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Links to commercial press stories are functional at the date of posting. In some cases, links "expire" when the source would like to begin charging you for old news. WSLC Reports Today  links to all stories of interest to organized labor; some positive, some negative. The intention is to inform.  The creation of a link does not constitute an endorsement of that story's content.
 

Reports for May 19-23, 2003

Previous weeks' news: May 12-16 -- May 5-9 -- April 28-May 2

WSLC Legislative Update: Tone down the rhetoric, for 7E7's sake

TUESDAY, May 20 -- WPEA members vote to affiliate with UFCW, AFL-CIO
...plus -- Support Eldorado Stone workers at Thursday rally in Carnation
...plus -- YWCAs of King and Snohomish organizing, but face opposition
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- Bill would cut pay raises, appeals -- Unions protest congressional legislation up for vote later this week, which would affect more than 15,000 West Sound workers. TAKE ACTION at the AFGE website to oppose undermining federal workers' rights.
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Associated Grocers, Teamsters sign contracts
...plus -- Eyman's "legal-defense fund" money plea under PDC scrutiny
— In today's News Tribune -- Sen. Murray fights to keep port security funds
...plus -- State budget negotiators hope to finish up this week
— In today's Olympian -- It's official: Gas tax will rise 5 cents
— In today's Seattle Times -- State lawmakers object, get pay raises anyway
— In today's King County Journal -- Don't rush vote on any new state budget (editorial)
...plus -- Corrections Guild dumps legal "dream team" to defend initiative
— In today's Oregonian -- Ridgefield support staff files ULP against school superintendent
— In today's L.A. Times -- Supreme Court upholds states' right to force drug price breaks
— In today's N.Y. Times -- G.E. union (IUE-CWA) warns of strike over health benefits
...plus -- Dividend voodoo -- MUST-READ Warren Buffett op-ed: (If Bush's dividend tax cut is approved) my receptionist's overall federal tax rate would be 10 times what my rate would be.... Supporters of making dividends tax-free like to paint critics as promoters of class warfare. The fact is, however, that their proposal promotes class welfare. For my class.
— In today's Boston Globe -- Who will get labor's nod? -- SEIU, AFSCME play critical role in whether Richard Gephardt can attain the necessary two-thirds majority for an AFL-CIO endorsement.

MONDAY, May 19 -- Voter Education Project needs volunteers for Seattle's Folklife Festival
...plus -- TOMORROW'S LEVY VOTES: "Yes" on King Co. parks; "yes" on Marysville schools
— In today's Seattle Times -- State deserves answers from Boeing -- Editorial: Our largest manufacturer is telling us that it may leave if it does not get what it needs. All right; but tell us what that is... Boeing's workers -- past, present and future -- deserve clarity. So do business people who have to make their own plans. Don't leave and tell us we didn't care. Tell us what you want.
...plus  on Saturday -- Boeing 7E7 wish list has familiar ring; Puget Sound seems to fit criteria
— In today's Everett Herald -- 7E(mployment)7 -- Boeing's 7E7 program would generate about 7,500 jobs and have a total economic impact of about $1.2 billion a year for the region, says one study.
...plus -- Legislature must tend to business concerns (editorial)
— In Sunday's News Tribune -- The 7E7 contest has begun -- and this state must win (editorial)
— In the Seattle Weekly -- A labor of shove -- A militant union, 26,000 low-paid home-care workers, and a $23 billion budget collide.
— In Sunday's Olympian -- Over-the-top SEIU, WEA lobbying frosts lawmakers
— In Saturday's Columbian -- Legislators move closer to a deal -- Rep. Deb Wallace (D-Vancouver) said she wants a spending plan to include pay raises for state-paid home health workers.
— In the new P.S. Business Journal -- Legislature faces big tab for home-care workers
— In today's Yakima H-R -- Panel still hopeful state lawmakers still limit minimum wage
— In Sunday's Daily News -- There's still time to deliver relief from the high cost of drugs (editorial)
...plus -- Longview Aluminum selling off crucial aluminum ore, which will make restart more difficult
...plus -- Owner Lynch too in $600,000 last year as Longview Aluminum headed for bankruptcy
— In today's UW Daily -- State union (WFSE) rallies on campus
— In today's Seattle P-I -- New UAW strategy: Compromise on wages to boost union membership
— In Saturday's Rocky Mountain News -- Qwest, unions begin bargaining -- "Negotiations are always tough and probably tougher when the company is broke," said CWA negotiator. "But we'll do OK." The CWA represents 28,322 Qwest employees in the 14-state local phone region.
At AFLCIO.org -- Senate passes Bush tax scheme; Cheney casts deciding vote
— In Sunday's Orlando Sentinel -- Push to unionize airport screeners turns into a political battle
— In today's N.Y. Times -- The Fighting O'Sullivan -- LIUNA President Terence O'Sullivan was elected Ullico's chief executive after he played a major behind-the-scenes role in forging a new slate of directors that vows to restore integrity to the company. Many says he's just the right man for the job.

Previous weeks' news: May 12-16 -- May 5-9 -- April 28-May 2

TUESDAY, MAY 20
WPEA members vote to affiliate with UFCW, AFL-CIO

Following is a press release from the brand-new Washington Public Employees Association, UFCW Local 365:

OLYMPIA -- Members of the Washington Public Employees Association voted by a 3-to-1 majority to affiliate with the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. The UFCW has 1.4 million members, with more than 50,000 here in Washington. They have a long successful history of negotiating wages, benefits, and working conditions.

“What an exciting time for WPEA,” said WPEA President Linda Shaw, DNR. “This affiliation will preserve WPEA's autonomy and give us the opportunity to build the union WE want for a brighter future as we go into full-scope collective bargaining.”

The UFCW is committed to representing the needs of all workers, private and public. They have significant representation in the public sector in Washington state, including Liquor Control Board employees here, through its Local 1001. The UFCW is expanding its public sector representation, which will be supported by this affiliation. WPEA is the UFCW's "flagship" public sector local union in the United States.

“The UFCW-WPEA affiliation is an important and exciting step for both organizations. Together, we will make a difference, and help provide a better life for Washington working families,” said Doug Dority, UFCW International President. “Through the committed leadership, skilled staff and active members of the WPEA, we can build a larger and stronger organization of public employees to give voice and support on public service issues as well as issues that impact all working families.”

With the passage of the Personnel System Reform Act (PSRA) in 2002, the leadership of WPEA passed Resolution O-5 at their convention. The resolution created a task force to review affiliation with an international union in order to assure successful collective bargaining and membership growth. The resolution also required that the review be mindful of retaining WPEA’s self-governance and structures. The task force was to report their findings and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors. The affiliation task force was comprised of eight members and one staff -- all appointed by the WPEA President.

After an exhaustive year-long investigation of numerous international unions, the task force narrowed the options for possible affiliation to three unions. After intense negotiations with each, the Task Force agreed that UFCW’s Affiliation Agreement was far superior in meeting the needs of WPEA.

The affiliation agreement negotiated with UFCW provides for resources for research, bargaining expertise, education and training to ready our organization for collective bargaining under the PSRA.

"I am especially excited about the chance to work with the UFCW Working Women's Department, which provides opportunities for women to learn leadership skills that strengthen their local unions and the communities where they live," said Affiliation Task Force Co-Chair Gerie Ventura, Highline Community College.

WPEA’s Board of Directors voted unanimously at their March 29 meeting to propose affiliation with the United Food and Commercial Workers, AFL-CIO. WPEA’s Articles of Incorporation provide that affiliation requires a vote by the membership to ratify.

“Following the Board’s recommendation, WPEA launched a month-long education campaign with the help of our member leaders and 13 UFCW staff,” said Leslie Liddle, WPEA Acting Executive Director. “We wanted to make sure our members knew who the UFCW was and understood the importance of this election and that they have a voice in the affiliation decision.”

The WPEA began as the Washington State Employees Association (WSEA) in 1956. WSEA incorporated as a non-profit, in part, to insure the rights of its members to participate in and direct its efforts as voting stakeholders. In 1975, the WSEA became the Washington Public Employees Association because of interests expressed by public employees outside state government.

Today we are the Washington Public Employees Association, UFCW Local 365, AFL-CIO.

WPEA, with the support of the UFCW International Union, will continue to be committed to providing quality services and dedicated to improving the work environment for ALL public employees in Washington State.

TUESDAY, MAY 20
Support Eldorado Stone workers at Thursday rally in Carnation

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union has organized a rally May 22 to support 80 Eldorado Stone factory workers in Carnation who are organizing with ILWU Local 19.  The rally will be from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Thursday at Tolt Ave. & N.E. 40th St. in Carnation, north of Issaquah. (See directions below.)

The Eldorado Stone workers, who make rubber molds for decorative stone and two-thirds of whom are Mexican immigrants, have a National Labor Relations Board union representation election on Friday, May 30.  They need the support of union and community activists because once they decided to organize, the union says management started changing rules, harassing union supporters and restricting the workers' rights.

The ILWU says a management employee, the assistant production manager, has been fired for helping his coworkers to organize. In addition, one of the lead workers -- a member of the union organizing committee and a single mother with three children -- was suspended for three days on the grounds that a worker who is not even in her department made a mistake. Another lead worker, one of the key leaders of the union effort, is being harassed on a daily basis.

Despite this, the union reports that the workers remain strong and united. Members of ILWU Local 19 (the Seattle longshore union) took up a collection and donated $1,500 to reimburse the suspended lead worker $300 for her lost pay, and help out the fired assistant production manager with $1,200.  The union has filed unfair labor practice charges, and will file more.

But most incredibly, the union reports management has now told the workers that they can't leave their work stations. They can't have anything to drink during work time and they can't go out for fresh air. They work around chemicals and wear uniforms that don't "breathe." In the first two days of this illegally-changed policy, one worker broke out with a serious rash, and a second passed out on the job. We will file appropriate charges in response to this assault on the workers' health and safety, but we will also take action at the plant.

Please join Eldorado Stone workers, the ILWU, local labor and community supporters, and a Washington State Jobs with Justice Workers Rights Board to send Eldorado Stone management a message that we won't tolerate attacks on workers' health and safety!  Bring signs, banners and union jackets, caps and shirts!

For more information, contact ILWU organizer Paul Bigman at (206) 448-1870 or 1-877-ILWU-YES.

Directions to Thursday's rally:

From Seattle: Take I-5 north to Route 520.  Go east on 520 about 12.5 miles to Redmond Way.  Bear right on Redmond Way into NE Redmond-Fall City Road about 7.5 miles.  Turn left on Tolt Hill Road 3.2 miles, then left on Fall City-Carnation Road 1/2 mile into Carnation.  Plant is on your left.

From Tacoma and the south:  Take I-5 north to I-405 north.  Go north on I-405 to Route 520.  Take Route 520 east 6 miles to Redmond Way, and follow directions above.

From Everett and the north:  From I-5, take US Route 2 east about 14.5 miles to N Lewis Street.  Turn right on N Lewis Street into Washington Route 203, and continue south on Route 203 about 18.5 miles into Carnation.  Plant is on your right.

TUESDAY, MAY 20
YWCAs of King and Snohomish organizing, but face opposition

Staff at the YWCAs of King and Snohomish County are organizing for union representation with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 2, but the union reports that management has responded aggressively with captive audience meetings and long memos encouraging a vote against the union. A former employee helping the union organize was escorted out of the YWCA building, and not allowed to speak to staff.

The first YWCA election will be May 23 for YWCA Angeline’s Day Center for Homeless Women staff. Other votes are not yet scheduled but the anti-union campaign continues.

Laura Wentworth, Snohomish County Labor Council Vice President and AFSCME Council 2 member, has written the following e-mail to Rita Ryder, Executive Director of the YWCA (and you are also welcome to share your thoughts with Ms. Ryder at rryder@ywcaworks.org):

"I am writing you as a fellow United Way Board member (in Snohomish County) and the Vice President of the Snohomish County Labor Council. I have recently become aware that the union I work for, AFSCME Council 2, is currently organizing the workers for the YWCA in King and Snohomish County. I am also aware that as Executive Director, you have produced letters and are holding anti-union meetings for these employees.

As a contributor to your organization, a fellow board member, and a member of a organized labor which contributes heavily to both the United Way and your organization, please let the members decide whether or not they want to exercise their right to form a union. This is a freedom guaranteed under the Constitution and through the National Labor Relations Act. As the Executive Director, I implore you to advise your managers to cease the negative campaigns against organizing immediately and let the employees decide without coercion whether or not to form a union."

For further information, contact Laura Wentworth, Staff Representative of AFSCME Council 2, at lauraw@council2.com.

MONDAY, MAY 19
Voter Education Project needs volunteers for Folklife Festival

The Voter Education Project, a bipartisan non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the integrity of the initiative system, needs volunteers for this weekend's Northwest Folklife Festival at the Seattle Center to monitor paid signature gatherers and to educate initiative signers to Think Before They Ink.

MONDAY, MAY 19
"Yes" on King County parks; "yes" on Marysville schools

The following information comes courtesy of SEIU Local 925, the King County Labor Council and the Snohomish County Labor Council:

Vote Yes -- King County Parks Levy
Over the last three decades our region has built a system of parks, open space and trails. As our region has grown and matured, these parks became a key part of our quality of life.

• Kids and adults alike use the soccer and ball field complexes at Marymoor, Big Finn Hill and Petrovisky parks.

• Families escape and enjoy the natural beauty of Cougar Mountain, Taylor Mountain and Squak Mountain.

• Joggers, hikers and cyclists traverse the county using interconnected trails such as the Burke-Gilman, Snoqualmie Valley and Soos Creek Trails.

Last year the Metropolitan Parks Task Force came together to chart a path to protect our parks system in the face of ongoing county budget cuts. King County Parks have now acted on the Task Force's recommendations to cut costs and raise revenues.

But it's not enough. Parks could lose much of its remaining County funding next year, potentially forcing park closures and reduced maintenance. The Metropolitan Parks Task force is recommending a modest County-wide levy to keep our regional parks system open, safe and clear.

Voters will be asked to approve a four-year levy of just 4.9 cents. That's about $12.25 for the owner of a $250,000 house. Please mark your mail-in ballot in support of our parks OR vote in-person this Tuesday, May 20th.  Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.  Vote YES for our Parks!

Vote Yes -- Marysville Proposition 1 for schools
Vote YES to Keep Smaller Classes. Vote YES to Keep Our Schools' Current Local Funding. Vote YES for Our Children's Future

 

What Is a Replacement Levy?
This 3-year levy replaces the current $3.72 school tax which expires at the end of this year. The rate of this replacement levy will rise slightly over the three years from $3.75 to $3.78 per $1,000 of assessed valuation-to keep us even with inflation.

 

What Does This Levy Fund?
Textbooks, smaller classes, libraries, athletics, technology and more-in fact it funds one-fourth of our school budget. That means your vote is vital to build a strong future for Marysville's children.

 

Mail your ballot or vote in person on Tuesday, May 20.  Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.