UFCW 555 re-elects Pronovost, Clay

Gene Pronovost has been re-elected president of Tigard-based United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555, the largest private-sector union in Oregon. He defeated opponent Rich Sitowski of Eugene, capturing 72 percent of the vote.

Re-elected on a slate with Pronovost was Secretary-Treasurer Ed Clay. He defeated two challengers - Suzann Johnson and Michael Fox - with 59 percent of the vote.

Pronovost and Clay were elected to the union's top posts together in 1996. Pronovost was a former assistant to the president and Clay served the union as director of Membership Services. They were re-elected in 1999 and again this year. Terms are for three years beginning Jan. 1, 2003.

Pronovost was appointed an international vice president in February 2001, marking the first time that an Oregonian has held such a post in that union. He also serves as a vice president of the Oregon AFL-CIO.

In the only other contested election, Union Representative Jeff McDonald defeated activist Stuart Fishman for Executive Board Position 10. McDonald captured 74 percent of the vote.

Local 555 has been engaged in difficult grocery negotiations in the Willamette Valley, Eugene and Coos Bay. More than 3,000 members there have authorized strikes under separate contracts.