From bob.estabrook at state.or.us Tue Jun 5 11:10:38 2012 From: bob.estabrook at state.or.us (Estabrook Bob) Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2012 18:10:38 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Avakian Awards $152,216 in Pregnancy Discrimination Case Message-ID: <050F2D1BA8177F4B927C6F3AC041EF82B6B834@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [Description: BOLI_logo_blackBIT] Commissioner Brad Avakian Bureau of Labor & Industries Press Release For Immediate Distribution June 5, 2012 CONTACT: Bob Estabrook, 503-709-0730 Avakian Awards $152,216 in Pregnancy Discrimination Case Medford woman was demoted over pregnancy and fired for complaining about it MEDFORD- Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) Commissioner Brad Avakian has issued a final order in the case against Gary Speaks and Cyber Center, Inc., which operated a bar and grill in Medford. With evidence showing that a former Cybercenter Sports Grill assistant manager was demoted and lost pay when she became pregnant, and that Speaks and Cyber Center then terminated her for complaining about the discrimination, Avakian ordered $12,216.40 in back pay and $140,000 in emotional and mental suffering damages be paid to the woman. "The Bureau of Labor and Industries is always going to take strong action to protect the rights of female Oregonians in the workplace," Avakian said. "Cyber Center and Gary Speaks compounded one unlawful decision with an even more egregious one. Demoting an expectant mother would have been bad enough, but firing her when customers rally to her defense is just unconscionable." Speaks and the now-defunct business are jointly and severally liable for $132,172 in economic and non-economic damages arising from the unlawful termination. Only the business is responsible for the remaining $20,044.40 in back pay and distress damages related to the initial demotion and pay cut, where Gary Speaks was not shown to have actively participated in that unlawful practice. A judgment from BOLI can be collected and enforced through various means, and the judgment remains even if the business is closed. The 48-page final order in the Cyber Center case is available online. Also visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about BOLI and the prosecution of civil rights and other employment law violations. ###### 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: 06.05.12 BOLI Release - Cyber Center Order.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 28644 bytes Desc: 06.05.12 BOLI Release - Cyber Center Order.pdf URL: From bob.estabrook at state.or.us Thu Jun 7 16:20:37 2012 From: bob.estabrook at state.or.us (Estabrook Bob) Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 23:20:37 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Wage Security Fund Covers Unpaid Wages at Select Onion Message-ID: <050F2D1BA8177F4B927C6F3AC041EF82B6F035@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [Description: Description: BOLI_logo_blackBIT] Commissioner Brad Avakian Bureau of Labor & Industries Press Release For Immediate Distribution June 7, 2012 CONTACT: Bob Estabrook, 503-709-0730 Wage Security Fund Covers Unpaid Wages at Select Onion More than $242,000 in worker pay to help sustain local economy ONTARIO, OR- Oregon's Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) is paying out nearly a quarter-million dollars from the state's Wage Security Fund to cover the final wages of employees from Ontario-based Select Onion, which has filed for bankruptcy. In recent weeks, BOLI's Wage and Hour Division has processed 237 claims for unpaid wages from former employees of the onion growing and processing operation-one of the broadest uses of the fund in its 27-year history. Oregon is the only state in the country with such a fund, and this work represents just one way that the dedicated staff at BOLI provide a direct benefit to Oregonians in their greatest time of need. "Our first priority is taking care of the workers," said Brad Avakian, Oregon's Commissioner of Labor and Industries and chief of BOLI. "We can pursue repayment to the Wage Security Fund if Select Onion or a successor has the resources to pay, but while we're dealing with the legal issues, we don't want Oregon workers left holding the bag." BOLI is processing payments to all 237 former employees from the Wage Security Fund, an account dedicated to covering final wages for employees when a business ceases operating and lacks the resources to cover final paychecks. The pay-outs thus far total $242,981.22, or an average of about $1,030 per claimant. Most claims were for wages covering approximately one month, between March 19 through April 15, and the total in payments would represent almost one percent of total monthly payroll in Malheur County. "During my four years as Labor and Industries Commissioner, we've put more than $3.1 million in wage security money in the hands of Oregonians who would have been out of luck otherwise," Avakian noted. "It is vital to our state's economic health that workers can be confident that they'll be paid for their work, even if their employer can't make good on their own." Additional information about Oregon's Wage Security Fund is available online. Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about the fund and 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: 06.07.12_BOLI_Release_-_Select_Onion.