FRIDAY, MARCH 24  ■  April 15 deadline for unions to update COPE membership lists

Local news:  
■  Today from AP -- McKenna to appeal union fee ruling to U.S. Supreme Court -- The state attorney general decides to carry the Evergreen Freedom Foundation's water to Washington D.C. by appealing the EFF's latest legal loss in its decade-long quest to silence labor unions.
■  Today from Real Change -- Gag rule: Right-wing groups target unions' free speech -- Separate EFF and National Right-to-Work Committee suits against teachers' and state employees' unions are part of a well-orchestrated campaign of harassment meant to weaken organized labor.
■  In today’s Everett Herald -- A shot in the arm -- Gregoire signs legislation extending tax breaks to companies that design and repair jets, giving potential 787 suppliers more reason to locate here.
■  In yesterday’s Columbian -- Sen. Pridemore tapped to lead Pension Policy committee

Political news:
■  At the Tri-City Herald's blog -- Benham just can't quit Eyman -- Kennewick and Mukilteo initiative peddlers are reunited (and it feels so good) in their cause of repealing the gay-rights legislation.
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- Sex offender issues used to pan for votes -- The GOP operative behind the universally abhorred phony "sex offender alerts" is working directly with Republican legislative candidates (who therefore must approve of his tactics) and says he plans on more of the same.
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- Cantwell's vilification from the left is bizarre (Connelly column)
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- Green Party Senate hopeful Aaron Dixon is not a voter
■  Yesterday at the Horses Ass blog -- Note to Dixon: Call self on Election Day -- Now I don’t want to get all high and mighty on him, but in my book, you don’t have much right to criticize the electoral process if you don’t participate. I mean, really… who is Dixon to talk about “all the people fed up with the current political system” if he doesn’t vote?

Wal-Mart news:  
■  From AP -- Activist Andrew Young under fire for his Wal-Mart PR position -- Says the Rev. Joseph Lowery, known as the dean of the civil rights movement: "Maybe he knows something that other advocates for economic justice don't. Maybe we will see the corporate giant be born again and become a good corporate citizen."
■  In today’s NY Times -- A show of hands on Wal-Mart -- The dispute about whether it can open a bank has a lot to do with the deep rift the company has opened across the American landscape.

National news:  
■  In today’s NY Times -- Bush is facing a difficulty path on immigration -- He has lost control of his own party on the issue, as many Republicans object to his call for a temporary guest-worker program, insisting instead that the focus be on shutting down the flow of illegal immigrants.
■  In today’s NY Times -- What's bad for GM (editorial) -- The troubles at GM worsens the nagging worry about an America without the kinds of jobs that can provide a blue-collar middle class.
■  Today from AP -- Cheney's decaffeinated road demands -- VP demands all televisions sets in his hotel suite should be pre-tuned to Fox News. (But at least he reads newspapers.)

THURSDAY, MARCH 23  ■  May 1 deadline for CTW unions to sign Solidarity Charters -- The national AFL-CIO has established the deadline for Change to Win local unions to sign Charters to rejoin state federations and central labor councils in order to satisfy Federal Election Commission requirements for the use of membership mailing lists in 2006 campaign activities.

Local news:  ■  Cynthia Cole elected SPEEA/IFPTE 2001 president -- Former president Jennifer MacKay did not seek reelection. Bob Wilkerson elected as treasurer; Dave Baine as secretary.
■  In today’s Seattle Times -- SPEEA elects critics of executive director -- Two candidates critical of SPEEA's executive director won board seats, but dissidents remain a minority on the board. The most vocal critic and leader of a reform group failed in his bid for SPEEA's presidency.
■  In today’s Olympian -- Postal crew protests plan to transfer Tumwater duties -- About 30 postal workers picket the main Olympia post office and were joined by U.S. Rep. Brian Baird, Olympia Mayor Mark Foutch, state Rep. Brendan Williams and state Sen. Karen Fraser.
■  In today’s Tri-City Herald -- Gregoire signs law establishing four-year WSU Tri-Cities
■  At TCH Chris Mulick's blog -- Richland Republican Reps. Hankins, Haler give Gregoire her due
■  In today’s Tri-City Herald -- DSHS must follow its own hiring rules (editorial) -- The state agency doesn't seem to be able to screen its employees' criminal histories with much success.
■  In today’s Spokesman-Review -- Legislature punted on pensions (brief editorial) -- The Legislature skirted the gain-sharing issue this session. It can't afford to do so next year.
■  In today’s Bellingham Herald -- Group pushes national health insurance -- United for National Health Care will hold a "Citizens' Congressional Hearing" Saturday in Bellingham to collect testimony before panelists including U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen. More info: www.UnitedForHealthCare.org

