Painters engage members with massive gift giveaway

Christopher Nicolay of Salem Painters Local 724 was the grand prize winner of a 2002 Ford F-150 XL pickup truck, part of new incentive program sponsored by the Painters Union/Management Partnership (PUMP).

Thousands of dollars in prizes were given away Saturday, April 20, to members of Portland Painters Local 10, Salem Local 724, Vancouver Local 360, Longview Local 78, and Eugene Local 1277 who have completed at least 24 hours of skills-upgrading courses.

Other prizes included a big-screen TV, home theater surround-sound systems, DVD players, vacation packages and more.

To be eligible for the drawings painters had to log at least 24 hours of continuing education course work in health and safety and technical skills. Safety courses included first aid and CPR, respiratory protection, fall protections, confined spaces entry and lead paint awareness. Technical classes consisted of color mixing, wallcovering, Venetian plaster, faux finishes and more.

PUMP is part of the collective bargaining agreement with the Signatory Painting Contractors Association (SPCO) and is funded at the rate of 10 cents per hour. In addition to skill enhancement and safety courses, money is used to promote the union painting industry.

"Many of our members didn't believe it, but now that they see it we hope it will build momentum," said John Kirkpatrick, a business rep for Painters Local 10.

Bill Regan, financial secretary of Painters Local 10, said 129 members were eligible for the inaugural drawing. "This was the acid test. The real test is next year to see if participation increases," he said.

"We firmly believe in this program, and that it will make our people more productive in the market," said Stan Deuel, assistant business manager for Painters District Council 5. "The more profitable our employers are the more willing they will be to share those profits with you."

Oregon and Southwest Washington Joint Apprenticeship Coordinator Michelle McKinna said journey-level and apprentice painters had logged 18,000 hours of training, with more than 30 different classes offered last year. Nicolay, a Local 724 painter since 1975, exceeded the 24 hours of course requirements to be eligible for the drawing. Three union members - Derrick Meyers, Ken Reel and John Walter, logged more than 100 hours of specialty training and each was rewarded with $100.

More than 175 people, including members' families, turned out for the awards program held at the Milwaukie Elks Lodge. Food and beverages were served to all. Also in attendance were Painters and Allied Trades International Representative Dave Ottesen and State Representative and candidate for labor commissioner Dan Gardner.

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