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 28666 bytes Desc: 06.07.12_BOLI_Release_-_Select_Onion.pdf URL: From bob.estabrook at state.or.us Wed Jun 13 16:26:32 2012 From: bob.estabrook at state.or.us (Estabrook Bob) Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2012 23:26:32 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Avakian Keeps Close Tabs on Oregon Workforce Message-ID: <050F2D1BA8177F4B927C6F3AC041EF82B7B48B@D5DAG1A.D5.USA.NET> [Description: BOLI_logo_blackBIT] Commissioner Brad Avakian Bureau of Labor & Industries Press Release For Immediate Distribution June 13, 2012 CONTACT: Bob Estabrook, 503-709-0730 Avakian Keeps Close Tabs on Oregon Workforce Visit to Iron Workers Training Center offers another view of jobs in Oregon PORTLAND-Oregon Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian today toured one of the facilities that trains the apprentices registered by the state Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), which Avakian leads, seeing first-hand how Iron Workers Local 29 is training the workers needed to fill a shortage of workers that has been delayed but not solved by the recession. Avakian, who has become a statewide champion for high-wage careers that don't require a college degree, talked with instructors and apprentices during his visit and was especially impressed at the enthusiasm of the apprentices. "Oregon needs skilled workers and through our apprenticeship programs, we're combining skill training with time on-the-job, making a living wage," Avakian said. "The workforce that is going to build Oregon's new and prosperous economy is being trained right now in state-of-the-art facilities like this one." As Labor and Industries Commissioner, Avakian has championed career pathways from "21st century shop classes" in our schools to apprenticeships that are run by local committees of workers and employers. Avakian's fight to reinvest in career education for students recently brought almost $2 million in new support to 21 schools around the state. At the same time, Avakian is keeping the focus on successful training for adult workers that keeps them learning and earning a living wage at the same time. "Brad's focus on apprenticeships is important to individuals as well as to our state's economy," said Kevin Jensen, Business Manager for Iron Workers Local 29. "Giving 6,200 Oregonians a chance to learn skills and earn good wages at the same time is huge in a tough economy." Overseeing the state's Apprenticeship and Training Division at BOLI and chairing the Oregon Staten Apprenticeship and Training Council, the Labor and Industries Commissioner plays a major role in Oregon's workforce development system. To learn more about BOLI and apprenticeship in Oregon, visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI and www.oregonapprenticeship.org. ##### 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: 06.13.12_BOLI_Release_-_Iron_Workers.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 29194 bytes Desc: 06.13.12_BOLI_Release_-_Iron_Workers.pdf URL: From bob.estabrook at state.or.us Wed Jun 20 11:23:33 2012 From: bob.estabrook at state.or.us (Estabrook Bob) Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2012 18:23:33 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Local Partnership Funds Job Opportunities Message-ID: <050F2D1BA8177F4B927C6F3AC041EF82B93CD6@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [Description: BOLI_logo_blackBIT] Commissioner Brad Avakian Bureau of Labor & Industries Press Release For Immediate Distribution June 20, 2012 CONTACT: Bob Estabrook, 503-709-0730 Local Partnership Funds Job Opportunities Carpenters' "Boot Camp" offers chance at first step to living wage career PORTLAND-Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute, the Apprenticeship Training Center for Union Carpenters, and Portland Community College, with funding and support from Oregon's Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), have a diverse group of participants in their third day of Carpenter Boot Camp today. Oregon Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian took the opportunity to visit the one-week program that teaches high school and college age youth what it means, and what it takes, to be a carpenter in Oregon. "Apprenticeship is a great career move, because you're combining skill training with time on-the-job, making a living wage," Avakian said. "My grandfather was an immigrant carpenter who helped build not just buildings but communities-and this program is a great opportunity for young Oregonians to get a better sense of whether this path to a living wage career is right for them." As Labor and Industries Commissioner, Avakian oversees the state's system of registered apprenticeship. In the last 50 months, BOLI has registered more than 6,200 new apprentices in programs that keep adult workers learning and earning a living wage at the same time. Avakian is also leading the drive to create more opportunities for young people to experience the trades and consider potential living wage careers that aren't often discussed in middle and high schools. "We're glad to be part of a team with BOLI and PCC to help showcase what we do and why it's valuable," said John Steffens, Training Director at Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute. "We're eager to work with anyone who wants to learn and work hard and get on the path to a living wage career." Overseeing the state's Apprenticeship and Training Division at BOLI and chairing the Oregon Staten Apprenticeship and Training Council, the Labor and Industries Commissioner plays a major role in Oregon's workforce development system. To learn more about BOLI and apprenticeship in Oregon, visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI and www.oregonapprenticeship.org. ##### 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: 06.20.12_BOLI_Release_-_Carpenter_Boot_Camp.