(Updated daily by 9 a.m. Monday-Friday.)

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.

Search or browse the archives of WSLC Reports since 1997

Reports for June 5-9, 2000

FRIDAY, June 9 -- Ergonomics vote: Big business wins battle, but not war
In today's Yakima Herald -- Strikers, replacements at Valley Manufacturing vote to keep union
In yesterday's (Vancouver) Columbian -- NLRB sides with fired Pacific Rock workers
In yesterday's Spokesman-Review -- Steelworkers, Kaiser start talks
In today's Seattle Times -- Big 3 automakers give benefits to gay partners
In today's Washington Post -- Congressional panel asks why women still earn less

THURSDAY, June 8 -- Locked-out workers to question Kaiser directors directly
...and also -- WashTech calls for action on Microsoft personnel files
In today's Seattle P-I -- County employees win $18.6 million over "temp" label
In this week's Stranger --  No more Mr. Clean: Local janitors threaten to strike
In today's New York Times -- Lawsuit accuses Donna Karan of running sweatshops
In today's Roll Call -- Poll shows trouble for House Republicans over China PNTR
...and also -- New Democrats try to stop amendments to PNTR
In today's Seattle Times -- Lackeydom doesn't end at 5 p.m., boss warns

WEDNESDAY, June 7 -- 7 Days in June update: Rally for clean, UNION toilets
In today's Seattle Times -- Puget Sound Energy to contract out repair services
In today's Olympian -- Shelton school buses will run, Teamsters leader says
In today's South County Journal -- King County to boost day-care workers' pay
In yesterday's (Vancouver) Columbian -- Vanalco cuts stun employees
In yesterday's Wenatchee World -- Tent camps OK'd... but in time for cherry pickers?
In yesterday's Daily Evergreen -- WFSE works to preserve WSU libraries
In the latest In These Times -- Hoffa: It's time for Teamsters to police themselves
In today's Washington Post -- Republican bill would open up campaign financing (Includes new reporting requirements for unions)

TUESDAY, June 6 -- URGENT!  U.S. House to vote on ergonomics prohibition
...and also -- Nurses at SW Wash. Medical Center ratify first contract
In today's (Everett) Herald -- Providence Hospital workers approve contract
In today's Olympian -- Coalition wants to double wages for caregivers of elderly
In today's News-Tribune -- Older workers lose benefits in new pensions
In today's (Spokane) Spokesman-Review -- Power-price surge affects Kaiser
...and also -- Quitting Kaiser scab throws vials at locked-out Steelworkers
In yesterday's (Vancouver) Columbian -- Vanalco to lay off 450 employees
In yesterday's Wenatchee World -- Omak plywood plant to close, 200 to lose jobs
In today's (Yakima) Herald-Republic -- Boise Cascade to cut worker hours
In today's Washington Post -- The "Glocalization" problem (column)

MONDAY, June 5 -- AFL-CIO immigrant rights forum in L.A. this Saturday
In today's Tri-City Herald -- Cherry workers march for better pay
In today's Seattle Times -- Farm workers march, call for better pay, amnesty
In Sunday's Washington Post -- AFL-CIO changes tune on immigrant workers
In Saturday's (Everett) Herald -- Tentative accord reached at Providence Hospital
In today's Olympian -- Ergonomics rules needed (editorial)
In today's Roll Call -- Teamsters drop support of vulnerable Rep. over China vote
In Saturday's Oregonian -- Union coordinator's job is to fight Wal-Mart whenever possible

News from previous weeks:  May 29-June 2 -- May 22-26 -- May 15-19

FRIDAY, JUNE 9
Ergonomics vote: Big business wins battle, but not war

Late Thursday night, the U.S. House of Representatives voted down an amendment supported by the AFL-CIO to strip the prohibition on OSHA's ergonomics standard from the Labor-HHS FY 2001 funding bill.  The vote was 220-203, with 16 Democrats voting wrong (no), 14 Republicans voting right (yes) and 12 members not voting. The result of the vote is that the prohibition on OSHA's ergonomics standard remains in H.R. 4577, for which debate will resume Monday.

