Earth Day 2024 and Workers Memorial Day---Labor Radio & Gatherings in Oregon

The Oregon labor movement is blessed to have Sister Tina Turner-Morfitt in our front ranks. Sister Turner-Morfitt is President of the Oregon Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, an activist with AFSCME retirees, a leader in the Marion-Polk-Yamhill Central Labor Chapter. and a primary person in labor radio in our state. Sister Turner-Morfitt sent in the following press release.

Earth Day 2024: A cooperative effort to save the planet. A review of a growing mutual respect between organized labor and the environmental community.

In acknowledgement of Earth Day a special tribute will broadcast on KBOO Radio on April 22, 202 at 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm. The theme will reflect how organized labor has transitioned to reflect a common
ground concept to ensuring strong labor standards while also exploring renewable energy projects and exploring responsible approaches to climate change. The episode will feature 2 guest, Jim Gourley, my labor historian, and Rory Cowal, a volunteer with Divest Oregon.

Brother Gourley is a United Steelworker millwright associated with Local 1189 Cascade Pacific Pulp in Halsey Oregon. I’ve invited Brother Gourley to give a brief historical synopsis focusing on the transformation of the relationship between organized labor and the environmental community. Brother
Gourley also reflects that other legislation was passed during the 2024 legislative session that couple the efforts of organized labor and the environmental community. Please consult the Oregon AFL-CIO webpage for more information at https://www.oraflcio.org/

Rory Cowal, a Divest Oregon volunteer, and a member of Portland State University Faculty Association union. During the regular session of the Oregon State Legislature, Brother Cowal supported and testified on House Bill 4083, The COAL ACT. I’ve invited him to briefly discuss this legislation. Brother Cowal gives a brief introduction about Divest Oregon and issues an invitation for interested parties to join their efforts. For more information please visit their website: https://www.divestoregon.org/.

Check out the KBOO website to listen to the broadcast: https://kboo.fm/media/117754-labor-radio

The show closes with an honorable mention of April 26, 2024 Workers Memorial Day tribute sponsored by the Oregon AFL- CIO. There are two ceremonies:

9:30 am: Eastbank Esplanade besides Portland Fire and
Rescue Station 21

12:00 noon: Fallen Worker Memorial on the Oregon State
Capital Mall

The ceremonies will include the reading of the names of 56 workers who lost their lives across the state while performing their jobs. Join families, friends, workplace safety advocates, elected officials and faith leaders in paying respect to these workers.

RSVP here.

We're stepping up!

 

Baltimore County Public Library workers win the legal right to organize (and a comment)

 From the AFL-CIO:

Top Cut:
The Machinists (IAM) union, which represents Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) workers, is celebrating the passage of the Library Workers Empowerment Act, a milestone piece of legislation initiated by the IAM last year that will grant library staff across Maryland the right to organize.

Why It Matters:
The legislation, cross-filed as H.B. 609 and S.B. 591, received bipartisan support in the Maryland General Assembly. Once the bill is signed by Gov. Wes Moore, it will empower public library workers to be able to form unions and collectively bargain for the wages, benefits and working conditions they deserve. Currently, library staff in only four counties and Baltimore City can organize, but this bill extends this critical right to libraries throughout the state.

“The IAM and its members extend their deepest gratitude to the legislators who supported this piece of legislation and to the library employees who have tirelessly advocated for their rights,” said IAM Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) Local 4538 President and Library Service Assistant Anita Bass. “This achievement is a testament to the power of solidarity and the importance of standing together for the betterment of all workers.”

Comment: Baltimore is on the other side of the country so readers of this blog may wonder what this post is doing here. We want to celebrate labor wins wherever and whenever they occur, but we also want to help people think through what it takes to organize a union. Not all workers have the legal right to organize, but all workers can organize. Where people do not have legal protections to organize it may make sense to start with winning changes in law and then, when the changes are won, fight for a strong union contract. But a union of one kind or another can be built under almost any conditions, and the earlier workers learn about building and exercising their power the better. Do you know any situations where workers want to organize but hit systemic barriers? There are many organizations that can help. Hit out blog and let's talk. Hats off to the IAM for this great win! 

