Now THAT'S Bad for Business! Read all about it
in the latest
edition of the WSLC Legislative Update.
for
March 20-23, 2001
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.
FRIDAY,
March 23 -- With bill dead, UW and GSEAC set new
deadline
In today's Seattle Times -- Boeing
to shift 757 fuselage work to Wichita
(See also IAM
751's response to today's announcement.)
In today's Seattle P-I -- UW,
grad students extend deadline for labor talks
In today's Seattle Times -- Boeing
workers wonder where they'll wind up
...and also -- Lawmakers'
anger boils over, but not at Boeing
In today's Everett Herald -- City
faces full-court press on transit merger
In today's Tri-City Herald -- State's
senators back campaign finance bill
In today's Washington Post -- Chao
wants Justice for sick nuclear workers
...and also -- The
Rename Game (Dionne column. Ever wonder what happened to
Gingrich ally and Paycheck Protection architect Grover Norquist? He's
leading the Ronald Reagan Legacy Project, and now he wants the Gipper's mug
on the $10 bill. This is not a joke.)
THURSDAY,
March 22 -- State GOP does more damage than
Boeing
Reaction to Boeing move from IAM
751 and SPEEA
In today's Seattle P-I -- Boeing
unions don't see threat to jobs -- yet
In today's News-Tribune -- Boeing
workers: Indifference to unhappiness
In today's Bremerton Sun -- Clipper
drops private Kingston ferry plan
..and also -- Senate
budget now includes passenger-only ferries
In today's Everett Herald -- Stanwood
employee contract talks begin
In today's Seattle Times -- Highest
honor for Fire Dept. heroes
In today's N.Y. Times -- Court:
Employers can force dispute arbitration
In today's WSJ -- White
House tones down talk of averting airline strikes
In today's Washington Post -- Key
political curb on unions rejected (Bush's hopes for passing
so-called Paycheck Protection restrictions are dealt a severe blow as the
Senate votes overwhelmingly, 69-31, to reject it as all 50 Democrats and 19
Republicans vote "no." In a statement
released Wednesday, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney applauded the vote.)
From The Labor Educator -- Carpenters
set to quit AFL-CIO; Sweeney orders sharp response
WEDNESDAY,
March 21 -- Mark your calendars for spring
events
In today's Olympian -- Road
budget bleak unless voters OK new taxes
...and also -- State
program reduces prescription drug costs
...and finally -- Teacher
strike talk is infuriating (editorial)
In today's News-Tribune -- Lakehaven talks
(IUOE 286) at a standstill
...and also -- Timing
of pay demands unfortunate (Davis column re: WEA, WFSE strike threats.
"The threat could -- and should -- backfire, hastening the introduction
of competitive contracting to reduce our reliance on the union monopoly.")
In today's So. County Journal -- Home
care workers rally for better wages
In today's Spokesman-Review -- Alcoa's
Ferndale plant to stay idle
In yesterday's Skagit Valley Herald -- IBEW
77, PSE in labor flap
In Sunday's Bremerton Sun -- IBT:
Sears union activity led to firing
In today's Seattle P-I -- Bullish
Nethercutt may try to unseat Sen. Murray
In today's Seattle Times -- Bush
taking care of big business.. quickly
In today's Washington Post -- Bush
signs repeal of ergonomics rule
TUESDAY,
March 20 -- Despite good Social Security news,
Bush "fix" is in
In today's Seattle Times -- Urge
ergonomics, don't mandate it (editorial)
Feel free to respond with a Letter
to the Editor; Click here for
background info.
In today's News-Tribune -- UFCW
soon to be in two-front battle
In today's Olympian -- State
tries to overturn Eyman initiative rulings
In today's Seattle P-I -- PSE
faces injunction on contracting out (IBEW 77)
In today's Washington Post -- Chao
seeks her role as agent of change
In today's L.A. Times -- Unions
oppose McCain-Feingold bill
Yesterday at CNN.com -- Sweeney
cites "battle" with White House
For more info, see the new AFL-CIO
Campaign Finance & Election Reform page
News from previous weeks: March 12-16 -- March 5-9 -- Feb. 26-Mar. 2
FRIDAY,
MARCH 23
With bill dead, UW and GSEAC/UAW
set new deadline
The University of Washington and the Graduate Student Employee Action Coalition/UAW have agreed to extend their original agreement to meet and confer with respect to wages, hours, benefits, terms and conditions of employment. This extension will expire on May 28, 2001.
