Thursday, November 08, 2007

Richard Marks president Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers Local 49

Yesterday Evergreen Pulp Mill workers voted in a new president. I am honored and humbled to have been elected by my working peers to this position. Some who visit this blog and work there are not happy with the majority decision. I thought I would go ahead and start the dialogue for open communication of my fellow workers. I am only the 3rd president elect for this local in the last 25 plus years. If you post, please be civil and I will answer questions and concerns in a open forum. Slander will be identified, monitored and eliminated.

22 comments:

Hayduke said...

Congratulations Richard.

Anonymous said...

Wow, good job!

Anonymous said...

A little touchy aren't we Richard?

samoasoftball said...

12:23-Sorry if I sound that way. I have my supporters and my detractors. If you haven't noticed, I am sometimes controversial. (Not by design.)

Greg said...

Richard, you are not as controversial as you may believe. Keep on rockin' that boat.

Tapperass said...

Best of Luck Richard.

-boy

Anonymous said...

Richard, you are truly a legend in your own mind

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Richard!. You'll do a great job.

rick mitchell said...

Well Congrats Rich,
Boy what a week first Robin and now you. You deserve it and have earned it. So does the rank and file also.
So does this postion exsit in eureka or out of town?
Rick

Anonymous said...

They should erect a statue in your honor made of sand and wood chips.

Anonymous said...

No wonder you can't put a good softball team together; you obviously don't have the time. Also, your being involved in politics probably makes some guys not even want to play for you.

Anon.R.mous said...

So who out there visits my blog on company time?

Anonymous said...

well richard, i hope you prove me wrong.

Anonymous said...

congrats Rich ,you will do fine. You have the heart for the work you are about to begin. Your co-workers are lucky to have you. I have seen the quality of your soul!!! Go get em, your friend, Steve

samoasoftball said...

Had one of my fellow workers come to me today with another and pretty much said if I did not follow through in this election he would, "I will kick your ass." He meant physically.

I will do my best to make sure this does not happen. The Pulp Mill workers have high expectations. I hope to deliver.

I expect accountability.

Anonymous said...

Somestimes it is hard to have a new "kid" on the block in unions. I grew up in a union home and understood that. My dad got elected as President of his union and a lot of the workers thought he would drive it into the ground. Instead they found out that he was a hard worker and carried that forward and was for all the workers. He remained their President for a good number of years and was highly supported by those that had their doubts when he was first elected.

I believe Richard is a hard worker and is thoroughly a union person and will do his best for all the workers. After all if he "destroyed Evergreen" he would be destroying his own job. Think about that one. Maybe a wait and see attitude fits or maybe "how can I help you" fits. Think about that too.

Congrats Richard. I know you can handle this and by asking for some of your detractors to post here you may gain some knowledge about why they are detractors. It lets people complain but not necessarily say what their complaint actually is and that is what you need to either know or determine and handle. Maybe it is such a small faction that they will just get over it when they realize that your job depends on their job also.

samoasoftball said...

6:11pm What are you saying? Or what is your issue? Higgins and Wilson are not out to shut down Evergreen if you have ever talked to either one.

Evergreen is the cleanest pulp mill environmentally in North America. And I have seen many myself. Go do some traveling or talk to people in Halsey, Toledo, Albany, West Linn and Portland Oregon. Or Camas, Aberdeen, Longview, Everett Washington or many others north in Canada. You would then appreciate what we have accomplished here at Samoa.

I support progressive candidates who want effective "change." I get tired of the same old promises.

If you are so confident and angry, identify yourself and I will hold more water to your rant.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Souinds good 3:16. One more like Higgins and Wilson and your job,mine and Evergreen is gone. Richard supports these dumb asses. You do the math.He's talking political bull s%#t.

AND I SAID:

Maybe you should just go back and have one more beer and then go home until you can get it. Don't drive in your current state as you will have to be bailed out by someone.

Eric V. Kirk said...

When the Baykeepers are having an orgasm paddling around the bay I will definitely remember this thread.

Eric V. Kirk said...

By the way, congratulations Richard!

samoasoftball said...

Am I a power player? Hardly. Singles hitter with long ball potential. Softball and politics.

Anonymous said...

It's never been easy to accept the responsibility of union leadership. I'm glad you are feeling up to the challenge and I wish you success in serving the interests of your members and their families.