By Don McIntosh
After 23 residents died in nine weeks, six from COVID, 85% of workers at the Rawlin memory care nursing home in Springfield, Oregon, signed union cards and went on strike Feb. 16 to demand union recognition.
Though common in the 1930s, so-called “recognition strikes” are rare today. But nursing home workers felt conditions were too unsafe to wait months for a National Labor Relations Board election to prove majority support for joining Service Employees Local 503. Workers said they were motivated to strike in response to understaffing, severe patient neglect, inadequate training, and high employee turnover. Twenty-six of the facility’s 48 workers took part in the strike.
By Don McIntosh
Workers at Grand Central Baking’s Northwest Portland wholesale bakery ratified their first ever union contract March 1 after more than a year of negotiations and 14 months after they voted to join Bakers Local 114.
The agreement includes an immediate 1.25% raise plus three annual raises of 2.25% on July 1 of 2021, 2022, and 2023. It also mandates overtime pay for any hours over 8.5 worked in a day. [A state law requires time-and-a-half pay in manufacturing jobs after 10 hours in a day, and Local 114’s contract with Franz Bakery provides it after 7.5 hours.] The contract also lays out a clear wage progression: At the outset, pay for new hires starts at $17 an hour and rises to $18.25 an hour 180 days later; lead bakers will make $21.79.
Every other Saturday, two or three dozen out-of-work stagehands in IATSE Local 28 come together outside the union’s office at the Oregon Labor Center in Southeast Portland to receive donated food and household supplies. On Feb. 27, the array ranging from fresh produce to Hershey’s Kisses is overseen by Local 28 Good and Welfare Committee member Laura Fraley, above. Fraley was working at the prop shop of the Portland Opera when the pandemic hit; her last day of work was March 13, 2020. Local 28 member Liz Spottswood says the event doesn’t just help members stretch their grocery budgets; it’s also a chance to catch up with coworkers at a time of isolation.
In loving memory of Darlene McIntosh, of Spring Branch, TX, she went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday February 19, 2021 at the age of 80. She was born May 27, 1940 and is a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, Nana, and great Nana. She is survived by her wonderful beloved husband of 52 years, to Don McIntosh; 3 sons; Tim Bolton, Troy Bolton, Donnie McIntosh; 6 daughters; Terrie Bolton, Connie Smith, Danita Mason, Billie Jean Olmstead, Debbie Pierotti, and Laurel McIntosh. 24 loving grandchildren, 31 loving great-grandchildren. She always had a contagious smile and laugh that everyone loved. She had such a loving heart that her home was open to anyone. She was a Christian woman with various businesses including owner of The Hair Station, Garden Center, Faithville âGathering Place/Amazing Love Cateringâ built on faith and love. She was famous for her BBQ Sauce and Salsa which were secret family recipes. Her most favorite Holiday Season included Easter and Christmas
By Don McIntosh
President Joe Biden invited 10 top union leaders to the White House Feb. 17 for a meeting alongside Vice President Kamala Harris to talk about COVID relief and his plans to create manufacturing and clean energy jobs.
“The middle class built this country, and labor built the middle class,” Biden said in front of cameras before the private meeting began.
AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka later called it the most productive Oval Office meeting for working people in years. The White House meeting coincided with several pro-union announcements, the latest in a string of overtures to America’s labor movement.