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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><img width="185" height="60" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image003.png@01CE7271.322BDF50"></span></b><b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Press Release<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For Immediate Release<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>June 26, 2013<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">CONTACT: Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:black">Avakian praises new worker protection against wage violations<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">“Strong wage enforcements helps workers and creates a level playing field for employers,” says Avakian<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">PORTLAND</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">—Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian praised worker advocates and the bipartisan group of Oregon legislators
who supported HB 2977B, a bill creating new tools to protect Oregon workers in the construction sector.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">The bill now heads to Governor John A. Kitzhaber for signature after a vote of 20-10 in the Oregon Senate.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">“<b>Strong wage enforcement helps workers and ensures a level playing field for employers playing by the rules,”</b> said Commissioner Avakian.
<b>“This bill will help workers and create new accountability tools for the construction sector.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Avakian noted the broad and diverse coalition of labor, faith leaders, employers and community organizations that worked to pass the measure.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">“Vulnerable workers deserve protection from abuses and unscrupulous employers</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">,” said Avakian. “<b>Our agency is committed to fighting for
workers while providing guidance to Oregon businesses so that they can avoid violations in the first place.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Since 2008, the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries has recovered $20 million for workers treated unfairly. The agency can assess penalties and seek debarment of contractors who violate workers’
rights. In addition, the bureau directs $785,000 from its wage security fund to employees who never receive final paychecks after businesses become insolvent or close their doors.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">BOLI’s technical assistance program also works to help employers navigate state and federal regulations to avoid violations, responding to nearly 20,000 inquiries from businesses large and small.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoHeader" align="center" style="margin-top:6.0pt;text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">###<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoHeader" align="center" style="margin-top:6.0pt;text-align:center"><i><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">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.</span></i><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Charlie Burr<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Communications Director<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Bureau of Labor and Industries<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">800 NE Oregon St., Ste. 1045<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Portland, OR 97232-2180<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">(971) 673-0788 wk.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">(503) 913-5407 cell.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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