Gillespie succeeds Devlaeminck as president of AFSCME Council 75

EUGENE - Gary Gillespie was elected president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Oregon Council 75 during the group's biennial convention at the Eugene Hilton Conference Center May 4-6.

Gillespie, 49, defeated Arlyn Stepper of AFSCME Local 189 (City of Portland) in balloting held May 5. He succeeds longtime AFSCME President Joe Devlae-minck, who is retiring.

Gillespie has been a Council 75 activist for many years. Active in the Lane County Labor Council, he is also president of AFSCME Local 1724 (City of Eugene).

"I want to thank Joe Devlae-minck for his vision and leadership, and I want to continue to move AFSCME forward," said Gillespie. "One of my main objectives is to move AFSCME closer to a number of coalitions, including the Oregon AFL-CIO."

Devlaeminck, 52, served two separate stints as the council's president; first in 1986-88 and then from 1996 to present. Devlaeminck, also the AFSCME Local 88 (Multnomah County) president since 1982, will leave his job with the county this fall after 30 years as a computer programmer.

A parade of speakers saluted and congratulated Devlaeminck over the weekend, including U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio of Springfield, AFSCME International President Gerald McEntee, AFSCME Northwest Area Vice President Chris Dugovich and Council 75 Executive Director Ken Allen. Devlaeminck also received a gold watch and other gifts from Allen at an awards ceremony.

What's next for Devlaeminck?

"I'm not really sure," he said in his trademark raspy voice. "Some fishing, some hunting, some traveling and some golf for sure. I will have opportunities to do some computer programming consulting, but I really haven't decided yet if I want to get into that. I honestly don't know what's going to happen, but I feel comfortable it will all work out."

In business from the convention floor, delegates approved a series of resolutions aimed at providing Oregon AFSCME with greater financial stability into the 21st century. A multi-step dues increase will help fund new staff positions, including a field services director and a research coordinator. The council will also create a building fund with the intent of eventually purchasing offices in Portland and Salem, and it will create a statewide strike fund to assist locals involved in labor disputes.