UPDATED DAILY  M-F by 9 a.m. Pacific

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 June 30-July 3, 2003

Previous weeks' news: June 23-27 -- June 16-20 -- June 9-13

THURSDAY, July 3 -- HERE: Labor unrest at SeaTac DoubleTree, Hilton hotels
...plus -- WSLC hosts Workforce Development Conference in Wenatchee on Aug. 20
— In today's Seattle Times -- SeaTac DoubleTree workers vote to authorize walkout
...plus -- "Bracero" -- another word for corporate welfare -- Op-ed: Despite an economic slowdown, the number of employed foreign-born workers rose by 600,000 from 2000 to 2002. Now, some in Congress want to launch a new guest-worker program. That's right. They want to bring back the braceros. For pro-business politicians in both parties, "guest workers" represent an affordable dose of corporate welfare intended to free businesses of the obligation to pay decent wages.
— In today's Seattle P-I -- A senior moment? No, corporate welfare (editorial re" Medicare drug plan)
— In today's Everett Herald -- Ergonomics rule foes turn in I-841 signatures (AP)
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- Locke's choice: Run again... or start new career? (AP)
— In the UW Daily -- UW classified staff (SEIU 925) demands wage increase, respect
At AFLCIO.org -- Tell President Bush: Don't take away overtime pay!
— In today's N.Y. Times -- The quiet shift in overtime -- Editorial: Bush should rethink this... There are compelling arguments that middle-income workers could be handed hollow, fancier job titles and suffer paycheck hits. At the least, the proposed changes are complex and worthy of more study.
...plus -- Picking workers' pockets -- Herbert column: The Bush administration, which has the very bad habit of smiling at working people while siphoning money from their pockets, is trying to change the federal FLSA in a way that could cause millions of workers to lose their right to overtime pay.
...plus -- Bush's record on jobs: Risking unhappy comparisons -- For George W. Bush, the race has begun to escape comparisons to Herbert Hoover.
— In today's L.A. Times -- SAG, AFTRA merger may get another "take"
— In this week's Onion -- Bush asks Congress for $30 million to fight war on criticism

WEDNESDAY, July 2 -- Take Action: Protect health care for janitors, their families
— In today's Everett Herald -- Bon Marche, unions (UFCW) to resume talks
— In today's News Tribune -- Bon workers reject "last" offer by 99% vote
...plus -- Business leaders aim to block workplace ergonomic safety rules (AP)
— In today's Seattle Times -- Business groups want ergonomic initiative on the ballot
— In today's Olympian -- Business groups advance initiative to repeal ergonomics rule
— In today's Seattle P-I -- SeaTac Double Tree hotel workers (HERE 8) authorize strike
...plus -- Boeing's slice of the pie gets bigger, but firm orders don't mean rehiring imminent
...plus -- Group fights to keep two daily newspapers in Seattle
...plus -- Labor group fears Microsoft may shift customer-support jobs to India 
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- BPA sticks with 5% rate increase; Intalco future uncertain
(Also see Suit's outcome governs BPA rate change in fall in today's Oregonian.)
...plus -- Jobless changes good for employers, workers -- Big Business Bosses take controversial stand in this op-ed: We believe people would rather work than stand in the unemployment line.
— In today's Tri-City Herald -- CH2M Hill Hanford seeks "voluntary" layoffs
— In yesterday's Daily News -- Longview teachers bargain for better pay, benefits
...plus -- Bush administration repeals requirement that employers report ergonomic injuries
— In today's Salem S-J -- State workers in Oregon bitter about tentative contract
At AFLCIO.org -- Tens of thousands of workers protest Bush overtime proposal
— In today's L.A. Times -- SAG-AFTRA consolidation falls just short of approval
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Employers seek to shift cost of drugs to U.S. government
...plus -- New Wal-Mart policy protects gay workers (Seattle dateline)
— In today's Washington Post -- Federal pension provider overwhelmed

TUESDAY, July 1 -- Restrictions on hearing loss claims take effect Sept. 10, 2004
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Bon Marche workers reject contract, authorize strike
...plus at WashTech.org -- Microsoft plans biggest layoff of full-timers in company history
— In today's Seattle Times -- Microsoft shifting jobs to India -- "This (new) information completely contradicts Microsoft's public position that the impacts of their focus on sending work abroad is not going to affect its U.S. employees," said Marcus Courtney, WashTech/CWA president.
...plus a CALL TO ACTION (SEIU 6): YOU can help protect health care for Seattle janitors
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Janitors' contract hints at bigger crisis -- Editorial: For the janitors, a new contract would be nice. But what we really need is a systemic fix for a broken health care system.
...plus -- New committee aims to keep both Seattle daily newspapers alive
— In today's Seattle Times -- Boeing wins $6 billion AirTran order for 100 narrowbody jets
...plus -- 7E7 watch: Fame arrives before jet does
— In today's News Tribune -- Sen. Cantwell casts another lure to Boeing
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Spokane should help with Moses Lake's 7E7 bid (column)
— In today's Everett Herald -- Snohomish Co. hiring freeze expanded; more cuts sought
— In today's King County Journal -- Laid-off Kent workers put in their last day
— In today's Olympian -- Thurston Co. places employees on new pay scale
— In today's Tri-City Herald -- Framatome AMP announces layoffs
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- Crown Pacific timber company seeks bankruptcy
...plus -- DOL repeals tracking of ergonomic injuries -- Sgt. Shultz: "I know nothing. I hear no-thing."
— In today's Salem (Ore.) S-J -- State employees tepidly back contract deal
...plus -- A great public employee exodus -- Because of changes to the Oregon PERS system, about 9,790 public employees have filed to retire so far in 2003. The previous yearly record was 6,843.
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- Feds might open 10,000 Forest Service jobs to private sector (AP)
At AFLCIO.org -- Denied room by DOL, workers rally on sidewalk to protect OT pay
— In today's Washington Post -- Bush's overtime pay proposal stirs storm of debate -- The DOL has been flooded with more than 75,000 letters debating the merits of proposed overtime regulation changes, the most mail the agency has received on any wage-and-hour topic in at least a decade.
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Democrats protest changes to overtime rules -- Forty-two Democratic senators and more than 100 Democratic House members urge Bush to withdraw proposal.
...plus -- Private health insurers already lobbying for changes in Medicare drug legislation
— In Business Week -- Inside Boeing's sweet tanker deal 
...plus -- Five truths about Boeing's tanker lease (column)

MONDAY, June 30 -- Reminder: Congressional inquiry on federal privatization tomorrow
...plus at SEIU1199NW.org -- Group Health rally for affordable health care on July 9
...plus at WashTach.org -- America's nouveau tech poor
— In today's P.S. Business Journal -- Workers' comp hike of 20% likely lies ahead for 2004
...plus -- Deadline nears in Seattle-area janitors' contract negotiation (SEIU 6) -- Also see Going to work for janitors in today's Oregonian re: SEIU 49 negotiations for Portland-area janitors.
— In Sunday's Olympian -- Eyman-less election a possibility (AP) -- The BIAW's ergonomics repeal appears headed for a vote, but Eyman's bid to restore spending limits might well come up short.
— In today's News Tribune -- Seattle Times' 2000 losses caused by strike, P-I argues  (AP) -- New battle lines on the joint operating agreement: Is a labor strike an "act of God?" Discuss.
— In today's Seattle Times -- Sen. Kerry backs subsidies to help Boeing fight Airbus
...plus -- Light-rail critic Dunn seeks out those who could step on brakes
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Airborne Inc. drivers (IBT 174) OK contract
...plus -- More than 8 million could lose OT pay under Bush proposal
— In Sunday's Columbian -- "Tired" Sen. Benton asks voters if he should seek re-election
— In today's Salem S-J -- State labor talks skirt deadline -- The State of Oregon reached a tentative pact with state workers Sunday that would preserve health benefits but freeze pay for two years.
...plus -- Oregonians battle Wal-Mart as retail giant plans to add 8 more stores, expand 6 others
...plus -- Oregon unions take farm workers' plight to the streets
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Union (CWA), Verizon at odds on focus of talks
— In today's Washington Post -- Prescription drug plan faces tests; insurers' participation uncertain

Previous weeks' news: June 23-27 -- June 16-20 -- June 9-13

THURSDAY, JULY 3
HERE: Labor unrest at SeaTac DoubleTree, Hilton hotels

The following three announcements were released yesterday by Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Local 8:

CONSUMER ALERT
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

DO NOT PATRONIZE THE DOUBLETREE HOTEL AT SEA-TAC

AS OF 12:01 A.M. JULY 2, 2003, THE CONTRACT WITH THE DOUBLETREE HAS EXPIRED.

TO DATE THE EMPLOYER HAS NOT COME FORTH WITH AN ECONOMIC PROPOSAL

AGAIN WE ASK THAT YOU DO NOT PATRONIZE THE DOUBLETREE HOTEL AT SEATAC. 

---

EMERGENCY CONSUMER ALERT!
Imminent Strike Pending at the DoubleTree Hotel

Due to negotiations between HERE Local 8 and the DoubleTree Hotel at SeaTac, there may be immediate labor unrest. According to Local 8 Principal Officer, Rick Sawyer, the contract expires on July 2, 2003. After several negotiation sessions, the DoubleTree has not yet provided an economic proposal and the employer continues to enforce working conditions that are substantially below industry standards that are in place at all other unionized Hotels.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ANY PLANNED EVENTS FOR THE MONTHS OF JULY AND AUGUST 2003 BE SCHEDULED AT THE SEATAC RADISSON IF NO AGREEMENT IS REACHED BY JULY 2, 2003.  IF YOU HAVE EVENTS SCHEDULED IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOUR CATERING CONTRACT BE AMENDED TO ENSURE NO PENALTIES FOR CANCELLING YOUR EVENT DUE TO LABOR DISPUTES.

