Stimulus
act, one year later: Q&A with Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio
On
Feb. 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the federal
economic stimulus package, was signed into law. Oregon Congressman
Peter DeFazio, a longtime advocate of federal infrastructure investment,
was one of just seven Democrats to vote against it. The Labor Press
asked him what he thinks now that the stimulus is a year old.
Labor
counts successes and setbacks in Oregon Legislature special session
Before
adjourning its 2010 Special Session, the majority-Democratic Oregon
Legislature passed bills important to organized labor: extending
unemployment benefits, expanding collective bargainig rights and
the prevailing wage requirement, and banning employer use of credit
checks in hiring. But some other pro-labor proposals stalled.
Congressman
Schrader says he supports NAFTA-style trade deal with South Korea
Oregon’s
5th District Congressman Kurt Schrader told the Northwest Oregon
Labor Council Executive Board Feb. 22 that he doesn’t support
a labor-backed bill aimed at reforming U.S. trade policy, and he
wants the United States to quickly sign a NAFTA-style trade deal
with South Korea.
Piedmont
Post Office dedicated in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
The
Portland Post Office’s Piedmont Station was dedicated in honor
of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during a Feb. 17 ceremony attended
by Congressman Earl Blumenauer. National Association of Letter Carriers
Branch 82 members Jamie Partridge and Isham Harris led the campaign
to rename the facility.
Endorsements
Northwest
Oregon Labor Council backs city, county incumbents
Northwest
Oregon Labor Council on Feb. 22 endorsed Portland City Commissioners
Nick Fish and Dan Saltzman; Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler,
Multnomah County Commissioner Jeff Cogen, and Clackamas County Commissioners
Jim Bernard and Ann Lininger. Delegates also voted to support Rex
Burkholder for president of Metro.
AFSCME
Local 88 issues endorsements in County races
Multnomah
County Employees Local 88 has endorsed the re-election of County
Chair Ted Wheeler, County Commissioner Jeff Cogen and County Auditor
Steve March.
Carpenters go for Kitzhaber
Pacific
Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters endorsed John Kitzhaber
for governor at its quarterly council delegate meeting Feb. 20.
CLC elections
Marion,
Polk, Yamhill Labor Council installs new officers
McMinnville Steelworker Joe Munger was re-elected president of the
Marion, Polk, Yamhill Counties Labor Council. The mid-Willamette
Valley labor umbrella group consists of 21 local unions.
Clark,
Skamania, West Klickitat CLC gets new officers, and name change
The
Clark, Skamania West Klickitat Counties Central Labor Council voted
Feb. 25 to change its name to the Southwest Washington Central Labor
Council.
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