UW administration and the union intend to meet and confer during multiple sessions scheduled during April and May with the intention of reaching an agreement on these issues. If no agreement is reached by May 15, the extension agreement provides that the parties will request assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
The new deadline comes as "enabling" legislation supported by both parties was inexplicably killed by the State Legislature. That legislation promised to avert a strike should the university not agree to recognize GSEAC/UAW as the academic student employees' (ASEs) sole bargaining representative. The May 28 deadline is the week before final exams for the spring term, which again raises the specter that ASEs could elect to strike at a critical time, possibly delaying the issuance of grades and degrees.
GSEAC/UAW is the union for the 1,600 UW teaching assistants, readers/graders and tutors. With responsibility for approximately half of UW's undergraduate education, these workers play a crucial role in UW's educational mission.
An overwhelming and growing majority of these UW ASEs have chosen GSEAC/UAW to represent them in collective bargaining with the UW administration. More than 80% of ASEs employed during Winter Quarter 2000 signed GSEAC/UAW authorization cards, while 84% employed in the Spring did so. In the Spring, 92% of card signers took the additional step of signing onto a public statement insisting that UW respect their choice for collective bargaining and recognize the union. Again in Winter Quarter 2001, 80% of ASEs employed signed GSEAC/UAW authorization cards.
Despite the mandate for collective bargaining among ASEs on campus, the UW administration has refused to work under the existing legal framework that enables them to voluntarily recognize GSEAC/UAW as the exclusive bargaining agent and acknowledge full collective bargaining rights for ASEs. Under current Washington state law, the UW administration remains free to voluntarily recognize the union as the exclusive bargaining agent for ASEs.
In a vote held last fall, members of GSEAC/UAW voted 984 to 164, an 86% majority, to authorize a strike if the UW administration did not recognize and bargain with the union. The strike was to begin on Dec. 5, 2000.
In 11th-hour negotiations Dec. 4, the university and the union reached an agreement that recessed the strike planned for the next day. The university agreed to begin negotiating with GSEAC/UAW over wages, benefits, and working conditions of ASEs. The union agreed to work with the university to write and lobby legislation that would confirm that bargaining relationship.
In choosing collective bargaining through GSEAC/UAW, ASEs at UW join a growing national movement. Public universities in many other states (California, Oregon, Michigan, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New York, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, etc.) have recognized ASEs' collective bargaining rights. ASEs on 28 public university campuses in the U.S. -- as well as 20 in Canada -- are organized in unions and bargain collectively with their employers.
In addition, the National Labor Relations Board recently extended collective bargaining rights to ASEs at New York University, a ruling that will establish precedent for hundreds of thousands of academic student employees at private institutions across the country. The NLRB decision reads in part "... we will not deprive workers who are compensated by, and under the control of, a statutory employer of their fundamental statutory rights to organize and bargain with their employer, simply because they are also students."
For more information about GSEAC/UAW, contact Kristen Intemann, an ASE for the UW Department of Philosophy, at (206) 633-6080.
THURSDAY,
MARCH 22
State GOP does more damage than
Boeing
As the State of Washington and the City of Seattle struggle to come to terms with the unexpected announcement by The Boeing Co. that it plans to move its corporate headquarters, Republican politicians have cynically seized the opportunity to decry the state's "anti-business climate." In seeking to spin the news for political gain, Republicans are not only ignoring Boeing's own assertions to the contrary, but are painting a negative picture of the state's business environment that today is being broadcast across the nation and worldwide.
WHAT REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING -- In comments appearing not only in today's state newspapers but in wire reports in the L.A. Times, Chicago Tribune and other major national and international newspapers, Republican House Co-Speaker Rep. Clyde Ballard said: "I must say, anyone who is shocked by this decision has not been paying attention. This is a manifestation of a growing anti-business regulatory environment that is strangling our efforts to protect jobs and keep our economy strong."
GOP Senate Minority Leader Jim West said, "We've been saying for years that this isn't a pro-business state. ...This should be a major wake-up call to the governor and the Legislature."
"We are taxing businesses out of this state,'' said Republican State Sen. Dino Rossi.
Republican Party Chairman Chris Vance called Boeing's decision "the direct result of 16 years of Democratic governors making life miserable for businesses."
WHAT BOEING IS SAYING -- At Wednesday's news conference announcing the move, Boeing CEO Phil Condit said he was not fleeing anything in Seattle. "This is purely strategic," he said, insisting that separating headquarters from the main operating units will make it easier for each segment to grow. "This is about nimbleness and flexibility."
Bob Watt, president of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, appeared to be one of the first people to get the bad news, getting a call from Boeing a full 18 hours before Governor Gary Locke. Watt told the Seattle P-I, "This was not about Seattle or Washington state. It really wasn't about the business climate (here) ... They're making a decision that will allow them to grow in the super long-term future, and I can't really argue with that. I want them to be successful -- everyone does."
Boeing spokesman John Dern said there was nothing the state could have done to prevent the move. "This is a much bigger issue than any political concerns," Dern said.
Governor Locke: "I talked with (Boeing) Senior Vice President John Warner and he ensured me that (the move) wasn't because of taxes or business climate," Locke said. "It is a fundamental restructuring of the company."
WHAT OTHER CORPORATE CEOs ARE SAYING -- "As a company that has been headquartered here for more than 100 years, Weyerhaeuser continues to believe this is a great place to operate a global leader and look forward to our continued presence in the Pacific Northwest," said Steven R. Rogel, chairman and CEO of the Federal Way-based Weyerhaeuser Co.
"Seattle continues to attract an unusually large number of corporate headquarters," Washington Mutual Chief Executive Kerry Killinger said, citing the quality of life and a climate of innovation that have spawned or attracted "world-class companies."
Jim Sinegal, CEO of Costco (which will now be the state's largest Fortune 500 company based on sales), said he would never dream of moving his corporate Issaquah headquarters.
WHAT STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS MUST BE SAYING THIS MORNING THANKS TO SHORT-SIGHTED G.O.P. POLITICAL POSTURING -- "$%!&@$%!"
WEDNESDAY,
MARCH 21
Mark your calendars; labor's spring
events are plentiful
Equal Pay Day in Olympia
The Seattle Community College Federation of Teachers has organized an Equal Pay Day rally for THURSDAY, MARCH 29 from Noon to 1 p.m. at the State Capitol in Olympia. Got Equal Pay? Part-time community and technical college faculty members across this state sure don't. On average, they earn $23,000 for a full-time teaching schedule; that's 56% of the average full-time salary for the same number of courses. AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Linda Chavez-Thompson is scheduled to participate. Buses from Seattle are available; call 206-587-5478 for more information.Rally to Stop NAFTA for the Americas!
The latest international trade agreement that ignores labor and environmental standards is the Free Trade Area of the Americas, and being negotiated in secret right now. A major rally at the Canadian border will be held SATURDAY, APRIL 21 at Peace Arch Park in Blaine, Wash. Co-sponsored by the Vancouver and District Labour Council, CLC and the Whatcom County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, there will be music and other entertainment starting at around 10 a.m. and lasting until 4 p.m., with the rally program from Noon to 2 p.m. Make plans to spend the day in Blaine and bring your families! For more information, contact Jeff Engels at 206-284-5040 ext. 27.SeaTac Airport Solidarity Rally
Support hundreds of union workers at SeaTac Airport whose jobs and families are at risk as the Port of Seattle considers radical changes to the master concession agreement. Save the date to attend a rally at Noon on TUESDAY, APRIL 24 at the airport (more details to come). The Port of Seattle Commissioners need to hear workers’ voices regarding the impact of their decisions on our jobs, our families and our communities.Pathway to Apprenticeship—Wenatchee area
The North Central Washington Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, in cooperation with Wenatchee Valley and Big Bend community colleges, will host the first Central Washington Pathway to Apprenticeship workshop on WEDNESDAY, MAY 2 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Chelan County PUD Auditorium, 327 N. Wenatchee Ave. Deadline for registration is April 20. For registration information, email mhenkle@wvcmail.ctc.edu or call (509) 664-2562.Cesar Chavez Solidarity Celebration
The 1st annual United Farm Workers "Cinco de Mayo" celebration honoring farm worker leaders and supporters is set for SATURDAY, MAY 5 at the Aerospace Machinists Hall, 9125 15th Pl. South in Seattle. There will be lots of great Mexican food and entertainment, so save the date and make plans to bring your family. Donations will be accepted to benefit the United Farm Workers' organizing efforts. Organizational table sponsorship is also available. Email ggamboa@bentonrea.com or romero.g@att.net for more info.Violence in the Workplace Conference
The Washington State Labor Council's Women's Committee plans to sponsor this conference SATURDAY, MAY 5 at the IBEW Hall in Tacoma. Invited speakers include Cathy Collette, Director of AFSCME's Women's Affairs Department; and Carrol Anne Sceviour, Women's Director of the Ontario Labor Council. Registration information will soon be available; call 206-281-8901 and ask for a form to mailed/faxed to you.Summer School for Union Women
"Empowering Workers Through Organizing" is the theme at the 12th annual event at The Evergreen State College's Labor Education and Research Center on JUNE 27 to JULY 1 at the Olympia College, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW. This residential conference is dedicated to building practical and analytical organizing skills that will strengthen union participation among rank-and-file women. Space is limited to 60 participants, so register now! For more information, contact Lucilene Lira Whitesell at whitesel@evergreen.edu.
Make sure you bookmark our Upcoming Events page (www.wslc.org/upcoming.htm) and check it regularly for information on what's happening. If your organization is sponsoring an event you would like to have added, please email dgroves@wslc.org with all the information.
TUESDAY,
MARCH 20
Despite good Social Security news,
Bush "fix" is in
The good news is that the latest revised estimate for when Medicare will not be able to pay full benefits is 2029, adding four years to last year's estimate and now projecting the longest period of solvency in the history of the program. The life of the Social Security Trust Fund was extended one year to 2038. In the last four years, the government has added nine years to the life of this trust fund.
The bad news is that the Bush Administration is dead set on "fixing" the two programs through privatization, whether they need it or not. "We have only so many years to get the systems back on track," Bush said. He purposefully ignores the fact that the solvency of both programs is extended every year because of the extremely conservative economic assumptions used for the projections. Every year our economy performs at even an average level, the "lives" of Social Security and Medicare are extended.
Why is Bush doing this? To perpetuate the alarming myth that something radical must be done to "save" Social Security and Medicare before they go bankrupt. He wants to divert billions from Social Security into "private savings accounts for younger workers," a move that would generate billions in revenue for brokers and investment firms. He also wants to access surplus Medicare funds to help pay for his massive tax cut, a move that could indeed precipitate the "crisis" he keeps telling us about.
"The trustees' report makes clear that Republican claims about Medicare's so-called financing crisis are simply an excuse to raid the Medicare surplus to pay for tax breaks for the wealthy," said Representative Pete Stark of California, the ranking Democrat on the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health.
Independent government watchdog groups agree that putting tax cuts ahead of investment in the two programs will jeopardize their futures.
"If most or all of the surpluses projected outside Social Security and Medicare are used for a large tax cut — or a combination of big tax cuts and smaller program increases — that will preclude devoting significant surplus funds to strengthen Social Security and Medicare," said Robert Greenstein, Director of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. "That in turn, could render it difficult, if not impossible, for the foreseeable future to enact legislation that restores long-term Social Security or Medicare solvency. The trustees' report shows the folly of enacting a tax cut this large."
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney weighed in on the issue with the following statement Monday:
The trustees of the Social Security system announced that Social Security is stronger today and will be stronger in the future than previously expected. This good news for Social Security is more dramatic when compared to the official predictions from just four years ago. Since 1997, the date through which full benefits can be paid has been pushed out by nine years -- to nearly four decades from now -- and the size of the shortfall has been cut by more than 16 percent.
This string of good reports suggests that long-term improvements in the economy may mean a much stronger Social Security in the future. Clearly, proposals to radically restructure the system by replacing Social Security's guaranteed benefits with individual accounts are as unwarranted as they are unwise. As recent sharp drops in the stock market have shown, individual accounts, in which each worker is at the mercy of volatile markets, would be a devastating substitute for the foundation of retirement security provided by Social Security's guaranteed benefits.
Medicare has now posted a 14-year gain in the solvency of the Hospital Insurance trust fund in just the last two years. While this represents a very significant improvement in its financing, Medicare still has pressing needs. The report of the trustees makes it clear that Medicare must be strengthened soon. Despite this clear warning, President Bush will only make matters much worse because his own tax and budget plan rejects protecting the Medicare trust fund against raids and instead proposes to drain away the surpluses within the next decade. We must protect the Medicare trust fund, and we must modernize the program to meet the changed needs of today's seniors by adding a real prescription drug benefit-one that is comprehensive, universal and guaranteed.
The trustees continue to project long-term financing shortfalls for both Social Security and Medicare. These official reports, authored in part by President Bush's own Secretaries of the Treasury, Labor and Health and Human Services, clearly contradict the president's claims that his plans will meet our obligations and fund our growing needs despite his proposals for a huge tax cut. We should seize the historic opportunity presented to us by the current surpluses and invest part of them in the trust funds so that we can assure working families that Social Security and Medicare will continue to be there for them.
Notwithstanding the need to be cautious with our most important family protection program, economic projections for Social Security's future also should be consistent with the economic assumptions that are used for the rest of the federal budget. It is disconcerting that the trustees' assumptions for long-term real wage and productivity growth are substantially lower than those used by the Congressional Budget Office. If the trustees' projections were updated to reflect this difference, the size of Social Security's projected shortfall would be significantly smaller.
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.
Copyright © 2001 Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO