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05.07.08

2008 Labor Neighbor Campaign Walk

The National AFL-CIO has designated Saturday, May 17 as the national kick-off of the 2008 Labor Neighbor Campaign. Washington State will be joining the national effort with our own 2008 Labor Neighbor Walk in Clark, King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties. We need your help to ensure working family voices are heard!

Saturday, May 17, 2009

9:00 AM to 1:30 PM

Contact Lori Province for more information or call 206 281-8901. Download a flyer here with the info on where to meet and who to contact in your local area.

Letter Carriers Need Your Help for a Great Cause
For 16 years , the Letter Carriers in Pierce County have collected food to feed hungry families. Last year the food drive netted 333,301 pounds of food to help stock the local food banks providing as many as 750,000 meals to many of your hungry neighbors and friends every month. This year, the need may be even greater due to the increase in bankruptcies and foreclosures.

The community has been very generous in donating the food. The Letter Carriers need the help of their Union brothers and sisters to collect, sort, and load the donations. You can volunteer for any amount of time on Saturday, May 10, between noon and 5 p.m. at Labor's usual location at North 30th and Pearl in the Westgate Shopping Center or at other locations around Pierce County for those who live outside Tacoma. Volunteers with pickup trucks who can collect the food along some of the routes to relieve the Letter Carriers are also needed. Please consider forming a team representing your Local and helping support this worthy cause.

Call Joanna at the Emergency Food Network offices at (253) 584-1040 or send her an e-mail at joanna_efn@hotmail.com to sign up for a location or a driving route.

Union members have always had a big role in the success of this food drive. Let's not let our community, our friends, and our fellow Union members down.

Construction Safety Day

To honor the first Construction Safety Day, the Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Advisory Board and the state Department of Labor & Industries are joining together to host a gathering and series of workshops on May 14th at the Puyallup fairgrounds. Employers, supervisors and workers are invited to attend – for a conference fee of $50, which includes coffee, lunch and a prize drawing. Among the topics under discussion, look for ergonomic solutions, best safe practices, fall protection awareness, construction liability, the application of new standards and crane demonstrations. The program starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit wagovconf.org/constsafetyday.htm or call 360-902-5446 or 360-902-5415.

WSLC COPE Convention Makes

2008 State-wide Candidate Endorsements

Governor Chris Gregoire received a unanimous endorsement from the WSLC, CLC's and rank and file members at the 2008 COPE convention which was held on Saturday, May 3 at the Machinist 751 Hall in South Seattle. More than 350 delegates endorsed candidates in all state-wide legislative races and in many legislative districts. Democratic candidate John Ladenburg got the nod from the delegation for the Attorney General spot and 8th Congressional District candidate Darcy Burner was chosen over incumbent Dave Reichert. You can view all the results from Saturday's proceedings on our Political Education page.

L&I Hearings on Protecting Workers from Heat-Related Stress

Labor and Industries proposed a new workplace rule to protect workers from heat-related illness when working outdoors in hot weather. The proposal, which has been the subject of five public hearings, (two of which are yet to come...see below) would require employers with employees who work outdoors to:

Update their safety program to include preventive measures to reduce the risk of heat-related illness.
Train employees to recognize the signs, symptoms and risk factors of heat-related illness and what to do if someone has symptoms.
Check the weather forecast and temperatures daily to know when it’s hot enough to require preventive measures.
On days when temperatures require preventive measures, increase the volume of water provided to employees and respond to any employee with symptoms of illness.

Six public hearings statewide are scheduled -- Spanish speaking interpreters will be available at each hearing:

Date / Time	City	Address
April 28: 1 p.m.	Tumwater	Comfort Inn, 1620 74th Ave. S.W.
April 29: 1 p.m.	Bellingham	Quality Inn Baron Suites, 100 E. Kellogg Road
April 30: 9 a.m.	Yakima	Clarion Hotel/Conference Center, 1507 N. First St.
April 30: 2 p.m.	Richland	Red Lion Hotel-Hanford House, 802 George Washington Way
May 1: 1 p.m.	Spokane	Red Lion Hotel at the Park, W. 303 North River Dr.426
May 2: 1 p.m.	Seattle	Washington State Convention and Trade Center, 800 Convention Place, Level 3 South, Room 307-308

The Building Trades Council is asking Labor friends to join an email campaign to support Labor and Industries final adoption of the proposed rules. You can find a call to action here along with talking points and the email address for Director Judy Schurke ( scju235@lni.wa.gov ). The time to act is now. Please help our friends who are exposed to the elements.

Recognizing a real "CHILD CHAMPION"

Thursday, May 1^st, is national Worthy Wage Day to raise awareness of the low wages of child care workers, and, as a result, the high turnover of staff which affects the quality of early childhood education.

In recognition of this noble cause, the Washington Educators in Early Learning is presenting Representative Eric Pettigrew with a CHILD CHAMPION Award for his work on raising the wages and standards of child care workers. Pettigrew sponsored HB 2449, a bill that would give collective bargaining rights to child care workers. The award will be presented this Thursday, from 8:30 am – 9:30 am, at a ceremony which will be held at Tiny Tots Development Center , 8302-1/2 Renton Ave. So. , in south Seattle .

Decades of research show that high-quality early childhood education is the foundation of students’ future school successes. That same research also shows that one of the key factors in determining the quality of early learning programs is the person in the room delivering it and caring for our children.

In 2006 data shows the mean annual salary for child care workers was $18,820. Since 1973, the hourly wage of child care teachers with some college education has gone up only 39 cents – about a penny a year. Comparable wages include parking lot attendants, fast-food workers, and animal trainers.

Women Behaving Politically: Organizing for Change

We need to see more women elected at all levels of government, and into union leadership speaking out for our communities at the federal, provincial, state and civic levels. We need the world to hear more voices speaking out on issues that matter to us like: pay equity, a higher minimum wage, universal childcare, health care, the economy, poverty and the right to join a union.. Women officials can advocate for better legal protections, program funding and rights at the local and state/provincial levels, and lead national fights to fund issues that matter to women.

Now is your chance to make that change happen.

The Western Regional Summer Institute for Union Women offers an intensive week of learning within a supportive environment in which union women can develop their skills as workers, activists and leaders. Sponsored by the British Columbia Federation of Labor, the Institute will be held July 9th through 13th at the University Victoria (UVIC). The Western Regional SIUW brings together union women from BC, Washington Oregon and California .

This year’s theme, Women Behaving Politically: Organizing for Change, reflects labor’s commitment providing women with both the skills and strategies to understand the key issues for labor.

Download the flyer for more information and to register for this important conference.

Washington ACORN hiring/training organizers:

Is there someone in your family who is looking to learn the fine art of community organizing? Washington ACORN is now hiring to fill full and part time positions. They offer on the job training. Call 206-723-5845 for more information.

WOMEN IN TRADES CAREER FAIR
16^th Annual Event Offers Free Opportunities to Female Job Seekers

Portland , OR — More than 2,000 girls and female job-seekers are expected to participate in hands-on activities such as operating a crane, climbing a pole, and soldering a copper pipe at the 16^th Annual Women in Trades Career Fair. This year’s Fair will be again be graciously hosted by the NECA/IBEW Local 48 Electrical Training Center located at 16021 NE Airport Way in Portland.

On Saturday, May 3^rd from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., women will have a chance to explore highly skilled, living wage careers in the construction-related trades through participation in a variety of workshops such as welding, heavy equipment operation, soldering, roofing, and electrical wiring. The free event, presented by Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc., allows female job-seekers to meet more than 70 employers, learn about apprenticeship programs, community college trades training, and participate in numerous hands-on workshops and demonstrations. The 100% industry funded event also provides free childcare onsite, parking, and eco-shuttle transportation from the Gateway Transit Center . Click Here for more info

Local Union TV Report Available on YouTube

The April edition of "Our View," the monthly labor program produced by the Washington Federation of State Employees, is now on YouTube. This month's features include: Work begins on assisting the state's Foster Parents of special needs children getting union representation; French teachers strike and say "no" to new work rules from their national government; agencies work to combat child labour in Africa; labor history with Ross Rieder, and the history of Ludlow.
The program can be found by using YouTube search words, "wfsec28 our view" or by putting this link on your browser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BstHSVcq6I

During National Women's Health Week:

Plan a Health Activity in Your CLUW Chapter, Local Union

National Women’s Health Week is a way to empower U.S. women to get healthy by taking action. Coordinated by the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (www.womenshealth.gov/whw), it is a tool to encourage women to make their health a top priority and take steps for a longer, healthier and happier life.Monday, May 12, National Women’s Check-Up Day, is an especially important day.

Women are often the family health gatekeepers, and their behaviors serve as role models for their family. Yet, women often neglect their own health, focusing instead on their family. They need to realize that putting their own health first strengthens their ability to meet the needs of others.

Unions (and CLUW) are in a unique position to get health information out to their women members:

Many are not getting this information from anywhere else.
Unions have the ability to reach their members.
Focus groups of union women tell us that union women trust the information that they receive from their unions about health and use this information.
Union women can be persuaded to become more pro-active about their health and are willing to use the tools that we provide.
Women's health is an effective tool for the union to mobilize and engage women union members.

Click here for ideas your CLUW chapter/unions can use to get health information out to members (especially their women members) during National Women’s Health Week

Voting Records

The 2008 Voting Records have been posted on this site. To see how your legislator voted on our issues, click here.

Volunteer to Help Boistfort Valley Flooded Areas

Join the Thurston, Lewis, and Mason Central Labor Council "Labor Help Your Neighbor Day".
Lend a helping hand to the families of the Boistfort Valley , in Lewis County , whose farms and homes were damaged in the December flood. This area is home to many small farms, several of which grow produce for local farmers markets in Western Washington , and many of these residents still need your help.

WHEN:   April 26th, 2008
TIME:     9 AM to 5 PM
WHERE: Baw Faw Grange
              995 Boistfort Road
              Curtis WA 98538

Lunch and Dinner will be provided.

For more information please contact Peter Lahmann at:
360 870-0706 or plahmann@nwlett.org

Please RSVP: We need to know how many folks you can bring to this event so we can schedule food and work locations.

Everything You Wanted to Know About Construction

The construction industry is booming in western Washington . If you are looking to find a job in construction now is the time! To help you decide on which industry is right for you the Center for Construction Research and Training with support from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has produced the Construction Chart Book. This book provides information on all facets of the U.S. construction industry economics, demographics, employment/income, education/training, and safety and health issues. Click here to visit the online version of the book were you can download the entire edition.

Hundreds Protest "Tanker Travesty"

More than 300 Boeing Machinist (IAM) and Engineers (SPEEA), surrounded by a phalanx of elected officials, called on the Air Force yesterday to get a reality check on their decision to send American jobs, national security and trade secrets to a foreign competitor in the form of the $40 billion re-fueling tanker contract. read more

ILWU Calls for a May 1st Walk Out

CA Trade Report -- The International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) has said the 40,000-plus members of its 60 locals in California, Washington and Oregon will walk off the job for eight hours on May 1 to protest the US-led war effort in Iraq and Afghanistan. The decision to go ahead with the walkout was communicated to the AFL-CIO and Change to Win – two national labor organizations representing most US union workers – in a letter from ILWU president, Robert McEllrath.
The ILWU, he said, would also be calling for a “wider international action” in support of the walkout. Click here for the entire news story.

AFL-CIO Executive Council Meets in San Diego

News coming out of the meeting:

New Members to join the Executive Council

The new members of the Council are: Mark Ayers, President, AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD); Ann Converso, President, United American Nurses (UAN); Fred Redmond, Vice President, United Steelworkers (USW) and Richard Hughes, President, International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA). Read more..

AFL-CIO Executive Council: Bold Action Needed to Revive Economy

Meeting March 4-6 in San Diego, the AFL-CIO Executive Council outlined several policy statements on rebuilding the U.S. economy. In a statement, the council said: We need a bold national economic recovery program to change the policies that produced the imbalances that are now driving the economy into what may become a serious recession. Read more

AFL-CIO and National Education Association Announce Milestone Affiliations in California

The AFL-CIO and the National Education Association (NEA) announced affiliations today by six chapters of the California Teachers Association (CTA), the state association of the national NEA. The affiliation will encourage greater cooperation to meet the needs of working teachers, students, and their families, according to the participants. With the affiliations, there are now seven CTA associations affiliated with the AFL-CIO, more than in any other state. read more

Washington State Gets an “A” for Government Performance

Governor Christine Gregoire got great marks on the State Management Report Card put out by the Pew Center on the States this week. The report ranked Washington as one of the top three states in the nation and “way ahead of nearly all other states in controlling spending.” The in-depth analysis, which is done over the course of a year through interviews by teams of journalists and academics, praised Gregoire’s negotiating style and her institution of the Government Management Accountability Program (GMAP), which brings key players on particular issues together in public forums to problem solve, listen to the citizens and report the results to the governor.

The bottom line, according to the report, is that “no state in the nation is better at developing and sharing information than Washington .” This is great news for a governor who, working with the Democratic legislature, has been doing a great job with little recognition. Read more on our WSLC Reports Today web page. Go directly to the report.

Machinist Union is Asking for Your Support

The Machinists Union is asking members and friends to email the White House with questions and statements concerning the U.S. Air Force decision to purchase the European-built Airbus tanker. This betrayal of America will transfer $40 billion of technology, jobs, military and economic security to our nation's rival in the aerospace industry. This decision is wrong because it gives away jobs, manufacturing technology, and adds to a trade deficit (with a weak U.S. Dollar vs. the Euro). It also places our national sovereignty at risk by giving France and others decision-making power over whether or not to produce our military hardware if they disagree with military action by our government.

We have formulated a few questions/statements that need to be asked. Members and friends are asked to email the White House because the Dept of Defense/Air Force is under the Executive Branch. We also are asking that you cc Senators Murray and Cantwell. We know you will also have statements and questions of your own. If you also cc webmaster@iam751.org on what you send, we can track the activity to ensure we are effective in this effort.

Once again, thanks for your help as we try to reverse this wrongheaded decision.

Message examples include:

1) Our military hardware should be labeled "Made in the U.S.A. ” NOT made in France .

2) In the future, if France disagrees with our military action, will they continue to deliver our tankers?

3) With our economy teetering on the edge of recession, why would our government ship $40 billion worth of defense jobs overseas?

4) It is wrong to give away America 's aerospace manufacturing jobs at a time when our nation has a record trade deficit.

5) With respect to the air refueling tanker contract, why did the U.S. Air Force decide the location of the jobs created by the contract was of no importance?

6) Why is the U.S. Government granting a $40 billion contract to Airbus for Air Force tankers while suing Airbus through the World Trade Organization for unfair and illegal developmental subsidies?

Email address as follows:

To: comments@whitehouse.gov

cc: patty@murray.senate.gov

maria@cantwell.senate.gov

Please log onto http://murray.senate.gov/tankers to sign the tanker petition.

Boycott Called for SeaTac Hilton and Doubletree Hotels

Hilton and Doubletree workers on the SeaTac "strip" have been pushing for a fair contract since the summer of 2007. Some of the most important issues are left on the table. Workers are asking the company for a fair workload to avoid dangerous injuries; family-supporting wages; job security; affordable healthcare; and an increase to their pensions. The 550 workers at these hotels have decided to take a short-term, economic loss in order to have their long-term gains realized. An overwhelming 98% of the workforce voted to call a boycott on their hotels. The housekeepers, cooks, dishwashers, servers, janitors, and others are asking for your help. Please honor the boycott and keep your money and business out of these hotels.

"For more information about the boycott of the SeaTac Hilton and Doubletree, please call Shellea Allen, UNITE HERE, at (206) 728-2326 x28. In the future, when you book events at hotels and would like help finding socially responsible options, call the Informed Meetings Exchange

(INMEX) at (202) 661-3678. INMEX is a free, full-service, third party meeting planner service that is available to those who have booked rooms."

The SeaTac strip fight is part of a larger Northwest Hilton Hotel Workers Rising struggle. As we did last year with Hotel Workers Rising nationally, we have lined up the four large, union, Hilton contracts in the Northwest to be negotiated at the same time. This gives the workers a stronger collective voice and the ability to make regional standards a reality.

Please take time to fill out the Hilton/Doubletree Boycott Pledge and sign the Solidarity Survey.

Sign UP NOW for the AFL- CIO Political Action Training

We all know how much influence union voters can have on any election. But the influence will only be realized if we know how to turn out our voters. That is why you should take advantage of the AFL-CIO's Political Action Training Program. This national training is only going to be held in six locations across the country and Seattle is one of them.

On June 4th through 6th you will learn how to invigorate your political action program and make the most of your union membership. Workshops will be held including:

Member Mobilization
Talking Politics with Union Members
Local Union Mail and Political Communications
Building Activism at the Local Level
Developing an Outreach Plan
Legal Issues

Download this Application and Sponsor Form and submit them via email, fax or the mailing address indicated on the form. Upon acceptance, applicants will be notified with specific information on training arrangements. Space is limited and applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis....so Sign Up Today!

Working Hard .... Playing Hard

The AFL-CIO has recently endorsed the Union Sportsmen's Alliance (USA), a hunting and fishing club exclusively for union members, retirees and their families. The USA helps the AFL-CIO fully deliver on their promise to enhance and improve the lives of all union members, particularly those who enjoy the outdoors.

The USA is a program of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) whose mission is to ensure that America's lands will always have clean water, healthy habitat, bountiful fish and wildlife populations, and ample opportunities for all Americans to fish, hunt and enjoy the outdoors. TRCP's focus is on access and conservation issues affecting hunting and angling. They are supported by a nationwide network of over 90,000 sportsmen and women and more than 1,400 affiliated local and state-level clubs and organizations, that themselves represent nine million Americans.

Union members are encouraged to join the USA which provides discounts on outdoor gear, the latest hunting and fishing tips and techniques and a wide range of outdoor services. The low annual membership fee goes toward protecting and maintaining access to the best places to hunt and fish in America, while keeping members up-to-date on hunting, fishing and conservation issues. Check out the website here: Union Sportsmen's Alliance

Gov. Gregoire Announces a $3 Million

Apprenticeship Program

A $3 million apprenticeship program for jobs in the aerospace industry in the State of Washington was announced today by Governor Chris Gregoire at a rally at Machinist District 751. The rally, dubbed “ America ’s Edge”, is an attempt to muster support for technical education and training for our nation’s youth to address the severe skills shortage facing America .

While saying that the state must still be frugal with the budget, when it comes to investment in training and apprenticeships, Governor Gregoire said, “This is not the time to slow up but to gear up and go forward.” The funds are intended to be used for both curriculum and equipment. The Governor said the investment is in response to aerospace suppliers throughout the state who are in desperate need of skilled workforce to fill vacancies. more....

WA Moves Up to 4th Place in Union Density

Union membership in Washington State increased by 30,000 in 2007 to an estimated 579,000 and the state's union membership jumped to 20.2% from 19.8% in 2006, according to the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. That increase brings Washington State from 5th to 4th highest in terms of the unionization rates. Only, New York, Alaska and Hawaii, in that order, have higher rates.

"Washington State is proving once again that it is good for families and good for business." said Rick Bender, President of the Washington State Labor Council. "Recently Forbes Magazine named Washington's business climate 5th in the nation and that, coupled with the protection that unions bring to Washington families, it is a win, win for everyone."

Nationally union density increased by 311,000 to 15.7 million in 2007 which is the largest single-year increase in union membership since 1979.

Bender said that the increase in national union membership is a sign that American workers are recognizing the importance of representation and job protection despite the fact that current labor law is tilted in favor of business.

According to the Department of Labor's survey full-time wage and salary workers who were union members earned a median salary of $863 while those who were not represented by unions had median weekly earning of $663. Union members also traditionally receive superior benefits as compared to their non-union counterparts including better healthcare and pensions.

Note: The DOL news release on union membership statistics and related details are posted at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/union2.toc.htm

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Our Nation's Children Lose Again

The US House of Representatives has failed once again today to override the Bush veto of the bill that would expand health care coverage for 10 million children. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney issued this statement:

“It is hard to believe in this weakening economy that anyone could justify denying working people the means to take care of their children’s most basic needs.

By voting against health insurance for children, the President and a few partisan members of Congress are making life even harder for the millions of families who are already struggling to pay the mortgage, the rent, the heat or any number of household bills as they pile up.

The idea that these families could purchase private insurance is absolutely ludicrous and shows how out of touch President Bush and the obstructionist Republican minority in Congress are with what life is really like for working people in this country. The cost of health care is out of control.

Equally ridiculous in the face of a slowing economy is to continue the failure to recognize that health care for children is a factor in the fiscal health of America .

The State Children’s Health Insurance Program has been a great success. Studies show children enrolled in the program are healthier, which means they require fewer expensive medical services. Studies even show kids with coverage through this program do better in school. Even President Bush’ friends on Wall Street would agree, that is an investment well worth making.”

Our "Greatest Hits"...
In case you missed them, here are some recent postings from WSLC Reports Today:

August 10 -- Roads, transit measure needed to Keep Washington Rolling

August 2 -- Reichert joins Republicans in voting against children's health care bill

July 18 -- Grocery chains must "fix the bread gap, share the success!"

July 17 -- Ref. 67 will protect consumers from unscrupulous insurers

June 27 -- Battle for workers' rights shifts to 2008 elections, Bender says

June 26 -- Senate Republicans block a vote on Employee Free Choice Act

June 22 -- Gov. Gregoire, state legislators back Employee Free Choice Act

May 22 -- L&I's "rate holiday" means money in workers' pockets

May 2 -- Edwards stresses freedom to unionize at AFL-CIO Town Hall in Seattle

March 23 -- It's time for Family Leave Insurance for all Washington workers

March 8 -- AFL-CIO: "End our military involvement in Iraq"

February 20 -- Recipients of aerospace tax breaks must respect workers' rights

January 26 -- Union membership on rise in Washington; state now ranks 5th

January 11 -- Wal-Mart still top user of state health care funds, report says

January 2 -- Minimum wage increase to $7.93 is "great news" for workers

December 8, 2006 -- WSLC Executive Officers, Board elected to four-year terms

November 15, 2006 -- WSLC welcomes extension of AFL-CIO Solidarity Charters

October 17, 2006 -- It's in the Seattle P-I: Union-hater-for-hire Richard Berman

September 8, 2006 -- WSLC calls for an end to United States occupation of Iraq

September 7, 2006 -- WSLC endorses HR 676, universal health care

March 22, 2006 -- Employer harassment more likely in NLRB union elections

January 24, 2006 -- Over 3,100 Wal-Mart workers got state tax-funded health care

November 17, 2005 -- WSLC welcomes CTW unions to rejoin state federation

September 7, 2004 -- Big Business funds more anonymous political attacks

AFL-CIO and UFCW Welcome New Worker Safety Rule

Rule Finally Issued After Nine year Delay and Litigation by Unions

(Washington, Nov. 14) - - The AFL-CIO and UFCW today welcomed OSHA’s announcement that the agency will finally issue the rule requiring employers to pay for personal protective safety equipment - a measure that will prevent tens of thousands of workplace injuries every year.

“It is unfortunate that nine years have passed since the rule was proposed, and that it took a lawsuit by the unions and Congressional intervention before the Bush Administration would act,” said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. “ America ’s working men and women deserve the proper equipment to keep them safe on the job, each and every day, and we will thoroughly review this rule to make sure it protects them.”

“Workers have spoken out for this rule and now Congress and the courts have forced the DOL to act. Our members will be watching to see this rule is enforced in every workplace,” said Joseph Hansen, UFCW International President. “Workers should no longer be required to dip into their own pocket to keep themselves safe from harm at work.”

Both the litigation and the FY 2008 Labor-HHS funding bill set a deadline of November 30, 2007 for final action by OSHA.

This rule is a basic requirement that codifies OSHA’s long-standing policy that it is the employer’s responsibility to pay the cost of protecting workers from safety and health hazards. The rule makes clear that employers must pay for hard hats, goggles, face shields, chemical resistant suits, and other required safety equipment. It does, however, include some exemptions from the employer payment requirements, most notably for safety shoes and prescription safety glasses that can be worn off the job.

The AFL-CIO and UFCW will be reviewing the rule in detail to determine if it provides workers with the level of protection that is needed and required by law.

WSLC 2007 Convention
The 2007 Convention of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO celebrated the council's 50th anniversary on Aug. 16-18 in SeaTac. Read about the convention here and also see the 2007 resolutions approved by the delegates.

2007 WSLC Legislative Report
The 2007 WSLC Legislative Report & Voting Record is now available online, in abbreviated form. Download the full report in PDF format (2.4 MB). Copies of the full printed report have been mailed to all affiliates, legislators and subscribers to WSLC publications. Members of affiliated unions can order a free copy. The WSLC's 2008 Voting Records are also available in a 3-page printable (PDF) format or in HTML.

Columns by President Bender
WSLC President Rick Bender distributes a monthly column on working families issues to weekly newspapers around the state. Union editors are encouraged to publish these columns. See his latest, We're "business-friendly" because we're worker-friendly and the column archives.

2007 Directory of AFL-CIO Labor Organizations available online
The WSLC 2007 Directory of AFL-CIO Labor Organizations in Washington State is now available for download (PDF file of the 50-page publication). Printed copies will be mailed to affiliated organizations in June. Additional copies may be purchased at our Seattle office ($5 per copy for affiliated organizations; $10 for non-affiliates), but supplies are limited. Call (206) 281-8901 for information.

Workers' comp claims assistance
Injured workers with a state fund workers’ compensation claim in Washington state can review their claims online. Set up your user ID and password, and then you can view your claim information. If you need assistance accessing your claim information online, call the Claim and Account Center Helpline at 360-902-5999. In addition, workers' compensation appeals can also be filed online at the Board of Industrial Insurance appeals website. For free claims assistance, call PROJECT HELP at 1-800-255-9752. Funded by the Department of Labor and Industries, Project Help helps expedite claims resolution, ensure that all rights are preserved and protected, and reduce unnecessary litigation.

WSLC Constitution
Click here to download, view and/or print the Washington State Labor Council Constitution and C.O.P.E. By-Laws (a 16-page document in PDF format). This year is a Constitutional Convention, so delegates may consider resolutions to amend the WSLC Constitution.

Links to our affiliates' websites
are posted on this site! Click here to check them out, and please let us know if your locals' website needs to be added.

Buy Union!
The United Auto Workers has prepared a guide for consumers who want to purchase vehicles produced by workers who enjoy the benefits and protections of a union contract. Check it out. For more information about opportunities to Buy Union, check out www.UnionLabel.org.