Union Democracy

Don’t ever let the slander “union boss” go unchallenged. If you’re a union member, a boss is somebody you work for, but a union officer is somebody who works for you. By law, union members in the United States have the right to vote for their union leadership, and the right to run for union office themselves. The heading “Union Democracy” is where we report on the results of those union officer elections, and on the proceedings of union conventions where decisions are made.

Elevator Constructors Local 23 elects new business rep

Mar 18, 2011

Mike Bodendorfer defeated three others to succeed Frank Regalado as business representative.

AFSCME 189 elects Hussey president

Feb 4, 2011

Debbie Hussey, a union steward at Portland’s 911 call center, outpolled fellow state board member Carol Justice.

Carpenters dissolve 15 locals, charter four new locals

Feb 4, 2011

UBC created four new super-locals of general carpenters, millwrights, pile drivers, and drywall carpenters.

Iron Workers 29 re-elects Jensen, Pauley

Jan 21, 2011

Kevin Jensen was sworn in Jan. 6 to a third term.

Portlander Veda Shook rises to top job in flight attendants union

Jan 21, 2011

At 43, she’s one of America’s youngest national union leaders.

Machinists, Woodworkers district lodges consolidate

Jan 7, 2011

A new group, 6,000-member International Association of Machinists District W24, is born of merger.

Washington State Labor Council leaders pass the baton

Jan 7, 2011

Rick Bender and Al Link pass the mantle to Jeff Johnson and Lynne Dodson.

Machinists, Woodworkers district lodges consolidate

Jan 7, 2011

Jan. 1, a new union is born: 6,000-member Machinists District W24.

Mohlis, Riggs sworn in as Building Trades officers

Oct 15, 2010

John Mohlis was sworn in as executive secretary of the Oregon State Building and Construction Trade Council, and Paul Riggs of IBEW Local 48 was elected to finish out Mohlis’ executive secretary term at the Columbia-Pacific Building and Construction Trades Council, which expires December 2011.

ATU convention picks Hanley over Oregonian Ron Heintzman

Oct 15, 2010

At a Sept. 27-30 convention in Orlando, delegates chose Larry Hanley over Ron Heintzman as international president of Amalgamated Transit Union. Heintzman, former president of Portland-based ATU Local 757, had been international president since July 1, and was backed by former president Warren George as a successor.