nwlaborpress.org | December 18, 2009

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December 18, 2009 Volume 110 Number 24
		Shop union this holiday season If you're planning a holiday meal or party this year, don't forget to look for the union label on food and produce that you buy, and purchase goods at unionized stores. [Left, Cake decorator Anne Koster, a member of Bakers Local 114, shows off a gingerbread house sculpted in the bakery at Roth’s Fresh Market in Salem.]
Labor in the room at Copenhagen climate talks At the climate change talks under way in Copenhagen, Denmark, workers of the world may not have a seat at the table, but they’re in the room. The International Trade Union Confederation has observer status, and is using it to advocate a set of “just transition” principles. Pressure mounts for further government action on jobs President Barack Obama put on a White House “Jobs Summit” Dec. 3, and invited labor and business leaders to share their ideas for how to create jobs. Labor had plenty. Nurses unions merge The California Nurses Association, the United American Nurses, and the Massachusetts Nurses Association have merged to form National Nurses United. Carhartt discontinues ‘Made in USA’ apparel program Carhartt, a company that manufactures work wear, some of it manufactured by unionized workers in the United States, is discontinuing its Made in USA apparel program. Trade justice campaign continues About 1,800 people turned out for a Dec. 5 Portland march and rally against the World Trade Organization, just over 10 years after 50,000 protested a Seattle summit meeting of the organization. Oregon AFL-CIO makes early legislative endorsements The Oregon AFL-CIO on Dec. 7 issued early endorsements in several legislative races that will take place in 2010 AFSCME’s Pat Riggs-Henson seeks Lane County board seat Pat Riggs-Henson, executive secretary-treasurer of the Lane County Labor Council, is running for an open seat on the Lane County Board of Commissioners. Jaimie Sorenson sworn in as new president of AFSCME Local 328 Clinic support staffer Jaimie Sorenson, 31, has begun a two-year term as president of AFSCME Local 328. The union represents about 4,500 workers at Oregon Health and Science University. Jim Cook elected president of NALC Branch 82 Jim Cook has been elected president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 82. He defeated Jim Baxter by a vote of 460-442 in balloting counted Dec. 7. Current President L.C. Hansen did not seek re-election to the full-time post and is retiring. Slow economy doesn't dampen union member giving Members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 280 in Tangent are volunteering their skills for those in greater need than they are. B.U.L.L. Session raises $311,000 for kids charities Nine children’s charities were presented with $311,000, proceeds of this year’s 19th annual Business Union and Labor Leaders (BULL) Session charity golf tournament. The money benefits children needing long-term chronic care, short-term respite and end-of-life care.