November 2002 meeting report Dues rates for 2003 Please note the new dues rates for 2003. Dues payments for 2003 are now being accepted in the office and 2003 working cards are available. Monthly rates Apprentices: $15 Journeyman: $26 Tradeshow: $17 Inactive: $13.75 Retired: $6 Quarterly rates Apprentices: $42 Journeyman: $66 Tradeshow: $48 Yearly rates Apprentices: $160 Journeyman: $228 Tradeshow: $180 Cami Whitney, daughter of Local 247 Regional Council delegate Joe Whitney (left) strains to hoist the turkey she won as a door prize at the November general membership meeting. Twenty turkeys were given out as door prizes. By Bruce Dennis President The November regular meeting was a Special Called Meeting for the purpose of discussing and voting on a dues increase. Seventy-five members voted on the proposal, which passed 60 to 15. Under reports, we heard that there had been two accidents with injuries at the Park Place job in Northwest Portland. We also heard from Joe Whitey, who is serving on a Health & Welfare research committee. Their committee has not found any financial reasons to change benefit providers. The Regional Council delegates gave reports covering the recent Council Quarterly Meeting, held here in Portland. Joe Baron and Darell Duffy gave a complete report of our recent elections and were happy that most of the candidates the Local supported were successful. Dave Oury, Bruce Ashback and myself gave area representative reports and Organizer Jerry Auvil was also present to tell members about our organizing goals. Under “Good of the Order,” several comments were made regarding benefit delinquencies, which resulted in a motion under New Business to send a letter of inquiry to our Benefit Trustees. There were several other actions taken before we gave away 20 Thanksgiving turkeys, five T-shirts and Doernbecher Christmas card packs out as door prizes. The meeting went fairly smooth, was interesting and informative and adjourned at 9:55 p.m.

Meeting Notices

General membership
Meets the second Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. at the Carpenters Hall, 2205 N. Lombard, Portland. Local 247 is continuing its involvement with the Helping Hands group, to help needy families. Contact Dawn at the Union office to find out how to help. The Union will give out Christmas hams as door prizes.

Retirees
Retirees meet for lunch the second Monday, Dec. 9, at 11 a.m. at JJ North’s, 10520 NE Halsey, Portland.

Executive Board
Executive Board meets the fourth Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. at the Carpenters Hall, 2205 N. Lombard, Portland.

Thanks to everyone!

I would like to thank all of those involved in the last election for their help in getting almost all of the candidates we supported elected and the majority of the initiatives passed. The Carpenters went above and beyond their call of duty and the candidates know which labor group was there for them. For those of you who gave your volunteer time, a sincere thanks is in order. Your efforts were vital to our success. Also, my job could not have been as successful without the help I received from our highly skilled Office Manager, Dawn Carson. The 247 officers, Political Chairman Darell Duffy, delegates and members all deserve a big “THANKS” for the help and encouragement I received. Also, thanks to all the members for putting up with the many telephone calls they received during the campaign

I would like to wish you and your family a safe and Happy Holiday!
Fraternally,

Joe Baron, Political Organizer

Ben Franklin named ‘Turkey of the Day’

Regional Council organizer Jerry Auvil, with Local 1388 activist Rose Powell, passed out fliers at the Benjamin Franklin building questioning their choice of contractors. Jerry was wearing the pilgrim outfit because of the Thanksgiving season. The flier suggest that the building owners are the “turkeys” of the day.

Carpenters Christmas Toy Drive

Last year’s Carpenters Christmas Toy Drive brought 913 gifts and $1,500 into communities across Oregon and Southwest Washington. In the last three years we have gathered in excess of $3,700 and close to 2,000 toys through donations of members, contractors and locals throughout our area.

If you would like to participate in the 2002 Carpenters Christmas Toy Drive, contact your Local or Mike Dawes at the Portland Regional Council Office, 503-261-1862 or toll-free, 800-974-9052. Our target date for collection of gifts is Friday, Dec. 13, 2002.

Helping Hands

…and many helping hands from around the neighborhood

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.

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

Carpenters make good neighbors

Volunteers from Local 247 work on Kenton Presbyterian Church, next door to the Union hall, which needed improvements to pass a fire marshal safety inspection. Helpers included Mark Johnson, Pete Savage, Mick Crum, Tom Daugherty, Eldon Middleton, Mark Wagoner, Steve Wright and his son Russell, Tyna McMillan, Jeremy Kidwell and Bruce Dennis.

New rules on construction trades

The Governing Board of Presidents of the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department voted Oct. 17 to adopt significant policy changes to more effectively resolve jurisdictional disputes between unions. Arbitrators have used a “decision of record” such as an agreement between organizations or a convention action as the top criteria to assign jurisdiction to a particular craft. But in certain cases, a decision of record my not apply in today’s market. The new rule allows a union that claims to actually perform the majority of a specific type of work in a specific locale to ask an arbitrator to set aside the decision of record for that job in favor of “area practice.” “For the first time since 1984, the unionized construction industry is changing policies and procedures to meet the demands of this modern economy,” BCTD President Edward C. Sullivan said.

Reelin’ em in
 

Local 247 Warden Gene Lawhorn shows the Chinook he caught at the Istmas Slough in the South Coos River system near Coos Bay.