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Oregon Commissioner of Labor and Industries
Contents |
Current officeholder
The current officeholder is Brad Avakian. He was appointed to the office in April 2008 and won a full term in the November 2008 election.
Authority
The Oregon State Legislature created the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Inspector of Factories and Workshops in 1903. The head was originally known as the Labor Commissioner, but was changed to Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Inspector of Factories and Workshops in 1918. The name was changed again in 1930 to Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and in 1979 to the current Commissioner of Labor and Industries. The office was made non-partisan by the Legislature in 1995.[1]
Qualifications
Chapter 651, Section 651.030 of the Oregon Statutes establishes the qualifications of office as such:[2]
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The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries shall be a citizen of this state who has been a resident of this state for over five years. |
- a citizen of Oregon
- a resident of Oregon for over 5 years
Elections
Oregon elects labor and industries commissioners to four-year terms during gubernatorial election years. For Oregon, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 are all insurance commissioner election years.
Vacancies
Details of vacancy appointments are addressed under Article V, Section 16.
If a vacancy occurs, the governor has the power to fill the vacancy by appointment until a successor is elected and qualified. If the vacancy occurs more than 61 days before a general election, the vacancy will be filled in that election.
Duties
The office of the Commissioner of Labor and Industries manages and oversees all programs of the Bureau of Labor and Industries.
On its site the Bureau lists four principal duties:[3]
- 1. protect the rights of workers and citizens to equal, non-discriminatory treatment through the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws that apply to workplaces, housing and public accommodations
- 2. encourage and enforce compliance with state laws relating to wages, hours, terms and conditions of employment
- 3. educate and train employers to understand and comply with both wage and hour and civil rights law
- 4. promote the development of a highly skilled, competitive workforce in Oregon through the apprenticeship program and through partnerships with government, labor, business, and educational institutions.
Divisions
The Insurance Commissioner's Office consists of two major divisions - the Technical Assistance for Employers Program and the Hearings Unit. The office also oversees the other three main divisions of the Bureau of Labor and Industries - Civil Rights, Wage and Hour, and Apprenticeship and Training.[3]
Technical Assistance for Employers Program
- The Technical Assistance for Employers Program is within the Commissioner's Office. It "provides employers with a telephone information line, informational pamphlets and materials, and seminars and workshops to keep the business community informed about employment law compliance issues."[3]
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Hearings Unit
- The Hearings Unit is within the Commissioner's Office. It "processes contested cases that result when respondents request a hearing on the result of an investigation by the Wage and Hour Division or Civil Rights Division."[3]
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Civil Rights Division
- The Civil Rights Division "enforces laws granting individuals equal access to jobs, career schools, promotions, and a work environment free from discrimination and harassment."[3]
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Wage and Hour Division
- The Wage and Hour Division is responsible for "enforcing laws covering state minimum wage and overtime requirements, working conditions, child labor, farm and forest labor contracting, and wage collection. The division also regulates the employment of workers on public works projects."[3]
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Apprenticeship and Training Division
- The Apprenticeship and Training Division "regulates apprenticeship in a variety of occupations and trades and works with business, labor, government and education to increase training and employment opportunities."[3]
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Compensation
In 2010, the Oregon Commissioner of Labor and Industries was paid an estimated $72,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[4]
Former officeholders
Since 1903, Oregon has had 9 labor commissioners. Prior to the office becoming non-partisan in 1995, 4 were Republican and 3 were Democratic.
Click "show" for former officeholders.
| # | Name | Took office | Left office | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | O.P. Hoff | June 2, 1903 | January 6, 1919 | Republican |
| 2 | C.H. Gram | January 6, 1919 | January 4, 1943 | Republican |
| 3 | W.E. Kimsey | January 4, 1943 | January 3, 1955 | Republican |
| 4 | Norman Nilsen | January 3, 1955 | January 6, 1975 | Democratic |
| 5 | Bill Stevenson | January 6, 1975 | January 1, 1979 | Democratic |
| 6 | Mary Wendy Roberts | January 1, 1979 | January 2, 1995 | Democratic |
| 7 | Jack Roberts | January 2, 1995 | January 6, 2003 | Republican |
| 8 | Dan Gardner | January 6, 2003 | April 7, 2008 | Non-Partisan |
| 9 | Brad Avakian | April 8, 2008 | Present | Non-Partisan |
Contact information
800 NE Oregon St., Suite 1045
Portland, OR 97232
Email: boli.mail@state.or.us
Phone: 971-673-0761
Ore. Relay TTY: 711-
Fax: 971-673-0762
See also
External links
References
- ↑ Oregon Blue Book, "Labor and Industries Commissioners of Oregon," retrieved April 24, 2011
- ↑ Onecle, "Oregon Statutes - Chapter 651 - Bureau of Labor and Industries - Section 651.030 - Commissioner; election; term; qualifications," retrieved April 24, 2011
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, "About Us," retrieved April 24, 2011
- ↑ The Council of State Governments,"The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," retrieved April 24, 2011
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