Press Releases

December 11, 2007

IFPTE Local 97 is proud to endorse Jeff Merkley as Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican Gordon Smith.  “It is time to support and elect a true friend of Labor to represent Oregonians,” said Gordon Taxer, Local 97 President, “As Speaker, Jeff Merkley led the Oregon House of Representatives to pass legislation that had been stalled for years and is critical to working families; think what he could do for us in the U.S. Senate.”

“Senator Smith has done nothing for labor; we need a Senator who will stand up to the moneyed interests that have thrived on the backs of
American workers who have seen their purchasing power decline,” added Taxer, “We are taking our country back and it starts right here in
Oregon.”

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Water Management Restructuring

10/10/07 "One would think that an action this serious would require total commitment by Corps of Engineers’ leadership. But the train wreck that is the restructuring of the Columbia Basin Water Management Organization at Northwestern Division was set in motion without the authorizing signature of any competent authority whatsoever. In response to the Union’s request for documentation of the decision, management provided only the minutes from the September 6-7 meeting of the Northwestern Division Command Council. Item 10 of those minutes refers to Brigadier General Greg Martin’s full support of the conclusion to reorganize based upon anecdotal statements of support from other Corps’ leaders. No rationale was presented, no improvements were claimed, and no decision memorandum was published; just meeting minutes." read more

10/02/07 "Workers at US Army Corps of Engineers were given a “take it or leave it” ultimatum at the town hall meeting last week where they learned of the misguided scheme to alter the way that the agency balances the needs of the various users of the Columbia River. They were told by Army Corps’ management that the decision had been made and that they need to get in line with it or find somewhere else to work. Some already have." read more

09/25/07 "Workers at US Army Corps of Engineers learned today that they will be outsourced in a scheme to divest responsibility for preventing flooding, generating hydropower, and protecting salmon on the Columbia River." read more