Among Washington's representatives: Voting right were Reps. Jay Inslee (D-1st), Jack Metcalf (R-2nd), Brian Baird (D-3rd), Norm Dicks (D-6th) and Jim McDermott (D-8th).  Voting wrong were Reps. Jack Metcalf (R-2nd), "Doc" Hastings (R-4th), George Nethercutt (R-5th) and Jennifer Dunn (R-8th).

Not voting was Rep. Adam Smith (D-9th).  A spokesperson from his D.C. office indicated Rep. Smith was on a plane back to Washington state yesterday evening to be with his wife, who is ready to deliver a baby any day now.  The spokesperson indicated, however, that Rep. Smith is opposed to H.R. 4577, not only because of the retained ergonomics prohibition but also because of the drastic OSHA funding cuts it contains, and that he plans to vote against it.

The complete roll call vote (Vote #250) is available at http://clerkweb.house.gov/evs/2000/index.asp.

Thursday night's amendment to strip the ergonomics rider was offered by Rep. Weldon (R-PA) and Traficant (D-OH).  The politics behind the amendment were a bit bizarre.  It was offered at the urging of Republican leadership to give moderate Republicans "cover" on the overall bill (so they could vote with the unions on ergonomics, but with the Republican leadership on final passage on the bill).  The AFL-CIO was fighting (and still is) to defeat the overall bill.

When debate resumes Monday, Reps. Heather Wilson (R-NM) will offer an amendment to slash OSHA's budget by $25 million, and Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) will offer an amendment to cut $5 million from the OSHA budget.  Wilson's amendment would gut OSHA's enforcement program, result in deep cuts in funding for worker training and education and cut funds for state plans.

It's more important than ever to contact your Representatives and tell them to protect workers and to vote NO on any amendments to cut OSHA funding and NO on final passage of H.R. 4577.   If they voted wrong on the ergonomics amendment (voted no) please let them know that this was a bad vote that will hurt workers.  (For more info on the bill, see below.)

Or send them emails by visiting www.house.gov/writerep/.

THURSDAY, JUNE 8
Locked-out workers to question Kaiser directors directly

HOUSTON, Texas -- United Steelworkers of America members, representing shareholders and the 2,900 illegally locked out Kaiser Aluminum workers, will address the Board of Directors at Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation's annual meeting this morning.

Steelworkers have been engaged in a 20-month long labor dispute with KACC, the operating unit of Kaiser Aluminum Corporation.  The General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board has announced his intention to issue a complaint alleging that the lockout, imposed by Kaiser in January 1999, is illegal.  The back pay liability for initiating the unlawful lockout could cost Kaiser in excess of $250 million or $500,000 a day since the lockout was imposed.  The five plants affected by the lockout are located in Gramercy, LA, Newark, OH, Tacoma, WA, and two in Spokane, WA.

Steelworkers will question the company regarding the July 5th, 1999, explosion that destroyed Kaiser's Gramercy alumina facility and led to the largest non-fatal fine, $533,000, ever assessed by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).  MSHA cited the company for operating the plant beyond its capacity, ignoring serious safety warnings and relying on untrained (replacement) workers. MSHA is currently conducting a special investigation that could lead to criminal charges, including the tampering of evidence, by the U. S. Justice Department.

Another focus of questions will be on Kaiser's massive debt and given the company's existing liabilities and low market capitalization, how the company expects to refinance the debt when bonds are due in the near future.

According to Steelworkers spokesperson Scott Adams, "Kaiser's only hope for turning the company around and regaining investor confidence is by ending the illegal lockout and bringing back its experienced union workforce."  Kaiser Aluminum Corporation has reported a net loss of $54.6 million since the labor dispute began.

THURSDAY, JUNE 8
WashTech calls for action on Microsoft personnel files

With Microsoft vowing to appeal Wednesday's federal court order to break up the company, WashTech is calling on elected officials to take action in response to Microsoft's continued violation of a state law that guarantees workers access to personnel files kept on them by employers.  Today, WashTech began seeking legislative changes that will prevent employers from evading this law simply by labeling workers as  "temps" or "non-employees."

In the remedy order District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson issued Wednesday, he stated:  "Microsoft, as it is presently organized and led, is unwilling to accept the notion that it broke the law or accede to an order amending its conduct."  While the question of whether Microsoft violated federal anti-trust law dominates headlines, many high-tech workers say the company is currently in clear violation of Washington state law covering access to employee personnel files.

WashTech, a local affiliate of the Communications Workers of America, is an organization of high-tech workers and allies joining together to provide an effective voice in the legislative and corporate arenas, and to advocate for improved benefits and workplace rights.

To read the complete story, see:
http://www.washtech.org/roundup/legislate/060700_ms_files.php3

RELATED LINKS:

Microsoft Keeps Secret Personnel Files on Contractors, 10/26/1999
http://www.washtech.org/roundup/contract/ms_personnel_files.html

Microsoft Stonewalls Contractors on Personnel File Access, 10/29/2000
http://www.washtech.org/roundup/contract/ms_personnel_files2.html

State Agency: Microsoft Must Grant Access to Personnel Files, 1/26/2000
http://www.washtech.org/roundup/legislate/012500_personnel_files.html

How to File a Complaint with L&I
http://www.washtech.org/roundup/contract/labor_complaint.html

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7
7 Days in June update:  Rally for clean, UNION toilets

Portable toilets are an essential part of every construction site and outdoor music festival.  But did you know that the workers who service and deliver the toilets often are treated like crap?

Workers at the Port-O-Let Division of Waste Management are standing up for a voice on the job. They will be voting for Teamsters 174 in an NLRB election Wednesday, June 14.  Please bring your union’s banner to the first scheduled event in a busy week of union organizing activity: A pre-election rally Tuesday, June 13, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. outside Waste Management’s yard at 6311 234th St SE, Woodinville, across from Fitz Auto Wrecking.

(Get more information about the AFL-CIO's 7 Days in June effort, and other Puget Sound-area activities planned for next week.)

Directions: Go northbound on Rt. 405 to Exit 23 (Rt. 522). Take Rt. 522 to Highway 9 northbound. Just past the off ramp turn left onto 223rd Pl. SE. Turn left onto 63rd Ave. SE, then right onto 23rd St. SE. For more information, call Lorene Scheer, Teamsters 174 organizing director, at 206-441-6060 x330.

Under the banner of safety, sanitation and solidarity, construction trades organizers will be handbilling in support of the Waste Management workers at construction sites in the area.  Stickers and leaflets are available at Teamsters 174 and the Seattle/King County Building and Construction Trades Council office.

For more information, contact Lorene Scheer of Teamsters 174 at 206-441-6060 x330.

TUESDAY, JUNE 6
URGENT!   U.S. House to vote on ergonomics prohibition
McDermott, Metcalf considered swing votes; CALL THEM NOW!

The U.S. House of Representatives has scheduled a vote on the FY 2001 Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill (H.R. 4577) for this Thursday, June 8.  This is an anti-worker measure that would shut down the rulemaking on OSHA's federal ergonomic standard and block a final ergonomics rule.

(After more than a decade of study and debate, Washington state recently implemented its own ergonomics rule which will not be affected by the bill in Congress.  But it is critical we support the federal ergonomics standards for the same reasons we supported our state's.)

The bill would also cut OSHA's enforcement budget and freeze funding for other important worker protection programs including MSHA and the NLRB, meaning that even current levels of activity could not be maintained.  Job training programs for dislocated workers would also be cut.  The bill also fails to provide the necessary funds for other job training programs and education.

When 32 Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee voted on May 24, to adopt a rider blocking OSHA's ergonomics rule, they broke a signed commitment made in FY 1998 that they would "refrain from any further action to restrict OSHA's development, promulgation or development of an ergonomics standard after FY 1998."  The rider in the FY 2001 bill is even more draconian than the anti-ergo bill HR 987 passed by the House last summer.  That bill prohibited OSHA from issuing
the rule until after the National Academy of Sciences its review of the scientific evidence on ergonomics.  The rider would block the rule even after the NAS study is completed.

The FY 2001 Labor-HHS bill marks a return to the slash and burn approach to worker and education programs that we saw from Republican leaders during the budget fights in 1995 and 1996.

This is a bad bill that can't be improved and needs to be defeated.  Please contact your Representatives and tell them that H.R. 4577 is a bad bill that will hurt and cripple workers.  Tell your Representatives to vote NO on the FY 2001 Labor-HHS bill (H.R. 4577).

Below for your information is a factsheet and talking points on the H.R. 4577 Ergonomics Rider.

