Labor headlines from the March 6, 1998, edition of the Northwest Labor Press

Bonneville Power the focus of AFL-CIO forum

"To BPA or not to BPA," that was the question posed by labor leaders to representatives of public and private utilities, industry, government and environmental organizations in a discussion about the future of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).

NW Oregon Labor Council's Ron Fortune will retire May 1

Ron Fortune announced that he will retire as executive secretary-treasurer of the Portland-based Northwest Oregon Labor Council (NOLC) effective May 1.

Fahey endorsed for labor commissioner

In a rare early endorsement, Mike Fahey, candidate for Oregon labor commissioner, has been unanimously supported by the Oregon AFL-CIO's Committee on Political Education (COPE) in a mail ballot counted Feb. 23.

Washington's Baird gears up for second run at Congress

Brian Baird, candidate for Congress in Washington State's Third District, got better acquainted with Portland-based labor unions last month, speaking to an Oregon AFL-CIO-sponsored symposium on the future of the Bonneville Power Administration. He met with more than 50 unions officials at a breakfast sponsored by the Northwest Oregon Labor Council (NOLC), and addressed affiliates of the Columbia-Pacific Building and Construction Trades Council.

Microsoft ruling a blow to 'independent contractor' dodge

In a decision that could lead companies to rethink calling workers "independent contractors," the U.S. Supreme Court ordered Microsoft to give benefits such as stock options and savings plans to at least 800 workers.