Please call the DoubleTree Hotel and tell them to settle a fair contract now! Please tell them you won’t be using any Hilton or DoubleTree Hotel, especially this one, in the future, should they not settle a fair agreement soon!

Please contact Larry Vitagliano, General Manager, at (206) 246-8600 or by fax at (206) 901-5902.

For more information, contact Cindy Richardson, HERE, at (206) 728-2326, ext 17.

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EMERGENCY CONSUMER ALERT!
Imminent Strike Pending at the Hilton Hotel

Due to negotiations between HERE Local 8 and the Hilton Hotel at SeaTac, there may be immediate labor unrest. According to Local 8 Principal Officer, Rick Sawyer, the contract expires on July 16, 2003. The parties are far apart on the issues of wages, health benefits and substandard working conditions.  On June 24, 2003 the Union members voted to strike in July.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ANY PLANNED EVENTS FOR THE MONTHS OF JULY AND AUGUST 2003 BE SCHEDULED AT THE SEATAC RADISSON IF NO AGREEMENT IS REACHED BY JULY 16, 2003.  IF YOU HAVE EVENTS SCHEDULED IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOUR CATERING CONTRACT BE AMENDED TO ENSURE NO PENALTIES FOR CANCELLING YOUR EVENT DUE TO LABOR DISPUTES.

Please call the Hilton Hotel and tell them to settle a fair contract now! Please tell them you won’t be using any Hilton or DoubleTree Hotel, especially this one, in the future, should they not settle a fair agreement soon!

Please contact Brad Hutton, Regional Vice President, Hilton Hotels, at (503) 226-1611 or by fax at (503) 944-1068.

For more information, contact Cindy Richardson, HERE, at (206) 728-2326, ext 17.

---

The Washington State Labor Council's distribution of HERE's Consumer Alerts does not constitute a formal sanction of its actions, or the inclusion of the above-mentioned businesses on the WSLC's official Do Not Patronize list. (Contact the WSLC for information about the process for adding a business to that list.) The WSLC forwards such announcements as a service to its affiliated organizations.

THURSDAY, JULY 3
WSLC hosts Workforce Development Conference in Wenatchee

The Washington State Labor Council will host a Workforce Development Conference from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 20 at the Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel, in conjunction with the WSLC's 2003 Convention.  Any union member, staffer or leader interested in the new Trade Act, the Workforce Investment Act, Program Advisory Committees or Worker Retraining Programs at the colleges should make plans to attend.

Other topics that will be covered include changes to the unemployment insurance system and how to use the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board to advance labor's agenda. There will be an opportunity to work directly with labor representatives from other programs operating in your areas. This is the time to bring your questions, share your successes and your observations on the system with others and come away with useful information to help in the area of Workforce Development.

Lunch and materials are included in the $25 registration fee. You must register for the conference separately from the WSLC 2003 Convention. Download and print a registration form (in MS Word format) for the conference or contact WSLC Labor Liaisons at (206) 281-8901 in our Seattle office, or (360) 943-0608 in our Olympia office.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 2
Take Action: Protect health care for janitors, their families

The following Call to Action comes from Service Employees International Union Local 6, who have reached a critical stage in contract negotiations for more than 3,000 janitors in King County office buildings. The workers vote today whether to authorize a strike.

Protect Health Care for Janitors and Their Families

The situation janitors in King County are facing is a good example of how the health care crisis threatens to devastate working families and communities across the country.  King County janitors are struggling to maintain access to affordable health care for their families.  With wages of less than $24,000 a year, janitors in King County are forced to make difficult choices every day to raise their family.

The janitors' contract is expiring. On Wednesday, July 2 Janitors will vote whether or not to authorize a strike.  We need to ensure that Puget Sound janitors and their families keep their access to affordable health care.

Janitors need your help! Contact the Puget Sound Commercial Real Estate Industry and tell them to Ensure that Janitors are insured.

Just click to URL below to send an electronic postcard to the companies who can solve this crisis.  It takes less than a minute.  Your support is needed now. CLICK HERE: www.unionvoice.org/campaign/SeattleJanitors

Let's tell building owners, property managers, and janitorial contractors that people who work full time to clean their buildings need health care their families can count on.

TUESDAY, JULY 1
Restrictions on hearing loss claims take effect Sept. 10, 2004

Rick Bender, President of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, sent the following memorandum last week to WSLC-affiliated union organizations regarding impending changes in eligibility for workers' compensation hearing loss claims:

As a result of passage of SB 5271, workers suffering occupational hearing loss will receive NO Permanent Partial Disability awards unless they file their claims within two years of last injurious exposure. Workers filing more than two years after the last injurious exposure are still eligible for hearing aids.

There is a one-year window in the legislation.  If workers file their claim within one year of the effective date of the legislation (the effective date is Sept. 10, 2003), and they have a valid claim, they will be eligible to receive a permanent partial disability award along with the appropriate hearing aids.

Any of your members who believe they have suffered work-related hearing loss should be urged to file their claims before Sept. 10, 2004.  After that date, they will not be eligible for a permanent partial disability award unless they can prove they are filing within two years of last injurious exposure.