At Oregon Building Trades convention

Labor commissioner announces bid for re-election


LINCOLN CITY — Oregon Labor Commissioner Dan Gardner told delegates attending the 44th convention of the Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council that he will run for re-election next year.

Gardner, a member of Portland-based Electrical Workers Local 48, said he will make a statewide announcement at Labor Day picnics in Oregon Sept. 5.

Gardner, 47, was elected in the May 2002 primary. So far, he faces no announced opponent in the May 2006 primary. His goal is to win a majority vote in the primary so that he doesn’t have to campaign in the November general election. The labor commissioner is responsible for upholding state laws protecting workplace civil rights, enforcing compliance with laws regarding prevailing wages, hours of employment and basic working conditions, and overseeing the state’s apprenticeship programs.

After his remarks, a half-dozen unions presented Gardner with political contributions totaling $40,000.

Oregon Congressman David Wu told the 46 delegates and 22 guests attending the convention that construction workers in the state will benefit from several funding bills passed by Congress, particularly a transportation package that Representative Peter DeFazio, a Eugene Democrat, helped negotiate.

Wu said he is working with various groups — including the building trades — in an effort to build a new facility for Clatsop Community College in Astoria. “It would help Clatsop County and the North Coast,” he said.

Wu said a national debate over the United States’ role in Iraq is coming to a head and that organized labor must have a strong voice in the debate.

“I don’t think we should have ever gone into Iraq — but that’s in the past. It’s the path forward that counts. There is a very vocal argument being made that we (who oppose the U.S. occupation of Iraq) disrespect anyone who has served or died in Iraq. My view is that it would be truly disrespectful to use those who have been hurt or killed as the reason we should stay the course — even if that course is wrong.”

In convention business, delegates passed three resolutions. One will maintain a dues checkoff of $1.50 a month per member to continue funding Oregonians to Maintain Community Standards, the group’s political action committee.

Another resolution calls for supporting efforts in Congress to “update and modernize” the Endangered Species Act. “In the 31 years since passage of the Endangered Species Act only 10 out 1,300 listed species have been recovered, while thousands of jobs have been lost,” said Calvin McKinnis, business manager of Plasterers Local 82.

The resolution states that 32 labor organizations across the United States are supporting changes to the act. “As a labor leader, hunter and fisherman, I believe this change is vital for both workers and sportsmen,” McKinnis said.

A third resolution calls for formation of a Strategic Planning and Development Committee to working out the aspects of inter-union relations after disaffiliation of the Carpenters from the AFL-CIO four years ago and departure of the Teamsters in August.

The OSBCTC and Ferguson Capital Management presented a $750 college scholarship to Casey Lesbo of Hood River. She is the daughter of Pete Lesbo of Iron Workers Local 29. A $500 award was presented to Brandon Hamm of Vancouver. He is the son of Brian Hamm of Plumbers and Fitters Local 290.


Home | About

© Oregon Labor Press Publishing Co. Inc.