WSLC Reports Today -- January 3-4, 2002

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Reports for January 3-4, 2002

News from previous weeks: Dec. 10-14 -- Dec. 3-7 -- Nov. 26-30

FRIDAY, January 4 -- A Day of Action in Olympia: Monday, Feb. 18 (Presidents' Day)
— In today's Olympian -- Transportation deal possible -- Sen. Jim West (R-Spokane) asks governor to avoid tough legislative vote and put gas-tax increase to voters on special election ballot March 12.
— In today's Seattle Times -- IBEW 77 agrees to 3-year contract with Puget Sound Energy
— In yesterday's Aberdeen Daily World -- One dead, one injured in 2 accidents at Montesano mill
— In today's SCJ -- WorkSource Center gets $800,000 for laid-off Boeing workers
— In today's Spokesman-Review * -- Boeing may cut up to 100 more Spokane workers
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Boeing, Airbus contracts may drop by as much as 60% in 2002
...plus -- Baseball's labor strife may be worst ever -- A must-read explaining why the battle isn't between players and owners, but between "private" owners and media-conglomerate owners that use teams simply to increase cable ratings and market non-baseball operations.
— In today's Tri-City Herald -- Firm asks DOE to rethink FFTF
— In today's Salem (Ore.) S-J -- Workplace smoking ban now in effect
— In today's N.Y. Times * -- Bush's drug discount cards give the elderly small savings
...plus -- America the Polarized -- Krugman column: The Republicans have moved so far to the right that ordinary voters have trouble taking it in... focus groups literally refused to believe accurate descriptions of the stimulus bill House Republican leaders passed on a party-line vote in October.

THURSDAY, January 3 -- Analysis: Labor-Neighbor made difference in special election
At AFLCIO.org -- 13,000 Oregon home-care workers vote to join SEIU
— In today's Olympian -- Labor leaders vow to back prevailing wage on transportation
...plus -- Congressional delegation unanimously supports redistricting plan
— In today's Everett Herald -- Redistricting plan shifts Congress to the right
— In yesterday's News-Tribune -- Washington leads the way with fair, workable minimum wage -- Burbank op-ed: Washington voters have something to congratulate themselves about today. Our minimum wage is now $6.90... In our state, we make sure that minimum-wage workers keep up with inflation. Now that's a good and fair way to start the new year.)
— In yesterday's Seattle P-I -- We'll keep working on transportation (Haugen op-ed)
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- Layoffs strain retraining programs
...plus -- Border Patrol union disputes reason for agents' transfer
— In today's Seattle Times -- More agents needed at Canadian crossing
— In today's Yakima Herald -- State's "retire-and-rehire" program works well for schools
— In today's Spokesman-Review * -- WestCoast's Red Lion deal completed
— Today from AP -- Bush focusing more on labor issues
— In today's N.Y. Times * -- Microsoft's hometown sees reason for optimism
...plus -- Fast Track to nowhere -- Op-ed: Hollow one-vote victory on trade legislation may cost Republicans control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

News from previous weeks: Dec. 10-14 -- Dec. 3-7 -- Nov. 26-30

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4
A Day of Action in Olympia: Monday, Feb. 18 (Presidents' Day)

SAVE THE DATE! A Day of Action by labor, churches, social service advocates and others concerned about the state budget's impact on poor and working families has been scheduled for Presidents' Day, Monday, Feb. 18 at the State Capitol in Olympia.

A 10 a.m. rally on the Capitol steps will be followed by mass lobbying of legislators throughout the day with the message: Don't balance the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable, the poor and public employees; and pass a state economic stimulus package that includes funding for transportation, an enhanced capital budget and extended unemployment benefits.

More information, fliers and materials will be available soon online.

But for now, mark your calendars and start recruiting as many of your co-workers, friends and neighbors as possible to spend some holiday time Feb. 18 in Olympia letting their legislators hear from them.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3
Analysis: Labor-Neighbor made difference in special election

An analysis of 2001 election data has confirmed what many labor activists knew to be true: Labor-Neighbor, the Washington State Labor Council's grassroots political program, was an unqualified success and ensured the tie in the State House of Representatives was broken.

In the two districts the volunteer-based Labor-Neighbor program was running, appointed Rep. Jean Berkey (D-38th) was narrowly elected, but first-time candidate Brian Sullivan (D-21st) won a stunning 12-point victory over Rep. Joe Marine (R-21st). Labor endorsed Sullivan long before his primary win over a well-funded fellow Democrat endorsed by environmental groups and some prominent party members. About 95 percent of Labor-Neighbor activities took place in Sullivan's 21st District and overall voter turnout there was 54.7%, more than 9 points higher than the neighboring 38th District's 45.3% turnout.

Evidence that Labor-Neighbor contributed to that higher turnout came with a recently completed WSLC analysis of voter turnout among union members. Turnout among 21st District union members was 56.7%, compared to 48.4% in the 38th. In both cases, union voters turned out at a higher rate than the general public.

"The union volunteers made it happen," said WSLC Political Director Diane McDaniel. "For months, nearly 400 union members spent their weekends going door-to-door to talk to other union members about the importance of this election. Almost 5,000 volunteer hours were logged, and those efforts paid off big time."

"I'm very proud of the effort because it was people-based," said WSLC President Rick Bender. "All the critics who say money controls elections should have spent an hour on the streets of southwest Snohomish County with us. They'd have seen there is no substitute in politics for volunteers and good old-fashioned legwork."

The new analysis also confirms the importance of efforts to enroll union members to vote by mail. In the 21st District, registered union families signed up on permanent absentee had a 73.2% turnout but only 40% of union poll voters showed up. In the 38th, registered union families who vote by mail had a 66.9% turnout versus just 32.3% for those who vote at the polls.

If you have news items regarding unions or workplace issues in Washington state that you would like to see posted here, please submit them via e-mail to David Groves or via fax to 206-285-5805.