By DON McINTOSH
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council, a council of 27 AFL-CIO-affiliated local unions, held its convention Sept. 26-28 at Running Y Ranch near Klamath Falls.
After welcome remarks from Executive Secretary Robert Camarillo, the convention’s 70 delegates heard from developers who want to invest billions in union-built projects, mingled with politicians, bonded over an afternoon of golf, and wrapped up the convention passing resolutions to better fund the council and set legislative priorities.
Delegates also confirmed several officer appointments to fill vacant positions. Dave Burger, a Central Oregon union rep for United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 290, will serve as president. He replaces former Local 290 business manager Lou Christian, who retired. Painters District Council 5 Business Manager Todd Springer will replace District Council 5 Business Rep Dave Winkler, who resigned. And Bricklayers Local 1 President Shawn Lenczowski fills the seat that was occupied by his predecessor Matt Eleazer, who took a job for the Bricklayers international.
Delegates and guests celebrated the careers of Willy Myers and Bob Carroll, lead officers of the Columbia-Pacific Building Trades Council, who are set to retire in the coming months.
The council also announced the winners of two scholarships. Evan Comer of Oregon City, son of Cement Masons Local 555 member Shaun Comer, will receive a $1,000 scholarship to use at Oregon State University. And Amiya Brazzle-Morgan of Portland, daughter of UA Local 290 member Charles Morgan Jr., will receive a $1,000 scholarship to use at University of Portland
Resolutions passed by delegates included:
- Resetting the biennial convention to take place in the summer or fall of even-numbered years;
- Expanding the Executive Board by adding the principal officer of each affiliated union;
- Renewing support for the political and special projects coordinator position;
- Declaring it a priority to pass a law establishing a system to reduce violations of prevailing wage laws in public contracting, modeled on the system in place in Washington;
- Increasing per capita dues to catch up with recent inflation over the next three years (and after that by 3% a year), but giving the Executive Board authority to suspend the increase if affiliated unions are experiencing a downturn.
