UPDATED DAILY -- M-F by 9 a.m.

Links to press stories are functional at the date of posting.  In some cases, free registration is required at newspapers' sites.  Links sometimes "expire" when the source would like to begin charging for old news. WSLC Reports Today  links to all stories of interest to organized labor; some positive, some negative. The intention is to inform. The creation of a link does not constitute an endorsement of that story's content.

Reports for February 7-11, 2005

Previous weeks' news: Feb. 1-4 -- Jan. 24-28 -- Jan. 17-21

FRIDAY, Feb. 11 -- TAKE ACTION: Urge state legislators to Reform Retro Now!
...plus -- What are they so afraid of? (WSLC Legislative Update) -- Whether it's tax breaks, health care or offshoring, business lobbyists assume Washington employers have something to hide.
— In today's Seattle Times -- Democrats try to rein in BIAW -- Headline should read: "Democrats try to rein in RETRO." The BIAW is a notorious example of what's wrong with the safety program, but is not the only offender. The Farm Bureau used the program to help fund a lawsuit to eliminate WISHA.
— In the Tri-City Herald -- NLRB-ordered revote on union decertification under way at Tyson
— In today's Yakima H-R -- NLRB backs Washington Fruit in 1990s strike dispute -- See our posting.
...plus -- Family leave proposal seems a good solution -- Editorial: The bills are a good starting point for dialogue on a concept that appears to be fair and equitable for both employer and employee.
— In today's Everett Herald -- Sen. Cantwell attacks Bush plan to double BPA rates over 5 years -- Sen. Cantwell has started an online petition drive called "Stop the Rate Hike Now."
— In today's Olympian -- Bills aim to keep work in state -- Lawmakers say the odds are better this year for passing bills that track and limit the number of state contracts issued for work done overseas.
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Hard work, hard times -- The excellent series on the working poor continues.
— In today's Everett Herald --  Job forecast sunny -- Local economic pundit says the area's manufacturing depression is over and predicts "2005 will be the strongest year in the last five years."
...plus -- Everett will snub Airbus -- Mayor: "We believe in the product that our hometown company is building with local workers. Our commitment and community investment is with the Boeing Co."
— In today's King County Journal -- Swedish prepares for next month's ER opening
— In today's Oregonian -- Election hearing in Vancouver turns into a revote rally
National news: — In today's Washington Post -- Wal-Mart chief defends closing unionized store -- CEO says Wal-Mart saw no upside to the higher labor costs (read: paying people more and providing affordable health benefits) and refused to cede ground to the union for the sake of being "altruistic."
— Today from AP -- Polls show drop in Bush's job approval -- Adults were evenly divided on Bush's job performance in January, but now 54% disapprove and 45% approve. The number who think the country is headed down the wrong track increased from 51% to 58%.
— Today from Gannett -- Bill aims to make farm laborers legal -- Tell U.S. Senators: Support AgJobs!
— Meanwhile, in today's NY Times -- House passes tighening of laws on immigration
...plus -- Bush's class-war budget -- Krugman column: This budget offers Democrats an opportunity, if they are willing to take it. Until now, the administration has been able to get away with the pretense that it can offset the revenue loss from tax cuts with benign spending restraint. That's because until now, "restraint" was an abstract concept, not tied to specific actions. Now, that's all changed.
...plus -- Bush takes Social Security to 2 "town halls" -- Bush steered clear of discussing the price tag of creating private accounts, which Cheney said could cost trillions of dollars in coming decades. Bush also rejects raising the ceiling on income that can be taxed, a limit currently set at $90,000.
— In today's SF Chronicle -- Bad news on Medicare drug costs threatens funding for everything else

THURSDAY, Feb. 10 -- Six years later, Bush's NLRB screws Washington Fruit workers
Also today -- Tell your U.S. Senators: Support AgJobs!
— Today from AP -- As union nears win, Wal-Mart closes store -- Canadian store's workers were on the verge of becoming the first to win a union contract from the world's biggest retailer. But after just nine days of bargaining, the retailer says it will close the doors because of the union's contract demands.
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Hard work, hard times -- An excellent series on the working poor continues with stories about a Space Needle janitor and an interview with SEIU 6 President Sergio Salinas.
— Today from AP -- Child care workers may get a raise; bill would resurrect "wage ladder"
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Paid family leave benefits business, too (op-ed by Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson)
— In the News Tribune -- Family leave trust fund would support the most vulnerable (Burbank column)
— In today's Seattle Times -- Dueling op-eds on mental health parity bill: Pro and Con
— In today's Everett Herald -- Local business leaders call on Olympia -- Chambers say they support gas taxes to improve transportation and they support funding for education, but oppose tax increases.
— In today's King County Journal -- Boeing continues to hire; 707 jobs added in state in January
— In today's Everett Herald -- Airbus eyes Everett -- The city is one of three in the state that Boeing's aerospace rival is considering for an aerial refueling tanker production facility.
— In yesterday's Daily World -- An illness away from bankruptcy -- Editorial: A new study makes it clear that having insurance won't protect you from bankruptcy if there's a serious illness in your family.
— In today's Seattle Times -- Old lies about Bonneville -- Editorial: Bush should keep his hands off the BPA and stop dredging up the lie that federal taxpayers subsidize Northwest power. It is malarkey.
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- Opponents of Bush's Social Security plan picket in Silverdale -- Linda Fugman took time off from her job as a chief union steward at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center at Keyport to parade with about 10 others in front of the Social Security Administration building.
National news: — Today from AP -- Trade deficit reaches a record $617.7 billion 
— In today's San Diego U-T -- Trading away our jobs -- Sweeney op-ed: The gap between our trade exports and imports symbolizes the flood of jobs out of our country, the devastation of our communities as plants close or move and the millions of skilled workers who still cannot find living wage work.
— In today's Washington Post -- Social Security problems not a crisis, most say -- While Bush has warned of a crisis in Social Security, barely one in four Americans believes that a crisis exists.
— In today's NY Times -- When math is worse than fuzzy -- Editorial: The government that President Bush has created doesn't have enough money to pay for the programs that the public deserves, not to mention the nation's defense. But whenever Bush wants to sell a costly new program, his math isn't just fuzzy, it is often downright misleading, and deliberately so.
— In today's LA Times -- Smaller hotels, union aligned -- Unlike bigger L.A.-area sites, the Hotel Bel-Air and others accept a 2006 expiration date for a labor contract with UNITE HERE.

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 9 -- Public meetings on election reform begin this Thursday 
— In today's Washington Post -- Medicare drug bill may cost $1.2 trillion -- Remember when Medicare boss Scully threatened to fire his chief actuary "so fast his head will spin" should be reveal -- before Congress' narrow 220-215 passage -- that the plan would cost $534 billion, not $400 billion as Bush claimed? (Scully later resigned and is now a lobbyist for health care companies.) As one angry congressman says: "The new cost estimate destroys the credibility of the Bush administration. Why should we believe what they say about the financial problems of Social Security?"
...plus -- Bush's Social Security plan assumes much from stocks -- To conclude Social Security is careening toward a crisis in 2042, Bush is relying on projections that an aging society will drag down economic growth. Yet his proposal to establish personal accounts is counting on strong investment gains coping with the same demographic head wind. (WSLC President Rick Bender: Told you so.)
— In today's Olympian -- Social Security system sound, but needs adjustments (op-ed)
Local news: — In today's Seattle P-I -- The working poor -- A highly recommended series of articles.
— In today's Olympian -- Health care the top worry among state voters, new poll says -- And there is strong public support for using state tax dollars to strengthen the health care safety net.
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Rossi needs to let it go, move on -- Column: Dino Rossi visited our editorial board and spoke eloquently about why he's still fighting the good fight to be Washington's governor. I say to Rossi today: "Let it go right now. Move on. Save your dignity." (Word.)
— In today's Tri-City Herald -- Teamsters suing La Voz for libel -- Local 556 says the newspaper defamed union leaders and knowingly printed false statements regarding the Tyson campaign in Pasco.
— In today's Yakima H-R -- Plant's closing hits hard in Grandview -- Frozen-food plant shut down Feb. 4 after workers voted last October to unionize. Now the city faces a budget shortfall.
...plus -- Discontent grows; Union Gap official quits -- A recent consultant's report found more than one-third of the city's workers are actively seeking new jobs. A hostile work environment is cited.
— In today's Everett Herald -- Union workers had reason to picket Everett Events Center (letter)
— In today's Seattle Times -- Gregoire supports statewide smoking ban -- Lawmakers supporting the ban say if the legislation goes forward, a compromise appears likely to exempt bars.
— In yesterday's Columbian -- One size doesn't fit all on family leave (op-ed by AWB boss Don Brunell)
— Today from the AP -- Labor dispute knocks the wind out of B.C. boat show
Boeing news: — In today's News Tribune -- Boeing pushes personal touch -- CEO Stonecipher admits Boeing’s “arrogant and insular” attitude has helped rival Airbus surpass it in yearly airliner orders.
— In today's Spokesman Review -- U.S. cities form line for possible Airbus plant -- Spokane is among the hopefuls for a $600 million tanker assembly site. (paid registration required -- e-mail us for a "sample" story)
— In today's Everett Herald -- Japan's only making 'box" for 787 wings -- An essay making the rounds among Boeing employees claims that, in outsourcing wing construction for the first time to Japan, the company is giving away the secrets to one of the few manufacturing processes where an American company still leads the world. But Boeing argues the wing isn't outsourced, it's just "work shared."
— In today's Washington Post -- Boeing hopes the worst is over -- Company hopes that after next week's sentencing of its former executive, it can move past a series of ethics scandals.
National news: — From the Associated Press -- Tax breaks don't necessarily boost hiring -- What are they spending it on? Capital investments, debt repayment, advertising and marketing all make the OK list issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, as do acquisitions -- which could actually hurt hiring because companies that merge tend to slash staff when consolidating their operations.
— In today's Everett Herald -- Bush power plan would devastate NW economy (editorial)
— In today's NY Times -- Retirement turns into a rest stop as benefits dwindle -- Facing cuts in retiree medical and dental benefits, many older people are returning to work to support themselves.
...plus -- Timetable may be first fight in overhaul of Social Security
— In today's Washington Post -- Bush's budget blueprint calls for bigger, more powerful government
— In today's LA Times -- Proposed meal-break rules panned by worker advocates -- Schwarzenegger wants to limit fines against companies for failing to offer mealtimes and shift the onus to employees.

TUESDAY, Feb. 8 -- Tell Edward Jones: Don't pick our pockets to line yours!
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Bush "lying" about Social Security crisis, EWU economist charges -- Bush is perpetuating myths about Social Security going broke in an effort to convince the public the system needs major changes, says EWU professor Doug Orr.  (Paid registration required.)
— In the NY Times -- Going for broke on Social Security may break Bush -- Rarely has a domestic policy proposal so monumental come down the pike with so little obvious reason for being.
...plus -- Spearing the beast -- Krugman: Why would Bush expose workers to so much risk in his Social Security plan? Ideology. "Social Security is the soft underbelly of the welfare state," says the Cato Institute. "If you can jab your spear through that, you can undermine the whole welfare state."
— In BusinessWeek -- Who's Social Security stash is it? -- Don't let President Bush's sales pitch throw you. Money you put into a private account won't really be yours in the way your paycheck is.
Local news: — In today's Seattle Times -- Tests show high pesticide levels in farm workers -- One in five Washington farm workers handling pesticides suffered excessive exposure to the chemicals.
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Private security guards push to boost training standards -- Security guards fighting to organize as a union and improve their ability to protect Seattle's downtown office buildings got a boost Monday from the City Council, which passed a resolution supporting their efforts.
— In today's Seattle Times -- Review of business tax breaks is proposed under House-approved bill
— In today's News Tribune -- Legislature should pass mental-health parity (editorial)
— In today's Everett Herald -- Paid family leave bill sounds nice, but looks like a job-killer (editorial)
— In yesterday's Columbian -- Gregoire reluctant to show her cards on budget
— In today's Seattle P-I -- DSHS completes a stage in Fircrest downsizing
— In today's UW Daily -- Group of UW professors pushes for union
HypocRossi update: — In today's Seattle P-I -- To be, or not to be, governor -- Dino Rossi, stumbling over a vow to refuse to become governor by court decree, suggests he might do so -- but minutes later says he wouldn't. ("This really is sad and desperate. How much do they want to put the voters of Washington through?” -- Dino Rossi, AP, Dec, 3, 2004)
— In today's Seattle Times -- Rossi declares himself a winner -- in court rulings
Bush's $2,568,000,000,000 budget: — In today's Seattle Times -- Budget could raise NW power rates -- Bush's budget plan could raise electricity rates for many Northwest customers by 20% in each of the next three years, which could cripple our region's economy. How ya like THEM apples, Blue States?
— In today's King County Journal -- Budget could net Boeing billions (which it can spend on power bills)
— In today's Tri-City Herald -- Hanford would be cut 12%; commitment to cleanup is questioned
— At AFLCIO.org -- Bush's budget punishes workers and veterans to save tax breaks for millionaires
— In today's PS Business Journal -- Bush budget would end Amtrak operating subsidy
— In today's LA Times -- President putting "big" back in government -- Even with cuts, Bush's $2.6-trillion budget for 2006 would be more than a third bigger than the 2001 budget he inherited four years ago.
— In today's NY Times -- Avoiding the real challenge -- Editorial: Bush's proposed budget is a picture of reduced revenue and swollen pockets of hidden spending. Lip service about draconian clampdowns will hardly solve the problem, particularly in the eyes of the international markets.
Other national news: — In today's LA Times -- Hotels, union reject offers -- Unite Here offers to drop its demand for a 2006 contract expiration, a major sticking point in the prolonged L.A. negotiations.

MONDAY, Feb. 7 -- Attend the WSLC Legislative Conference on Thursday, Feb. 24
— In today's Seattle Times -- Cheney puts Social Security privatization plan's price tag in trillions
...plus -- Bush claims pessimistic on retirement, experts say -- WSLC President Bender: Told you so.
Local news:  Rally TODAY to urge Seattle City Council to back building security standards
— In Saturday's Seattle P-I -- Judge: No revote in governor dispute -- Democrats say the rulings mean that just showing improprieties is not enough, Rossi's lawyers must prove illegal votes tipped the election. Though Rossi's attorneys concede they can't do this, they say they don't have to. They say the court can make assumptions, like that felon votes in Democratic-leaning King County favored Gregoire. Problem is, evidence suggests they didn't. Every newspaper report WSLC Reports Today is aware of that includes interviews with felons or (spouses of) dead voters says they voted for Rossi. Every one!  If the court is to make any assumption about how illegal voters voted, it should be that Rossi's supporters were more... zealous... and therefore more likely to stretch election rules on his behalf.
— In the PS Business Journal -- Gregoire's first days; new governor courts business community
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Japan Airlines may seek new 737 that carries more passengers
— In Sunday's Seattle Times -- Outsourcing leads to white knuckles for white collars
National news: — In the Everett Herald -- Paid leave should be pro-family issue -- Goodman column: Today, 47% of the private employees in this country get no paid sick leave. That includes 76% of low-wage workers, and 84% of the people who are alone with your dinner when you eat out.
...plus -- The sad state of health care -- Zoeckler column: Virtually every developed country -- Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, Japan, The Netherlands, Chile, Spain, France, Germany, even pre- and post-Saddam Hussein Iraq -- provide a system so their citizens can get health care. The U.S. employer-employee health care model, along with a patchwork of government programs, does not.
— In today's Washington Post -- Bush's $2.5 budget plan cuts many programs
— In today's LA Times -- Bush's deficit plan is all in the math -- The strategy to halve the shortfall by 2009 relies on how and what things are counted. (Wars, Social Security overhaul, etc. not included.)
— In today's NY Times -- Bush budget raises drug prices for many veterans
...plus -- Failing pension plans push union to review retirement age for pilots

Previous weeks' news: Feb. 1-4 -- Jan. 24-28 -- Jan. 17-21

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11
TAKE ACTION: Urge state legislators to Reform Retro Now!

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Tell your U.S. Senators: Support AgJobs!

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Public meetings on election reform begin this Thursday 

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Tell Edward Jones: Don't pick our pockets to line yours!

Privatizing Social Security will mean huge benefit cuts and less security for working families -- but for Edward Jones, privatizing Social Security may mean big new profits.

With almost 9,000 offices in mostly small towns, Edward Jones is well positioned to make the most of private Social Security accounts. Investment firms "could reap billions of dollars in management fees and commissions over the long term," the Los Angeles Times reports. But it would be at the expense of working families.

Take action now!  Tell Edward Jones: Don't support Social Security privatization.

Edward Jones was found by federal regulators to have taken secret payments from mutual funds, and steered its customers to those funds. Now, Edward Jones is pushing a new scam -- privatizing Social Security -- that puts its own interests ahead of its customers and the American people.

Let investment firms know they can't pick our pockets to line theirs. Send a message to Edward Jones and demand the following:

• Disclose your support for groups pushing Social Security privatization.

• Disclose what you have communicated to public officials in private meetings about Social Security.

• And withdraw all support for privatizing Social Security.

Learn more.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Attend the WSLC Legislative Conference on Thursday, Feb. 24

The Washington State Labor Council’s annual Legislative Conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 24 at the Red Lion Olympia Hotel. All union members are invited and encouraged to attend and get updates on the status of legislation affecting working families.

Wednesday night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. there will be a reception that offers an excellent opportunity for informal conversation with legislators and other officials.

Gov. Christine Gregoire is scheduled to speak at Thursday's conference as well as a number of legislative leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown (D-Spokane) and House Speaker Frank Chopp (D-Seattle). The conference concludes with lunch, after which attendees are urged to meet with their legislators to discuss the issues most important to them.

The registration fee is $30 and includes materials, lunch Thursday and admission to the reception Wednesday night. Download a registration form (in MS Word format) or call (206) 281-8901 for more information. Whether or not you can make it to the Legislative Conference, get on the WSLC E-List to receive our weekly Legislative Update newsletters via e-mail, fax or traditional mail.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Urge Seattle City Council to back building security standards

The following announcement was distributed Friday by SAGE, the Seattle Alliance of Good Jobs and Housing for Everyone:

Security officers continue to move forward with their campaign to achieve better working conditions and safer buildings in Seattle. The City Council is set to consider a resolution Monday (today) backing the effort to make buildings safer by creating citywide standards for building security. 

Community allies will join security officers and their union, the Service Employees International Union Local 6, to show their support for better wages, standards and training for private security officers in our city. Security officers are the last remaining group of building service workers who still work for poverty wages, no access to affordable heath care, and no respect on the job.

Last Tuesday, the Council's Public Safety Committee, headed by Councilmember Nick Licata, unanimously approved the resolution supporting the security officers' "Principles for a More Secure Seattle," to raise standards in the private security industry. The committee's approval sends it to the Full Council for Monday's vote.

WHAT: Rally outside to support security officers campaign for higher standards, then attend Mayor's address and City Council meeting

WHEN: Monday February 7th. Short rally at 1:30 pm., Mayor's "State of the City Address" at 2 p.m., City Council meeting at 2:30.

WHERE: Seattle City Hall, Fifth Avenue, between James and Cherry. Rally outside, Mayoral address and Council meeting in Council Chambers, 2nd floor.

The "Principles for a More Secure Seattle" call on the City of Seattle, security companies, and the commercial real estate industry to adopt:

• Higher Standards for Private Security

• A Citywide Union Contract for Security Officers

• Comprehensive Training for Security Officers

• A Professional Private Security Workforce

• Improved Coordination Among Security, Police, Fire, and Rescue Personnel in Emergency Response