News briefs

NW Democrats oppose fast track, but bill passes House

U.S. representatives from Oregon and Southwest Washington withstood intense arm-twisting from the Bush Administration to support his fast-track legislation - but their steadfast opposition wasn't enough to stop it as the House narrowly passed the labor-opposed legislation July 27 by a vote of 215-212.

Oregon Democrats David Wu, Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio and Darlene Hooley, as well as Washington Democrat Brian Baird, all voted against the bill.

"Every member of the House who voted to put jobs on a fast track to nations where corporations routinely exploit workers' rights, child labor and the environment should be deeply ashamed, and working people will hold them accountable for their decision in November," said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney.

The Senate is set to vote on the bill this week (it hadn't when this issue went to press).

Fast track would grant President Bush the authority to negotiate international trade deals that Congress can approve or reject, but cannot amend.

In December the House passed its version of fast track by just one vote, 215�214. The Senate version, which contained some stronger pro-worker provisions and protections of current U.S. trade laws, won approval in May. But during a series of swift and closed-door sessions House and Senate negotiators removed or weakened most of those Senate provisions.

On the House floor Wu, who represents Oregon's First District, pointed to workers' rights and environmental protection loopholes in the bill that by comparison "would call the hole in the side of the Titanic a small leak."

The Administration insists the deal was needed to shore up confidence in the U.S. economy, which has nose-dived and been plagued by corporate scandals and crime since Bush took office.

"It is pure spin to say that fast track will boost working Americans' confidence in the market," Sweeney said.

"Working people have watched unfair trade deals and growing trade deficits send millions of family-supporting jobs overseas to nations where corporations can abuse workers' rights, child labor and the environment. This bill would only accelerate that trend. "

Iron Workers #516 installs new business agent, officers

Bruce Bunnell (seated left) has been elected business agent/financial secretary-treasurer of Portland-based Iron Workers Shopmen's Local 516. He defeated three others running for the open seat to replace Richard Gardner, who retired. The three were Richard Fairbrother, Tom Hastings and Horace Hopkins. Bunnell is a 20-year member, with most of that spent working at The Western Group.

He most recently served the 1,200- member local as vice president, but has also been on the Executive Board and was a trustee He said his goal as business agent is to preserve jobs in an industry that has been hit hard by downsizing and competition from low-wage foreign countries. He was installed July 25 and will immediately turn his attention to bargaining a new contract at Viking Industries.

Also elected to office were Ron Hess, president; Kenneth Malicoat, vice president; Steve Maitland, recording secretary; John Grey, sergeant-at-arms; David Payne, conductor; Executive Board members Tony Butkovich Jr., Cecil Pflegl, Rex Thornton, Gale Bernard and Richard Padilla Jr.; Trustees Eric Swanson, Robin Wright and Jon Smitherman; and District Council delegates Bunnell, Maitland and Butkovich. Officers, board members and trustees were installed July 25 by International Representative Tony Butkovich (fourth from right standing). Also speaking at the meeting was Ron Piksa (standing left, president of the Pacific Northwest District Council of Iron Workers. Gardner (not pictured) has been with Local 516 since 1978. He served one three-year term as business agent and was treasurer of the district council's political action committee and also the council's recording secretary.

Home | About