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 28903 bytes Desc: 06.20.12_BOLI_Release_-_Carpenter_Boot_Camp.pdf URL: From bob.estabrook at state.or.us Wed Jun 27 12:23:35 2012 From: bob.estabrook at state.or.us (Estabrook Bob) Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2012 19:23:35 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: BOLI Employer Assistance Graduates Certified Supervisors Message-ID: <050F2D1BA8177F4B927C6F3AC041EF82B9DE24@D5DAG1A.D5.USA.NET> [Description: BOLI_logo_blackBIT] Commissioner Brad Avakian Bureau of Labor & Industries Press Release For Immediate Distribution June 27, 2012 CONTACT: Bob Estabrook, 503-709-0730 BOLI Employer Assistance Graduates Certified Supervisors Multi-session training course covers all the basics of supervising workers in Oregon PORTLAND- The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) has graduated the inaugural cohort of certified supervisors from the Technical Assistance for Employers Program's "New Supervisor Training Series." The six month, one-day-per-month program covers all aspects of managing a team of employees according to the law-from fundamentals of handling protected leave time to coaching and motivating less-productive employees. "I want Oregon to have the best trained workforce anywhere, and that includes having the best trained managers anywhere," said BOLI Commissioner Brad Avakian, who has made employer support a high priority for the agency. "Our sales pitch to expanding and relocating businesses should include not only talented workers but the management personnel necessary to utilize them. Through the Supervisor Series, BOLI is training those managers right now." BOLI's Technical Assistance for Employers Program provides training for employers and managers at all levels, from supervisors to CEOs. Most seminars focus on understanding specific legal requirements-such as civil rights laws or protected leave provisions-but the program offers customized training as well as the New Supervisor Training Series, which will launch its next sessions in July. "The one day a month classes have been easy to schedule, and they help put the information into manageable pieces," said Jennifer Hendricks of Inn Sight Hotel Management Group, a Supervisor Series graduate. "I felt like I could start using something new after every class, and I feel even more confident as a supervisor now." 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... 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Name: 06.27.12_BOLI_Release_-_New_Supervisors.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 28431 bytes Desc: 06.27.12_BOLI_Release_-_New_Supervisors.pdf URL: From bob.estabrook at state.or.us Wed Jun 27 13:15:46 2012 From: bob.estabrook at state.or.us (Estabrook Bob) Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2012 20:15:46 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Avakian Touts Improved Civil Rights Complaint Process Message-ID: <050F2D1BA8177F4B927C6F3AC041EF82B9E116@D5DAG1A.D5.USA.NET> [Description: BOLI_logo_blackBIT] Commissioner Brad Avakian Bureau of Labor & Industries Press Release For Immediate Distribution June 27, 2012 CONTACT: Bob Estabrook, 503-709-0730 Avakian Touts Improved Civil Rights Complaint Process Recent improvements are good for both workers and employers PORTLAND- Oregon Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian said today that he is committed to giving all Oregonians, from workers and employers to housing seekers and property owners, swifter resolution of civil rights disputes. Avakian, speaking before a joint meeting of Oregon's Commissions on Asian Affairs, Black Affairs and Hispanic Affairs and for Women, said recent process improvements will increase responsiveness and save resources for both respondents and the agency. Avakian's changes integrate the intake and investigation processes, allowing an earlier, more critical evaluation of the quality of a case. Closing weaker cases sooner will also bring more investigative resources to bear on complex or especially significant cases. "The first concern of the Bureau of Labor and Industries is always going to be the Oregonians who need our help in resolving a dispute-and the faster we can resolve it, the better for everyone involved," Avakian said. "As we identify egregious cases of civil rights violations and fast track them for prosecution, we will likewise identify cases that are not prosecutable and close them sooner. The best way to support Oregon's workforce and economy is to crack down on employers who don't follow the rules and make sure that good employers aren't racking up unnecessary legal costs." Oregon's Civil Rights Division receives about 2,000 formal complaints of discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations each year, with about 150 closing each month. Under the new processing guidelines, 686 cases were closed in March, April and May of this year. The increase, about 75 more closures per month, not only allows reallocation of agency resources but will save Oregon businesses significant legal and personnel costs. "During my four years as Labor and Industries Commissioner, we've put about $14.5 million in settlements and damage awards into the hands of Oregonians who were treated unfairly," Avakian noted. "Evolving our process in this way will mean we keep the pressure on bad actors while giving more peace of mind to Oregonians and the businesses that are following the rules." Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI for more information about all of BOLI's work to protect workplaces, housing and public accommodations in Oregon from unlawful practices. ###### 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: