October 2002 meeting report

Apprenticeship instructor Jim Murphy (right) congratulates Eli Pratt on the completion of his apprenticeship and presentation of his journeyman certificate.

By Bruce Dennis
President

Fifty-seven members were in attendance at Oct. 8, 2002 regular meeting of Carpenters Local 247. We had three new members admitted, two withdrawals and four deaths. A moment of silence was observed in honor of our departed brothers. Under reports, Apprenticeship Coordinator John Schraner reported about skill advancement, mentoring and apprenticeship applications. Rep. Ken Kanooth reported on work and upcoming steward training class. Jerry Auvil reported on organizing activities. Reps. Chet Caruthers, Bruce Ashback, Dave Oury and myself reported on work starts and opportunities. Christy Kern gave a report about the recent “Sisters in the Brotherhood” conference in which she attended. She thanked Local 247 for sending her to the conference. Joe Baron gave a political report and update on our phone banks and sign volunteer activities. Joe Whitney reported about the health care investigation committee which he recently volunteered for. Jason Sheckler gave us a report from Jobs with Justice, including some facts about the ILWU lockout. Jackie Dingfelder, Oregon State Rep., showed up to address the membership regarding the recent special sessions and the upcoming election. Eli Pratt was in attendance to receive his journeyman certificate.

Under Unfinished Business, the Executive Board motion to raise Local dues was passed. Nov. 12, 2002 will be a special-call meeting for that purpose. Under New Business, guidelines for the Sick and Injured fund were accepted. A motion was passed to give away 20 turkeys as door prizes at the November regular meeting. Motions were also passed approving sending our remaining PAC money ($2,295) to Randy Leonard and purchasing a table at the upcoming Trade Women’s Convention. Our financial report was read, discussed and approved. This report only covers the primary actions. For complete information, ATTEND your MEETINGS!! Your livelihood depends on it. The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

Meeting Notices

General membership
Meets the second Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Carpenters Hall, 2205 N. Lombard, Portland. Special call meeting for the purpose of voting on dues increase proposal. PLEASE ATTEND! We’ll be giving away 20 turkeys as door prizes.

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

Executive Board
Executive Board meets the fourth Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 7 p.m. at the Carpenters Hall, 2205 N. Lombard, Portland.

Interfering with bargaining

As 10,500 International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) members unloaded unprecedented levels of cargo in 29 major West Coast ports, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney Oct. 11 called on U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao and the governors of California, Washington and Oregon to put health and safety inspectors on the docks to enforce laws protecting workers’ safety.

Longshore workers returned to the docks Oct. 10 after the Bush administration invoked the Taft-Hartley Act ordering the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) to lift its lockout and the ILWU to resume work. By invoking Taft-Hartley during a lockout, an unprecedented action, the Bush Administration continued to interfere with the collective bargaining process in support of the PMA. The main point of dispute is the representation of workers in jobs created by new technology, and the PMA has rejected ILWU proposals guaranteeing those jobs will be ILWU-represented. Both sides are meeting again with federal mediators.

Four days left to cast your ballot!

By Joe Baron, Political Organizer Election Day is upon us again. The commercials on television and radio will soon be silenced, campaign signs will disappear and some resemblance of normality will return. The question we have to ask ourselves is, did all of our hard work reward us with positive results? Did all of the phone banks, sign events, rallies and other events which happen during a campaign pay off for the hard-working volunteers and staff who gave their valuable time? Were the candidates who held the best interest of our state, families and Brotherhood able to get elected? Hopefully, the answer will be yes. Please remember to have your ballot in the election office before Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. Your ballot must be mailed by Saturday, Nov. 2, to reach the office in time. Thank you for your participation. I would like to thank all of the volunteers who have helped Darell Duffy and me work on the numerous campaigns that we have been involved in. As of Oct. 18, your participation has resulted in over 250 hours of volunteer time!!! On numerous occasions, the candidates have expressed their sincere appreciation for all that the carpenters have done for them. Thank you all for your continued involvement in the election process.

Political endorsements Oregon Please read Ballot Measure 15, 16, 25 & 26 and vote YES! for all of them. Ballots 25 & 26 were endorsed by Local 247. Measure 15: Would authorize the state to issue general obligation bonds to fund seismic upgrades of schools, colleges and public buildings. Measure 16: Would authorize the state to issue general obligation bonds so seismic upgrades could be done on emergency service buildings such as fire stations, police stations, hospitals, etc. There was no opposition voiced for either one of these measures. It will not cost you any tax dollars and will create jobs for the construction trades. Measure 25: Increases Oregon minimum wage to $6.90 in 2003. Increases for inflation in future years. Measure 26: Amends Constitution: Prohibits payment, receipt of payment based on the number of initiative, referendum petition signatures obtained. Candidates: We also have endorsed Ted Kulongski for Governor, Randy Leonard for City Council and recommend Bill Bradbury for Senate. Washington In Washington, we have endorsed Brian Baird for U.S. Congress. And we support passage of Measure 51. If you have any questions, please call me at 503-730-6307 and I will be glad to address any of your concerns.

Vote Nov. 5
Randy Leonard for City Council!

Carpenters Retirees stay active

Volunteers construct giant ballot mailbox

Joe Whitney (left) and Eldon Middleton (right) donate their time to build a trailer-sized mailbox for the Oregon Bus Project. The Oregon Bus Project has been working to elect labor-friendly candidates on Nov. 5.