Another union victory: We have a new Silica Dust Exposure Rule!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

APRIL 16, 2024

United Mine Workers of America Hosts Department of Labor Silica Rule Kickoff Event

[TRIANGLE, VA] – The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) hosted a Department of Labor Silica Rule Kickoff Event to celebrate the finalization of the new Silica Dust Exposure Rule. The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of the rule in protecting the health and safety of miners across the nation.

Speaking at the event were UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts, Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, Assistant Secretary of the Mine Health and Safety Administration Chris Williamson, NIOSH Director of Respiratory Health Division David Weissman, President of the Black Lung Association Gary Harrison, as well as members of the United Mine Workers of America and United Steelworkers.

The new silica rule significantly reduces respirable crystalline silica exposures and improves the early detection of related diseases. It also includes updates to the respiratory protection standard, ensuring that miners are adequately protected from the harmful effects of silica dust.

“The UMWA has been advocating for this rule for many years, so we are glad that the Agency has created a rule to address the rise in silica-related lung diseases in our nation’s miners (both coal and metal non-metal),” said Roberts. “Young miners in their 30s and 40s are getting lung diseases that are being exacerbated by silica dust. What was thought to be a disease of the past is coming back with a vengeance because miners are cutting more rock than ever before.

“This is a critical step to keeping miners safe and healthy not just day to day, but for their full lifetime,” Roberts said. “Now, our focus shifts to holding mining companies accountable. Together with our labor partners, UMWA remains steadfast in our efforts to ensure strict adherence to the new legislation within the industry.”

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler Applauds Critical Protections for Mine Workers from Deadly Silica Exposure

“In a definitive step toward safeguarding the health and well-being of our nation’s miners, we applaud President Biden for issuing a final rule to protect coal and metal and non-metal miners….Today’s final rule is another victory in the century-long battle against silica in the workplace, which affects working people across industries….

“We extend our deepest appreciation to acting Labor Secretary Julie Su for her resolute leadership, recognizing the urgent need to provide mine workers with lifesaving protections.”

Read the full statement from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler here.

An important resolution from the Oregon State Association of Letter Carriers that impacts Oregon postal services

Resolution: Oppose Processing Plant Consolidations and Local Transportation Optimization

Whereas: Postmaster General (PMG) Louis DeJoy’s “Delivering for America” (DFA) Ten-Year plan now includes the consolidation of local mail processing to 60 Regional Processing and Distribution Centers, RPDCs, which in Oregon involves trucking local mail from Medford and Eugene/Springfield P&DCs (which are now called Local Processing Centers, LPCs) to Portland’s P&DC (now an RPDC) for processing then trucking back to Medford and Eugene for distribution, delaying mail and eliminating clerk and mail handler jobs, and

Whereas: the DFA includes “Local Transportation Optimization” (LTO), which will eventually involve over 10,000 post offices nationwide, eliminating the evening truck at stations over fifty miles from a processing plant and with less than 30,000 population, and which has already been rolled out in close to 200 (nearly half) of Oregon’s post offices, delaying their mail, and

Whereas: Oregon’s Senators Merkley and Wyden have joined twenty other Senators to call on the PMG to “stop any changes that will result in job losses and further degrade mail delivery performance across the network”, and

Whereas: Congressional Representatives in Oregon (Rep. Bentz and Rep. Hoyle), Nevada and Maine have introduced legislation to pause these consolidations, and

Whereas: Oregon’s Rural Organizing Project is pushing to reverse Local Transportation Optimization, and

Whereas: Oregon’s Attorney General is considering suing the USPS (as they did along with thirteen other state attorneys general in August, 2020) to halt these changes as they threaten the timely processing and delivery of mail ballots and discriminate against rural communities, which is expressly forbidden in US Code 39 section 101, therefore be it

Resolved: that the Oregon State Association of Letter Carriers oppose the consolidation of processing and delivery centers (P&DCs) into regional processing and delivery centers (RPDCs) and the Local Transportation Optimization (LTO) program, and be it further

Resolved: that the OSALC support legislation and/or lawsuits that will reverse these changes as well as legislation to return delivery service standards to those of June, 2012, and be it further

Resolved: that the OSALC share this resolution with Oregon’s congressional delegation and attorney general, and be it finally

Resolved: that this resolution be forwarded to the national NALC convention for concurrence.