Political news:
■  In today’s Yakima H-R -- Challenger to Hastings comes out swinging -- Fed up with partisan politics and the "do-nothing" performance of six-term Republican U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings, Benton County Republican Claude Oliver formally announces he's running for Hastings' seat.
■  In the Stranger -- Seattle IAFF Local 27 endorses Reichert (scroll down) -- His opponent, Darcy Burner, says the more relevant firefighter endorsement will be the State Council of Fire Fighters.
■  In the Stranger -- Friendly fire: Maria Cantwell's Seattle problem -- As her handlers worked to hustle anti-war protesters from a recent event, it became clear that the woman who won her Senate seat by a slim margin in 2000 has a Seattle problem as she tries for a second term.
■  In today’s King Co. Journal -- Sen. Stephen Johnson vacates seat to run for state Supreme Court
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- Contribution cap for judges may backfire -- Many say it will divert big money to independent PACs. The right-wing conservatives' Constitutional Law PAC will back Sen. Johnson's campaign to displace Justice Susan Owen, and will also target Justice Tom Chambers. The BIAW will try to take out Chief Justice Gerry Alexander (and orca whales).
■  In today’s Kitsap Sun -- Misleading political ads should be rejected by voters (editorial) -- We condemn misleading, trash-talking campaign ads (like those of the GOP Speaker's Roundtable) and those who so blatantly disrespect voters in an effort to get their candidates elected.
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- Initiative on school spending dies; organizer lacked financial support
■  In today’s Seattle Times -- Initiative would force state to deny some benefits to illegal immigrants
■  In today’s Oregonian -- Kulongoski won't have labor's help -- Public employee unions have turned their backs on the Democratic gubernatorial incumbent, with AFSCME as the latest defector.

National news:  
■  In today’s Wash. Post -- Historic union deal will pare down GM -- Buyouts to tens of thousands of older, high-wage factory workers is the latest effort to transform an outmoded U.S. auto giant.
■  In today’s LA Times -- GM, Delphi buyout feels to workers like they are being sold out -- "We were promised a future with these companies," says one employee.
■  In today’s NY Times -- Who will work the farms? -- The guest worker program in the United States has failed to bridge the gap between farmers and the workers they need to employ.
■  In today’s NY Times -- Sen. Clinton says GOP immigration plan at odds with the Bible -- "This bill would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus himself."

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22  ■  Harassment more likely in NLRB elections -- Workers in NLRB elections are twice as likely as those in card-check campaigns (46% to 23%) to report that management coerced them to oppose the union. Fewer workers in card-check campaigns (17%) than in elections (22%) feel pressure from co-workers to support the union.

Local news:  
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- King County Labor Council names Executive Secretary (brief) -- David Freiboth previously was national president of the Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific.
■  In today’s Seattle Times -- Jobs engine roaring in state, Seattle metro area -- The state added jobs at the fastest pace in nearly eight years last month. Washington and Oregon (which rank No. 1 and 2 for the highest minimum wages) are outperforming the rest of the nation on job creation.
■  In the Everett Herald -- Boeing's Windy City move was a breeze here (Corliss column)
■  In today’s Oregonian -- Rep. Baird urges Bush: Don't outsource the Bay Bridge -- He urges the Bush administration to insist that California award the contract for the center span of the new San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge to a U.S. company (unlike the Tacoma Narrows Bridge).

Political news:
■  In today’s Yakima H-R -- Challenger discovers Hastings' spine; won't reveal location -- Do-Nothing Doc's Republican challenger retracts a news release describing the congressman as spineless.
■  In the Seattle Times -- McCain raises money for McGavick -- The $250-plate, $4,200-photo-op fundraiser nets $300,000, and comes one day after a pricey McCain fundraiser for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger prompted criticism that McCain was skirting the federal campaign finance law he helped enact. (No such criticism could be found locally, except among the alternative press.)
■  In today’s Spokesman-Review -- Goldmark back in race for McMorris' seat -- Says the Okanogan rancher and former president of the WSU board of regents: "Things have gotten worse."
■  In today’s Seattle Times -- Will public reward state Dems for productive session? (McKay column) -- The best the public can hope for is what apparently happened this year in Olympia... in large measure. the public benefited, even if Republican campaign-designers did not.
■  In today’s Kitsap Sun -- Rep. Kilmer to seek Sen. Oke's seat -- Race sets up a rematch against former state Rep. Lois McMahan (6% labor voting record), whom Kilmer (87%) beat in 2004.
■  In today’s Kitsap Sun -- GOP attack campaign against Kilmer continues -- After targeting Kilmer with the phony sex-offender postcards, they are now fudging budget numbers to portray him as "Mr. Tax and Spend." In truth, he was one of the five Democrats to oppose 2005 tax increases.

Immigration Reform news:
■  In today’s Washington Post -- Immigration debate heats up -- Pro-immigrant activists are planning an April 10 protest in 10 cities that could pull tens of thousands of immigrant workers from their jobs. A coalition, including the AFL-CIO, will meet today on Capitol Hill to announce their plans.
■  In today’s Seattle Times -- Immigration reform: A social and moral debate (Archbishop Brunett op-ed) -- As the spiritual leader of nearly 1 million Catholics in Western Washington, I call upon all people of good will to increase their awareness of immigration issues and to challenge public officials to act in the best tradition of America as we welcome this new wave of immigrants.
■  In today’s Washington Post -- We don't need "guest workers" (Samuelson column) -- Guest workers would mainly legalize today's vast inflows of illegal immigrants, with the same consequence: We'd be importing poverty... What's wrong with higher wages for the poorest workers?

Other national news:
■  Today from AP -- UAW reaches pact with GM, Delphi on buyout -- The plan allows up to 5,000 workers to return to GM. Up to 13,000 will be eligible for a payment of up to $35,000 to retire.
■  In today’s NY Times -- Getting autoworkers to leave a golden job (analysis) -- The buyout conveys to workers the bleak message that the companies they work for cannot prosper unless they leave.
■  In today’s News Tribune -- Labor activists press Starbucks -- The latest to try to organize the company's workers is the IWW, a union with a long, feisty history and a counter-cultural aura.

Mission Accomplished / Last Throes update:
■  In today’s LA Times -- Bush says U.S. in Iraq for long haul -- Bush says American troops will  remain in Iraq beyond his presidency, a message that could complicate his effort to reassure an increasingly skittish public that the military deployment is not open-ended.
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- Two Rangers from Fort Lewis killed by small-arms fire in Iraq 
■  Iraq casualty report -- U.S. soldiers killed: 2,319 -- U.S. soldiers killed since Bush's photo op announcing "Mission Accomplished:" 2,182 -- Iraqi body count: 33,710 to 37,832.
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- Iraq War: An air of permanence (editorial) -- If the Bush administration doesn't intend to create permanent bases in Iraq, why not clearly say so?  Or devote the $1 billion proposed for military construction there to providing Iraqis with electricity and water.
■  In today’s Everett Herald -- Time for an honest debate about how to end this war (editorial) -- The president now suggests an alarmingly open-ended commitment. Public support for the war has fallen dramatically. It's time to have a serious public debate of rational alternatives for ending it.
■  Today in The Onion -- Rumsfeld: Iraqis now capable of waging war without U.S. assistance -- "Critics of this war who said we couldn't inspire the Iraqi people to stand up and fight for themselves have been proven wrong," he says, gesturing toward a map displaying conflict across the entire nation... However, he sought to reassure the Iraqi people that despite their rapid improvement, the U.S. would not abandon them: "We plan to be around for a long, long time."

TUESDAY, MARCH 21  ■  Winning back our rights, taking back our country -- Stewart Acuff, National Organizing Director of the AFL-CIO, throws down the gauntlet to activist and working family voters to take steps to elect women and men who are determined to preserve what workplace rights we have left and restore the right to organize and bargain collectively.
■  Today at AFL-CIO Now -- Nurses set top priority: Helping more nurses organize -- The UAN is the latest union boosting its resources and revamping its strategies to increase organizing.
■  Today at the Working Life blog -- Make Work Pay! -- Change to Win leaders have announced a Make Work Pay! campaign -- kind of a living wage campaign under a union banner -- that will launch on the week of April 24 with actions targeting major industries in more than 35 cities.

Political news:
■  In today’s NY Times -- GOP makes its pitch to fire fighters' union -- Republicans hope to attract more union voters than in 2004, when 38% of members backed Bush. Says IAFF's President: "The bottom line is that at almost every level of government the government is split, and most legislatures are split. And you have to work both sides of the aisle to move an agenda."
■  In today’s News Tribune -- Candidate hammers Cantwell's Iraq war vote -- A Green Party candidate blasts Cantwell over her vote. Will that siphon enough votes to help the GOP's Mike McGavick?
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- Iraq War: Cantwell's choice (editorial) -- Cantwell may be able to benefit both her re-election prospects and the nation's foreign policy. She helped lead us into this war; now it's incumbent on Cantwell to help lead us out of it.
■  In today’s Everett Herald -- Charge those behind campaign (letter) -- The GOP's phony sex-offender notices are totally unacceptable, and should be punished as an obstruction of justice.
■  In today’s Salem (Ore.) S-J -- Unions' defections put heat on Oregon's governor (analysis) -- The choice of one of the state's largest public-employees unions (SEIU 503) to not endorse Kulongoski could leave the Democratic incumbent without one of his most potent weapons in the fall: thousands of union volunteers willing to go door-to-door to help him win re-election.
■  At today's Spokesman-Review blog -- False alarm on Eyman petitions, state says

Local news:
■  In the Olympian -- State pensions get money, but gap remains -- The budget had $350 million in extra funding for the pension plans. But the money is not enough to catch up, and lawmakers have not addressed gain sharing, which accounts for $900 million of the unfunded liability.
■  In today’s News Tribune -- New tax break gives LIFT to state's cities, businesses (Voelpel column)
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- Competition forces corporate shake-up at Larry's Markets -- Corporate staff has been cut by 70%, but there are no plans to close any of their six grocery stores.

National news:
■  In today’s NY Times -- Deficit demagogues (editorial) -- Republican presidential hopefuls have been coming out forcefully as fiscal conservatives while pursuing reckless policies.
■  In the Spokesman-Review -- Debt ceiling new low for GOP (editorial) -- "The deficit is outrageous... we (must) stop pushing onto our children the excesses of our government." -- Ronald Reagan
■  Today from AP -- Sen. Murray urges farm groups to speak up about their labor needs
■  In today’s LA Times -- Choices shrink in drug plan, study says -- One of the first independent studies of the Medicare prescription benefit has found that many low-income California seniors now have access to a narrower range of drugs than when the state covered their medications.
■  Today at BusinessWeek -- Globalization's Gloomy Guses must adapt (op-ed) -- Outsourcing is shaping everything from IT jobs to business-process services. Rather than fret, the U.S. needs to go all-out to capitalize on it with a long-term national effort.
■  In the Spokesman-Review -- French are paying high price for job security (Caldwell column) -- French students closed their universities and took to the streets last week for a cause most Americans would consider goofy: two years of almost absolute job security for anyone under age 26.

Last Throes update:  
■  Today from AP -- Bush warns of more tough fighting in Iraq -- The enemy keeps bringin' them on.
■  Today from AP -- U.S. bases in Iraq built with an air of permanence -- Are the Americans here to stay? Air Force mechanic Josh Remy is sure of it. "I think we'll be here forever," the 19-year-old airman from Wilkes-Barre, Pa., told a visitor to his base. Iraqis suspect the same.

MONDAY, MARCH 20  ■  Tassel-toed corporate lobbyists' fashion infiltrates labor

Legislative news:
■  In Saturday’s Olympian -- Court ties up state tax increases -- A judge sides with the Washington Farm Bureau and other conservative groups in a lawsuit over shifting of funds in 2005.
■  In today’s Seattle Times -- Democrats' budget reserves might be illusory -- Lawmakers created programs, tax breaks and improvements in state services this year that are expected to cost about $940 million over the next two fiscal years, wiping out the $935 million put in reserves.
■  In Sunday's Bellingham Herald -- Legislature approved $50 million in tax breaks, incentives -- "In general, it was a pretty good session for business owners," said AWB President Don Brunell.
■  In Sunday’s Olympian -- Gregoire urged to veto lift of syrup tax -- Children’s advocates are among those asking her to veto a $10 million-a-year tax break for restaurants that use soda-pop syrup.
■  In the PS Business Journal -- From Gregoire, a bold move to cure health care (op-ed) -- Gov. Chris Gregoire's initiative to support the development of policies that promote evidence-based, high-quality health care is a bold step toward cutting costs and improving patient treatment.

Local news:
■  In today’s Seattle Times -- Chicago's got the headquarters, but Seattle's still Jet City, U.S.A. -- In hindsight, the move to Chicago didn't do Boeing as much good as anticipated. It didn't do Seattle as much harm, either. And the blow on Seattle's psyche turned out to be short-lived.
■  In today's Seattle Times -- Boeing layoffs would have happened, Chicago or not -- IAM 751's Mark Blondin doesn't hold Chicago responsible for Boeing cutting 27,000 jobs in three years, he blames the local guy, Alan Mulally. Today, Blondin seethes about Boeing farming out 787 work.
■  In the News Tribune -- Gates lobbies for more high-tech visas (Broder column) -- The Microsoft billionaire will make a rare D.C. appearance to add his voice to the lobbying effort to expand the number of foreign-born computer scientists allowed to work in this country under H1B visas.
■  In Sunday’s Yakima H-R -- Guest workers could ease tree fruit labor shortage -- Growers want to hire as many as 1,000 seasonal farm workers from Mexico under a federal H-2A program.
■  In the PS Business Journal -- Brightwater cost estimate up 20% -- Much of the increase over the 2003 estimate is due to soaring prices of concrete, steel and other construction materials.
■  In the Bellingham Herald -- Salary may be lower, but city benefits often better than private sector

Political news:
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- Take the high road (editorial) -- McGavick's pledge to take the high road in his campaign contrasts starkly with his party's continuing effort to send phony sex-predator notification postcards to voters saying Democratic incumbents are soft on sex offenders.
■  In Sunday’s Columbian -- Democrats gun for 17th District -- Two local Democratic Party leaders resigned in protest after the party threw its support to Jack Burkman to challenge Rep. Jim Dunn.
■  In Sunday's Oregonian -- SEIU will endorse Jim Hill, Oregon governor's challenger -- The union's decision casts new doubt on Democratic support for Gov. Ted Kulongoski.
■  In today’s LA Times -- More corporations' political ties put online -- Shareholders have pressured a small but growing number of U.S. companies to disclose political donations on their websites.

National news:
■  At AFL-CIO Now -- Anti-union PR campaign: Ineffective -- Lobbyist Dick Berman’s remarkable accomplishment is he convinced anti-union types to light a match to their money on these ads.
■  In today’s Washington Post -- Contractors cleaning up as Katrina reconstruction costs escalate -- Multiple layers of contractors are driving up the costs and keeping workers' wages low.
■  In today’s Washington Post -- Outsourcing U.S. intelligence jobs raises questions -- The growing trend could lead government agencies to lose control over those doing the sensitive work.
■  In today’s LA Times -- At UFW, contracts are give and take -- Some say the union is simply  facing reality with pacts that allow nonunion labor, multitiered wages and other concessions.
■  Today from Reuters -- U.S. labor hopes to block trade pacts with Oman, Peru, Colombia
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- Congress finds 5-day workweek is too taxing (for itself) -- The House is on schedule to meet for the fewest number of days in 60 years. The Senate is not far behind.

Last Throes update:
■  In today’s NY Times -- On 3-year anniversary, Bush and Cheney see success in Iraq -- Bush says his strategy is working despite escalating violence in Iraq, even as a former Iraqi prime minister once favored by the White House declared that a civil war had already started.

Meanwhile, on Planet Earth...:
■  In Sunday’s Seattle Times -- Three years in, hope fades for Iraq, neighbors -- The U.S. invaded Iraq in pursuit of a freer, more stable Middle East, but the country's deepening ethnic conflict is spreading tension across Iraq's borders, fueling terrorism and nurturing gloom about the future.
■  From AP -- More deaths as Iraq War enters 4th year -- Monday's toll: Seven policemen and 10 more bullet-riddled bodies dumped in Baghdad, one of them a 13-year-old girl. Sunday: 35 killed.
■  Iraq casualty report -- U.S. soldiers killed: 2,317 -- U.S. soldiers killed since Bush's photo op announcing Mission Accomplished: 2,180 -- Iraqi body count: 33,679 to 37,795.

The deadline for all affiliated unions of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO to submit their updated COPE membership lists is quickly approaching.  In order for local unions to be included in the impending database match against the State Voter File, the WSLC must have your updated lists in hand by April 15.

NOTE: We do not accept updates from local unions of the following international unions, which update their lists directly with the national AFL-CIO: AFSCME, AFT, USWA, CWA, LIUNA and UAW. Local unions can still receive all of the following free services after the voter match is complete.

Here's what your union local will receive FREE of charge if you submit your update in time:

1. A free match against the National Change of Address file to obtain new mailing addresses for your members who have moved, but have not provided you with their new address.

2. A free match against the National Telephone Directory to provide phone numbers for members who have not provided you with that information and those who have moved and now have a new phone number.

3. A free match against the Washington State Voter File. This information will tell you who is registered to vote, who votes by absentee ballot, what their voting frequency is, and the match assigns all election jurisdiction information, such as precinct, legislative and congressional districts to your database.

4. A free diskette or CD of your membership once all of these matches are done. You can request this information in either Access or Excel formats.

5. Free product, such as telephone lists, labels, etc. for all or any targeted segment of your membership.

Your membership list will be secure.  No other union will be able to access your members' data.  After the match is complete, the enhanced lists of local unions' memberships can only be received by written and signed request from that union's officers.  In the many years that the WSLC has been providing this service, there has never been a security breach or case of unauthorized distribution of membership data.

Not much is free these days.  But, this service from the WSLC -- which costs more than $30,000 to perform -- still is.  We provide our affiliated unions with this valuable tool to help your organizations do voter registration drives, phone banks and to distribute targeted endorsement information based on the districts where your rank-and-file members live.

TO SUBMIT YOUR UPDATED LIST, you can either mail a CD or diskette with your data to our Seattle office (attn. David Groves) -- WSLC, 314 First Ave. West, Seattle, WA, 98119 -- or you can simply e-mail the data file to David as an attachment. Tab- or comma-delimited text files are preferred, but Access, Excel and many other database files can also be submitted.

If you have questions about what data formats or what fields are required for the matches, if you want to confirm whether the WSLC has already received your updated list, or if you have any other questions about the process, please contact either David Groves or Diane McDaniel at 206-281-8901.