Sixty-five members and/or guests were in attendance at the October
regular meeting of Carpenters Local 247. We had a special presentation by
CBLOC about the ramifications of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).
They are looking for support for groups in Central America who oppose the
implementation of CAFTA in their countries. Local 247 is already on record
opposing CAFTA. We also had a surprise visit from Jim Robison, who is a
candidate for State Representative in House District 44, North Portland. The
Oath of Obligation was given to seven new members. Jason Sheckler was
presented his Journeyman Certificate and a Local 247 Carhartt jacket.
Under Reports, we heard about an opening at the Training Center for a
Skill Advancement Coordinator. Organizing Director Ben Embree gave us an
update on actions at the US Bank Tower, Benson Tower, and the DWA Trade Show
Campaign. Trustee Bob Hansen reported on the sale of the Trust
Administrator. American Benefit Plan Administrators, Inc. is now handling
our benefit plans. We had several more Union Representative and Organizing
reports. There is still quite a bit of work out there.
Under Good of the Order we heard about the 7th annual Toy Drive this
year, Thanksgiving meeting and some picket line guidelines. There was a
discussion about the possible merging of Local Unions in the area.
Under New Business we agreed to reward Benson Tower salts with $50.00
each from the contingency fund. There was a motion to send a letter to the
trust regarding debit card access to vacation funds.
As per usual this report only hits the primary topics and issues. For
more complete information … ATTEND YOUR Union meetings.
General membership
Meets the second Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m. at the Carpenters Hall, 2215 N.
Lombard, Portland.
Retirees
Retirees meet for lunch the second Monday, Nov. 14, at 11 a.m. at JJ North’s,
10520 NE Halsey, Portland.
Executive Board
Executive Board meets the fourth Tuesday, Nov. 22, at 6:30 p.m. at the
Carpenters Hall, 2215 N. Lombard, Portland.
Volunteer Organizing Commitee
VOC meets the first Tuesday, Dec. 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.
We are collecting toys for needy children ages 1 through 13.
These toys will be donated to the Toy & Joy Makers and members who are in need
of toys for their families. If you are interested in donating a toy, please
bring it to our office. If you would like to gift wrap it, please indicate the
age and gender on the outside. It is important for us to remember those kids in
need at this time of the year! If you have any additional questions, please feel
free to call the office at 503-289-9632. Thanks so much!
The Willamette Carpenters Training Center is looking for a Skill
Advancement Training Coordinator. For a complete job description, please contact
the Local or the Training Center. Resumés must be in by Nov. 15.
Would you like to win a turkey for your Thanksgiving table? Then
come on down to the November Membership Meeting on the 8th! We are giving them
away as door prizes!
In 1991 the Oregon Legislature passed House Resolution 3 designating
November as Labor History Month. In November there is a cluster of events where
working men and women paid a heavy price for their efforts to make life and work
better for themselves and us. Here are a few examples:
Nov. 5, 1916 Over 200 Industrial Workers of the World members were
headed to the docks of Everett Washington on the ship Verona to participate in a
Free Speech Fight in support of the rights of Union member to speak on the
street corners. While attempting to dock a group of over 500 deputy sheriff’s
opened fire on the peaceful unarmed crowd killing eleven and wounding 27. This
is known as the Everett Massacre.
Nov. 11, 1887 Four of the anarchist leaders of the Chicago 8 hour
movement were executed because they advocated ideas of work place justice.
Albert Parsons, August Spies, George Engle, and Adolph Fischer are now forever
known as the Haymarket Martyrs. In June of 1893 Illinois Governor John Peter
Atgeld issues posthumous pardons to these men proclaiming them victims of a
biased Judge and a packed jury.
Nov. 11, 1919 a group of Legionnaires marching to celebrate Armistice
Day attacked an IWW union hall in Centralia, Washington.The IWW members fought.
back killing four of their attackers before being captured and taken to jail.
That night Westley Everest was taken from his cell, he was castrated, then taken
to a bridge and hung. While hanging over a river he was shot full of holes. Then
his body was taken back to the jail and laid out in view of the other prisoners
for several days. This is known as the Centralia Massacre.
Nov. 13, 1974 Union activist Karen Silkwood was killed when her car
was mysteriously run off the road. There was enough evidence to suggest foul
play.
Nov. 19, 1915 IWW organizer, songwriter, and troubadour Joe Hill is
executed by the State of Utah after being convicted of murder on flimsy
circumstantial evidence. A worldwide movement to free Joe Hill included the
Swedish Government, and a plea from President Wilson for a “thorough
reconsideration of the case,” to no avail.
Nov. 22, 1886 in Thibodaux, Louisiana by some accounts between 30 to
100 striking black sugar workers were massacred. A newspaper of that time
recorded, “ Lame men, and blind women shot. Children and hoary-headed grandsires
ruthlessly swept down! The Negroes offered no resistance, they could not as the
killing was unexpected…”
Nov. 29, 1919 In the town of Bogalusa, Louisiana once stood the
world’s largest lumber mill, owned by the Goodyear Corporation. The United
Brotherhood of Carpenters attempted to organize the mill which had wide support
from the mill hands. After a lengthy campaign of intimidation, terror, and
beatings the company goons attacked the union hall, killing four Brotherhood
organizers. Lem Williams, Stanley O’Rourke, J.P.Bouchillon, and Thomas Gains
were cold-bloodedly gunned down as they sat in the office of the Bogalusa’s
Central Trades & Labor Council.
These few examples of labor massacres is why we celebrate
labor history month,
so that least we forget our children may pay this price again.
For those interested in learning more labor
history: Labor’s Untold Story By Richard O. Boyer & Herbert M. Morais
A People History of the United States By Howard Zinn
We Were There: The Story of Working Women in
America By Barbara Mayer Wertheimer
Organized Labor and the Black Worker
1619-1981 By Philip S. Foner
Labor’s Giant Step: Twenty years of the CIO
By Art Preis
Rebel Voices: An IWW Anthology By Joyce L. Kornbluh
Local 247 members can buy tickets to the Blazers game against New Orleans —
Friday Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. — and have a portion of the ticket cost go back as a
fundraiser to help out hurricane relief efforts. The portion back as the
fundraiser is as so: Red ($7 back, $17 ticket), Purple ($11 back, $24 ticket),
Yellow ($14 back, $49 ticket), Blue ($24 back, $71 ticket). We will be
recognizing each group that participates by announcing their name included in
the total fundraising effort. To order, visit
https://tickets.blazers.com/themenight.asp?theme=ubc247.
For questions, contact Mike North at 503-963-3978.
