NEXT UPDATE:  Tuesday, Feb. 18 by 9 a.m. Pacific

Links to commercial press stories are functional at the date of posting. In some cases, links "expire" when the source would like to begin charging you 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 10-14, 2003

Previous weeks' news:  Feb. 3-7 -- Jan. 21-24 -- Jan. 13-17

FRIDAY, Feb. 14 -- WSLC Legislative Update: MORE business tax breaks?!
...plus -- Tell Seattle's Martin Selig: Busting janitors' union is unacceptable
At Murray.Senate.gov -- Sen. Murray named top Democrat on key labor subcommittee
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Boeing slaps 890 (more) locals with layoff warnings
— In yesterday's Aberdeen Daily World -- BPA rate hike not likely to close mills — yet
— In today's Tri-City Herald -- Rep. Hankin touts new plan for highway funds
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- It should be hard to fire teachers (op-ed)
— In today's Olympian -- "Queen Roach" threatens to quit GOP over flap with "King West"
— In today's News Tribune -- While would-be students wait, health jobs go unfilled (op-ed)
— In the P.S. Business Journal -- Carpenters Union building new headquarters in Kent
At AFLCIO.org -- Sweeney: GOP welfare reform bill passed Thursday is "mean-spirited"
— Today from AP -- Feds sue Ullico for seeking documents on union leaders' alleged insider trading
— In today's Washington Post -- Republicans have huge edge in campaign cash
...plus -- Enron skirted taxes through executive pay plan that netted 200 some $1.4 BILLION in 2000
— In today's N.Y. Times -- State GOP legislators think the unthinkable: raising taxes... except in Washington state where the ideological anti-government anti-tax rhetoric of the far right holds the State Republican Party in a death grip (but succeeds in swaying certain prominent New Democrats).

THURSDAY, Feb. 13 -- AFL-CIO offers certification program for union pension trustees
At AFLCIO.org -- Congressional inaction puts steel company retirees at risk
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Companies slashing retirees' health coverage
— In today's Seattle Times -- Pension crisis may be worst in history
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Despite deficit, lawmakers aim for more business tax breaks
— In today's King County Journal -- WEA pushes bill for teacher housing allowances
...plus -- New TSA rule allowing license revocation of "security threats" erodes rights, pilots say
...plus -- DOT workers install SR 18 sign in honor of fallen co-worker Baardson
— In today's Olympian -- Ex-Roach aide gets extra pay so he won't sue over treatment
At AFLCIO.org -- AFL-CIO announced fact-finding panel for Pacificare HMO complaints
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Tax-avoidance moves by Enron, other companies said to mystify IRS
...plus -- Greenspan's doubts prod Bush to defend tax cuts as "well-thought-out"
...plus -- New York will sue two big drugmakers for paying doctors to prescribe their drugs
— In the USA Today -- Push for affordable drugs hurt by pharmaceutical industry tactics
— In today's S.F. Chronicle -- Those Valentine roses are killing Ecuadoran flower workers

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 12 -- Ergonomics repeal bill delayed in Senate as "compromise" sought
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Bar Association's move to support asbestos suit restrictions sparks furor
...plus -- Nun but the brave teach that protest comes at a price -- Paynter column: Sister Maureen Newman of Seattle gets three months in prison for protesting at the former School of the Americas.
— In the P.S. Business Journal -- Business groups fear repeal of tax breaks
...plus -- IAM 751's Blondin says Boeing has no plans to close, sell South End plants
— In today's News Tribune -- Roach probe goes to Legislative Ethics Board
...plus -- Heartless health-plan cut snubs people's Initiative 773 vote (Burbank column)
— In today's Everett Herald -- Marysville teachers vote to ignore Friday make-up day for rally
— Today from Reuters -- World Bank: Unions can improve economies -- This traditionally anti-union institution begrudgingly admits unions aren't so bad after all in report confirming that union members in rich and poor countries alike get significantly higher average wages than non-union workers.
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Greenspan throws cold water on Bush arguments for tax cut
— In today's Washington Post -- DeLay moves to protect alliance with Teamsters -- GOP leader says he disavowed letter questioning union members' patriotism not because of its outrageous and offensive content, but because it could undermine support for oil and gas drilling in Alaska.
— In the USA Yesterday -- Wal-Mart takes hits on worker treatment

TUESDAY, Feb. 11 -- Rally against Bush's "privatization quotas" on Feb. 26 in Seattle
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Initiative 776 overturned -- Question: Why can't local governments sue sponsors of initiatives ruled unconstitutional in order to recoup some of their legal expenses? Aren't Tim Eyman's "iron clad" initiatives the equivalent of frivolous legal harassment? Is it fair that taxpayers should have to devote precious dollars year after year to challenging them? Discuss.
— In today's Olympian -- Union vote (IAM W-536) clears way for sale of Simpson plywood mill
...plus -- Tax overhaul long overdue -- Editorial: Yet another study scores Washington's tax system at the bottom for volatility and lack of balance. The one bright note is the fact Washington is held up as a model to other states in management of tax dollars.
— In today's Yakima H-R -- Drug bill was wrong prescription for Yakima-area lawmakers
— In today's News Tribune -- Roach, Senate official at odds (again) as Senator attempts rehire aide
...plus -- Roach helped create her own predicament (editorial)
— In today's Seattle Times -- Tom DeLay: A clear and present danger to unions -- Dionne column: Tom DeLay now disavows the letter he signed attacking the patriotism of trade unionists. But haven't he, his party and the president spent much of the past year saying the same thing?
At AFLCIO.org -- GOP leader DeLay's attacks on unions "vile" and "despicable"
— In yesterday's Washington Post -- Security concerns wipe out union rights at mapping agency

MONDAY, Feb. 10 -- At GoIAM.org -- IAM's Buffenbarger calls for DeLay's resignation
— In Saturday's Washington Post -- DeLay says "Big Labor Bosses" a threat to national security
— In Sunday's N.Y. Times -- DeLay denies role in controversial right-to-work fundraising letter -- Teamsters' Hoffa calls on DeLay for a retraction and apology to union members "for suggesting that their efforts to defend basic labor rights are tantamount to aiding and abetting the enemy." Says IAFF's Schaitberger: "I have never felt more outrage, astonishment and utter disgust than I feel today over the actions of an elected official."
...plus -- Hundreds in Olympia to urge action on nursing shortage
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- Poor economy could boost business lobby (w/ Bender comments)
— In today's News Tribune -- Sen. Pam Roach says investigation may force her resignation
— In Saturday's Olympian -- Rep. Shirley Hankins forsakes GOP caucus -- Tri-Cities representative says she's grown weary of seeing the Republican Caucus swell with ideological rigidity, with too many members who see compromise and flexibility as weaknesses rather than strengths.
— In Sunday's Yakima H-R -- Farm workers, growers agree: Corporate grocers squeezing prices
— In today's Tri-City Herald -- Hanford's big payroll faces inevitable end (editorial)
— In today's Seattle P-I -- More worker lawsuits filed against Wal-Mart
— In the Sequim Gazette -- Wal-Mart rolling into Sequim; "good for all businesses," says mayor
At AFLCIO.org -- Job losses, wage freezes top workers' concerns, says AFL-CIO's Sweeney
— In today's Washington Post -- Concerned about image, Bush to talk jobs before he declares war
— In today's N.Y. Times -- A crush of applicants -- Herbert column: The situation is much worse than official unemployment statistics would indicate... (those) figures are deceptive because they don't count people who have stopped looking for work. The ranks of these so-called discouraged workers have grown by more than a million since last summer.
— In today's L.A. Times -- Teacher shortage abates as weak economy draws those seeking stability

Previous weeks' news:  Feb. 3-7 -- Jan. 21-24 -- Jan. 13-17

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Tell Seattle's Selig: Busting janitors' union is unacceptable

Downtown Seattle building owner Martin Selig recently decided to switch janitorial contractors in the majority of his Seattle properties from union janitorial contractor ABM to non-union contractor Allied Building Services. Approximately 50 union janitors who worked for ABM lost their jobs, and those that were re-hired by Allied lost their family health care benefits, pensions, disability insurance and guaranteed wage ladder -- and their wages went down. 

This loss of living-wage jobs is harmful to the community, and it sets a bad precedent for the downtown area. Every other major downtown building owner uses union janitors. The cost difference to Selig between his union and non-union janitorial contractors is only about 1 penny per square foot per year. But to the janitors who work there, it means the difference between making a living, or the downward spiral into working poverty.

CALL TO ACTION: Martin Selig needs to hear from the Seattle community that the hard-working janitors who work downtown deserve fair treatment and living wages. An attack on them and their union, is an attack on our community!

The Service Employees International Union Local 6 has set up an online campaign where you can send Selig a fax at the click of a button. In addition, a "Taking Back Downtown" rally is planned for Friday, Feb. 21 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 1000 2nd Ave. in downtown Seattle. Mark your calendars to attend and show solidarity with downtown janitors.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13
AFL-CIO offers certification program for union pension trustees

Union pension trustees face many challenges in fulfilling their responsibilities—understanding complicated legal and financial issues, managing a host of internal and external service providers and juggling other demands on their time. It can paralyze even the most dedicated trustees.

The AFL-CIO Center for Working Capital (CWC) offers educational programs empowering trustees not only to meet their responsibilities but also to help them exercise their authority and rights as trustees to develop policies, seek appropriate educational opportunities, manage service providers and take other steps to facilitate their work. 

To that end, the CWC offers the Capital Stewardship Certificate Program, a four-course program developed jointly with the National Labor College that utilizes case studies and classroom exercises that deal with specific issues the course participants are likely to face. Trained educators seek to reinforce trustees' skills and common sense by engaging with course participants rather than treating them to speeches or lectures.

The CWC has announced dates for its 2003 Capital Stewardship Certificate Program for trustees, fund staff, and union leaders and staff. A multi-course program will be offered on the following dates:

• May 11-16, 2003  (Monterey, CA)

• June 15-20, 2003  (Philadelphia, PA)

• October 19-24, 2003  (San Diego, CA)

• December 7-12, 2003  (Orlando, FL)

More information and a registration form (in PDF format) are available at the CWC website: www.centerforworkingcapital.org.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Ergo repeal bill delayed in Senate as "compromise" sought

Noticeably absent from the regulatory reform bills passed Tuesday by the State Senate was SB 5161, the bill repealing the state ergonomics rule. Senate Republican leaders last week advertised that the measure would be one of four bills brought to a vote, but it was withdrawn from consideration.

The Senate on Tuesday passed SB 5255 limiting agency rule-making authority without legislative approval, SB 5256 insisting on cost-benefit analyses for rules and SB 5257 requiring gubernatorial approval of rules. These bills were part of a legislative package the Republican caucus touted as "Getting Washington Working Again" which, until this week, included outright repeal of the Department of Labor and Industries' workplace ergonomics rule.

Republican leaders were quoted in a news report Tuesday as saying they were working on a "compromise" that would be acceptable to the Democrat-controlled House. As we reported last week, that may come in the form of an amendment sponsored by Sen. Mark Doumit (D-Cathlamet) to make the rule voluntary by removing enforcement mechanisms and offering "employer incentives" to protect their workers from ergonomics-related injury.

The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO has made clear to state legislators that making the ergonomics rule voluntary would be the equivalent of repealing it. Such a move would simply turn back the clocks to the decade of incentive and education efforts that preceded the rule's promulgation. We shouldn't have to beg employers to prevent these debilitating injuries, they should be required by law to do so.

ACTION ALERT:  With the click of a button, you can send an e-mail to your State Senator in opposition to SB 5161 and other efforts to undermine the ergonomics rule. Or you can call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 and leave a message for your Senator (and the Governor) to "Leggo Our Ergo! Oppose SB 5161 and oppose making the ergonomics standard merely voluntary. "

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Rally against Bush's "privatization quotas" on Feb. 26 in Seattle

"The best Homeland Security is a strong civil service!" That will be one of the rallying cries Wednesday, Feb. 26 as members of the American Federation of Government Employees and their supporters in the community march through downtown Seattle to protest the Bush Administration's plan to contract out the jobs of some 850,000 federal government workers.

Participants will begin gathering at the Federal Building at 3 p.m., and leave at 4 p.m. for a march to Westlake Center for a 5 p.m. rally.

Bush has dramatically stepped up his efforts to impose privatization quotas upon agencies throughout the federal government. Originally, his Office of Management and Budget directed all agencies to review "outsourcing" up to 425,000 federal jobs that are considered "commercial in nature" by the end of fiscal year 2004. The number of jobs up for review has rapidly escalated in recent months to 850,000 -- almost half the entire federal workforce!

Last week, 35 Democratic Senators -- including Washington's Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell -- signed a letter to OMB Director opposing Bush's outsourcing plan (see the Feb. 5 Washington Post story). They said said the administration's outsourcing effort would favor contractors, limit federal workers' ability to compete for jobs, hobble federal agencies and raise questions about accountability -- all without necessarily saving money.

Some of the targeted jobs would be subject to public-private competition, but many will simply be handed over to private for-profit contractors without even having to demonstrate cost savings. The OMB has explicitly encouraged agencies to use non-competitive mechanisms to fulfill as much as one half of their quotas and at least two agencies -- the departments of Defense and Interior -- are relying heavily on these "direct conversions" to hit their quotas.

AFGE President Bobby L. Harnage Sr. said the union plans to "challenge the Bush administration's attempt to use privatization to pay off its contractor cronies with taxpayer dollars."

Please join our hard-working federal workers at the Feb. 26 rally and march, as they fight to protect family-wage union jobs -- and the integrity and strength of our federal service. An attack on civil service is an attack on all workers.

For more arguments against privatization of federal service and the dismantling of civil service, check out the AFGE's position papers online. For more information about the rally, contact AFGE Local 3197 President Rudy Kollar at (206) 764-2737.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Hundreds in Olympia to urge action on nursing shortage

Following is a press release about today's Nurse Legislative Day distributed by the Washington State Nurses Association:

NURSES LOBBY TO ADDRESS NURSING SHORTAGE

OLYMPIA, WA— A record turnout of nearly 600 registered nurses and nursing students attended the 21st Annual Nurse Legislative Day.  With the current and impending nursing shortage, strategies to address both the recruitment and retention of registered nurses were the focus of the event. Governor Gary Locke delivered the keynote address.

“Our record turnout of nurses and nursing students from every part of the State demonstrates the critical nature of the nursing shortage and its effect on every facet of health care. Legislators and the Governor must act to increase nursing education programs at every state college and university,” said Louise Kaplan, PhD, ARNP, WSNA President.

The root causes of the nursing shortage are complex and interrelated. In order to attract more people into the profession and increase diversity, the Washington State higher education system must at minimum, expand capacity of programs so that qualified applicants to nursing programs are not turned away.  In the meantime, we must also establish safe staffing standards to ensure safe patient care during this time of an accelerated nursing shortage. Here are WSNA’s legislative recommendations for addressing the nursing shortage:

1. Nursing Enrollment Slots Funding - Nursing programs in Washington State are turning away hundreds of qualified students every year due to a lack of funding.  We support the designation of at least 500 fully funded RN slots in the 1,550 high demand FTE enrollment slots proposed by the Governor.

2. Nursing Faculty Funding - Many nursing programs are not running at full capacity due to their lack of funds to recruit and retain sufficient faculty.  We must have an increase for RN faculty salaries at community colleges by funding increments in the operating budget and an increase in faculty salaries at the four-year universities through recruitment and retention funding designated specifically for RN faculty in the operating budget.

3. Funding to Increase Capacity - In order to meet the projected demand of registered nurses in Washington State over the next decade, we must invest money in schools for expanding physical capacity such as labs and classrooms and provide appropriate support of new nursing programs.  We support capital budget allocation for both community colleges and universities for expansion of physical capacity of nursing programs.

4. Scholarships and Loan Repayment - The Health Professions Scholarship and Loan Repayment program is essential in attracting more men and ethnic diversity to the profession. This program retains nurses after graduation practicing in areas that are underserved and rural areas so that the State does not need to rely on foreign nurses from other countries that are also experiencing nursing shortages. We support an increase in Higher Education Coordinating Board Health Professions Scholarship & Loan Repayment program funding by $1 million dollars in the operating budget.  The current $2.67 million for the program has not had an increase since 1994.

5.  Patient Safety Act - Recent studies have confirmed that RN staffing has a direct correlation to the safety of patient care. Inadequate staffing and lack of input are major reasons registered nurses leave acute care nursing. The Patient Safety Act (HB 1602/SB 5598) provides nurses with an opportunity to give meaningful input toward nurse staffing in order to ensure quality patient care and increased job satisfaction.

6.  Mandatory Overtime SB 5419/HB 1604 – Extend protection from mandatory overtime for nurses to additional settings such as jails, state hospitals, and state veteran’s homes.

Founded in 1908, WSNA is a constituent of the American Nurses Association and is recognized by the National Labor Relations Board as a collective bargaining agent.  WSNA represents and promotes the professional development of more than 12,000 nurses in Washington state and their economic and general welfare by projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by informing the Legislature and regulatory agencies of health care issues affecting registered nurses and the citizens of Washington state.