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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.

Reports for April 26-30, 2004

Previous weeks' news: April 19-23 -- April 12-16 -- April 5-9

FRIDAY, April 30 -- May Day events planned in Spokane, Seattle, Tacoma and Fife
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Today we politely request: Please pass the living wages -- Paynter column: TODAY is Worthy Wage Day. Child-care workers and their supporters will gather in Seattle at 10 a.m. at Westlake Park for a march to Victor Steinbrueck Park, where an 11:15 a.m. children's carnival, information tables and bubble blowers will honor the work these teachers do.
— In today's News Tribune -- Port of Tacoma benefits from Vancouver, BC strike
...plus -- A visionary leader on Tacoma docks -- Phil Lelli was a legendary longshore worker who was president of his union local for 17 years -- longer than anyone else on the West Coast.
— In today's Tri-City Herald -- Endless talk a setback for immigration reform (editorial)
— In today's Seattle Times -- Citing health problem, Talmadge withdraws from governor's race
...plus -- Regional transportation plan advances, but faces hurdles
...plus -- Outsourcing: What goes around comes around -- Op-ed by President of Washington Council on International Trade paraphrased: "I feel workers' pain -- I really do -- but outsourcing is good."
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- Qwest explores ways to outsource more IT work (AP)
— In today's Yakima H-R -- Baby Jogger is riding off into the sunset -- "All the work did go to China," says co-founder of defunct company. "I say it's the Wal-Martization of the United States economy," says the inventor of the Baby Jogger. "The race to the bottom line has been going on for a long time."
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Hanford audit finds most exposures reported accurately
At AFLCIO.org -- Bush administration refuses to guarantee right to overtime pay
At Teamster.org -- President Hoffa statement on resignation of Edwin Stier
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Citing pullback, antigraft team quits Teamsters
— In today's Washington Post -- U.S. economic growth steady in 1st quarter -- But wage and salary increases continued their anemic growth and were far outpaced by a surprisingly big jump in employee benefit costs, pushed up by pensions and soaring health care costs. ("Surprisingly?")
— In today's S.F. Chronicle -- CWA members authorize strike against California's biggest phone co.
— In the new Mother Jones -- Class dismissed -- Laid-off teachers, 40-child classes, axed electives, and pay-to-play sports: Is Oregon the future of public education in America?
...plus -- Contracts with America -- Never before have private companies done so much of the government's work, from homeland security to rebuilding Iraq. So who's making sure the public gets its money's worth? Why, contractors, of course.

THURSDAY, April 29 -- Worker Memorial Day coverage:
— In today's Olympian -- State honors workers who died -- Rick Bender, President of the Washington State Labor Council, says workers killed on the job should inspire further vigilance toward making workplaces safer: "Let their legacy be one of protecting the lives of others."
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Bell tolls for state's fallen workers
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- Workers who died are honored
— In today's News Tribune -- A day to honor workers who gave their all
...plus -- Phil Lelli, at rest -- Editorial: Some guys are so burly and tough, it's hard to imagine them actually dying. Phil Lelli, the longtime leader of Tacoma's longshore union, was one of these.
Also today at WashTech.org -- Indian business lobby fetes congressional delegation -- Also see AP story -- Congressional trip to India riles workers
— In today's King County Journal -- Darigold labor dispute heads to federal hearing
...plus -- Grocery workers' contract extended; grocers say progress is being made
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- Grocers, UFCW keep an eye on looming contract dispute
— In today's Everett Herald -- 7E7 optimism flies high, plus Boeing to build more jets, not add jobs
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Jury still out on corporate governance -- Virgin column re: efforts of building trades' Worker Owner Council of Washington State to pass shareholder resolutions at Paccar.
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- Workers, employers need win-win solutions (column re: HERE 8)
— In today's Oregonian -- Trial on union pension fund scandal focuses on fishing, hunting trips
— Today at AFLCIO.org -- Bush decision to ignore China abuses "an outrage" -- Sweeney: "It shows decisively that this Administration will only enforce U.S. trade laws when corporate profits and concerns are at stake, but will not go to bat to protect the fundamental human rights of workers."
— In today's Washington Post -- Bush rejects China trade sanctions
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Bush rejects labor's call to punish China
...plus -- Sen. Kerry outlines jobs program in swing through Midwest
...plus on Sunday -- War on Peruvian drugs takes a victim: U.S. asparagus -- In Washington, the nation's second-leading asparagus producer, about 17,000 acres have been plowed under since U.S. taxpayers began subsidizing Peruvian asparagus in 1991, a 55 percent decline in acreage... Some industry experts have said Washington's high minimum wage of $7.16 an hour has contributed to the industry's decline. But Mr. McKay, the farmer, said he was able to pay high wages and even give workers housing, and still make a profit before Peruvian asparagus was given trade preference.
— Today from the AP -- Democrats determined to derail Bush's new overtime plan
— In today's S.F. Chronicle -- Schwarzenegger backs another try at California energy deregulation
 

