefits not mentioned here, as well as retirement funding and estate tax benefits. For questions, or to have information on the 529 plan or IRAs mailed to you, call Bruce at the Local union or retirement planning adviser Tina Badalian at Prudential Securities (503) 796-0416, or consult with your tax adviser and financial adviser.

Reflections of a union job steward

By Joe Whitney

I start my day pretty much like everyone else, with a shower and a drive to work. I usually arrive about 45 minutes early to plan my activities surrounding morning work tasks that need to be done, the tools I might need, and the who or what that might be needed to complete what has to be finished, before taking the next step.

That is where the similarities end. That's because I am the Job Steward, and being that comes with a lot of responsibility. I’m not just the guy who takes down the names of the new hires, checks to see if their working cards are current, and that other trades are not impending on Carpenter work, or handing out pencils. There are many issues to deal with — maybe not on an everyday basis — but certainly something can and will come up when you least expect it. For example, an apprentice is someone who usually could use a little guidance, sometimes not knowing what some of the basic rules might be, or what is to expected of them. A few words of advice and a reminder that not only am I there to help instruct, but so is everyone else, from Journeyman to Foreman, we are all Brothers and we are there to help. Sometimes, not everyone can get along, and sometimes a little mediation can go a long ways, but not always and different measures need to be taken.

Occasionally we all will work on a job where there is a non-union faction present, so there could be the name-calling and the unwillingness to work with these trades, and the ever-present danger of a strike, where someone might feel that they were unfairly treated or let go by their employer, a sick or injured worker for me to collect their tools, a dispute with overtime, benefits, securing the weekly report (which involves checking time sheets) and in at least my case, since I also represent Ceco (the company that I work for) at the weekly general safety meetings, at which I takes notes and report back to my co-workers at our meetings, along with the notes that I bring back from the monthly Local 247 meetings, (held the second Tuesday of every month) along with the numerous things that come up, I’d say the Job Steward is pretty essential, not just on our job, but on every Union job across America.

If you were to look up Stewards in the Master Labor Agreement, Section 7.6, pages 27 and 28, you could get an idea of what the job description might be, but perhaps this article could fill in some of the blanks, that until you’ve been Steward, you really won’t know about. It might seem to you that maybe, just maybe the life of one such as I might be a little bit harried, and that maybe it could be a little bit cumbersome, but I’ll tell you something Brother and Sisters, I wouldn’t trade my position for the world, because in the eyes of that apprentice, or the heartfelt thanks that you get from your fellow tradesmen for helping them out in any simple or complicated way that you can, leaves you feeling like a million dollars, and that my friends make my day, and not just me it’s the same for all of us, so the next time a Steward class comes up, try and take the class not only is Ken Stroup a very capable instructor, but you’ll walk away with a feeling of pride and whole lot of knowledge, that helps your Brother and Sister, not only in the field, but hopefully in the short walk of life.

Helping Hands

Alpenrose Dairy Blue Parrot
Carpenters Local 247 Franz Bread
Free Spirits & Friends Mock Crest Tavern
Mouse Trap

…and many helping hands from around the neighborhood

November 26, 2001

We are a group of individuals and small businesses who help needy families in the North Portland area at Christmas time.

We are personally in touch with the schools, which provide us with the families that need assistance and the information on what their needs may be. We buy the clothing, some of the food and toys. In addition, some of our families need household items, which we try to provide as many of these items as possible. All monies that are collected are spent on the families. We personally deliver all of the items that are donated or bought to the families’ homes.

Last year our goal was to help four families with children. We exceeded that goal by providing food, clothes and other needs for seven families with over 12 children. In addition, we provided miscellaneous items for the Bradley Angle House, which is a safe haven for women and children that are victims of domestic violence. This year our goal is to be able to equal or exceed helping seven families with children.

We could use help with food, clothing and household items. Any donations you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you in advance for your time and generosity. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (503) 286-2193.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Sincerely,

Ms. Edie Crow
Coordinator