Petroff re-elected at Machinists District 24

Robert Petroff was re-elected directing business representative (DBR) of Machinists District Lodge 24. He defeated challenger Brian Severns by a vote of 593-481.

Petroff ran on a “Dedicated Machinists” slate that included Scott Lucy, Phil Dilsaver, Joe Kear and Britt Cornman — all of whom were seeking posts as business representatives.

Last year, union members voted in support of changing their bylaws so that all business representatives were elected. Prior to that, the positions were appointed by the DBR.

Nine members campaigned for the four business rep positions, with the top four vote-getters winning four-year terms.

The “Dedicated Machinists” slate captured the four posts, with Lucy leading the way with 613 votes. In order of finish were Kear with 575 votes, Dilsaver with 532 votes, Cornman with 510 votes, Jessie Lopez with 416 votes, Broc Greif with 403 votes, Gary Carver with 385 votes, Steve Hillesland with 381 votes and Charles Yeates with 102 votes.

The DBR and business representatives were installed last month by General Vice President Lee Pearson at a special-called meeting.

Following the ceremony, Pearson thanked the outgoing Business Representatives (Greif, Hillesland, Carver and Severns) for their work and asked the membership to please “lay all your differences aside for the good and welfare of this District Lodge.”

The International Union has assigned Charles Toby and Gerry Greer to assist the District Lodge in the transition.

Affiliates of District Lodge 24 are responsible for 83 contracts in Oregon and Southwest Washington covering more than 5,000 workers. Some of the larger bargaining units are Boeing Co., Freightliner, Johnson Controls, Cascade General, ConMet and Kraft/Nabisco.

Petroff has assigned the new business reps to specific jurisdictions. For instance, Kear, who worked at Freightliner for 21 years, has that assignment. Dilsaver, a shop steward who helped organize Johnson Controls more than 30 years ago, will represent workers there. Lucy, who came through the apprenticeship training program, worked at Paul Brong and Boeing, will represent machine shops, Cascade General and the City of Portland. And Cornman, who worked at Freightliner for 13 years and as an organizer for the Grand Lodge for two years, will lead organizing efforts and represent service shops such as Silver Eagle.