December 15, 2006 Volume 107 Number 24
News
 

IBEW 280 electricians light up Capitol
Ron Hunter and Dick Moore, retired electricians and members of IBEW Local 280, install snowflake-shaped lights on lamp posts along the Capitol Mall in Salem. Local union electricians have volunteered to do the decorating since 1988.


Governor Kulongoski names two union leaders to top posts
Former Oregon AFL-CIO president Tim Nesbitt is leaving the House of Labor. Nesbitt, 61, is one of two union leaders Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski is tapping to fill top positions in his second-term administration. Chip Terhune, assistant executive director of the Oregon Education Association’s Center for Public Affairs, will be the governor’s new chief of staff. Nesbitt will be deputy chief of staff, in charge of policy for education, health care, public safety and natural resources.

PDC closer to setting wage policy on private construction projects
Saying it is committed to creating more family-wage jobs in the city, the Portland Development Commission’s board of directors on Dec. 6 unanimously passed a resolution calling for a construction wage policy on private projects that it helps fund.

Farm Workers Union wins recognition at Threemile
One of Oregon’s largest farms has struck a deal with the United Farm Workers. On Nov. 27, arbitrator Richard Stratton certified that a majority of workers at Threemile Canyon Farms want to join UFW, and the company agreed to voluntarily recognize the union as the representative of about 250 workers.

How to set your holiday table with union-made goods
If you’re planning a holiday meal or party this year, don’t forget to look for the union label on food and produce that you buy.

Portland Public Schools drags feet complying with court ruling
A private janitorial contractor is still cleaning Portland Public Schools Y14 months after the Oregon Supreme Court condemned that as a violation of a civil service law that dates back to the 1930s.

Portland City Council okays anti-war stand
Portland City Council passed an anti-war resolution Nov. 30, backed by the Oregon AFL-CIO and numerous peace, religious and community groups. The resolution was sponsored by City Commissioner and former Fire Fighters Union president Randy Leonard.

Analysis
Think again
By Tim Nesbitt
Health care reform: Between hope for better and fear of worse
The most serious challenge for health care reformers now is not contesting the might of the pharmaceutical, insurance and hospital lobbies. It's controlling the height of our own expectations.