We had two political guests at our first meeting of 2002. Carol Robinson is running for Oregon House Dist. 33 in the primary election. This is a predominantly Democratic district and therefore the election quite possibly will be determined in the primary race. She is eager to advocate for working class issues. We also had Bev Stein, candidate for Oregon governor. The first hurdle in this race is also the primary election, although there will most likely be a hotly-contested general election, which follows in November. Bev Stein has a long record of understanding our issues, and certainly deserves our support if she becomes the Democratic nominee. She took questions from the membership and was very well received. During the general meeting we heard from Tim DeGan, Regional Manager; Bob Zappone, Contract Administration and the usual group of Metro Representatives and Organizers. We got an update on 401(k) proposed changes, due to federal law modifications. There was a motion to invite someone from our negotiating team to our next meeting to discuss proposed increases to our Health & Welfare Plan and to discuss other negotiation topics, such as wages.
Recording Secretary Steve Wright was recently in New York City and your Local sent some Local 247 shirts to trade for some N.Y. shirts and merchandise. Steve scored very well for 247. We have about 75 items to give away as door prizes. At the close of this meeting; we raffled off about 20 various items that we recently received from several N.Y. Locals and the N.Y. District Council. One of those N.Y. shirts or hats would look good on you…..
If you attend YOUR meetings, you would have a chance to win.
General membership Meets the second Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Carpenters Hall, 2205 N. Lombard, Portland. Dick Springer, executive director of the Fair Contracting Foundation will address members.
Retirees
Retirees meet for lunch the second Monday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m. at JJ North’s, 10520 NE Halsey, Portland.
Executive Board
Executive Board meets the fourth Tuesday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m. at the Carpenters Hall, 2205 N. Lombard, Portland.
Job openings
At the Willamette Carpenters Training Center there is one opening for a skill advancement coordinator and one for a training instructor. For details, call or stop by the 247 office.
By Kevin Stokes
Regional Council Delegate,
Local 247
The recent change in our pension, health & welfare, and vacation fund administrators has caused some confusion and delay. There are some things that you can do to make sure that your accounts are handled promptly. Make sure that all of your health providers have been given the new administrator's name, address and phone numbers. For those of you using the Carpenters health plan this means Associated Administrators. Unless you tell your doctor, pharmacy, dentist and optometrist, they have no way of knowing that there has been a change. While you're at it, make sure that Associated has up to date information on you and all of your dependants. Contact Associated Administrators Inc. 2929 N.W. 31st Avenue, Portland, OR 97210. 503-222-9603/ 800-888-0346.
The Millwrights have been added to our Central Dispatch System. The new category means that everyone on the Out Of Work list must be registered completely. You must have your status, your skills and the counties where you are willing to work listed at Central Dispatch. Fill out a form at any Local or at the Council Office on Stark St.
The Council has scheduled two more Contract Negotiations classes. Both will be held at the Willamette Carpenters Training Center, 6915 NE 42nd, Portland, Oregon.
• Feb. 7, 2002 at 5 p.m. (Section # 2141)
• March 14, 2002 at 5 p.m. (Section # 2142)
Contact Jody @WCTC (503) 287-3708 or www.wctcapp.com. Specify Section #.
Surveys asking for your input on the upcoming contract will be sent to you in the near future. Please fill them out and return them. They are a powerful bargaining tool! It is your best opportunity to tell the negotiators what you want. If you don't speak now, don't complain later.
The following members will be awarded Carhartt jackets or a $50 gift certificate to Home Depot for attending 11 out of 12 meetings between February 2001 and January 2002. Congratulations!!
Rob Aichele
Bruce Ashback
Joe Baron
Stephen Bates
Frank Brown
Mic Crum
Shaun Cushman
Tom Daugherty
Bruce Dennis
Ed Doty
Darell Duffy
Steve Fondren
Wayne Frazey
Willie Gore
Thomas Graves
Kirk Guymon
John Hahn
Doug Jones
Fred Jones
Jeremy Kidwell
Frank Kimmel
Gene Lawhorn
Tyna McMillan
Eldon Middleton
Ryan Middleton
Michelle Mowe
David Oury
Herb Richards
David Royer
Pete Savage
David Sprenger
Kevin Stokes
Mark Wagoner
Joe Whitney
Floyd Willson
Steve Wright
Carpenters Local 247 President Bruce Dennis presents a $5,000 check to Dan Gardner, candidate for Labor Commissioner, on behalf of the local. Gardner is a member of Electricians Local 48
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is looking for members who collect old tools and/or use them. The fort puts on a demonstration that shows visitors how old-fashioned carpentry tools were used years ago. They are looking for volunteers who would be interested in helping them demonstrate their use. They have the tools at the museum. They are looking for people to volunteer about three hours a week. Call 360-696-7659, ext. 13.
