May meeting report

Scholarship report

The Regional Council scholarships were judged, and Local 247 students fared very well. Ninety-three applications were received, and 50 scholarships were awarded, ranging from $100 to $1000. Emily Crum, daughter of Mick Crum, and Meribeth Hudnall, daughter of Larry Hudnall, were each awarded $1000 scholarships. Emily Maurer, daughter of George Maurer, was awarded a $750 scholarship. We also had Britta Ingebretson, daughter of Paul Ingebretson, awarded a $200 scholarship, and Lindsey Maruhn, daughter of George Maruhn, awarded a $100 scholarship.

Congratulations to everyone, and remember, Local 247 has a scholarship program that is still open until June 26 at 5 pm. It’s not too late to apply for the Local scholarship. Call or stop by the office for details.

Safeway update

It was reported at the May Regional Council meeting that the International teamed up with representatives from several Western states to disrupt a Safeway board meeting in California and raise issues of concern. Organizer Ben Embree (Longview Local 1707) was in attendance. Ben said we definitely got their attention with a demonstration as well as controlling millions of proxy votes at the board meeting. We recently discussed the Safeway campaign and agreed that it is notable that the International and the Councils have adopted an issue that started right here in Portland, after noticing continual substandard non-union Safeway construction. On a related note, a motion was made at the last Council meeting to remove Safeway as a preferred provider on our Prescription Medical Benefits list — councilwide. If successful, that will cover five states. Wyoming has been added to our Council of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. Remember to spread the word about Safeway’s contracting practices and keep in mind that Fred Meyer is the most responsible grocery retailer in our vicinity. There is additional Safeway information at our office and at the Regional Council Website.

Vice President Willie Gore took some time out of his busy schedule to study the effect of Columbia River dams on the spring Chinook salmon.

Dues reminder
Any member who is taking advantage of reduced quarterly dues must have their third quarter dues payment into the office no later than June 29, 2001. The third quarter payment will pay for your dues for the months of July, August and September. 

If you are currently not taking advantage of this option and wish to do so, please send your payment into the office before the due date. However, you must have your dues paid through June in order to take advantage of this discount. The reduced rates are as follows: Journeyman - $60, Apprentice - $40, Tradeshow - $45.

“Special Call” meeting June 12
At the general June membership meeting, members will elect one trustee and vote on proposed bylaw changes.

Relief on the way for millionaires
Both houses of Congress narrowly passed President George W. Bush’s budget proposal in early May, making way for his multi-trillion dollar tax cut. The votes came on the budget resolution conference report, the blueprint for specific tax and spending legislation to come later this year. Bush’s original tax cut — which was estimated to cost as much as $2.4 trillion — was trimmed by $250 billion this month, but the formula that would give the nation’s wealthiest the largest chunk of the tax cut remains unchanged. More than 45 percent of the tax cut will go to the wealthiest 1 percent of taxpayers. Along with the millionaire tax cut, the budget shortchanges such important working family programs as education, Medicare and Social Security. For more information, visit www.aflcio.org/taxcutaction.