Union democracy

Meeting April 28-30 in Sunriver, delegates transformed the state organization’s structure and replaced its entire top leadership.

After a lifetime of engagement with labor and politics, Wimmer brings decades of high-level experience to the job.

United Brotherhood of Carpenters transferred more than 19,000 members into five newly chartered locals. No explanation was given.

Training center director Shawn Lenczowski succeeds longtime president Matt Eleazer, who left to take a job at the international union.

Retired teachers union lobbyist Laurie Wimmer was elected unopposed Feb. 27 for executive secretary-treasurer of NW Oregon Labor Council.

Founded in 1998, WNBPA was the first U.S. labor union of professional women athletes. It represents all players on the 12 teams of the WNBA.

The public sector LiUNA local is currently preparing for a strike at its biggest unit: the City of Portland.

Executive secretary-treasurer, a full-time staff position, has been vacant since Thomas Mosher left in November.

Aida Aranda was unopposed for secretary-treasurer at the Dec. 8 meeting of the union federation’s Executive Board.

Shaun Gundert, a high school science teacher and member of Evergreen Education Association, was elected as SWWACLC president.

The executive secretary-treasurer leads a local council of the AFL-CIO with 76 local union affiliates totaling 53,000 union members.

It's the top position at an organization that represents the interests of 17,000 members of 51 affiliated local unions.

Mumia Abu-Jamal, a former member of the Black Panther Party, was a radio journalist who had exposed police abuses in Philadelphia.

In August, he got an offer he couldn’t turn down: return to his former home of Philadelphia to work for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.

On Travis Hopkins' agenda: hiring a new organizer, growing the workforce, and securing work in the renewable sector.

Shannon Myers' decision leaves Cherika Carter unopposed for the number two office at the Washington State Labor Council.

Union actor Harold Phillips is wrapping up a run as a Portland-area labor activist after close to three decades in the city.

Operating Engineers Local 701 business manager Jim Anderson ran unopposed for re-election this year, the second time in a row.

Sarah Wofford is the new top officer at the Oregon School Employees Association, replacing former president Lisa Gourley.

AFSCME Local 2619 member Christy O’Neill resigned as secretary-treasurer of the Oregon AFL-CIO at the Sept. 7 meeting of its executive board.