Passed by Oregon State Association of Letter Carriers in convention, April 16, 2024, Seaside OR

Go here for additional information.

Solidarity with Auto Workers and striking Teamsters and a great conference in Portland!

Since 2018, Daimler Truck has seen a 90% increase in profits while its workers have fallen further and further behind. Work by UAW members at Daimler factories, including Freightliner, Western Star Brand, and Thomas Built Bus is driving record company profits, but working at Daimler isn't what it used to be.

UAW members across the country are ready to stand up for a record contract at Daimler!

Join the Global Day of Solidarity to stand with UAW members doing what it takes to win Tuesday, April 23rd TBD! uaw.org/Daimler

The Coors family, executives, and stockholders are living the high life while refusing to negotiate a fair contract with workers who make the beer. Teamsters Local 997 in Fort Worth, the workers behind the Molson-Coors brand beverages and record profits, were forced onto the picket line Feb. 17 after the company refused to offer more than 99 cents an hour in new wages.

Support the Teamsters who are holding the line for a strong contract. Boycott Molson Coors until workers get the job protections and wage increases they deserve! Take part in a bit of history, renewed by Texas Teamsters, and join us in supporting the long-running Boycott!

Teamsters Local 223 members in Eugene kicked off a Day of Action by flyering customers and supermarkets about the Boycott. Here in Portland, members circulated flyers and promoted the Boycott at recent actions! Support the Boycott and circulate the flier, here!

Registration for the Labor Research Action Network Conference is now open!

The conference will run from Thursday June 20th 8am to Friday June 21st 5pm PDT.

The 2024 LRAN conference is co-hosted by the University of Oregon Labor Education and Research Center (LERC) and will be held at Portland State University. The theme of this year’s conference is “How labor can confront a rapidly changing landscape," and plenary sessions will focus on exciting efforts at strengthening and co-enforcing worker protection laws in Oregon and the rise of independent union organizing. Workshops and trainings will be held on a range of issues, including AI, climate jobs, and worker co-ops. The agenda will be available in April.

The early bird rate for admission is $130. The rate will go up to $150 on May 1st. Register here.

If you need a hotel room, there is a room block at the University Place Hotel & Conference Center Portland (union hotel). The rate is $114/night and includes breakfast. To book a room, call the hotel directly at 503-221-0140 and mention the LRAN conference.

The information above was taken from Portland Jobs with Justice. Please support them.

Solidarity With Farm Workers

 

March With Farm Workers in the Skagit Valley, Washington

Sunday, April 21, 2024

Begin gathering at 9:00 am, March begins at 10:00 am

Edgewater Park

600 Behrens Millett Rd

Mount Vernon, WA 98273

From Community to Community: Dear supporters and allies,

We are one week away from this year's Marcha Campesina. We invite you to join us and show your support for Tulip and Daffodil workers through participation and donations.

This year’s Marcha will be a single purpose march, all messaging will be relevant to the tulip workers struggle for equitable wages, better working conditions, respecting seniority and no union busting.

Please respect the Marcha messaging protocols requested by the tulip workers organizing committee:We ask that you do not bring any banners, the march will be single file, we will be marching on the shoulders of rural country roads, and will not have the ability to march on the road due to heavy traffic.
We recommend you do not bring any signs, we will have plenty ready for you to carry, if you want to bring your own sign, for example expressing solidarity from your group or organization, it must be vertical on sticks, flags or cardboard that can be held up.Please do wear comfortable shoes and bring water, we will be walking a 7.5 mile loop.

Please do not bring pets, scooters, bicycles. Strollers are ok.

