Fahey endorsed for labor commissioner

SALEM, OR -- In a rare early endorsement, Mike Fahey, candidate for Oregon labor commissioner, has been unanimously supported by the Oregon AFL-CIO's Committee on Political Education (COPE) in a mail ballot counted Feb. 23.

Fahey, executive secretary-treasurer of the Portland Metal Trades Council, is a state representative from North Portland's District 17.

To receive a COPE endorsement a candidate must garner a two-thirds' majority vote. COPE is comprised of the state labor federation�s Executive Board and delegates from the 13 central labor councils in the state.

Fahey is challenging incumbent Jack Roberts in the non-partisan race, which could be decided in the May primary if one candidate gets 50 percent plus one of the total votes cast.

COPE will meet in Salem on Friday, March 13, to consider endorsements for other contested primary races and ballot measures. Another COPE meeting will be held in the summer to consider endorsements for the general election.

The fast-track North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that labor helped defeat in the last session of Congress could be an issue when COPE considers an endorsement in Oregon's First Congressional District between Democrats David Wu and Linda Peters. In the Oregon AFL-CIO COPE questionnaire that candidates received, Peters, a Washington County commissioner, didn't say whether or not she would have supported the NAFTA fast track as proposed last session.

The question: "How would you have voted on fast track?"

Her answer: "Since the details of possible fast-track legislation were never clarified, I cannot say how I would have voted. I believe the president should have the authority to negotiate agreements if those agreements include enforceable protections for workers, human rights provisions, and protection for the environment, as long as the agreements create fair trade opportunities."

Wu, a trade attorney, maintains that he �is the only candidate in this race who opposes fast track."

In his questionnaire Wu wrote, "As the world's only super-power, America is in a unique position to use our economic position to ensure that our trade agreements reflect our national priorities: Ensuring workers' rights and protecting the environment, and promoting democracy, human rights and the rule of the law."

Peters already has endorsements from Painters District Council 55, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 and Electrical Workers Local 125.

� Oregon Labor Press Publishing Co. Inc.