The list of Representatives who were swing votes on H.R. 987 (Democrats who voted wrong, Republicans who voted right, and Representatives who didn't vote) includes two Washington state Representatives, Jim McDermott and Jack Metcalf, both of whom didn't vote on H.R. 987 and definitely should be contacted (but please call your Representative even if it's not either of them:

Stop Crippling Workplace Injuries: Support Ergonomic Protections 
FACTSHEET on the FY 2001 Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill (H.R. 4577)

Background

On May 24, 2000, the House Appropriations Committee adopted on a party line vote a rider to the FY 2001 Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill to block OSHA’s ergonomics standard. The vote came as OSHA is moving to develop and issue a final standard to protect workers from back injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome and other work-related musculoskeletal disorders. In November, 1999, after 10 years of delay, OSHA issued a proposed ergonomics standard. Nine weeks of public hearings have been held on the rule with over one thousand witnesses testifying, and thousands of written comments submitted.

This vote was just the latest in a long series of attacks on this important worker protection measure and of broken promises to workers. In FY 1996 and 1998 opponents succeeded in blocking the ergonomics standard through riders on the OSHA funding bill. But in FY 1998, the House Appropriations Committee made a unanimous agreement to refrain from any further restrictions on the ergonomics rule. In FY 1999, Congress authorized funds for a study by the National Academy of Sciences on the scientific evidence on ergonomics, but agreed to allow OSHA to move forward with the development and issuance of a standard. In 1999, some Republicans reneged on this agreement and introduced legislation (H.R. 987) to prohibit the issuance of the standard until the NAS study is completed. The rider on the FY 2001 Appropriations Bill, goes beyond H.R. 987 and would shut down OSHA’s rulemaking and block a final ergonomics standard, even after the NAS study is completed.

OSHA’s Ergonomic Standard Should Proceed

-- Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) caused by ergonomic hazards are the biggest safety and health problem in the workplace today, accounting for a third of all serious job related injuries. Each year 1.8 million workers suffer from work-related MSDs; 600,000 workers from serious injuries resulting in lost-work time.

-- Women workers are particularly affected by these injuries. Women make up 46 percent of the overall workforce, but in 1998 accounted for 64 percent of repetitive motion injuries (42,347 out of 65,866 reported cases) and 71 percent of reported carpal tunnel syndrome cases (18,719 out of 26,266).

-- The cost of these injuries to workers, employers and the country as a whole is enormous. The workers’ compensation costs of these painful and disabling injuries is estimated at $20 billion annually; the overall costs at $60 billion.

-- OSHA’s proposed ergonomics rule would prevent 300,000 injuries each year and save $9 billion in workers compensation and related costs.

-- Ergonomic injuries can be prevented. Ergonomic programs implemented by employers, like Ford Motor Company, 3M and the Xerox Corporation have significantly reduced injuries, lowered workers compensation costs and improved productivity. But only one-third of employers currently have effective programs.

-- Since 1995, the Chamber of Commerce, UPS and some Republican members of Congress have carried out an unrelenting attack on OSHA’s ergonomics standard trying to block this important worker protection measure. Repeatedly, agreements and promises made by Republican leaders to allow this rule to proceed have been broken.

-- In FY 1998, the House Appropriations Committee made a unanimous agreement to "refrain from any further action to restrict OSHA’s development, promulgation or issuance of an ergonomics standard after FY 1998" (House Report 105-205).

-- In FY 1999, Republican and Democratic Congressional leaders and the Clinton Administration reached an agreement to fund a scientific study by the National Academy of Sciences on the scientific evidence on ergonomics with the understanding that OSHA’s ergonomics standard would proceed. This agreement was outlined in an October 19,1998, letter from House Appropriations Chair Robert Livingston and Rep. David Obey to Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman that stated, "it is in no way our intent to block or delay issuance by OSHA of a proposed rule on ergonomics."

-- In 1999, Republicans reneged on this agreement and introduced legislation (H.R. 987 and S. 1270) to block OSHA’s ergonomics rule, until the National Academy of Sciences completed its study on ergonomics.

-- Unable to enact the free-standing legislation, 32 House Republicans on the Appropriations Committee broke the pledge made in 1997 not to use the Appropriations process to block the ergonomics rule, and voted to adopt a new restriction. The new rider is even more draconian than H.R. 987. It would shut down the rulemaking process and block OSHA’s final rule, even after the NAS study is completed.

