June 2006

May 2006 Meeting Report
Meeting Notices
June_13_special-called_meeting_for_elections
Scholarship_available
Carpenters_Union_volunteers_help_low-income,_elderly_and_disabled_homeowners
Start_your_engines!

Past Newsletters

May 2006

Newsletter Archive

Is there something you want but don’t see in the Local 247 newsletter?
Contact Bruce Dennis, 503-289-9632, with ideas.

When you come to meetings, please remember
to bring donations for the food bank.

Carpenters Local 247 May 2006 meeting report

Carpenters were among the 120 members from unions affiliated with the Change to Win labor federation th at rallied April 27 at Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square.The rally was to protest Wal-Mart’s low pay and lack of health care benefits. Change To Win staged a weeklong series of rallies nationwide to launch its “Make Work Pay”campaign.

By Bruce Dennis
President

We had 72 members and seven guests present at the May special-called meeting of Carpenters Local 247. We had nominations for trustee, Regional Council delegates, and Northwest Oregon Labor Council delegates.

The nominees were as follows: Trustee: Todd Hartwig, Randy Gehrs, Gene Picariello Council Delegate: Brad Chaussee, John McGraw, Mark Wagoner, Jason Sheckler, Christie Kern, Shaun Cushman, Willie Gore. Darell Duffy, Gene Lawhorn, Joe Whitney, Ben Basom, Steve Wright, Joe Baron, Kevin Stokes, Gene Picariello, John Hahn., Randy Gehrs Labor Council Delegate: Ben Basom, Bruce Dennis, Gene Lawhorn, Jason Sheckler, Joe Baron

We also presented several new Journeymen with graduation gifts for completing their Apprenticeship. Under Reports, we had apprenticeship and training updates from Jim Murphy, Christie Kern, and Wendy Holmes.

Christie and Wendy had recently attended the “Women in the Trades” annual event. Retiree Leo Larsen reported on the retirees meeting.

The guest speaker was Labor Commissioner Dan Gardner. Organizing director Ben Embree reported on the recent Rank and File Mobilization School. Six members were recently put on Council Staff as organizing interns.

They are Rudy Martinez (Local 2154), Ben Basom (Local 247), Kevin Wiley (Local 1388), Joe Baron (Local 247), John Mc- Graw (Local 247), and Jason Sheckler (Local 247). Representatives Joe Whitney and Bruce Dennis reported on job starts and issues.

Regional Manager Pete Savage reported on the Union Summer School, wage distribution survey, pension issues, and various other topics. We had a wide variety of topics covered under “Good of the Order.”

Our picnic theme this year is NASCAR. Under “New Business,” we agreed to send 10 members to the Labor Appreciation banquet and to advertise in the Jobs with Justice annual report.

This meeting report only covers the primary topics of discussion. For more complete information attend and participate in your union meetings.

Meeting Notices

General membership
Meets the second Tuesday, June 13, at 6 p.m. at the Carpenters Hall, 2215 N. Lombard, Portland.

Retirees
Retirees meet for lunch the second Monday, June 12, at 11 a.m. at JJ North’s, 10520 NE Halsey, Portland.

Executive Board
Executive Board meets the fourth Tuesday, June 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the Carpenters Hall, 2215 N. Lombard, Portland.

Volunteer Organizing Committee
VOC meets the first Tuesday, June 6, at 6 p.m. in the Conference Room on the first floor of the office. For more information, contact Jason Sheckler at 503-367-7694.

June 13 special-called meeting for elections

At the general June membership meeting, we will be electing members for the following positions: trustee (currently served by Gene Picariello); 10 delegates and three alternate delegates to the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, and four delegates and alternates for the Northwest Oregon Labor Council. Members will elect the candidates that were nominated at the May special-called meeting. It is important that you attend! The meeting will begin at 6 p.m.

Scholarship available

Local 247 has a scholarship program available for members’ children and grandchildren. Guidelines are available at the office. Applications and Labor History Essays are due in the office by July 26, 2006. Please call or drop by the office for any questions or more information.

Carpenters Union volunteers help low-income, elderly and disabled homeowners

Rebuilding Together with Christmas in April is a national organization dedicated to helping people in need of home repairs and maintenance. The Carpenters Union has been a partner in the Portland area for the last 16 years. This year on Saturday, April 29, 24 Union members helped do repairs on nine homes in the area. Howard S. Wright, one of our Union contractors, also sponsored one of the houses that we worked on. “We intend to continue helping those in our community who are in need,” said Bruce Dennis, President of Carpenters Local 247 and long time volunteer. According to Mike Malone, executive director of Rebuilding Together, “We could not do this without the support of the trades, especially Carpenters Local 247.” Volunteers working this year were: House captains Dan Cagle of Local 1388, Ray Grahn, John Jackson, and Gary Zinn of Local 247, and Peter Martell of Howard S. Wright; and area captain Ralph Miller of Local 1388.

Start your engines!