WEDNESDAY, April 28 -- NLRB sets July 6 hearing on Darigold unfair labor practices -- WestFarm Foods may have to pay $8 million in back pay and benefits if 8-month lockout ruled illegal.
...plus -- Join UFCW grocery negotiators at Solidarity Suite this Friday
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Grocery contract extension approved, pact runs at least through May 5
...plus -- Boeing reports $623 million profit, surge in defense revenue -- CEO Stonecipher notes the commercial jet unit was "generating solid profitability at the bottom of the commercial airplane cycle." In other news, 38 more IAM members and 11 SPEEA members lost their jobs last Friday. The layoffs were confirmed by union officials; Boeing has stopped providing the media monthly layoff notices.
— In today's Seattle Times -- Tired of having salaries frozen, state employees flock to unions (AP)
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Empire Health Services examines problems -- Consultants hired to assess financial woes at Deaconess and Valley; hospitals will look at cutting employee overtime.
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- Naval Base Kitsap merger could trigger future job cuts -- Navy says 30 jobs eliminated in the merger of Bangor and Bremerton bases could be just the beginning of cuts.
— In the new Seattle Weekly -- So long, SoDo -- Yuppie flu is spreading through blue-collar Seattle and if one developer has his way, Terminal 46 longshore workers could find cargo replaced by condos.
TODAY is Workers Memorial Day: Honoring workers killed or injured on the job (AFLCIO.org) -- Local commemorations are scheduled today in Bellingham, Everett, Olympia and Tacoma. 
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Stronger criminal penalties sought for OSHA violations that kill workers
...plus -- Companies finding some computer jobs are best done in the United States
— In today's Oregonian -- DOL to create enforcement task force on new overtime pay rules (AP)
...plus -- Illegal immigration from Mexico on rise, perhaps in anticipation of Bush's reform plan
— In the USAYesterday -- Out-of-pocket health costs may soar -- Fully 73% of employers surveyed likely to "offer" Health Savings Accounts (legalized in recent Medicare reform), which let companies shift some of the cost of health care to workers and may result in lower insurance premiums.
— In today's Washington Post -- U.S. farmers get a lesson in global trade -- "We're losing our sovereignty," says a Texas cotton farmer whose federal subsidies may get cut off because of a recent WTO ruling. For more info, see Small consolation for Seattle's WTO protesters: You were right 

TUESDAY, April 27 -- Bush's new rules on overtime pay create "House of Mystery"
...plus -- Reality TV: CWA takes on "West Wing" over outsourcing issue
— In today's King County Journal -- Boeing 7E7 order brings sigh of relief for state (AP)
— In today's Seattle Times -- Boeing hints at more sales as Dreamliner comes true
— In today's Everett Herald -- Deal launches 50 7E7s; more orders, jobs in the offing
...plus -- Boeing, Washington made right call on 7E7 (editorial)
...plus -- Boeing may face strike in St. Louis as contract talks with Machinists begin (AP)
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Boeing runs risk of having no home -- Virgin column: So where is home for Boeing these days? And if Boeing needs to go back there in a pinch, will the people there take it in?
— Today at BusinessWeek Online -- A pattern of discrimination at Boeing? -- Boeing's own internal documents indicate that minority employees were, in some cases, on the short end of the stick, earning less pay and receiving fewer promotions than their white colleagues.
In other news:
— In today's Olympian -- Unions scramble to organize state workers
...plus -- State employee pay raise discussion under way -- Gary Moore, the state's chief labor negotiator, said it's too early to tell what issues will be the most contentious.
— In today's News Tribune -- Unions to honor workers killed, injured on the job
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- Workers who dies of job-related illness, injury to be honored
...plus -- Surgeries canceled in B.C. strike; nurses among the 40,000 union members involved
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Number of uninsured children in Washington state soars
— In today's Yakima H-R -- Teachers' union "snub" shows Bergeson doing the job (editorial)
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- Democrats remain opposed to "pit-to-pier" gravel-mining operation
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- U.S. drug prices need regulation -- Editorial: It isn't fair that Americans pick up the total R&D bill, especially since research happens at tax-funded universities.
...plus -- 189 migrant workers found locked in overheated semi trailers in Mexico (AP)
— In today's Oregonian -- Albina Fuel announces HQ going north to Vancouver -- Another company decides Washington's business environment doesn't "suck" as bad as some would have you think.
— In today's N.Y. Times -- WTO rules against U.S. on cotton subsidies -- Ruling could force the U.S. to lower the subsidies it pays farmers to grow cotton and, eventually, most subsidized crops.
— In today's Washington Post -- Kerry talks tough on trade -- Sen. John Kerry: "We will not turn a blind eye to clear trade violations when American jobs are on the line."
...plus -- College host chides Cheney -- V-P rebuked by his host after "Kerry-bashing" speech.
...plus -- Stooping low to smear Kerry -- Dionne column: "Have you no sense of decency, sir?" It was the classic question posed by Joseph Welch to Sen. Joseph McCarthy 50 years ago. Unfortunately, the question needs to be asked again of Republican Party.
— In today's L.A. Times -- He'll take your job and ship it -- Outsourcing firm's CEO: "If you're a Web programmer, I'm sorry, you have no right to think you can keep your job in the U.S. if you're using the same technology that existed four years ago. You've got to keep moving up. You've got to keep going back to school…. If you're not going to do that, you're going to lose your job."

MONDAY, April 26 -- Worker Memorial Day commemorations planned this week
— In today's Seattle Times -- Boeing lands $6 billion deal for 50 of its new 7E7 jets
— In Saturday's Everett Herald -- SPEEA chief scolds Boeing: Fight Airbus, not own employees
— In Sunday's News Tribune -- Now's no time for grocers to reinvent labor contracts -- Op-ed by UW Economics Professor: Both sides ought to agree on a new contract without workers having to walk the pavement... That means no two-tiered wage system in this contract.
— In Sunday's Olympian -- BIAW hopes to change workers' comp -- Builders' group planning initiative to impose four-quarter averaging (across-the-board benefit cuts), eliminate the value of health benefits in calculating benefits, and more. The carrot may be to eliminate workers' share of premiums.
— In the P.S. Business Journal -- Make like California on workers' comp -- BIAW letter: (We should not) waste time on yet another task force with the two groups who have done the most to derail workers' comp reform -- trial lawyers and unions. Allowing them a say in the negotiations ensures no real reforms will ever be agreed upon or implemented. It's time to use the hammer (like) BIAW used the hammer to roll back ergonomics regulations and an increase in unemployment insurance taxes.
— In Saturday's Seattle P-I -- Eyman's property tax/gaming initiative is back on track
...plus on Sunday -- Fair paychecks in the new economy -- Editorial: Government can help workers, companies and families with policies aimed at ensuring the pay provides a decent standard of living.
...plus today -- Premera has spent $31 million (so far) in quest to become for-profit health insurer
— In Friday's Tri-City Herald -- Boise Corp. to terminate contract -- The dispute with PACE 8-990 involves about 120 workers at the Wallula box plant. Confrontation could come as early as May 3.
— In Sunday's Peninsula Daily News -- Labor balks at Democrats' opposition to "pit-to-pier" project
— In Sunday's Columbian -- Overtime overdue (editorial supporting Bush's revised overtime pay cuts)
— In today's News Tribune -- Nethercutt, Sen. Murray in training for the main event
— In today's King County Journal -- Business behind bars; Private, correctional industries compete
— In today's L.A. Times -- Southwest Airlines flies into labor turbulence with flight attendants

Previous weeks' news: April 19-23 -- April 12-16 -- April 5-9

FRIDAY,  APRIL 30
May Day events planned in Spokane, Seattle, Tacoma and Fife

The following May Day events are planned for Saturday, May 1 (see below for an explanation of the history and significance of May Day):

Worker Memorial Day Commemoration in Spokane -- April 28 was Worker Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor the memories of workers killed or injured on the job during the past year and a day to rededicate ourselves toward the fight for workplace safety and health. Commemorations were held in Bellingham, Everett, Tacoma and Olympia, but Spokane's is still planned for noon Saturday at Mission Park (Perry & Mission) in Spokane, followed by a picnic in the park.  The Spokane Regional Labor Council invites everyone to attend in conjunction with Bloomsday weekend. If you plan to run Sunday's race, please also attend the ceremony and picnic Saturday after you register for the race. For more information, contact Beth Thew at (509) 327-7637.

Rally & March for Immigrant Workers' Rights in Seattle -- Immigrant rights advocates, community leaders and union activists will rally and march in Seattle on Saturday to support immigration reform and worker rights in general.  The march begins at 10 a.m. at the Seattle Central Community College south plaza, 1701 Broadway, and proceed down Pine Street toward Westlake Park, where the rally will happen at noon. For more information, call (206) 448-7348 x331 or mail@comiteproamnistia.org.

"Support Grocery Workers" Action in Tacoma -- Jobs with Justice plans to lead an action from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday outside the Safeway store at 38th and M Street in Tacoma, just east of the Tacoma Mall.  The United Food and Commercial Workers union is negotiating a new contract for some 17,000 Puget Sound area grocery workers at Safeway, Fred Meyer, Albertsons and QFC stores. The companies are seeking dramatic cutbacks of health care benefits.

Tacoma-Pierce County area May Day Celebration will be Saturday at 7 p.m. (right after the "Support Grocery Workers" Action in Tacoma) at the ILWU Longshore Hall in Fife (1306 Alexander Ave. E between Highway 509 and Pacific Highway S.)  Join the labor community as we celebrate the traditional labor holiday with special guest speakers Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma, Rep. Steve Conway and the ILWU's Joe Wenzl. Admission is free, as is the food and drink. For more information, call America in Solidarity at (253) 691-2294.

Here is an excellent essay by Jackie Dana that appeared in the Working Stiff Journal explaining the history and significance of May Day:

May Day - the REAL Labor Day

"Workmen, let your watchword be: No compromise! Cowards to the rear! Men to the front! The die is cast. The first of May, whose historic significance will be understood and appreciated only in later years, has come." —Albert Spies, May 1886

All of the privileges workers enjoy today—a minimum wage, safety laws, and even an eight-hour workday—came about only with the sacrifice of the workers who came before us. Although the government prefers our collective amnesia, workers on this May Day should remember our past and realize that we too are part of an ongoing struggle to bring about an end to the exploitation of labor around the world.

From the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, people in factories have worked very long shifts, lasting up to fourteen or more hours a day. During the 1880s a new movement calling for an eight-hour day inspired both labor unions and unorganized workers. At its 1884 convention, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions adopted a resolution stating that beginning May 1, 1886, "eight hours shall constitute a legal day's work" and workers would strike at companies that did not recognize the eight-hour day.

By April 1886, a quarter of a million workers had committed themselves to go on strike as part of the May Day movement. This enabled thousands of workers to win shorter shifts. Most employers, however, refused to reduce working hours. By May 1 some 200,000 workers were on strike. An additional 340,000 workers in the industrial cities of Boston, New York, Milwaukee, Chicago and Pittsburgh, turned out for local parades and rallies.

One of the most militant campaigns occurred in Chicago. The syndicalist International Working People's Association—promoting equal rights and an end to racism and the class system—had successfully organized huge numbers of workers, building a movement that included African-Americans, immigrants, and women standing together with white men. Largely because of the organization’s efforts, 50,000 workers went on strike, with tens of thousands attending the city's May Day parade. The IWPA's successful broad-based appeal worried businesses and the government alike. This fear resulted in the expansion of both the police and the militias.

On May Day, Albert Parsons, along with Albert Spies, spoke to a huge crowd assembled as part of the May Day activities. Parsons was a member of both the Knights of Labor and the Chicago Central Labor Union, and Spies was the editor of the German workers' paper Die Arbeiter-Zeitung. Despite the city leaders' expectations of violence (which led to a heavy police presence), the rally ended without incident.
Two days later, Spies spoke to a meeting of 6,000 workers. Among the workers were striking lumber workers and employees from the McCormick Harvester Works. Cyrus McCormick, a determined union-buster had locked his workers out as a result of their strike of 2 ½ months. Nonstriking workers and replacement workers became the focus of heckling by other meeting participants, which created a chaotic atmosphere. Then, in a classic case of overreaction, police fired into the crowd and killed at least two men while wounding many more.

Appalled by the police violence, Spies called for a massive rally the next day in Haymarket Square. Between 2,000 and 3,000 people attended the May 4 rally. Parsons gave an hour-long speech that was relatively tame. He specifically stated, "I am not here for the purpose of inciting anybody."

Chicago Mayor Harrison, who had attended most of the meeting, stopped by the police station on his way home. He reported to Police Captain Bonfield that "nothing looked likely to require police interference." Despite this advice the captain, who regularly employed Pinkerton detectives and supported "shoot to kill" policies when dealing with strikers, sent additional officers to the square.

After hours of speeches, people had begun to leave, when Samuel Fielden, a Methodist preacher and the final speaker, took the podium. Concluding his speech, he encouraged workers to stand up to the law, which did not protect them, urging them to "kill it, stab it... to impede its progress." The police considered this "inflammatory language" and 200 police officers ordered the remaining crowd to disperse immediately. As Fielden argued with the police of the peaceful intent of the meeting, someone threw a dynamite bomb at the police. One sergeant was killed immediately. The police then opened fire at the crowd. Estimates indicated that seven or eight civilians were killed. Several policemen and additional civilians died later.

Following the event, hysteria swept the city. Mayor Harrison declared martial law. Some believed the bomb had been thrown by an agent provocateur. Indeed, it served nicely as an excuse for the police to harass and attack scores of people. Hundreds were arrested. State Attorney for Cook County J. Grinnell announced in a public statement, "Make the raids first and look up the law afterwards." Labor unions were broken up.

Picketing strikers were arrested and the police continued to beat labor supporters.
In conjunction with the bombing, the state arrested and indicted eight anarchists: Spies, Michael Schwab, Fielden, Parsons, Adolph Fischer, George Engel, Louis Lingg and Oscar Neebe. All were charged with conspiracy to murder, despite the fact that only three had been present at the Haymarket meeting. For their trial, a special bailiff was appointed to pick the jury. He stated, "These fellows are going to be hanged as certain as death." During the trial in June 1886, the state could not provide evidence that any of the men had knowledge of the bomb or that they had incited or participated in the violence.

But it wasn't the men so much as their ideas that were considered dangerous. As Grinnell stated in his summation: "Law is on trial. Anarchy is on trial. These men have been selected, picked out by the grand jury and indicted because they were leaders. They are no more guilty than the thousands who follow them. Gentlemen of the jury: convict these men, make examples of them, hang them and you save our institutions, our society."

As a result of the trial, all but one of the men received death sentences (Neebe received 15 years). Despite international outcry, Spies, Parsons, Fischer, and Engel were hanged on November 11, 1887; Lingg escaped by committing suicide. Hundreds of thousands of people lined the funeral procession for the executed men. Later, in 1893, when newly elected Governor Altgeld granted pardons to Neebe, Schwab, and Fielden, he admitted that the trial had been unfair and that the men had always been innocent of the crimes.

After Haymarket, workers all over the world pointed towards May 1 as their day. After 1886 rallies, strikes and other militant actions promoted the cause of the working class around the world. Unfortunately, a conservative element within U.S. organized labor, combined with the crushing government repression of left politics, allowed the significance of the day to become lost in the United States.

As early as 1894, President Cleveland signed a bill naming not May 1 but the first Monday in September as "Labor Day." This creatively sidestepped the day with more historical significance. Adding further insult, President Eisenhower proclaimed May 1 as "Law Day" in 1958. In light of the history of May Day, it is ironic that the theme of this year's Law Day (sponsored by the American Bar Association) is "Celebrate Your Freedom." The focus is on "equal protection of the laws."