We appreciate anyone who can stay and support us with cleanup after we are done.
To volunteer, or for more information contact: marchacampesina87@gmail.com

Join us April 21 @ Edgewater Park, Mt Vernon
9:00am | Begin arriving
9:30am | Marchers line up, short send off ceremony
10:00am | March begins
2:00pm | March returns to Edgewater Park
2:30pm | Tacos de Azada will be served (bring cash or check to donate for food)
3:30pm | Worker declarations and other speakers
4:30pm | Closing ceremony and farewells

Healthy Workers Create Healthy Communities

This year's march continues our efforts to advance Farmworker Tribunal declarations, most critically to ensure the health and well-being of farmworkers is protected and nurtured.

C2C and the 2024 Farmworkers Tribunal judges denounce: Attempts to undermine overtime pay mandated by SB-5172 in
2021, when it has just begun to be fully implemented as of January
1, 2024.
The industrialization of agriculture that reduces workers to
machines as climate change creates more dangerous working
conditions.
Companies who dehumanize workers and retaliate against them
for taking time off to care for their families, particularly women
workers.Read more about the Tribunal Declarations and Farmworker legislative priorities here.

Other Ways Show Your Support

Buy this year's Marcha T-shirt
Marcha Campesina 2024 Commemorative T-Shirt — C2C (foodjustice.org)

Make a Donation
Donate — C2C (foodjustice.org)

Union Canvassing for Sarah Finger McDonald--Saturday, April 27 in Corvallis

 

Come join the Oregon Nurses Association and the American Federation of Teachers to canvass for Sarah Finger McDonald. See below for details.

Union Canvassing to help elect Sarah Finger McDonald

Saturday, April 27

Lilly City Park

Corvallis

International Workers Day in Salem---May 1, 2024

Join us in a powerful celebration of International Workers' Day on May 1st!

We will gather at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem for a day of impactful community speeches, vital resource booths, and a mighty march around the Capitol Block. Let's unite and demonstrate our deep appreciation for the hardworking and dedicated individuals who keep our society moving forward. The year 2023 marked a significant milestone for workers' rights, and we are determined to carry that momentum forward into 2024 and beyond with unwavering determination.

Let's continue to build our collective power and advocate fiercely for the rights and well-being of workers everywhere.

Register for this great event: https://secure.everyaction.com/1MhAvtgtAUGIqEPY79xPZQ2
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¡Únase a nosotros en una poderosa celebración del Día Internacional de Trabajadores el 1 de mayo! Nos reuniremos en el Capitolio del Estado de Oregón en Salem para un día de impactantes discursos comunitarios, puestos de recursos vitales y una poderosa marcha alrededor del Capitolio. Unámonos y demostremos nuestro profundo aprecio por las personas trabajadoras y dedicadas que hacen que nuestra sociedad avance. El año 2023 marcó una huella muy importante para los derechos de los trabajadores y estamos decididos a llevar ese impulso hasta 2024 y más allá con una determinación inquebrantable.
Sigamos construyendo nuestro poder colectivo y aboguemos ferozmente por los derechos y el bienestar de los trabajadores en todas partes.

Registrese aqui: https://secure.everyaction.com/1MhAvtgtAUGIqEPY79xPZQ2

Event by PCUN, Radio Poder 98.3 FM KTUP and Salem Democratic Socialists of America

Join Bill Fletcher, Jr., Rebecca Mills, Manuel De Paz and Prof. Peter Cole for a virtual discussion about the ILWU’s 1980 courageous defiance of the government order to send weapons to the brutal El Salvador regime.

Join Bill Fletcher, Jr., Rebecca Mills, Manuel De Paz and Prof. Peter Cole for a virtual discussion about the ILWU’s 1980 courageous defiance of the government order to send weapons to the brutal El Salvador regime.

Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 5:00 pm PST

Drop a line to sheard2001 at gmail.com for the Zoom link. 

Read the true story in the powerful historical novel Presente - A Dockworker Story, available from Hard Ball Press and your favorite independent bookseller.