With a new Congress now in session, pro-union advocates are taking to the airwaves with a campaign promoting the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). This proposal, often called the “card-check bill,” would allow union organizers to represent workplaces in which they can get 50 percent plus one of the employees to sign a card favoring […]
Nurseries more affected by recession than most
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One resource for good information on agricultural markets is the quarterly Knowledge Center Market Snapshots, which are reports by Northwest Farm Credit Services. As one might expect, the latest batch of snapshots indicates that demand is softening, or at best, level, for nearly all agricultural commodities: beef, wheat, dairy, fruits, forest products, wine, hay and […]
The great immigration debate
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The Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee played host yesterday to a discussion on U.S. immigration policy. The presenters were Coalition for a Working Oregon Co-Chairman and OAN Government Relations Director Jeff Stone and Oregonians for Immigration Reform President Jim Ludwick. Each gave a 10 minute presentation, and then there was a question-and-answer period. […]
Minimum wage now $8.40 per hour
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It’s a familiar pattern: new year, new minimum wage. In Oregon, the state-mandated hourly rate is now $8.40, up 45 cents from $7.95 in 2008. Under Oregon law, the wage rises each year, automatically, based on increases in the consumer price index. As one might expect, many papers did stories on the new minimum wage, […]
The next secretary of labor
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U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis (D-Calif.) will be nominated as the next U.S. Secretary of Labor – a move that has union leaders cheering and business leaders more pessimistic. Nursery industry advocates see a mixed picture. Some are concerned by her record as a leading congressional advocate for card check legislation. According to this short profile […]
Governor’s chief of staff visits nursery leaders
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Chip Terhune, chief of staff for Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski, visited with members of the OAN Government Relations Committee yesterday. Association officials deemed it significant that the governor’s top aide would come to listen to the views and concerns of green industry leaders. “It speaks to the strength and credibility of our organization,” OAN Director […]
Green industry consultant organizes motivational seminar
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“It’s a Great Time to be in Business,” a free webinar developed by green industry consultant Jim Paluch and his firm, JP Horizons, will take place from 10-11 a.m. (Pacific Time) Thursday, Dec. 18. It will include a series of presentations with an overall theme of how to thrive in any economy. Subject areas covered […]
Black market metal
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Metal thefts are a huge problem for many, from nurseries to cemeteries. Here’s a very good news story from KMTR-16 TV in Eugene, Ore., explaining what is being done in the Willamette Valley to stop it.
Sharing the message
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On Friday, the Coalition for a Working Oregon held a forum on immigration issues that was hosted by the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce. Kelly O’Brien, CWO coordinator, reports on the event: The session was held at a local downtown restaurant and featured speakers Jeff Stone with the Oregon Association of Nurseries and Renee Sinclair […]
E-verify not required of all
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We noted earlier today that U.S. Homeland Security posted a new rule requiring federal contractors to use E-verify, effective Jan. 16. Well, evidently, we should have said “many federal contractors,” because in a concession to business groups, only federal contractors doing $100,000 worth of federal work or more will be so obligated. The Washington Post […]