We must not forget what happened at Haymarket, lest we give reactionary forces the opportunity to revoke what the labor movement has gained. In 1886 the movement was strong and visible. It was the state that provoked crowds into violence in order to create an excuse to undermine the progress of the working class. We cannot allow the government to frighten us back into silence. Instead we must follow the examples set by Parsons, Spies, Fischer and Engel, and all the others who have died or been imprisoned by the state. The events of May Day 1886 remind us that workers will continue to be exploited until we stand up and oppose that exploitation. It is only with organization and the courage to speak out against injustice that we will gain better working conditions, better pay, and better lives.

WEDNESDAY,  APRIL 28
NLRB sets July 6 hearing on Darigold unfair labor practices

The following news brief appeared in today's Seattle Times.  Also visit Teamster.org to see NLRB: Darigold's outsourcing, lockout of 200 production workers unlawful and Local 66's website for the NLRB complaint against Darigold, notice of hearing:

BELLEVUE -- The National Labor Relations Board will hold a hearing July 6 on allegations that WestFarm Foods engaged in unfair labor practices.

The Seattle-based cooperative of 716 dairy farmers locked out about 200 Teamsters and brought in replacement workers at its Seattle and Issaquah plants after the Teamsters rejected a proposed contract in August. The contract expired in July for Seattle and Issaquah dairy workers who process Darigold milk products.

WestFarm Foods and Teamsters Local 66 negotiators have met over the last eight months to discuss new contract terms, but have yet to reach an agreement. Sticking points in the talks include wages, health issues and the company's decision to outsource work.

If WestFarm Foods is found guilty, the milk processor will have to end the lockout, rehire its drivers and give locked-out employees back pay and benefits of about $8 million, the union said.

WEDNESDAY,  APRIL 28
Join UFCW grocery negotiators at Solidarity Suite this Friday

United Food and Commercial Workers Locals 44, 81, 367, 381 and 1105 have invited all UFCW members, plus any other union and community supporters, to get active in the fight to protect Puget Sound-area grocery workers' health benefits by joining them at their Solidarity Suite this Friday, April 30. All are invited to stop by any time between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Friday at the SeaTac Doubletree Inn.

The UFCW Bargaining Team will give bargaining updates on contract negotiations throughout the day. Special guest speakers will address the group at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.  There will also be credit counseling and strike preparation workshops throughout the day.

Follow progress of negotiations at www.protecthealthbenefits.org.

Also, in today's Seattle P-I -- Grocery contract extension approved, pact runs at least through May 5

TUESDAY,  APRIL 27
Bush's new rules on overtime pay create "House of Mystery"

The Oregon AFL-CIO distributed the following concise explanation of President Bush's new 500-page rulebook designed to "simplify" overtime pay rules: 

The Bush administration last week announced changes to the nation's wage-and-hour rules that will mandate overtime pay for previously ineligible workers in low-paid managerial jobs but exclude from overtime pay many more workers in high-income jobs and certain middle-income professional and technical positions.

The new rules are so complex they create a "House of Mystery" for overtime pay. Let's take a tour:

The basement room, in which all workers must receive overtime pay regardless of their duties, was expanded to include jobs that pay up to $23,660 per year. That's up from $8,060 per year.  This will expand coverage to lower-paid workers who had been previously classified as exempt from overtime.  Most workers in this category are bosses, like retail store managers and "top person in charge" at restaurants.  These workers will now automatically qualify for time-and-a-half pay when working more than 40 hours in a week.

But a new roof was constructed, at $100,000 per year, above which workers will be excluded from overtime pay.  This is the first time that the overtime rules will include an explicit high-income exclusion.  There will still be a limited "duties test" to be applied to these jobs, but the test is so broadly written that almost any job paying more than $100,000 per year that involves office work or non-manual labor will be exempt.

Between the basement and the roof, the new rules construct rooms that will maintain overtime pay for some workers but add barriers and trap doors for many more.

A new safe room was constructed for police, firefighters, EMTs and first responders.  These workers already qualified for overtime pay under more general, but sometimes disputed, criteria.  Now, under the new rules, their jobs will be explicitly listed as eligible for overtime pay.  The new rules also dropped a provision that would have used prior military training as a criterion to exclude from overtime pay jobs that are performed primarily by veterans.  These changes maintain the status quo for these workers.

But many more workers whose jobs pay between $23,660 and $100,000 per year will lose their right to overtime pay.

Trap doors were added that will eliminate overtime pay for tens of thousands of workers employed as insurance claims adjusters, computer network, internet and database administrators and for an unknown number of workers who are considered to be "team leaders."

And workers in almost all professional and many technical occupations will be subject to complex "duties tests" that could relegate them to newly-exempt status.  Those most likely to suffer loss of overtime pay are some journalists, mortgage loan officers, funeral directors and physical trainers.

"The Bush overtime changes will take money directly out of the pockets of workers and put it into the hands of the President's campaign contributors," said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney.  "This has to be one of the biggest pay cuts in American history... It is a huge windfall for large corporations."

Contact President Bush and your representatives in Congress and urge them to preserve overtime pay for all hard-working American workers.

TUESDAY,  APRIL 27
Reality TV: CWA takes on "West Wing" over outsourcing issue

The following information was distributed Monday by the Communications Workers of America. (Please also Donate now to help send Congress a message on outsourcing; thank you to those who have contributed $5,000 towards running the TechsUnite ad on outsourcing.):

This Wednesday night, April 28, you'll see CWA's President on the hit TV series "The West Wing" for the second week in a row fighting the offshoring of good American jobs. In last week's West Wing episode, CWA was featured prominently in the plotline as our President battled to save thousands of computer programming jobs from going overseas, and also raising our concerns over media concentration with the fictional White House staff.

It's rare for a union to get this kind of positive exposure on mainstream TV. CWA's starring role on this popular show is testimony to our union's political clout and reputation in Washington as a leading force for workers.

This week the "real" CWA will answer "The West Wing." President Bahr will be featured in a 30-second commercial which will be shown sometime between 9-10 p.m. EDT. The ad highlights CWA's efforts to protect high-tech jobs.

Please tell your friends, particularly those in the information industries and watch "The West Wing" Wednesday, April 28.

The commercial this Wednesday will appear in these 23 TV markets: Atlanta, Boston, Charleston, W.Va., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Des Moines, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Ore., Raleigh, San Antonio, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.

With the loss of almost 3 million jobs during the Bush presidency, outsourcing is a huge issue in this year's campaign. Our candidate John Kerry has a plan and a commitment to create 10 million jobs. George Bush has a record of failure and no plan.

Tune in Wednesday night (9 p.m. Eastern time, check listings). Support CWA-COPE. And help put a pro-worker administration into the real West Wing next January.

MONDAY,  APRIL 26
Worker Memorial Day commemorations planned this week

As always, April 28 will be Worker Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor the memories of workers killed or injured on the job during the past year and a day to rededicate ourselves toward the fight for workplace safety and health. The following commemorations are planned in Washington state:

BELLINGHAM -- Northwest Washington Central Labor Council will host its Worker Memorial Remembrance Ceremony at noon on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 at the Worker Memorial Monument on the Bellingham Library lawn, across the street from City Hall. A local elected official will speak and read a joint proclamation from the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County proclaiming April 28, 2004, Worker Memorial Day. For more information, contact Charlie Warren at (360) 676-0099.

EVERETT -- The Snohomish County Labor Council is holding its Workers Memorial Commemoration on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m. at the Workers Memorial Statue at the County Courthouse.

OLYMPIA/TUMWATER -- The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries' Worker Memorial Day ceremony will be at 2 p.m. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 at the L&I Building in Tumwater. For more information, contact L&I's Elaine Fischer at (360) 902-5413.

TACOMA -- The Pierce County Central Labor Council will hold its Worker Memorial Day commemoration on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Thea's Park, 405 Dock Street in Tacoma. There will be speeches, music, and free refreshments. For more information, contact the PCCLC at (253) 473-3810.

SPOKANE -- The annual memorial ceremony will be at noon SATURDAY, MAY 1 at Mission Park (Perry & Mission) in Spokane, followed by a picnic in the park.  The Spokane Regional Labor Council invites everyone in the state to attend in conjunction with Spokane's Bloomsday weekend. If you plan to run the race on Sunday, please also attend the ceremony and picnic Saturday after you register for the race. For more information, contact Beth Thew at (509) 327-7637.