-- The rider adopted by the House Appropriations Committee is an extreme proposal that marks a return to the slash and burn actions of some House Republicans during the FY 1995 and FY 1996 budget fights. It shows that their call for "good science" was a smokescreen and their only goal is to block the ergonomics rule.

-- It been 10 years since Secretary Dole promised to take action to protect workers from ergonomic injuries and to issue an ergonomics standard. Since that time, more than 6.1 million workers have suffered from serious injuries as a result of ergonomic hazards -- injuries that could have and should have been prevented. Workers have waited too long for protections from ergonomic hazards. It’s time to stop breaking the promises made to American workers and to support the promulgation of a final OSHA ergonomics standard now to protect workers.

Prepared by: AFL-CIO Department of Occupational Safety and Health, June 2000

TUESDAY, JUNE 6
Nurses at SW Wash. Medical Center ratify first contract

VANCOUVER -- Registered nurses at Southwest Washington Medical Center (SWMC) have overwhelmingly approved their first contract with the hospital.  SWMC registered nurses voted to join Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) in August 1998.

The SWMC negotiating team has been working since December 1998 to secure a contract that will provide RNs with consistent and improved working conditions as well as a process that will allow RN input into decisions which impact quality patient care.

Key components of the contract include overtime pay for work beyond their daily scheduled hours, and the formation of a committee with staff RNs and hospital administrators to discuss issues surrounding patient care and staffing ratios.  Effective immediately upon ratification, all nurses will receive a 3% wage increase.

"With contract negotiations behind us, we look forward to recruiting more members and working with the hospital administration in providing quality care to the residents in southwest Washington," said Terry Joyce, RN, co-chair of the local unit.  Barbara Frye, Director of Labor Relations at WSNA, comments, "I am very proud of the nurses at SWMC for their unity in the lengthy negotiating process."

WSNA is a constituent of the American Nurses Association.  It represents and promotes the professional development of more than 11,000 nurses in Washington state and their economic and general welfare.

MONDAY, JUNE 5
AFL-CIO immigrant rights forum in L.A. this Saturday

Following the historic AFL-CIO policy shift on immigration, the union movement will hold a regional forum in Los Angeles with immigrant workers, religious and community leaders and union leaders to illuminate the challenges and successes immigrant workers are finding in America today.  The forum, set for Saturday, June 10, follows other AFL-CIO forums on immigrant workers' rights held in New York, Atlanta and Chicago.

Immigrant workers and community leaders will testify before a panel of national union leaders during this historic forum.  Immigrant workers will tell how employers routinely violate the most basic rights -- the rights to a safe workplace, overtime pay, minimum wage and the freedom to form a union.  When immigrant workers stand up for their rights, their employers routinely threaten them and fire them.

Meanwhile in Washington state, in an agreement announced last week by the U.S. Secretary of Labor, a major public hearing will be held this fall (probably in Yakima during the apple harvest), in addition to a government conference in Washington, D.C., and educational outreach for migrant agricultural workers in Washington and elsewhere in the United States.  The agreement is in response to a unique NAFTA complaint filed by the Teamsters, the United Farm Workers of America and the International Labor Rights Fund that migrant workers' rights are being abused in the U.S.  Read more.

The L.A. forum testimony will be used to develop recommendations for the union movement and public policy proposals.  Speakers will include a Thai garment worker from the El Monte factory, a Latino farm worker, a Caribbean medical intern, a Las Vegas immigrant hotel worker and other immigrant workers.  Cardinal Roger Mahony will be among community leaders to speak.

In a momentous policy shift in February, the AFL-CIO's Executive Council called for replacing employer sanctions, which are routinely used to punish workers, with laws that criminalize employer exploitation of immigrant workers.  The AFL-CIO also called for changes in laws that would allow undocumented immigrants who are in the U.S. and contributing to their communities an opportunity to become U.S. citizens.

For more information about the L.A. forum, contact the AFL-CIO's Lane Windham at 202-637-3962, Lisa Hubbard at 213-368-7404, or Juan Jose Gutierrez at 213-368-7417.

If you have news items regarding unions or workplace issues in Washington state that you would like to see posted here, please submit them via e-mail to David Groves or via fax to 206-285-5805.

Copyright © 2000  Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO