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December meeting report
By bruce dennis
President
Our December meeting was highlighted by an appearance by former Oregon State Treasurer Jim Hill. Jim is now seeking the position of Governor of Oregon. Jim briefly outlined his vision for Oregon and answered several questions from the members. We also had Pacific Northwest Regional Council Political Director Roger Johansen at the meeting. Roger reported about how the Council Political Department interacts with the Locals. Under new business, members agreed to buy material for Franklin High School Building Construction Pilot Program, endorse the Police Accountability Campaign and to sponsor a hole at the PNWRCC Scholarship Golf Tournament.
Jim Hill, candidate for Oregon governor, talks with members of Local 247 at the December general membership meeting.
President Bruce Dennis presents another journeyman certificate at the December meeting.
Joe Whitney, winner of a steward award, wears his prize, a Carhartt jacket.
The members also requested letters to be written to the Employment Division and the Negotiating Team. A plan to establish a Local 247 sick and disability fund was also passed. You will hear more about this as details are worked out. A raffle, with a grand prize of new Harley-Davidson motorcycle, will provide money for the fund. Joe Whitney was presented a Steward award of a PNWRCC Carhartt Jacket. We passed the hat for the toy drive and the Helping Hands benefit. Members generously donated $192. We had our reports from organizers and representatives as well as other miscellaneous discussion. For complete meeting information, show up the second Tuesday at 7 p.m.
General membership
Meets the second Tuesday, Jan. 8, at 7 p.m. at the Carpenters Hall, 2205 N. Lombard, Portland. Carol Robinson, House District 33 candidate, will be will be in attendance to request our support.
Retirees
Retirees meet for lunch the second Monday, Jan. 14, at 11 a.m. at JJ North’s, 10520 NE Halsey, Portland.
Executive Board
Executive Board meets the fourth Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m. at the Carpenters Hall, 2205 N. Lombard, Portland.
New members sworn in at the December meeting, with mentor Shaun Cushman, rear.
By Ron Kochman
Anyone who has ever bought a car or sold a house realizes that getting the best deal can be a delicate, sometimes frustrating, and usually complicated process. Success can depend on such things as the market forces at play, the type of relationship established between the parties involved, and the willingness of the participants to work for a fair agreement. It also helps to know not only what you want, but what you’re willing to pay before you start the actual negotiations. With specific goals in mind and a well crafted plan to achieve these goals, the chances are much better you’ll be happy with the results.
This was the impression I got after speaking with Tim DeGan, who is the Regional Manager for the Regional Council. Between now and April the council will be negotiating for wages with the GCCA, and our agreements with the AGC, AWCC, and (homebuilders?) will also be open for negotiation. Tim reported to us about the significance of these events at our October meeting, and I asked him a few questions afterwards about what’s going to happen in the next few months.
Tim said that both the economics of the industry and our relationships with the different contractors involved will be factors that influence the negotiations. He also pointed out that reliable information and strong communication between all of us is a crucial aspect of the process, thereby giving our team the facts and direction they need to guide them through this sometimes difficult affair.
And that’s how we can help. Tim stressed that the best way to share your ideas and get the latest information about what’s going on is, of course, to attend meetings. More-over, Rank-and-file Negotiation Classes will be held soon at WCTC, and this will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about how the process works. The council will also be sending out the surveys again, and he emphasized that it is critical for all of us to fill them out and send them back; it is the best way for the council to learn about our concerns.
Like buying a car or selling a house, the consequences of how we act in the coming months will affect our families long after the ink is dry on the paperwork, and right now we can all play a part in the outcome. Along with Tim, I urge all brothers and sisters to get involved in this. Get the facts at the meetings, talk to your brothers and sisters on the job, fill out the surveys when you get them, and help take charge of our future. By continuing to do what we do best, namely, working together — and sticking together — we can make a difference.
Charlie Carson, son of bookkeeper Dawn Carson, came in and helped wrap toys for our toy drive and the Helping Hands benefit.
