From charlie.burr at state.or.us Thu May 8 10:55:29 2014 From: charlie.burr at state.or.us (Burr, Charlie) Date: Thu, 8 May 2014 17:55:29 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: BOLI prevails in overtime case that directs $100,000 to firefighters Message-ID: <6376A41CAD6C3E4F8A65385BDA4072612AE6D647@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image002.png at 01CF6A9F.682456B0] For Immediate Release May 8, 2014 CONTACT: Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788 BOLI prevails in overtime case that directs $100,000 to firefighters Avakian praises Oregon Court of Appeals decision as a victory for public safety workers Portland, OR-Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian today praised an Oregon Court of Appeals victory for the agency that will result in the payment of more than $100,000 in back wages and overtime for firefighters working in Grants Pass. Yesterday's Court of Appeals decision affirms an earlier declaratory ruling from Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian concerning how the city of Grants Pass must compensate city firefighters. The Court of Appeals decision can be found here. In June 2011, the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 3564 (IAFF) petitioned the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) for a ruling about whether the city of Grants Pass must include authorized vacation and sick leave time when calculating the overtime wages of its members. Commissioner Avakian concurred with IAFF that enactment of the Public Employees Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA) did not create a collective bargaining exception to the overtime requirements of ORS 652.070. This week's ruling affirms BOLI's interpretation of Oregon law and rejects the "novel theory" argued by the city of Grants Pass. "This decision is a significant victory for the workers and firefighters that keep our communities safe," said Labor Commissioner Avakian. "The ruling will help ensure that those who protect life and property will be fairly compensated for their critical work." The Oregon Department of Justice represented BOLI in the case, along with the Tedesco Law Group arguing for IAFF. The city of Grants Pass will have 35 days to petition the Oregon Supreme Court or begin directing deferred overtime payments to the affected firefighters. For more information about BOLI's efforts to protect Oregon employees and support Oregon employers, please visit http://www.oregon.gov/BOLI. A copy of the original BOLI declaratory ruling can be found here. ### Charlie Burr Communications Director Bureau of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon St., Ste. 1045 Portland, OR 97232-2180 (971) 673-0788 wk. (503) 913-5407 cell. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 7698 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From charlie.burr at state.or.us Thu May 8 11:16:21 2014 From: charlie.burr at state.or.us (Burr, Charlie) Date: Thu, 8 May 2014 18:16:21 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Career technical education grants expand hands-on learning to more than 200 schools Message-ID: <6376A41CAD6C3E4F8A65385BDA4072612AE6D6FA@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image005.png at 01CF6AAE.FA7EEE30] [cid:image006.png at 01CF6AAE.FA7EEE30] For immediate release May 8, 2014 Contacts: Charlie Burr, BOLI, (971) 673-0788 Crystal Greene, ODE, (503) 947-5650 Career technical education grants expand hands-on learning to more than 200 schools "Modern learning and career education supports job creation, communities," says Avakian PORTLAND, OR-Eight Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs serving Oregon high schools and middle schools will receive $2 million to expand opportunities for students, Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian and Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction Rob Saxton announced today. The latest round of Career and Technical Education Revitalization Grants will direct resources to modern learning in fields such as biomimicry, natural resources, greenhouse development, construction, watershed restoration, and robotics education in schools across Oregon. "Career and technical education is making a difference for students and communities around the state," said Labor Commissioner Avakian. "The reason that there's such immense local and private sector support for the return of 21st century shop classes and STEM education is that employers understand that these programs mean jobs and economic growth for Oregon." With the latest round of grant funding, more than 200 schools have now secured funding for career technical education, modern shop classes and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) learning since 2011. In total, the Oregon Legislature has directed nearly $14 million to CTE programs for Oregon high school and middle schools during the 2011, 2013 and 2014 legislative sessions. "This investment in Career and Technical Education means that more students in Oregon schools will have access to engaging, hands-on learning that will allow them to explore possible future careers and learn valuable skills which will help them be successful in their lives," said Deputy Superintendent Rob Saxton. "High-quality, applied learning helps support both student engagement and student achievement, and I am excited to see this continued investment in these vital programs." Graduation rates for students in CTE programs are near 90 percent, according to the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium. The programs have also been shown to increase student engagement with and interest in school while providing valuable and applicable tools for future careers. District/School/ESD Project Name Award Amount Bethel School District CTE Expansion and Revitalization $413,291 Jefferson County SD Growing Natural Resources and CTE in Jefferson County Schools $30,000 Joseph Charter School Greenhouse: Growing Minds, Skills, and Community $72,320 Lane Education Service District Lane County Construction Engineering Technology Program of Study $409,612 Newberg SD CTE 21 $496,266 Rainier SD Columbia Forestry and Watershed Conservation Project $341,891 Sisters SD Advancing STEM Through Modern Equipment $196,500 Tillamook SD Tillamook High School Career and Technical Education Center $276,500 The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) jointly appoint the Career and Technical Education Revitalization Advisory Committee. The committee evaluates proposals based on geographic diversity, demonstration of local partnerships, and other criteria. Grant criteria and a map of grant-funded programs are available upon request. For more on Career and Technical Education programs or to read about this latest round of applicants, go to: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=4050. ### Charlie Burr Communications Director Bureau of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon St., Ste. 1045 Portland, OR 97232-2180 (971) 673-0788 wk. (503) 913-5407 cell. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image005.png Type: image/png Size: 6794 bytes Desc: image005.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image006.png Type: image/png Size: 13878 bytes Desc: image006.png URL: From charlie.burr at state.or.us Mon May 19 12:15:15 2014 From: charlie.burr at state.or.us (Burr, Charlie) Date: Mon, 19 May 2014 19:15:15 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Avakian statement on historic marriage ruling Message-ID: <6376A41CAD6C3E4F8A65385BDA4072612AE8B1A6@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image001.png at 01CF7358.44528A10] Press Release For Immediate Release May 19, 2014 CONTACT: Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788, (503) 913-5407 mobile, Bureau of Labor and Industries Avakian statement on historic marriage ruling PORTLAND-Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian today praised U.S. District Judge Michael McShane's historic ruling overturning Oregon's ban on same-sex marriage: "Today's ruling represents an important moment in our state's history and affirms that all caring, committed couples deserve equal treatment under law. The victory is also a testament to the energy and hard work of the tens of thousands of Oregonians who've dedicated themselves to making our laws match our highest ideals. It expands personal freedom so that more Oregonians can marry and build lives together." As labor commissioner, Brad Avakian works to ensure that all Oregonians are treated fairly, including enforcement of the landmark Oregon Equality Act of 2007, a law to protect the rights of gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender Oregonians in employment, housing and public places. As a legislator, Avakian championed the legislation and carried it on the Senate floor. BOLI protects all Oregonians from unlawful discrimination, investigating allegations of civil rights violations in workplaces, career schools, housing and public accommodations, and enforces compliance with state laws relating to wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment. The Oregon Council on Civil Rights joined Commissioner Avakian in praising today's ruling as a significant milestone for the rights and protections of all Oregonians: "This win for marriage equality is an important step toward fulfilling the promise of full civil rights to people in our state. The Oregon Council for Civil Rights celebrates this victory with all who worked to achieve it and for all whose social and economic future are more secure because of it." Businesses seeking guidance on civil rights protections may contact the bureau's Technical Assistance for Employers program at (971) 673-0824. ### Charlie Burr Communications Director Bureau of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon St., Ste. 1045 Portland, OR 97232-2180 (971) 673-0788 wk. (503) 913-5407 cell. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 7699 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From charlie.burr at state.or.us Fri May 23 12:49:43 2014 From: charlie.burr at state.or.us (Burr, Charlie) Date: Fri, 23 May 2014 19:49:43 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: BOLI Final Order: Multnomah County Sheriff's Office violated veterans' preference hiring law Message-ID: <6376A41CAD6C3E4F8A65385BDA4072612AE8DFBF@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image001.gif at 01CF7685.7516F340] For Immediate Release May 23, 2014 CONTACT: Charlie Burr, BOLI, (971) 673-0788 or (503) 913-5407 mobile Final Order: Multnomah County Sheriff's Office violated veterans' preference hiring law PORTLAND, OR-The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office failed to properly credit a disabled veteran's military service under the state's veterans' hiring preference law, the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) has found. A BOLI Final Order issued this week directs the county to comply with Oregon's veterans' preference law, develop a written statement of veterans' hiring and promotions policy within 60 days, provide hiring training for its staff, and pay complainant Sgt. Rod Edwards $50,000 in damages. A copy of the Final Order (Case No. 01-14) is available upon request. Sgt. Rod Edwards filed the civil rights complaint against the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office in 2013 after unsuccessfully applying for a promotion to lieutenant. Under Oregon's veterans' preference law, public agencies hiring for civil service positions must give special consideration to veterans who meet the minimum qualifications and any special qualifications for a position. An earlier BOLI investigation determined that the county did not have a method of ranking applicants with numeric scoring nor did it have a policy describing how it would apply the legal hiring requirements. The BOLI Final Order also rejects the county's argument that the veterans' preference law applies only during the initial screening, not throughout the hiring process. "We're committed to fair enforcement of civil rights law so that more veterans can have access to economic opportunity and career advancement," said Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian. "BOLI's technical assistance experts can help Oregon employers understand and comply with the requirements of our veterans' preference law to steer clear of potential violations." Oregon employers can contact the agency's Technical Assistance for Employers Program at (971) 673-0824. Within the next month, BOLI's Technical Assistance Program will develop and post on its website a model veterans' preference policy that employers can adopt to avoid potential hiring violations. BOLI protects Oregonians from unlawful discrimination, investigating allegations of civil rights and wage and hour laws so that Oregonians are treated in the workplace. ### Charlie Burr Communications Director Bureau of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon St., Ste. 1045 Portland, OR 97232-2180 (971) 673-0788 wk. (503) 913-5407 cell. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.gif Type: image/gif Size: 5083 bytes Desc: image001.gif URL: