By Don McIntosh
Members of Operating Engineers Local 701 have returned James Anderson a second three-year term as business manager. In officer elections scheduled for July, Anderson and all other Local 701 officers ran unopposed and were elected by acclamation.
Headquartered in Gladstone, Oregon, Local 701 represents about 2,200 heavy equipment operators in building and road construction as well as 840 stationary engineers who operate and maintain building equipment such as boilers. Its jurisdiction covers Oregon and Southwest Washington.
Anderson, 57, says he focused much of his effort during his first term on revamping the local’s organizing program and building up the local’s training program.
Local 701 had 3,562 members as of the end of 2018, up from 3,362 three years earlier. The union is working hard to recruit new members to replace those who retire. Currently about 125 apprentices are working their way through Local 701’s four-year training program.
Anderson said he’ll now turn attention to renegotiating the master labor agreement which covers most members; it comes up for renewal late this year. He’ll also work to make sure the union-sponsored health and welfare and pension plans remain in good shape.
Besides Anderson, the re-elected Local 701 officers include:
- President Darren Glebe
- Vice President Darrel Hickman
- Treasurer Kim Johansen
- Recording Secretary Lonnie Land
- Conductor Nolan Carter
- Guard Kenneth Clair
- District 1 Representative Clark Mattox
- District 2 Representative Chris Perry
- District 3 Representative Ronald Preston
- District 4 Representative Terry Casey
- District 5 Representative Richard Lauderback
- District 5 at-large Representative Dylan McComiskey
