UPDATED DAILY  M-F 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 March 17-21, 2003

Previous weeks' news: March 10-14 -- March 3-7 -- Feb. 24-28

FRIDAY, March 21 -- WSLC Legislative Update: Paying a price for neglect
...plus -- TESC hosting Young Workers Conference, Summer School for Union Women
— In today's Seattle Times -- Boeing lays of 460 today; 960 more to be notified
...plus -- Old tankers flying while Boeing deal stalled; Rumsfeld says he'll decide when he decides
— In today's Olympian -- Contract for home health care workers faces battle
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Home health care contract doomed, says Senate Majority Leader West
...plus -- Higher education plan will boost economy, create construction jobs now (editorial)
— In yesterday's Columbian -- 39-year ILWU member Rick Lynch dies after falling at port facility 
— In yesterday's Daily World -- Port, ILWU 24 "kicked in stomach" over Douglas Lunceford's death
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Sacred Heart workers (UFCW 1001) ratify contact by 98% vote
— In today's Yakima H-R -- Boise Cascade's Yakima sawmill cuts work week (WCIW 2739)
— In today's News Tribune -- House would cut Bremerton route to save foot ferries
— In today's Salem S-J -- Oregon budget plan would drop 150,000 from state health coverage
At AFLCIO.org -- Union movement supports U.S. troops, hopes for peace
— In today's N.Y. Times -- House narrowly approves Bush's $726 billion tax cut -- In a 215-212 vote, Washington's congressional delegation voted along party lines: YES -- Reps. Dunn, Nethercutt and Hastings; and NO -- Reps. Inslee, Larsen, Baird, Dicks, McDermott and Smith.
...plus -- Who lost in the U.S. budget? -- Krugman column: The simple truth is that the Bush tax cuts have utterly transformed our fiscal outlook, for the worse. Without those tax cuts, the problems of an aging population, Social Security and Medicare might well have been manageable; with them, nothing short of an economic miracle can save us from a fiscal crisis.
— In today's Cleveland Plain Dealer -- Retooling organized labor -- AFL-CIO President Sweeney: "(The AFL-CIO doesn't) back off from the fact that we had hoped that the United Nations process would have continued, that the move towards disarmament had continued.... But now that the decision has been made to start, we support our troops."

THURSDAY, March 20 -- War.  The AFL-CIO's position is that the threat posed by Iraqi despot Saddam Hussein "deserves multilateral resolve, not unilateral action." While many trade unionists across this nation oppose the war initiated yesterday by President Bush, many also support the war. Whatever your convictions, act on them. But remember, the armed forces who fight to protect and defend the United States are, and have always been, the men and women of America’s working class. Many are Union Brothers and Sisters. They deserve our respect and support for their sacrifice.
...plus at AFLCIO.org -- Statement by AFL-CIO President Sweeney on the war with Iraq -- People of good conscience and good faith bring a range of concerns to this war. Expressing those concerns should not be grounds for challenges to one’s patriotism.
And speaking of harm's way:
— In today's Oregonian -- Longshoreman dies in fall at Vancouver plant
— In yesterday's Daily World -- Longshoreman killed after crane topples at Port of Grays Harbor 
— In today's Olympian -- State revenue shortfall rises to $2.6 billion
...plus -- State workers unsure of revenue drop's effect on jobs
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- Senate votes to privatize some state liquor stores
...plus -- BP to build $110 million "clean gas" facility at Cherry Point
— In today's Yakima H-R -- Providence sells both hospitals in the Yakima Valley
— In yesterday's Longview Daily News -- Cowlitz PUD, IBEW 77 agree on 3-year contract
— In today's Salem S-J -- Oregon's new minimum wage index criticized by business lobbyists
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Idaho's GOP governor proposes tax hikes to mitigate budget cuts
— In today's Washington Post -- Tax-and-spend Republicans? State budgets challenge stereotypes
...plus -- President Bush tries to block Senate push to cut tax plan in half
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Alaska drilling, a Bush priority, fails in Senate (Murray, Cantwell opposed)
— In today's L.A. Times -- Workers (UNITE) sue uniform supplier Cintas in overtime dispute

WEDNESDAY, March 19 -- Feds confirm Sen. Patty Murray is right; Airbus is lying
— In today's King County Journal -- Boeing to consolidate Auburn facilities, lay off 400
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- State should care about caregivers -- Editorial: Many caregivers are paid less than half of what it would cost the state to put a person in an adult-care home. That's why it was heartening to see that a raise for these state-paid workers is getting closer to reality.
...plus -- Empire Health nurses, technicians file petition to join union (SEIU 1199NW)
— In today's Seattle Times -- Special deals in Olympia, by unions -- Editorial saying home-care contract "gives away the store" because these workers have a union. Note: When copy-and-pasting this dreck from the Republican Caucus memo circulated yesterday by Rep. Cathy McMorris, the Times repeated the same two factual errors in the memo -- that home care workers are state employees and the number of home care workers who would be covered by health insurance.
...plus -- Dog-shootin' Times publisher plans layoffs (Editorial writing may be contracted out to GOP.)
...plus -- Dockworkers' ranks thinning as many seek early retirement option in new contract
— In today's Olympian -- Business lobbyist: Regulations hurt state economy (WSLC rebuts.)
...plus -- Eyman issues tax warning (Says he'll pursue "voter veto" of "immoral" tax increase.)
— In today's Salem S-J -- Oregon budget begins to take shape -- It's likely to freeze state workers and teachers' pay for 2 years, eliminate half of all unfilled positions and cut pension contributions.
At AFLCIO.org -- Bush tax breaks for the rich mean severe cuts in state programs
...plus -- Social Security and Medicare -- or tax breaks for the wealthy?
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Republicans say they'll push for tax cuts regardless of war
...plus -- Republican Party has biggest fund-raising lead in history after last election cycle
...plus -- AFSCME sues pharmacy benefit managers for inflating prices
— In today's L.A. Times -- Labor launches effort to require Calif. employers to provide health coverage
...plus -- New publisher says he may lay off 500 at Hearst's S.F. Chronicle

TUESDAY, March 18 -- "Train the Trainer" health and safety program set for May 18-23
...plus -- SPEEA reacts to Boeing announcement of Auburn cutbacks
— This afternoon in the P-I -- Boeing plans to cut 400 more jobs in Auburn
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Deaconess, Valley workers may go union (SEIU 1199NW)
...plus -- Sacred Heart workers vote on pact with 9% pay hike (actually, says UFCW 1001, 9 to 19%)
...plus -- Consultant offers up hope that creative thinking on power could save Kaiser's Mead smelter
— In today's King County Journal -- AFL-CIO's Trumka visits SPEEA officials, blasts President Bush
— In today's News Tribune -- Legislators plan transportation package that hikes gas tax 2 to 5 cents
...plus -- Western States sexual harassment lawsuit against state, union steward begins
— In today's Olympian -- State Senate OKs "placebo" prescription drug bill amid criticism
...plus -- Revenue forecast looks gloomy; $2.4 billion shortfall may become $2.5 billion tomorrow
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- Olympia's difficult balancing act -- Editorial: Legislators face tough decision because giving home care workers the raise they deserve will hurt someone else.
...plus -- St. Joseph's clears path for workers to test smallpox vaccine; 264 could volunteer for shots
— In today's Seattle P-I -- A short war is Boeing's best bet; prolonged fighting could be a nightmare
At AFLCIO.org -- Sweeney: Trustees' report affirms fundamental health of Social Security
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Republicans resigned to defeat on Alaska wildlife refuge drilling plan
...plus -- United Airlines asks judge to void union contracts
— In today's Washington Post -- Carpenters President McCarron resigns from Ullico board
— From Business Week online -- Suddenly, he's vulnerable: Bush job approval ratings slide -- "It's the economy, Stupid!" Independents, moderates and middle-class voters who supported Bush in 2000 now say they prefer unnamed Democrat. What's more, support for Bush's war plans isn't translating into permanent political allegiance. Some of the strongest backers of an attack on Iraq — including Jewish Americans, Hispanics, and union workers — still say they favor a Democrat in '04.

MONDAY, March 17 -- EIC and CTC: Acronyms that could mean cash back from IRS
— In today's Seattle Times -- The fight for what's right at Fircrest School
...Plus on Sunday -- Cut spending or increase revenue? Legislators still split
— In Sunday's Spokesman-Review -- Home health aides get closer to raise
— In Saturday's Olympian -- SEIU 775 leader David Rolf takes aggressive approach
...plus today -- WEA tops lobbying spending list; groups spends $900,000 in bid to keep initiatives
— In Sunday's Yakima H-R -- State Library under the budget knife (again)
— In the P.S. Business Journal -- BPA rate hike plan may be last straw for state's smelters
— In Sunday's Longview Daily News -- Where did Longview Aluminum's BPA money go?
— In today's Everett Herald -- Congress pledges relief for air industry in the even of war
— In today's Idaho Statesman -- Pro-union vote is balm to teacher-lawmaker wounds
— In Saturday's N.Y. Times -- Teamsters' Hoffa backs away from Bush

Previous weeks' news: March 10-14 -- March 3-7 -- Feb. 24-28

FRIDAY, MARCH 21
TESC hosting young workers conference, women's school

Registration is now open for two important events presented by The Labor Center at The Evergreen State College: "Young Workers: Organizing Our Future" on May 17 and the annual Summer School for Union Women scheduled for June 25-29.

"Young Workers: Organizing Our Future," open to all workers under the age of 30, will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 17 at TESC's Tacoma campus. Participants will discuss and share their experiences as workers and union members. Workshop topics include union and workplace rights, communication strategies, finding a common vision, creative organizing strategies, and labor history.

The cost is $40 per person and includes lunch. Download a registration form (in Word format). For more information about the conference, or receiving a scholarship from your union, contact Lucilene Whitesell at (360) 867-6055.

The 2003 Summer School for Union Women will be Wednesday through Sunday, June 25-29 at TESC's Olympia campus, and will look critically at labor and community alliances, the right to organize in the workplace, and how the economy looks to different groups of workers. The goal is to explore the history of union women and explore creative ways to build organizing and leadership skills that strengthen the labor movement.

Registration is limited to 60, so sign up now. The $450 residential registration fee includes room and board (participants will stay in the college's residence halls). A $360 "commuter" fee is also available, but organizers prefer residential participation because of the community-building nature of the program. A $60 discount to offset child-care expenses is also offered.

To receive a registration form, or more information about the conference or about receiving a scholarship from your union, contact Lucilene Whitesell at (360) 867-6055.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19
Feds confirm Sen. Patty Murray is right; Airbus is lying

The following press release was issued Tuesday by the office of U.S. Sen. Patty Murray: (Webmaster's note: Not only are the folks at Airbus liars, it turns out they're... French!)

Responding to Murray Inquiry, Commerce Department Disputes Airbus Claims

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Commerce today responded to Senator Patty Murray's (D-Wash.) call for the agency to investigate Airbus’ claims to be a significant contributor to the U.S. aerospace industry.  Senator Murray's Feb. 6 letter asked the Department of Commerce to verify Airbus claims that it has created 100,000 jobs in the United States, contracts with more than 800 U.S. firms and contributes $5 billion annually to the U.S. economy.

Senator Murray's letter asserted that Airbus, rather than aiding the U.S. economy, is responsible for hurting U.S. aerospace workers and poses an ongoing threat to the U.S. aerospace industry.

"The time has come to take a closer look at Airbus' total impact on U.S. workers, rather than simply buying into the Airbus propaganda," Senator Murray said.  "At a time when U.S. jobs are under attack from French competition, I will continue to stand up for America’s workers.”

The Commerce Department response from Under Secretary for International Trade, Grant Aldonas -- see attached copy -- confirms Senator Murray's suspicions that Airbus is wildly overstating its contributions to the United States economy.

Commerce was only able to count 250 U.S. firms working with Airbus, not the 800 companied claimed by the Toulouse, France-based Airbus.  Commerce could only verify 500 of the 100,000 jobs Airbus claimed to have created in the U.S.

At issue is a marketing brochure distributed throughout Washington, D.C. as well as a publicly peddled 2002 report entitled “Key Determinants of Competitiveness in the Global Large Civil Aircraft Market: An Airbus Assessment.”  The 2002 report boasts Airbus has created 120,000 U.S. jobs.

“Airbus' slick campaign to sell itself in the United States completely overlooks the real harm caused by Airbus to U.S. workers and companies," Senator Murray said. "Our aerospace industry is in distress due to an industry downturn, terrorism and Airbus.  All three of these factors have resulted in the loss of thousands of family wage jobs.  All three must be addressed for our aerospace industry to recover and grow."

Commerce notes that U.S. content of Airbus aircraft is heavily reliant on the engine selected by the aircraft customer.  Commerce also notes that content is one factor of economic value along with "design, research and development, cost of assembly, and after-sales engineering and product support."

TUESDAY, MARCH 18
"Train the Trainer" health, safety program set for May 18-23

Union activists, staff, and local union safety representatives are invited to participate in a unique "Train the Trainer Program" on workplace health and safety scheduled for May 18-23 at the Laborers' Training Center in Kingston. The Sunday-through-Friday program is sponsored by the Labor Safety and Health Training Project of the George Meany Center for Labor Studies and the AFL-CIO Department of Occupational Safety and Health, in cooperation with the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

Utilizing a participatory popular education approach, participants will learn the fundamentals of workplace health and safety, plus how to teach or facilitate classes on various subjects for other union members. Specific topics to be covered include:

• Worker and Union Roles in Workplace Safety and Health

• Identifying Hazards in the Workplace

• Legal Health and Safety Rights of Workers and Unions

• Record Keeping (OSHA 300 Log) Requirements

• Introduction to Ergonomics

• Effective Health and Safety Committees 

The program is limited to only 22 participants and some slots have already been filled. Participants must be sponsored by their union or organization and must agree to facilitate safety-and-health training in their union or organization. The union or organization must make a commitment to support the participant in doing health and safety training for its members.

The program will begin on Sunday, May 18 at 10 a.m. and will run through 4 p.m. on Friday, May 23.  Participants traveling from a far distance can arrive at the residential facility on Saturday. The cost is $250, which includes a single room for six nights (Saturday-Thursday) and all meals. To apply, download an application form (in MS Word format), sign it and also have your sponsoring organization sign the application, and return the application by April 1.

For more information, or to have an application faxed or mailed to you, contact WSLC Safety and Education Director Randy Loomans at (360) 943-0608.

TUESDAY, MARCH 18
SPEEA reacts to Boeing announcement of Auburn cutbacks

The following press release was issued this afternoon by SPEEA:

AUBURN - The Boeing Company's decision to begin transferring fabrication work and downsizing its plant here is disappointing to technical workers who woke today wondering why the aerospace giant felt the need to keep employees out of the decision making process.

The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) IFPTE Local 2001, AFL-CIO, was told plans for the Auburn plant will cut nearly 400 jobs by the end of 2004, shrinking the Auburn workforce from 5,800 to about 5,400 employees.

SPEEA represents 922 employees at the Auburn Boeing plant.

The ranks of SPEEA represented employees in Auburn could temporarily increase as work is packaged for outsourcing. However, in private discussions union officials were told the number of SPEEA employees in the Fabrication Division is expected to drop by about 70 by 2006.

"The SPEEA reductions can be reached through attrition and without layoffs," said Charles Bofferding, executive director. "We are committed to see that no one who wants to keep their job is thrown out the door."

Auburn employees have worked under a cloud of rumors about downsizing, work transfers and possible plant closure for months. Boeing managers broke the news to employees this morning (Tuesday, March 18). According to the announcement, Boeing will move some fabrication work now done in Auburn to the Frederickson plant in Pierce County. Other work will move to Boeing's parts plant in Portland. Finally, other work will be sent to outside contractors.

"We are disappointed that the people affected by these decisions were not involved," said Bofferding. "Transferring work, moving machinery and training new people to do the jobs is all very complex. To keep the employees who do the work every day out of the process is not in the best interest of the people or the long term success of The Boeing Company."

Workers at the plant were notified of the changes Tuesday morning.

"We are more than willing to sit down with The Boeing Company and work with them but so far they have not been receptive," said Bryan Young, a SPEEA Council Representative and 18-year Boeing employee. "I've lived in this area all my life and I am concerned about how this will affect the community."

In addition to the job losses, Boeing said it plans to vacate 50 percent of the Auburn facility over the next three years. SPEEA leaders met with Auburn members on March 6 to help address the rumors. A small group of SPEEA members attended the Auburn City Council meeting last night (Monday, March 17) to notify the city of SPEEA-represented employees' concerns.

SPEEA's current contracts with Boeing include side agreements stating the company will share information about outsourcing. The side agreements also state Boeing intends to look at retraining and job transfers for effected workers.

The Boeing Company is in the process of cutting 35,000 jobs from commercial airlines. It is unclear if the Auburn cuts are included in that total. The cuts, which started in December 2001, represent one-third of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. 

SPEEA, IFPTE Local 2001, AFL-CIO, represents 22,300 technical workers at Boeing in seven states.

MONDAY, MARCH 17
EIC and CTC: Acronyms that could mean cash back from IRS

The Earned Income Credit (EIC) is an important special tax benefit for working people of low or moderate incomes. Workers who qualify for the EIC and file a federal tax return can get back some or all of the federal tax withheld from their pay during the year. They may also get extra cash back from the Internal Revenue Service. Even workers whose earnings were too small to owe federal taxes may be eligible for the EIC.

Another important tax benefit low-income working families should know about is the Child Tax Credit (CTC). Congress adopted new rules in 2001 that makes millions of low-income working families eligible for the CTC.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has published a new outreach kit to promote the EIC and CTC, and is encouraging union organizations to spread the information to their members to make sure that all working families eligible for these tax benefits take advantage of them. That kit, fliers and more information are all available online at www.cbpp.org/eic2003/.

"The AFL-CIO's annual campaign to promote the EIC remains especially important this year," writes AFL-CIO President John Sweeney in a letter to union organizations. "The ongoing economic downturn has resulted in enormous hardships for working families across the country, many of whom have experienced layoffs and wage cuts. Please help get the word out about the EIC in your community."