Jobs

Two bills signed March 24 will extend unemployment benefits to Oregonians still looking for work.

Plumbers and Fitters Local 290 has opened its training center to students from the Tigard-Tualatin School District.

Oregon AFL-CIO sponsored a March 7 “Jobs Rally” on the Oregon Capitol steps

Most of those let go were members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555.

A Workers’ Rights Board panel recommended the U.S. Postal Service hire more letter carriers and clerks.

AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust is investing $22 million to construct a building adjacent to Coquille Valley Hospital.

The Constructing Hope Pre-Apprenticeship Program held a graduation ceremony for 13 trainees Dec. 2 at the Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute. Constructing Hope, a faith-based non-profit, recruits ex-offenders, minorities, and low-income residents for free training to build skills and knowledge of the construction industry.

Portland Public Schools may ask district voters in May to approve $548 million in bonds to upgrade school buildings. Work would begin summer 2011 if voters approve the bond issue.

Portland-based Silver Eagle Manufacturing Co. will lay off 55 workers — members of Machinists Lodge 1005 — starting Dec. 17. Employment peaked at 134 bargaining unit members this year. The workers average $14 to $15 per hour, plus benefits.

Earlier this year, the U.S. postmaster general proposed eliminating mail delivery on Saturdays, but so far, Congress isn’t going along with it.

Rosie, the 530-ton tunnel boring machine, has finished tunneling on the East Side Big Pipe project, the largest public infrastructure project in Portland’s history. At its peak, more than 100 members of Laborers Local 320, and 150 members of Operating Engineers Local 701 worked on the project.

Microchip giant Intel’s announcement Oct. 19 that it will build a brand new development fabrication plant at its Ronler Acres Campus in Hillsboro was music to the ears of construction union officials. Intel said as many as 6,000 construction jobs will be created.

At the Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council convention in Roseburg, U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio asked for labor’s help making the case that more public investment is needed to pull the country out of the Great Recession.

Painters and Machinists leaders came to town to support politicians pledging job creation.

Union membership plays bigger role in wage rates than education.