Telling Stories, Taking Action

Workers across Oregon will have a chance to talk about what they think their communities need to create jobs and help the unemployed.

A series of roundtables, kicking off tomorrow night in Albany, will invite unemployed Oregonians and those who are employed but who have seen coworkers get laid off and experienced changes at work because of the economy to tell their stories to elected officials and their staff.

Too many elected officials don't know what it's really like for workers who are facing unemployment, or who haven't been able to find work after being laid off. Too many workers don't have the opportunity to make their stories heard, and share their concerns.

The roundtables will bring these groups together to look at proposed solutions locally, at the state level, and nationally where the Jobs for Main Street Act is awaiting Senate action.

Look for video coverage from the events posted on our Facebook page in the coming weeks (sign up as a fan today!)

In Other News...

IBEW Minority Worker Caucus Comes to Portland

IBEW's Electrical Worker Minority Caucus (EWMC), which helps minority members network and create change across IBEW and works to increase diversity within the union, is holding its 20th annual meeting in Portland this weekend. Part of their efforts to increase diversity in the union include Youth Caucus meetings to try to bring more young members into the EWMC.

Speakers include Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain and AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler, a member of IBEW 125.

Oregon's IBEW locals have been reaching out locally to minority members, with a growing active Electrical Workers Minority Caucus at IBEW 48 and many IBEW members active in the creation of various Oregon AFL-CIO constituency groups.

Federal Healthcare Tax?

It's not too late to join the call-in day! Union members across the country called their Congressmen today to tell them America's middle class can't afford a tax on our healthcare benefits!

The Senate's health care reform bill included a tax on healthcare benefits over $850 a month. Supporters are calling this a "Cadillac plan" tax. But many economists think it hits more Chevys than Cadillacs. Check out the AFL-CIO's story.

Call 1-877-323-5246 today and tell your representative that health care reform should make health insurance more affordable - not raise taxes on the middle class!

Union Leader Appointed to State Board

Earlier this week Governor Kulongoski appointed Dave Baker, IBEW 280 member and Training Director at the Central Electrical JATC in Tangent, to the Oregon Workforce Investment Board (OWIB). Dave will replace Jerry Fletcher, IBEW 280 President, who served on the OWIB for several years.

As a member of the OWIB Dave will be playing an important role, advising the Governor on workforce issues. He'll be joining union members Chris O'Neill (ONA) and Al Dorgan (USW). The OWIB is made up of representatives from labor, businesses, service providers, community colleges and government agencies, but not every WIB has labor representatives.

Because of the important work the OWIB and regional WIBs play in funding training programs and encouraging job growth it is crucial to have voices on the boards asking hard questions to make sure apprenticeship programs are high quality and universally recognized, and that new jobs are family-wage jobs that build strong communities. Dave's experiences at IBEW and the JATC have made him highly qualified for this position.