March 5, 2010 Volume 111 Number 5

Delivery after dark
Short-staffing forces letter carriers to finish delivering their expanding mail routes in the dark.

[Left, Letter Carrier Jamie Partridge sorts through mail with help of a headlamp. Photo by LaVern Simmons.]

Stimulus act, one year later: Q&A with Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio
On Feb. 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the federal economic stimulus package, was signed into law. Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio, a longtime advocate of federal infrastructure investment, was one of just seven Democrats to vote against it. The Labor Press asked him what he thinks now that the stimulus is a year old.
Labor counts successes and setbacks in Oregon Legislature special session
Before adjourning its 2010 Special Session, the majority-Democratic Oregon Legislature passed bills important to organized labor: extending unemployment benefits, expanding collective bargainig rights and the prevailing wage requirement, and banning employer use of credit checks in hiring. But some other pro-labor proposals stalled.
Congressman Schrader says he supports NAFTA-style trade deal with South Korea
Oregon’s 5th District Congressman Kurt Schrader told the Northwest Oregon Labor Council Executive Board Feb. 22 that he doesn’t support a labor-backed bill aimed at reforming U.S. trade policy, and he wants the United States to quickly sign a NAFTA-style trade deal with South Korea.
Piedmont Post Office dedicated in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
The Portland Post Office’s Piedmont Station was dedicated in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during a Feb. 17 ceremony attended by Congressman Earl Blumenauer. National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 82 members Jamie Partridge and Isham Harris led the campaign to rename the facility.

Endorsements

Northwest Oregon Labor Council backs city, county incumbents
Northwest Oregon Labor Council on Feb. 22 endorsed Portland City Commissioners Nick Fish and Dan Saltzman; Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler, Multnomah County Commissioner Jeff Cogen, and Clackamas County Commissioners Jim Bernard and Ann Lininger. Delegates also voted to support Rex Burkholder for president of Metro.
AFSCME Local 88 issues endorsements in County races
Multnomah County Employees Local 88 has endorsed the re-election of County Chair Ted Wheeler, County Commissioner Jeff Cogen and County Auditor Steve March.
Carpenters go for Kitzhaber
Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters endorsed John Kitzhaber for governor at its quarterly council delegate meeting Feb. 20.

CLC elections

Marion, Polk, Yamhill Labor Council installs new officers
McMinnville Steelworker Joe Munger was re-elected president of the Marion, Polk, Yamhill Counties Labor Council. The mid-Willamette Valley labor umbrella group consists of 21 local unions.
Clark, Skamania, West Klickitat CLC gets new officers, and name change
The Clark, Skamania West Klickitat Counties Central Labor Council voted Feb. 25 to change its name to the Southwest Washington Central Labor Council.