WSLC Reports Today -- April 25-29, 2005

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.

FRIDAY, April 29 -- "Will Restructuring the AFL-CIO Help Unions Rebuild Power?" --
A panel of Washington state labor leaders will discuss the issue at UW on Saturday, May 7.
— At AFLCIO.org -- AFL-CIO executive officers propose changes for uniting, strengthening labor
— Today from AP -- AFL-CIO tries to address dissent
— In today's LA Times -- AFL-CIO president proposes shakeup -- Hoping to blunt criticism from dissident unions, AFL-CIO President Sweeney proposed pouring additional funding into organizing and politics, and paying for it by laying off one-fourth of its 420 staff members and eliminating some departments.
— In today's NY Times -- Facing dissent, AFL-CIO's Sweeney offers a plan for growth -- SEIU's Stern was not swayed by the new proposals. He and the presidents of the Teamsters, Laborers, UFCW and Unite Here issued a statement criticizing them as insufficient, particularly regarding organizing.
— In today's Washington Post -- AFL-CIO has money problems -- Signs of the AFL-CIO's precarious financial condition could make Sweeney more vulnerable to challenges to his leadership at the federation's July convention in Chicago.

Local news -- Sens. Kerry, Murray plan Seattle town hall Monday on kids' health care
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- Fallen workers remembered -- Workers Memorial Day drew a group to the Bellingham Library lawn to remember workers who died on the job or from work-related illness.
— In today's News Tribune -- State slips in safety rankings -- Washington ranked fourth-worst in the nation for the number of workplace injuries and illnesses in 2003, according to a new AFL-CIO report.
— In The Stranger -- Suspect Senator: Is Tim Sheldon illegally impersonating a state legislator? -- As a Mason County commissioner, he holds two public offices at once and that could be illegal. State legal decisions have long established that Washington follows the common-law principle of "incompatible offices." Sheldon's district includes parts of Thurston and Kitsap counties. This creates a potential for conflicts of interest, such as when Thurston and Mason vie for limited transportation allocations. On April 19, a complaint was filed with the Legislative Ethics Board against Sheldon.
— In today's Olympian -- Gov. Gregoire wins critics' praise for first session
— In yesterday's Columbian -- Gregoire fought for the transportation package
— In yesterday's Walla Walla U-B -- State lawmakers give proper attention to education (editorial)
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Boeing may open maintenance, pilot training facility in India
...plus -- Microsoft: Neutral citizens? -- Editorial: Microsoft retreated from responsible corporate citizenship in its withdrawal of support for the gay-rights bill. You can't be "neutral" on civil liberties.
— Today from Gannett -- Rep. Baird seeks public comments on changes to Social Security

National news: — In today's SF Chronicle -- Bush proposes Social Security benefit cuts -- He favors a means-based approach to benefits, though he does not offer specifics and continues to insist on partial privatization of the system. The announcement comes as his approval numbers have sunk to their lowest levels of his presidency, and his Social Security plan is foundering badly on Capitol Hill.
— Today from AP -- Home, pay gap widens -- The American dream of having a job and owning a home is becoming a fantasy for more and more people. Escalating home prices leave families with tough decisions when more of their income must be dedicated to mortgage or rent.
— In The Onion -- Guess what -- it's Tom DeLay's Frisbee now -- Delay op-ed: You really want this Frisbee? Well, why don't you come over and try taking it out of my hands? I'm standing right here. What's the matter? Come on. Tom DeLay is waiting.

THURSDAY, April 28 -- Today is Workers Memorial Day -- Commemorations have already been held in Spokane, Everett and Olympia. There will be a ceremony in Bellingham today at noon at the Worker Memorial Monument on the Bellingham Library lawn, across the street from City Hall.
— In today's Olympian -- Death at work: A memorial -- Surviving family members gathered Wednesday to remember loved ones who died last year on the job, or from job-related injuries.

Local news -- Rally to demand respect for childcare workers Friday in Seattle
— In today's News Tribune -- Boeing could kill 747, king of the jumbos -- Boeing’s top exec confirms Boeing will make a live-or-die decision on the 35-year-old jetliner by late summer.
— In today's Wichita Eagle -- SPEEA files ULP complaint against Boeing over fate of Wichita employees
— In today's Yakima H-R -- County agrees on new contract with corrections officers (IBT 760)
— In today's Seattle Times -- Contract offer has Seattle firefighters ready to drop initiative effort
— In today's King Co. Journal -- Dino Rossi slams door on U.S. Senate bid -- Boss Vance doesn't buy it.
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Corporations weigh social issues against bottom line -- Microsoft's snafu on the gay rights legislation is causing top executives to ponder when -- and whether -- a company should take official stands that go beyond the basic business of making and selling products.

Olympia news: — In today's Olympian -- Timing of raises creates uproar -- A 2-month delay in pay raises for nonunion state employees startled some, but unions say there's nothing surprising about it.
...plus -- WFSE exits WSU bargaining units -- The WSU workers were unionized but didn't ratify their contract with the raise, so they fell into a middle ground and will get no pay raise this biennium.
...plus -- Legislature, unions send a message -- Editorial: Some nonunion state employees see the two-tiered salary package as pure discrimination. The question is whether in its zeal to separate union and nonunion pay increases, the Legislature interfered in the decertification vote process.
— In Tuesday's Columbian -- State unemployment system needs fixing -- Op-ed by AWB's Don Brunell in which he previews what he thinks should be done now that "Gov. Christine Gregoire and Democrats cut the heart out of" 2003 Unemployment Insurance (UI) changes. He says that a new UI tax on Washington workers "may be the only way to maintain high benefits and keep jobs in Washington."
— In today's Everett Herald -- Prison labor bill dies in House -- A measure that would have allowed a vote on inmate labor in private businesses was a victim of time, says GOP Rep. Pearson.
— In today's Seattle Times -- Disappointing delay to local ferry plans -- Editorial: Agreeing to disagree on private passenger-only ferry service was a disappointing and costly option.
— In today's Oregonian -- Gregoire uses Portland stop to laud Washington lawmakers
— In today's Yakima H-R -- Legislature put off handling big issues (editorial)

National news: — In today's Washington Post -- Citing hiring woes, Bill Gates criticizes visa cap -- In today's AP version of this story, the King of Medina says that if he were King of America, he'd abolish entirely the H-1B visa restrictions on hiring foreign engineers and technology workers.
— In today's NY Times -- Oregon Republican Sen. Smith in revolt over Medicaid cuts in budget
— In today's Washington Post -- Humane Society's promotion of CAFTA angers some -- It was a defection from the green ranks that anti-CAFTA forces could not leave unchallenged -- and now, they are striking back, accusing the group of selling out to the Bush administration for government largess.
— In today's Washington Post -- Wal-Mart whistle-blower seeks inquiry -- A former company vice president asks the feds to investigate whether the retailer illegally fired him in retaliation for blowing the whistle on Thomas M. Coughlin, the former Wal-Mart vice chairman accused of misusing up to $500,000.
— In today's LA Times -- Talks stall on Safeway buyouts -- Plans by Vons and Pavilions to offer buyouts to some 7,000 veteran supermarket workers in Southern California have stalled because UFCW officials say the program will deplete health and pension funds.

WEDNESDAY, April 27 -- WSLC economic development conference May 17-18 in Lacey
Also today -- New health care study: 391,000 employed Washingtonians are uninsured
— In today's Seattle Times -- State may face $90 million bill for back wages -- Public employees who were paid different wages for the same jobs win appeals-court decision in class-action lawsuit.
— In the Olympian -- After failed union decerts, EFF helping state workers seek religious exemptions
— In today's King County Journal -- Levy passing; voters choosing higher taxes for Valley Medical Center
— In today's Tri-City Herald -- FFTF's end is just days away -- The process of permanently shutting down Hanford's Fast Flux Test Facility will begin Friday.
— In today's Seattle Times -- Puget Sound leaders seek support to fund 520, viaduct mega-projects
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Now it's the region's turn to fund mega-projects (editorial)

Olympia news: — In today's Olympian -- Legislators can take pride in productive session (editorial)
...plus -- Legislators face rocky road after gas-tax vote -- Some political observers predict legislators will pay a political bill for that vote, even Republicans in normally safe districts.
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- Tax on gas seems hefty, but is rational and necessary (editorial)
— In yesterday's Walla Walla U-B -- Now is the wrong time to raise the gas tax (editorial)
— In yesterday's Columbian -- A good session -- Editorial: Overall, legislators' performance was admirable.
— In today's Everett Herald -- Session thrills Democrats -- Democratic legislators got the most out of the programs and tax increases they sought, but not without criticism from Republicans.
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Women leaders in Olympia took a risk -- and won (Connelly column)

Boeing news: — Today from AP -- Boeing's first-quarter profit drops on higher expenses
— Today from Reuters -- World's biggest airliner (Airbus A380) completes its maiden flight
— In today's Everett Herald -- Boeing's body punches connect -- Corliss column: The Airbus A380's first flight is a month behind schedule and its sales have stalled. Airbus' proposed new A350 -- intended to counter Boeing's 787 -- is dead in the water, with only one tentative order for 10 jets. Compare that to the flurry of punches Boeing has landed this month.
— In today's Seattle P-I -- 787 Dreamliner is taking off as Air India adds to pile of orders
— In today's Seattle Times -- Boeing's Albaugh faces McCain, infighting as he eyes CEO post

National news: — In today's Washington Post -- GOP may be splintering on Social Security
— In today's NY Times -- At Social Security hearing, Bush's fight looks largely uphill -- All the Democrats on the panel who spoke said they were resolutely opposed to the president's plan for partial privatization. And the reservations of Republicans were more ominous for the White House.
— In today's King County Journal -- Rep. Reichert pressed on Social Security, but makes no commitment
— In today's Oregonian -- Social Security battlefield shifts; Oregon senator finds himself at the fore
— In today's NY Times -- In search of budget moderates -- Editorial: Unless a handful of moderate Republicans can inject some common sense and human kindness into the process, Congress is likely to approve a budget blueprint that manages to be profligate and mean-spirited at the same time.
— In today's Washington Post -- Judge rejects sanction of government employees over political e-mails
...plus -- U.S. figures show sharp global rise in terrorism -- The number of serious international terrorist incidents more than tripled last year, a sharp upswing in deadly attacks that the State Department has decided not to make public in its annual report on terrorism due to Congress this week.

TUESDAY, April 26 -- Priorities of two governments (The final WSLC Legislative Update)

Olympia news: In the interest of encouraging journalistic creativity, WSLC Reports Today has declared a boycott of all "winners-losers" legislative wrap-ups (of which there were many today).
— In today's Olympian -- Budget slows up nonunion pay raises -- "It feels like a slap. It's like discrimination, in my opinion. Since I'm not a union member, I'm going to get treated differently."
— In today's Oregonian -- Washington invests in roads -- Editorial: As inflation keeps decreasing Oregon's gas tax, its neighbor moves boldly to shore up its transportation infrastructure.
— In today's News Tribune -- Lawmakers deliver on transportation (editorial)
— In today's King County Journal -- Legislature gives hope on transportation (editorial)
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- Legislature showed courage, common sense on gas tax (column)
— In today's Seattle Times -- "D" for budgeting, "A" for transportation (editorial) -- "D" is for "death tax" and "dog-shootin' newspaper publisher," who would have preferred if promises to pay-frozen state workers and class-size-reducing voters had not been kept, so his kids can inherit the Times tax-free.
...plus -- Private ferry plans stalled for more study ...plus -- Microsoft may rethink position on gay rights
— In today's Everett Herald -- State budget process can't stay in crisis mode -- Editorial: As a test of leadership, Christine Gregoire's first legislative session as governor was a good start. But now, Gregoire must lead a bipartisan effort to move the state toward a more sustainable fiscal future.
— In today's Yakima H-R -- Legislature fails to secure rights for gays, lesbians -- Editorial: "I was very conflicted on this bill. I don't think there's anything wrong with being gay," said Sen. Bill Finkbeiner (R-Kirkland). "To me, this isn't a rights issue." Wrong, senator. That's precisely what it is.

Another big day for Boeing: — Today from Reuters -- Boeing wins $6.9 billion Air-India order -- International carrier orders eight 777-200LRs, 15 777-300ERs and 27 787 Dreamliners.
— In today's King County Journal -- Boeing's big day -- Monday was filled with good news for Boeing.
— In today's Everett Herald -- Longtime Airbus customer Air Canada bets on Boeing
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Air Canada order is a dream deal for the Dreamliner

Other local news -- Information about workers' comp claims is just a click or call away
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Busy ports hiring union workers -- The ports of Seattle and Tacoma are expected to see the number of union workers at their terminals balloon in the coming months, mainly to keep pace with containers coming from the other side of the Pacific Ocean.
— In today's Yakima H-R -- Snokist, union are still talking -- After a seven-month strike, Snokist brings back 100 striking workers (WCIW) Monday as contract negotiations continued.
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Benefits extended to partners -- Spokane City Council approves extending benefits to nonmarried partners of city workers if their unions negotiate for those benefits.

National news: — Today from Bloomberg -- Bush extends Social Security tour as support dwindles -- A new poll shows 64% now disapprove of his handling of Social Security, up from 56% in March.
— In today's NY Times -- Senate committee takes up bid to overhaul Social Security -- So far, the committee has proven to be just about as divided -- and stalled -- as the Senate at large. The committee chairman says most of his committee members simply wish the issue would go away.
— In today's LA Times -- Workers' comp costs questioned -- Workers' comp insurers saw their costs from paying claims drop dramatically, but they haven't passed those savings on to hard-pressed California employers. (Yes, you read that right. Private insurers are hoarding profits. Shocking.)
— In today's LA Times -- Clashes growing between Bush, moderate Republicans -- GOP moderates seem more willing to challenge the administration than during Bush's first term.

MONDAY, April 25 -- Workers Memorial Day: Mourn the dead, fight for the living
— In Sunday's News Tribune -- Passing Algebra II serves as benchmark for high-wage jobs -- Op-ed by WSLC's Al Link: If students are graduating from high school with a level of math that makes them unprepared for college work without remediation, they are also likely to be unprepared to handle the math challenges of today’s high-performance workplaces.
— In the P.S. Business Journal -- Aerospace crunch: Labor shortage chokes growth plans -- With the region's aerospace business in a steep climb after a long decline, companies are hitting a surprising obstacle: not enough skilled people to operate computerized milling machines that make parts.
— Today from AP -- Air Canada orders 32 Boeing 777s and 787s, buys options for as many as 96 jets
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- Fire fighters may support county paramedic plan
— In today's Everett Herald -- Edmonds may need to lay off teachers as enrollment declines
— In today's Oregonian -- Janitors' suit claims labor, pay violations -- The six plaintiffs' lawsuit against a contractor they work for at Portland's Rose Garden Arena is part of a national organizing campaign.

Olympia news -- WFSE: Union contracts funded, make difference for state employees
— Today from AP -- Budget will be boon for state, Gregoire says -- Says the governor: “To the families of Washington state who are worried about their jobs, worried about education and worried about health care, I say to them -- your future just got better.”
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Lawmakers OK bump in gas tax of 9.5 cents -- With help from minority Republicans, Democrats approve an $8 billion roads package to help pay for replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct, expanding I-405 and hundreds of other projects statewide focused on safety.
— In today's Seattle Times -- Gas-tax projects widespread; many await regional funding
— In the Seattle P-I -- Road construction coming your way -- Crews will be out in full force this summer.
— Saturday from AP -- Bill signing boosts unemployment benefits for cyclical workers
— In today's Yakima H-R -- Help is on the way for city, county governments
— In Sunday's Columbian -- Full steam ahead -- Editorial: Governor Gregoire has shown a zeal and passion for the job, and her early performance has reflected a willingness to put in long hours.

National news: — In the Chicago Tribune -- Wal-Mart ex-exec target of U.S. investigation -- The probe involves accusations that the former vice chairman at the world's biggest retailer misspent up to $500,000, some of it allegedly for widely criticized anti-union activity.
— In today's LA Times -- Illegal immigration fears have spread -- In many non-border states, groups are forming to pass initiatives and pressure politicians into denying benefits to illegal immigrants.
...plus -- Bush gets personal on Social Security -- Bush invited a small group of GOP congressmen to his living room, where he did something remarkable. He listened to them. He even took criticism.
— In the USA TODAY -- Social Security debate at a stalemate -- Support for Bush's vision of individual investment accounts has ebbed; a USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll taken this month shows nearly twice as many Americans oppose the idea as support it.
— In today's NY Times -- The oblivious Right -- Krugman column: President Bush and other Republican leaders honestly think we're living in the best of times. That's because everyone they talk to says so.
— In the Hartford Courant -- Disclosure rules bury unions under piles of paperwork -- Column: In union halls across the nation, labor leaders are trying to address strict new Bush administration rules. Meanwhile, Bush's Department of Labor, under Secretary Elaine Chao, is easing all sorts of restrictions on business, from safety and health inspections to wage protections.

Previous weeks' news: April 18-22 -- April 11-15 -- April 4-8

FRIDAY, APRIL 29
"Will Restructuring the AFL-CIO Help Unions Rebuild Power?"
Panel of Washington state labor leaders to discuss the issue at UW on May 7

"The Labor Movement in Transition: Will Restructuring the AFL-CIO Help Workers and Unions Rebuild Power?" is a panel discussion and dialogue planned for Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Seattle at the University of Washington, Smith Hall, Room 102.

Rick Bender, President of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, will introduce a discussion by a panel that includes:

Greg Devereux, Executive Director of the Washington Federation of State Employees, AFSCME Council 28
Emily Van Bronkhorst, Vice P{resident of Service Employees International Union Local 1199NW
Jim Woodward, Subdistrict Director of the United Steelworkers of America
Also invited are representatives from the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

A panel discussion is planned for 9 to 10:15 a.m., followed by break-out groups from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., and then the panel reconvenes to answer questions from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event is presented by the Washington State Labor Council, the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies and the Labor Center at The Evergreen State College. Co-Sponsors include the King County Labor Council and the Pierce County Central Labor Councils.

FRIDAY, APRIL 29
Sens. Kerry, Murray plan Seattle town hall on kids' health care

U.S. Sens. John Kerry and Patty Murray will be holding a town hall meeting in Seattle this Monday, May 2 to talk about Kerry's exciting new "Kids First" proposal. Tickets are free but limited.

"Kids First" would provide needed federal funding to help cover 11 million children with no health insurance across the country -- including 95,000 kids here in Washington state. Better funding from Washington D.C. would help us reach our goal of insuring all children in Washington state by 2010.

Make plans to attend this important event, especially if you are a parent with a story to share with the senators and the public how difficult it is for families who don't have health coverage for their children. This event is part of a national tour. In Austin and Atlanta, Kerry was met by hundreds of health care providers and supporters, and that energy helped him pick up six new sponsors for the "Kids First" proposal in just the last few days.

Now it's Washington state's turn!

When: Monday May 2nd at 9:30 a.m. (doors open at 9 a.m.)

Where: Town Hall in Seattle, 1119 8th Avenue (at 8th Ave. & Seneca)

Space is limited, so please reserve your tickets today. Tickets are free, and you can reserve up to two seats. Tickets are required for admission. Click here to get yours: www.johnkerry.com/Seattle.

THURSDAY, APRIL 28
Rally to demand respect for childcare workers Friday in Seattle

President Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress say “no child left behind,” and yet, funding for Early Childcare Education (for 5-year-olds and younger) has not only been left behind but entirely forgotten by federal government. As expectations for entry in to public kindergarten classes increase, fewer and fewer families are able to afford quality child care that will prepare children for school. Quality care is directly related to the wages and benefits of the providers. Quality teachers deserve a livable wage, and quality child care requires adequate funding.

That's why childcare workers and their advocates and supporters will rally and march Friday (tomorrow) in support of these principles governing quality child care. Participants will meet at 10 a.m. at Westlake Park in downtown Seattle, followed by a march to Steinbrueck Park.

Childcare professionals have helped create standards such as the Washington State Training and Registry (S.T.A.R.S) program to improve standards across the state. The hugely successful Early Childhood Career and Wage Ladder was just refunded for the next state budget, and childcare teachers hope that it will be fully funded to reach all programs. The wage ladder provides state supplements to childcare teachers who meet educational milestones, keeping childcare professionals in the field and decreasing turnover. As childcare professionals receive more education and training, the quality of care they provide increases.

Sponsors and endorsers of Friday's rally and march include the Child Care Guild/SEIU Local 925 (Seattle Childcare Union), Childcare Workforce Alliance (AFT), and Seattle Worthy Wages. The event themes are:

Childcare Professionals Demand Respect for their Important Work They Do
Pay Childcare Professionals More than Peanuts (The Penniless Peanut will be there to illustrate this point)
Money for Early Childhood Education, not war
Fully Fund The Career and Wage Ladder to reach all programs
Family Providers UNIONIZE, tell the state to raise subsidy rates for all Childcare

For more information, contact Heidi Prochnow at 425-454-3950.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27
WSLC economic development conference May 17-18 in Lacey

Unions looking to find
a role in planning

Read Seattle P-I business columnist Bill Virgin's April 21 piece on the WSLC's upcoming economic development conference:

"Labor is smart to take the initiative now. As great as the challenges are -- technology changes and emerging international competitors chief among them -- it's easier to come up with answers to the question, "Where are jobs going to come from tomorrow" than its alternative, "What happened to the jobs we had yesterday?"

At a time the Wal-Martization of America is hurting workers and good employers, it has never been more important for the labor movement to develop its own strategies for economic and workforce development and training, investment and access to capital. The Washington State Labor Council and its Economic Development and Transportation Committee are proud to sponsor “Access to Capital: Union Strategies in Economic and Workforce Development” on May 17-18 in Lacey.

Principal union officers, pension fund trustees, members of economic development and workforce development councils and other interested union members should plan to attend this timely conference. Workshop topics will include:

Access to Investment Funds
Using Public Development Dollars and Programs
Public and Private Targeted Investment
Apollo, the National Energy Investment Strategy

The conference will be at the UA Local 26 Educational Development Trust Training Center (Western WA Pipe Trades), 8501 Zenith Court in Lacey. It begins at 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17 and conclude at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18. Download a registration form. Registration is open from noon to 1:00 p.m. May 17, the $40 registration fee includes all materials and lunch both days.

A block of rooms is being held at the Red Lion Olympia Hotel , 2300 Evergreen Park Dr. S.W. in Olympia. Please contact the hotel directly at 360-943-4000 for room reservations information.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27
New study: 391,000 employed Washingtonians are uninsured
Local organizers of "Cover the Uninsured Week" Call for Action on May 2

SEATTLE -- A new study analyzing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that a significant number of working Americans in every state do not have health care coverage, including more than 391,000 in Washington. Nationally, at least 20 million working adults do not have coverage. In eight states, at least one in five working adults is uninsured. In 39 other states, including Washington, at least one working adult in every 10 does not have health care coverage. The report further reveals that in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, between one-fourth and one-half of all uninsured adults were unable to see a doctor when needed in the past year because of cost, including nearly 284,000 uninsured adults in Washington.

“Characteristics of the Uninsured: A View from the States” was released today by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to kickoff Cover the Uninsured Week, the largest nonpartisan campaign in history to focus attention on the need to secure reliable, affordable health coverage for all Americans. Some of the most influential organizations in the country, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the AFL-CIO, are cosponsoring the Week, which occurs from May 1-8. Supported by nine former Surgeons General and Health and Human Services Secretaries appointed by both Republican and Democratic presidents, the effort is co-chaired by Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. Noah Wyle, star of the TV drama “ER,” serves as the campaign’s national spokesperson.

Hundreds of public events will take place from coast to coast during Cover the Uninsured Week, with activities taking place in every state. The effort brings together diverse national, state, and community organizations to tell the nation’s leaders that health coverage for all must be a top priority. Specific events are designed to help uninsured individuals get services and provide information to small business owners who are finding it difficult to provide health insurance for their employees.

Planned events to be held in Seattle as part of Cover the Uninsured Week, include Health and Enrollment Fairs in Seattle (April 30) and Tacoma (May 7), a kickoff press conference at Harborview Medical Center (May 2) and a CityClub forum (May 3). More than 25 organizations, including the Washington State Hospital Association, the Washington Health Foundation, Swedish Medical Center, Community Health Network, United Way of Pierce County and the Tacoma/Pierce County Chamber of Commerce have been involved in organizing Cover the Uninsured Week events in the Puget Sound area.

“The myth that the uninsured can get the care they need is dispelled by this study,” said Leo Greenawalt, President of the Washington State Hospital Association. “The uninsured are clearly not getting necessary medical care, and they are suffering adverse health outcomes as a result. This is a problem in Washington and it is a problem nationwide. In the Puget Sound area we are adding our voice to all those throughout the nation who will be calling for reliable and affordable health coverage for all Americans during Cover the Uninsured Week.”

The report released today was prepared for RWJF by researchers at the State Health Access Data Assistance Center, located at the University of Minnesota. Additional findings, of surveyed adults ages 18-64, include:

The problem is pervasive among workers in every state. States with the highest rates of uninsured residents among employed adults include Texas (27 percent), New Mexico (23 percent), Louisiana (23 percent), Florida (22 percent), Montana (21 percent), Oklahoma (21 percent), Nevada (20 percent), and Arkansas (20 percent). States with the lowest uninsured rates among employed adults include Minnesota (7 percent), Hawaii (9 percent), and Delaware and the District of Columbia (9 percent). In Washington the rate is more than 14 percent. In Oregon the rate is more than 19 percent.
Uninsured adults are unable to see a doctor when needed. Nationally, 41 percent of uninsured adults report being unable to see a doctor when needed in the past 12 months due to cost, compared to just nine percent of adults who have coverage. In Washington, more than 43 percent of uninsured adults report being unable to see a doctor when needed in the past 12 months due to cost, compared to just nearly 9 percent of adults who have coverage.
Uninsured adults are less likely to have a personal doctor or health care provider. Nationally, 56 percent of adults without health care coverage say they do not have a personal doctor or health care provider, compared with just 16 percent of people with coverage. In Washington, more than 59 percent of adults without health care coverage say they do not have a personal doctor or health care provider, compared with nearly 17 percent of people with coverage.
Adults who are uninsured are much more likely to report being in poor or fair health than are adults who are insured. Nationally, one in five uninsured adults (20 percent) say their health is fair or poor, compared with nearly one in nine adults with health coverage (12 percent). In Washington, more than one in six uninsured adults (more than 17 percent) say their health is fair or poor, compared with one in 10 adults with health coverage (more than 10 percent).

The local kick off of Cover the Uninsured Week will take place May 2 at 2 p.m. at Harborview Medical Center and feature officials from the American Diabetes Association, Harborview Medical Center, Community Health Network and Governor Christine Gregoire.

Cover the Uninsured Week has grown considerably since the campaign was first introduced in 2003. Nearly 250 national organizations and 2,500 local organizations have participated in planning the Week’s events. Hundreds of health and enrollment fairs provide screenings and information to those without coverage. Business seminars provide opportunities for small business owners to discuss ways to provide affordable health plans for their employees. Special coverage-oriented educational forums take place on campuses nationwide before, during, and after the Week. Rabbis, pastors, priests, and imams throughout the nation will be talking about this issue and getting congregants involved in efforts to help people who are uninsured. Press conferences are planned in cities across the country, assembling diverse groups of local leaders to demonstrate community support for action on the issue and to release new research.

To view the state-by-state research report, locate Cover the Uninsured Week activities, or download materials in English or Spanish, log on to www.CoverTheUninsuredWeek.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 26
Information about workers' comp claims is a click or call away

Injured workers that have a state fund workers’ compensation claim in Washington state can now review their claims online. Click here to set up your user ID and password, and then you can view your claim information. If you need assistance with accessing your claim information online, call the Claim and Account Center Helpline at 360-902-5999.

For free claim assistance contact the Project Help Program at 1-800-255-9752. Funded by the Department of Labor and Industries, the intent of Project Help is to expedite claims resolution, ensure that all rights are preserved and protected, and reduce unnecessary litigation. You can contact the Kairie Pierce, Project Help Claims Specialist, for more information.

MONDAY, APRIL 25
Workers Memorial Day: Mourn the dead, fight for the living

Workers Memorial Day is this week on Thursday, April 28. It is a day that working people throughout the world mourn for the people who were hurt or killed on the job, and renew the struggle for safe workplaces. More than 100 Washington workers died in 2004 as a result of on-the-job injuries or illnesses. Click here for a list (in Word format) as provided by the Department of Labor and Industries.

Al Link, Secretary-Treasurer of the Washington State Labor Council, spoke Saturday at the Spokane Regional Labor Council's annual event commemorating Workers Memorial Day. Among those whose memories were honored were Mike Cmos Jr., a Spokane city worker and member of AFSCME Local 270 who was killed last year after a roof at the Spokane Wastewater Treatment Plant collapsed, and Laborers Local 238 member Christopher Rice who was killed while driving to an out-of-town job. Respects were also paid to the 28 Washingtonians who died at work in the military in 2004.

The following Worker Memorial Day commemorations are planned for this week:

BELLINGHAM -- The Northwest Washington Central Labor Council has planned a commemoration for Thursday, April 28 at noon at the Worker Memorial Monument on the Bellingham Library lawn, across the street from City Hall. Labor Council President David Warrenwill introduce remarks by City Councilman Terry Bornemann. Colors will be presented by the Bellingham Police Department. For more information, contact Charlie Warren at 360-676-0099.
EVERETT -- The Snohomish County Labor Council's event is at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 27. Participants will meet at the Everett Labor Temple, 2812 Lombard Ave., to march up to the Workers Memorial Statue at the County Courthouse. The commemoration will focus on the accidents at Kimberly Clark last year involving AWPPW members. For more information, call 425-259-7922.
OLYMPIA/TUMWATER -- The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) will honor the memories of more than 100 workers who died as a result of job-related injuries or illnesses in Washington in 2004 during Worker Memorial Day ceremonies at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27 at the L&I headquarters, 7273 Linderson Way SW, in Tumwater. Incoming L&I Director Gary Weeks will introduce remarks by Tom Fitzsimmons of the Governor’s office, Rick Bender of the Washington State Labor Council, Don Brunell of the Association of Washington Business and Brian Earl from Washington SelfInsurers’ Association. Family members of workers who died in 2004 have been invited, and the observance is open to the public. The centerpiece of the ceremony is a reading of the names of the workers, accompanied by bell ringers from the Washington State Council of Firefighters. For more information, contact L&I's Elaine Fischer at 360-902-5413.

MONDAY, APRIL 25
Union contracts funded, make difference for state employees

The following analysis of the 2005-07 operating budget approved over the weekend was posted by the Washington Federation of State Employees, AFSCME Council 28:

CONTRACTS FUNDED AS LEGISLATURE WRAPS WORK ON BUDGET

The House and Senate on Sunday afternoon both approved the compromise state budget that funds your pay raises, stabilized health insurance premium rates, pay gap adjustments and program enhancements.

The House passed the budget 56-42, while the Senate OK’d it 25-22.

Lawmakers adopted the budget in the hours leading up to final adjournment of the 2005 session.

The compromise budget (ESSB 6090) fully funds your negotiated pay raises with no delays. That’s 3.2 percent, on time on July 1, 2005, and at least 1.6 percent on-time on July 1, 2006. Those covered by ratified contracts at Eastern Washington University and Washington State University will get lump sum payments in the second year -- and on time. UW Trades workers negotiated their pay raise on an hourly basis.

The health premium package keeps your premium costs at the negotiated level of 12 percent, the current level. That’s a savings of an average $1,000 compared to what you would have paid had former Gov. Locke gotten his wish of imposing an 18 percent premium share.

The budget funds those contract articles that included pay gap adjustments for those farthest behind on the salary survey.

The budget also reversed Locke’s plan to close Fircrest School and the Program for Adaptive Living Skills (PALS) at Western State Hospital. The final budget actually creates a study of all residential habilitation center services. It also adds money for more forensic (legal offender) staff and a new ward at Western State Hospital. The budget also saves the state Productivity Board in the Secretary of State’s Office and its popular Brainstorm Award employee suggestion program.

The budget also adds staff in Children’s Services and enhances programs in Ecology, Parks, Juvenile Rehabilitation, DSHS and elsewhere. In Monday’s message, we’ll have a detailed rundown.

And the budget trims 1,000 Washington Management Service and other mid-level positions, freeing up funds for front-line services.

BUDGET UNDERSCORES THAT IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO HAVE A CONTRACT

While the budget adopted Sunday by both the House and Senate fully funded your negotiated contracts, it did not give the same pay and benefits package to non-represented state employees -- those not covered by a contract and those who decertify and give up their contracts.

This is no surprise: To save money, lawmakers have always trimmed state employee pay and benefits. The difference this year is they had to honor the contracts for 80,000 represented state employees. But they had no such restriction in what they funded for non-represented state employees.

Overall, non-represented state employees will receive four months less of pay raises compared to represented state employees. That’s because they have to wait two months longer -- until Sept. 1, 2005 -- to receive a 3.2 percent raise. And in the second year, when represented employees see their pay go up another 1.6 percent, non-represented employees will get no additional raise (1.6 percent) until Sept. 1, 2006. That’s the second two months. Four months total of no pay raises, or only 20 months of boosted pay. Represented employees get the full raise, on time, for the entire 24 months. Over the long run, that extra four months of higher pay for represented employees works out to a huge difference.

On health premiums, the budget funds the negotiated 12 percent share, with no added costs for inflation. But the budget requires non-represented employees to cover the difference if medical inflation rises above 8.5 percent, up to 11 percent. The budget funds that inflation gap for represented employees because our contract assumed an inflation rate of 11 percent.

So, in the end, having a contract does make a difference. Non-represented employees will get less pay and higher health costs.

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.