nwlaborpress.org | October 2, 2009

Advertise

More about unions

October 2, 2009 Volume 110 Number 19
		Rallying for reform Left, UFCW Local 555 member Stuart Fishman supports single-payer health care at a Portland rally Sept. 22 targeting health insurance companies. Organized by Health Care for America Now, it was part of a national series of more than 100 events with the theme “Big Insurance: We’re Sick of It.” At the rally, supporters of the public option and single payer found common ground in criticizing insurance companies for being part of the problem.
Daimler changes its mind: Portland Freightliner plant won't close for now Union workers at the Portland Freightliner plant got a reprieve Sept. 28 when Daimler Trucks North America announced their facility won’t close June 2010 as previously announced. But the company seemed to signal it will seek concessions in bargaining. Business groups force vote on tax hike on corporations and the rich Oregon voters will get the final say on whether the state’s wealthiest individuals and corporations should pay just a little more taxes. The Democratic majority in the Oregon Legislature this year passed laws increasing the $10 corporate minimum income tax and adding a new top personal income tax bracket on households with over a quarter million dollars a year of income. New Portland ordinance will help construction unions get into residential ‘green jobs’ Unions may get a foothold in Portland’s burgeoning “home energy retrofit” market — and be a part of reducing greenhouse gas emissions — thanks to a Sept. 30 City Council resolution. Portland in line for ‘Emerald City’ green jobs pilot program Portland is one of 15 U.S. cities being considered for participation in a new project. The Emerald Cities Collaborative — led by the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department and environmental justice groups — proposes to do a comprehensive city-by-city energy efficiency retrofit of America’s urban building stock. AFT’s Lincoln pursues potential House vacancy Eddie Lincoln, president of Portland Community College Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals, is seeking appointment to the Oregon House in District 43, which was vacated when Rep. Chip Shields was appointed to the Oregon Senate. Multi-employer pension plans still not out of woods For union pension plans, last year’s stock market meltdown could mean next year’s benefit cuts and/or steep increases in employer contributions — if Congress doesn’t change pension funding rules. Local pension trustees are even saying privately that some union pension plans could fail and be taken over by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation if they’re not given more time to make up for investment losses. Joblessness continues to rise Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke may have pronounced the recession over Sept. 15, but hard times continue, according to economic indicators released in September. Plans scrapped for Oregon Convention Center hotel Portland Mayor Sam Adams, Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler, and Metro President David Bragdon announced Sept. 18 that they will shelve plans for a headquarters hotel at the Oregon Convention Center. Construction unions and the Oregon AFL-CIO have long-supported building a headquarters hotel in Portland.