Oremus v. Oregonian Publishing Company

FOET, J.,

dissenting.

The "Workmen’s Compensation Board here concluded that Daniel Oremus was an employe of the Ore.gonian Publishing Company. In this court’s previous opinion in this case, 3 Or App 92, 470 P2d 162, Sup Ct review denied (1970), we said:

“* * * Should the board find an employer-employe relationship they should also make ‘any necessary monetary adjustment between the parties involved.’ OES 656.307” 3 Or App at 96.

Essentially in this opinion the board applied the test known as “the relative nature of the work test.” It contends that this test is not a departure from the test of right of control. Eather, the board concluded it is actually a refinement by which the right of control may be determined as a matter of economic reality with a broad view of the relative nature of the work. In so doing it relied on Bowser v. State Indus. Accident Comm., 182 Or 42, 185 P2d 891 (1947); United States v. Silk, 331 US 704, 67 S Ct 1463, 91 L Ed 1757 (1947); and Wallowa Valley Stages v. Oregonian, 235 Or 594, 386 P2d 430 (1963). I do not believe it is realistic to allow the publishing company, which in reality exercises virtually complete control over the newsboy and *449its agent Leibrand, to insulate itself from the burdens of an employer-employe relationship through the subterfuge of an allegedly independent contractor.

Accordingly, I would reverse the judgment of the circuit court and reinstate that of the Workmen’s Compensation Board.