By Don McIntosh
The Oregon Building Trades Council will hold its 59th convention of the OBTC Sept. 14-16 at Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon. It will be the first in-person union convention in Oregon since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020. Executive Secretary Robert Camarillo says the council anticipates full attendance of about 100 delegates, plus 50 to 100 guests.
“We’re hoping to all gather safely and in person, and have a successful convention, complying with all the health and safety guidelines. We hope that everybody that comes is vaccinated.”
Camarillo said breakfasts, lunches and the opening night hospitality event will be held outdoors. In accord with state mandates, the resort is requiring facial coverings to be worn in all indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status.
Over several days, delegates will elect a dozen trustees and top officers. They’ll hear from Sean McGarvey, president of North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), from Mark Riker of the Washington State Building Trades, and from Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle and other state and local elected leaders. And they’ll take part in a golf tournament.
Delegates will also take part in four workshops, including “Building Trades 101,” a panel about the history of the building trades council, a seminar on project labor agreements, and a presentation about the Safe from Hate campaign—a collaborative effort between unions, employers, and project owners to combat workplace hostility and harassment against women and minority construction workers.
Oregon Building Trades Council formerly held its convention every year, but in 2019 delegates changed the constitution to hold it every other year.
