From bob.estabrook at state.or.us Tue Aug 7 14:16:09 2012 From: bob.estabrook at state.or.us (Estabrook Bob) Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2012 21:16:09 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: BOLI Employer Assistance Unveils New Seminar Message-ID: <050F2D1BA8177F4B927C6F3AC041EF82BB1BB6@D5DAG1A.D5.USA.NET> [Description: BOLI_logo_blackBIT] Commissioner Brad Avakian Bureau of Labor & Industries Press Release For Immediate Distribution August 7, 2012 CONTACT: Bob Estabrook, 503-709-0730 BOLI Employer Assistance Unveils New Seminar Specialized course focuses on handling workers comp claims in Oregon workplaces PORTLAND- The Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) is introducing a new training option for Oregon employers, offering a full day seminar covering all of the complexities of appropriately handling workers compensation claims in the workplace. The Life of a Workers Comp Claim helps employer representatives, from the front-line supervisor to the company owner paying the workers comp insurance premiums, understand and comply with all employer responsibilities-and keep the company from ending up in court. "High-quality training options are a direct support for strong local businesses," said BOLI Commissioner Brad Avakian, who has made employer support a high priority for the agency. "Strengthening Oregon's workplaces by ensuring that employment laws are followed correctly the first time is a win for employers as well as workers." BOLI's Technical Assistance for Employers Program (TA) provides training for employers and managers at all levels, from team leads to CEOs. Each seminar focuses on understanding specific legal requirements-such as civil rights laws or protected leave provisions-but the program also offers customized, on-site training that can be tailored to specific employer needs. "TA is committed to continuously improving our seminars and adding new content when employers are asking for it," said Jennifer Germundson, TA Program Manager. "We're very responsive to employers in Oregon and this brilliant new seminar is just the latest example of what we can offer." Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about all of BOLI's work to support employers, the workforce and a stronger economy. ###### The mission of the Bureau of Labor and Industries is to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 11418 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 08.07.12_BOLI_Release_-_New_Seminar.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 29526 bytes Desc: 08.07.12_BOLI_Release_-_New_Seminar.pdf URL: From bob.estabrook at state.or.us Wed Aug 8 10:56:24 2012 From: bob.estabrook at state.or.us (Estabrook Bob) Date: Wed, 8 Aug 2012 17:56:24 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Avakian Launches Investigation of Portland's P Club Message-ID: <050F2D1BA8177F4B927C6F3AC041EF82BB2311@D5DAG1A.D5.USA.NET> [Description: BOLI_logo_blackBIT] Commissioner Brad Avakian Bureau of Labor & Industries Press Release For Immediate Distribution August 8, 2012 CONTACT: Bob Estabrook, 503-709-0730 Avakian Launches Investigation of Portland's P Club BOLI Commissioner pursuing allegations of sexual orientation, gender identity discrimination PORTLAND- The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) is opening an investigation through its Civil Rights Division of allegations that the P Club, a North Portland bar, and owner Christopher Penner actively attempted to exclude individuals from the establishment based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. The formal complaint initiating the investigation, filed by BOLI Commissioner Brad Avakian, alleges that Christopher Penner phoned at least one regular patron and left voice messages asking the patron and their group to stay away from the P Club on Friday nights because their presence might lead some people to believe it is a "gay bar." "Part of BOLI's mission is to protect access to public accommodations free from discrimination, and that is a serious commitment," Avakian said. "Through a formal investigation, we can ensure that all Oregonians are being afforded equal access to the public places of their choice. And if we find evidence of violations, they will be aggressively prosecuted." Oregon law authorizes the BOLI Commissioner to file a complaint on behalf of the state where he has reason to believe that violations of civil rights law are occurring. This power is especially important in the area of public accommodations where individuals may feel less incentive to step forward to file a complaint on their own. After gathering and reviewing information, an investigator from BOLI's Civil Rights Division will determine whether there is substantial evidence of one or more violations of the law. "If the P Club, or any other business in Oregon, is trying to steer customers away based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected basis, BOLI wants to know about it," Avakian said. "These allegations deserve a fair and thorough investigative process-exactly what our Civil Rights Division will provide." BOLI protects all Oregonians from unlawful discrimination, investigating allegations of civil rights violations in workplaces, career schools, housing and public accommodations. BOLI is the only state agency empowered to investigate and prosecute these cases and the BOLI Commissioner has the authority to issue cease and desist orders, award both economic and non-economic damages and assess civil penalties for violations of civil rights law. Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about all of BOLI's work to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. ###### The mission of the Bureau of Labor and Industries is to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: 08.08.12_BOLI_Release_-_P_Club.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 28852 bytes Desc: 08.08.12_BOLI_Release_-_P_Club.pdf URL: From bob.estabrook at state.or.us Thu Aug 9 16:46:21 2012 From: bob.estabrook at state.or.us (Estabrook Bob) Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2012 23:46:21 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Avakian Gains Settlement for Typhoon Workers Message-ID: <050F2D1BA8177F4B927C6F3AC041EF82BB4C79@D5DAG1A.D5.USA.NET> [Description: Description: BOLI_logo_blackBIT] Commissioner Brad Avakian Bureau of Labor & Industries Press Release For Immediate Distribution August 9, 2012 CONTACT: Bob Estabrook, 503-709-0730 Avakian Gains Settlement for Typhoon Workers Agreement puts $100,000 into fund for harmed workers PORTLAND- Oregon Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian has announced a settlement of civil rights charges against Typhoon!, Inc., which has been buffeted by allegations of civil rights and wage and hour law violations and ceased operations earlier this year. Avakian launched the initial investigation by filing a Commissioner's Complaint, which allows the Labor and Industries Commissioner to initiate possible enforcement while shielding workers from potential retaliation. Commissioner's Complaints are also used in situations where significant numbers of workers may be affected, and especially where there are language or cultural barriers to individuals filing their own discrimination complaints. Avakian was prepared to prosecute Typhoon for unlawful discrimination against workers from Thailand, who were required to sign exhaustive employment agreements and were paid lower wages than U.S.-hired employees. Typhoon continues to deny any wrongdoing. "It's clear that Typhoon will not be able to satisfy all its debts, and I'm not going to take chances with the well-being of Oregon families at stake," Avakian said. "This settlement means workers who were treated unfairly will see relief immediately, and that peace of mind is something that they had not felt until BOLI got involved." Typhoon shuttered its restaurants in early February, but under a formal settlement of the state charges will provide $100,000 to a claim fund to be administered by the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) over the next year. Former employees of the restaurant chain may submit claims to BOLI describing their experiences working for Typhoon as Thai citizens, which the agency alleged included hours worked off the clock, wages below what U.S.-recruited employees were paid, and other discriminatory terms and conditions of employment. "I appreciate Bo Kline and Typhoon stepping up now to start setting things right with these workers," Avakian said. "Especially for a group of workers who came to this country seeking economic opportunity and then found themselves feeling trapped in jobs they couldn't buy their way out of, it's a great relief to see some measure of justice and relief finally coming to them." Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about all of BOLI's work to protect workers' rights in Oregon. ###### The mission of the Bureau of Labor and Industries is to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image003.png Type: image/png Size: 11418 bytes Desc: image003.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 08.09.12_BOLI_Release_-_Typhoon_Settlement.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 29558 bytes Desc: 08.09.12_BOLI_Release_-_Typhoon_Settlement.pdf URL: From bob.estabrook at state.or.us Thu Aug 23 08:13:17 2012 From: bob.estabrook at state.or.us (Estabrook Bob) Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:13:17 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: BOLI Secures $75,000 in Portland Fair Housing Case Message-ID: <050F2D1BA8177F4B927C6F3AC041EF82BC37ED@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image003.png at 01CD8107.237E0CF0] Commissioner Brad Avakian Bureau of Labor & Industries Press Release For Immediate Distribution August 22, 2012 CONTACT: Bob Estabrook, 503-709-0730 BOLI Secures $75,000 in Portland Fair Housing Case Landlord declined accommodation for a disabled child's companion dog PORTLAND- The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) has concluded a settlement of unlawful discrimination charges against Fantasy Apartments (now Skylark Apartments) in Northeast Portland. BOLI's formal charges against the owners and operators alleged that when the mother of a nine-year-old boy with depression and anxiety disorders sought to obtain a companion animal, following a doctor's recommendation, she was told she could move to another of the respondents' properties with her son and foster son. The recent settlement agreement includes a $75,000 monetary payment as well as policy revisions, training for the respondents' staff and ongoing monitoring by the state Civil Rights Division at BOLI. "This case is a perfect example of why BOLI's protection for housing rights is so essential to our state," said Brad Avakian, state Labor and Industries Commissioner and head of BOLI. "This case could have easily been resolved by making a reasonable accommodation, but instead it took the pressure of a state agency investigation and formal charges to finally bring a just resolution." Under contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, BOLI enforces federal fair housing law and "substantially equivalent" state fair housing law, protecting access to housing free from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, familial status and disability. State law also protects sexual orientation and gender identity, source of income and marital status. In addition to investigating and prosecuting potential violations of the law, BOLI provides training to landlords and other housing professionals to promote compliance with the law before enforcement action is necessary. "This case was ready for prosecution," Avakian continued. "When BOLI gets ready to bring a case like this to court, it's essential to have the formidable legal representation that the Oregon Department of Justice provides us. BOLI investigates more than 100 fair housing complaints every year from around the state, bringing tens of thousands of dollars as well as other remedies to harmed individuals." Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about all of BOLI's work to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. ###### The mission of the Bureau of Labor and Industries is to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image003.png Type: image/png Size: 11416 bytes Desc: image003.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 08.22.12_BOLI_Release_-_Portland_Housing_Settlement.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 29108 bytes Desc: 08.22.12_BOLI_Release_-_Portland_Housing_Settlement.pdf URL: From bob.estabrook at state.or.us Thu Aug 23 08:13:27 2012 From: bob.estabrook at state.or.us (Estabrook Bob) Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:13:27 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: BOLI Secures $50,000 in Albany Fair Housing Case Message-ID: <050F2D1BA8177F4B927C6F3AC041EF82BC383D@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image003.png at 01CD8107.2AA2D100] Commissioner Brad Avakian Bureau of Labor & Industries Press Release For Immediate Distribution August 22, 2012 CONTACT: Bob Estabrook, 503-709-0730 BOLI Secures $50,000 in Albany Fair Housing Case Landlord attempted to charge a fee to accommodate a disabled woman's cat ALBANY- The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) has concluded a settlement of unlawful discrimination charges against Brookshore Apartments in Albany. BOLI's charges against the property owners alleged attempts to charge a non-refundable "deposit" for allowing a woman with severe depression to keep a companion animal. The comprehensive settlement agreement includes not only a $50,000 payment, but also policy revisions, training for the respondents' staff and ongoing monitoring by the state Civil Rights Division at BOLI. "BOLI takes our responsibility to enforce state and federal fair housing law very seriously," said Brad Avakian, Oregon Labor and Industries Commissioner and chief of BOLI. "It is especially alarming when housing providers are not making reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. These comprehensive settlement terms are a testament to our commitment to protect equal housing access for all Oregonians." In addition to investigating and prosecuting potential violations of fair housing law, BOLI provides training to landlords and other housing professionals to promote compliance with the law before enforcement action is necessary. Brookshore Apartments and parent company Albany Properties are required by the settlement agreement to obtain annual training for employees as well as reporting to BOLI about every disability accommodation request received and how it's resolved for a period of two years. "This case was ready for prosecution," Avakian continued. "When BOLI gets ready to bring a case like this to court, it's essential to have the formidable legal representation that the Oregon Department of Justice provides us. BOLI investigates more than 100 fair housing complaints every year from around the state, bringing tens of thousands of dollars as well as other remedies to harmed individuals." Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about all of BOLI's work to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. ###### The mission of the Bureau of Labor and Industries is to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image003.png Type: image/png Size: 11416 bytes Desc: image003.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 08.22.12_BOLI_Release_-_Albany_Housing_Settlement.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 28693 bytes Desc: 08.22.12_BOLI_Release_-_Albany_Housing_Settlement.pdf URL: From bob.estabrook at state.or.us Fri Aug 24 13:12:53 2012 From: bob.estabrook at state.or.us (Estabrook Bob) Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2012 20:12:53 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Business Award Nominations Open through October 1st Message-ID: <050F2D1BA8177F4B927C6F3AC041EF82BC4FD8@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image001.png at 01CD81FA.2CC46D10] Commissioner Brad Avakian Bureau of Labor & Industries Press Release For Immediate Distribution August 24, 2012 CONTACT: Bob Estabrook, 503-709-0730 Business Award Nominations Open through October 1st Bureau of Labor and Industries to present 4th Annual Business Leadership Awards PORTLAND- The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) and state Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian are reminding Oregonians that nominations for the 4th Annual BOLI Business Leadership Awards remain open through October 1, 2012. Nominations are easy to submit: just email BOLI_BizAwards at state.or.us with: * The nominator's name and contact information; * The nominated employer, including their website and a contact person and reliable contact information; and * How the nominee has demonstrated leadership in its commitment to fair workplaces, protecting civil rights in the community and/or developing a stronger workforce. BOLI Business Leadership Awards are considered in three categories: Civil Rights Champion, Fair Workplace Champion, and Workforce Development Champion. Nominees must be businesses or non-profit employers currently operating primarily within Oregon, or with headquarters in Oregon. While business owners may not nominate their own company, they and any other Oregonian are encouraged to nominate an outstanding employer for one, or more than one, category of award. "Oregon is fortunate to have many great employers who are great supporters of their workers and their local communities," Avakian said. "Winning one of these awards, and the assortment of prizes from BOLI's Technical Assistance for Employers Program that accompany it, attests to the positive investments that an employer is making in Oregon's economy." Avakian created the BOLI Business Leadership Awards in 2009 to recognize the good work that Oregon's employers do every day for the community, their workers, and the future of Oregon's economy. Champions recognized in previous years include such diverse operations as Columbia River Bar Pilots in Astoria, Continental Mills in Pendleton, Dogs for the Deaf in Medford and Hawthorne Auto Clinic in SE Portland. Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about all of BOLI's work to support employers, the workforce and a stronger economy. ###### The mission of the Bureau of Labor and Industries is to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 11416 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 08.24.12_BOLI_Release_-_Biz_Awards.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 40056 bytes Desc: 08.24.12_BOLI_Release_-_Biz_Awards.pdf URL: From bob.estabrook at state.or.us Wed Aug 29 16:46:56 2012 From: bob.estabrook at state.or.us (Estabrook Bob) Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2012 23:46:56 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: BOLI begins spotlight series on active Oregon apprentices Message-ID: <050F2D1BA8177F4B927C6F3AC041EF82BC73E1@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image001.png at 01CD8605.E6256020] Commissioner Brad Avakian Bureau of Labor & Industries Press Release For Immediate Distribution August 29, 2012 CONTACT: Bob Estabrook, 503-709-0730 BOLI begins spotlight series on active Oregon apprentices First in the series: Laborer Liz Stewart PORTLAND- The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), home of the state's Apprenticeship and Training Division, is launching a special series of spotlight articles on registered apprentices-workers earning living wages while learning the skills for a career in their chosen trade. The Apprenticeship and Training Division monitors all registered apprenticeship programs in the state to ensure maintenance of standards and to promote participation by women and people of color. Apprentice Spotlight: Liz Stewart Working on the Block 49 Project, what will be "Gray's Landing" on Portland's South Waterfront, is an upbeat, 26-year-old laborer apprentice named Liz Stewart. She's already had 1.5 yards of concrete dumped on her on this job, which would dampen the spirits of a lot of Oregonians, but not Liz. "I still feel really lucky," she says with a grin. That lucky feeling goes beyond just escaping concrete: Liz found a job that she really enjoys. And it came along when she really needed it. When her Oregon National Guard unit returned from a tour in Iraq, Liz remembers that jobs felt really scarce. So when the laborers union came to a reintegration event talking about career opportunities, it was a no-brainer for her and several of her comrades. "I always kind of knew that apprenticeship was out there," Liz says. "My uncle is an electrician, and I had a middle school shop class, but BOLI's latest outreach efforts might have gotten me on the right path sooner. When I sat down and really looked at the information, I was sold." Liz, who had done some non-union laborer work after high school, came into her apprenticeship ready to work hard. She's seen some other apprentices who became disillusioned at not working all the time, but feels like her steady work is a product of putting in the effort to make sure an employer knows you can get the job done. The lucky feeling extends to Liz's whole apprenticeship experience. She's a big fan of the laborers union and is especially thankful for the support of Aida Aranda, the Laborers' Apprenticeship Coordinator that helps keep young apprentices on track to succeed. Her experience on the Block 49 Project has been great, leading to positive reviews for her bosses from Walsh and RDF Construction. Where would Liz be now if not for apprenticeship? "Probably working at Subway," she says without hesitating. And then another grin. It's easy to get the sense that Liz's positive attitude would make her successful on other paths as well. But there's no denying the happy intensity as, just a couple of weeks from third term in her apprenticeship, the Hillsboro High School grad sums up her path to apprenticeship in Oregon: "I feel lucky. I'm really glad I've had the opportunity." ###### Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about all of BOLI's work to support employers, the workforce and a stronger economy. The mission of the Bureau of Labor and Industries is to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 11416 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Apprentice Elizabeth Stewart.JPG Type: image/jpeg Size: 165239 bytes Desc: Apprentice Elizabeth Stewart.JPG URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 08.29.12_BOLI_Release_-_Apprentice_Spotlight_Stewart.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 30402 bytes Desc: 08.29.12_BOLI_Release_-_Apprentice_Spotlight_Stewart.pdf URL: From bob.estabrook at state.or.us Fri Aug 31 09:51:41 2012 From: bob.estabrook at state.or.us (Estabrook Bob) Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2012 16:51:41 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Avakian Touts Employer Support in Run-up to Annual Conference Message-ID: <050F2D1BA8177F4B927C6F3AC041EF82BC81D3@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image002.png at 01CD86CF.9EE82A60] Commissioner Brad Avakian Bureau of Labor & Industries Press Release For Immediate Distribution August 31, 2012 CONTACT: Bob Estabrook, 503-709-0730 Avakian Touts Employer Support in Run-up to Annual Conference Annual conference comes early this year: November 29-30 PORTLAND- State Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian, head of Oregon?s Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) and the state?s Technical Assistance for Employers Program (TA), is calling attention to his agency?s commitment to supporting local employers on multiple fronts, highlighting key services as well as the annual awards program that recognizes outstanding Oregon employers. ?Oregon is blessed to have a very strong community of employers,? Avakian said. ?BOLI is supporting that community throughout the year through seminars around the state, our phone and email support line and other resources, but this time of year we raise it to another level with the BOLI Business Leadership Awards and our 28th Annual Employment Law Conference.? BOLI?s Annual Employment Law Conference draws in excess of 300 participants to the Oregon Convention Center in Portland every year for two days of educational seminars with the state?s leading employment law attorneys and experts from state law enforcement agencies. A finalized schedule showcases a range of brand new seminars, including a special express version of BOLI?s newest employer seminar. ?Our conference agenda is driven by what local employers are telling us they want and need to be successful,? said Jennifer Germundson, TA Program Manager and coordinator of the annual event for six years. ?Presenting the Business Leadership Awards adds another dose of fun to what is already a hugely popular event?and the single best investment in training that an Oregon employer can make.? The BOLI Business Leadership Awards, established by Avakian in 2009, recognize the good work that Oregon?s employers do every day for the community, their workers, and the future of Oregon?s economy. Nominations for the awards come from citizens around the state, and have led to recognition of such diverse operations as Columbia River Bar Pilots in Astoria, Continental Mills in Pendleton, Dogs for the Deaf in Medford and Hawthorne Auto Clinic in SE Portland. Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about all of BOLI?s work to support employers, the workforce and a stronger economy. ###### The mission of the Bureau of Labor and Industries is to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image002.png Type: image/png Size: 11416 bytes Desc: image002.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 185658 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: