WSLC Reports Today -- July 5-8, 2005

UPDATED DAILY -- by 9 a.m. Monday-Friday

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

FRIDAY, JULY 8 ■ The 2005 WSLC Legislative Report and Voting Record is now available online, in abbreviated form. Copies of the full printed report are being mailed to all affiliates, legislators and subscribers to WSLC publications.

Also today: ■ Labor law's 70th anniversary is bittersweet

Local news: ■ In today's Olympian -- Some pay raises in store for Labor & Industries employees
■ In today's News Tribune -- Sen. Murray wants to make trade safer at ports
■ In today’s Oregonian -- SEIU, Oregon reach deal for contract -- If ratified, state employees get raises from 8.75% to 18.25% during the two-year contract and maintenance of health benefits.
■ In today’s Oregonian -- Oregon transportation workers file request to leave SEIU, form new union

Political news: ■ In today's Seattle Times -- Anti-smoking I-901 petitions submitted -- "This year is the year to respect the right of every worker to earn a living without breathing toxic air," says backer.
■ In today's Seattle Times -- In support of free speech, and KVI (editorial) -- The judge's ruling on I-912 is dangerous and unconstitutional, and should be appealed and reversed by appellate courts.

National news: ■ At AFLCIO.org -- New plan would increase AFL-CIO's organizing, contract power -- Top union leaders have voted to support a proposal to give the federation the power to develop and enforce contract standards and to give unions who are part of an industry-wide organizing strategy protection against interference by other unions in those organizing campaigns.
■ Today from AP -- SEIU's Stern: Labor can't just back Democrats -- He notes of AFL-CIO efforts to change the labor movement, saying "they've made progress" but not enough.
■ Today from AP -- Poll: Californians back unions over Schwarzenegger -- Since he began attacking public employee unions, the governor's approval ratings have fallen from 59% in January to 34% last week. His disapproval rating has more than doubled from 26% to 55%.
■ In today's SF Chronicle -- San Francisco hotel standoff, union boycott imperils some conventions
■ Today at BusinessWeek.com -- Embracing illegal immigrants -- Big U.S. consumer companies have decided that a market of 11 million or so potential customers is simply too big to ignore.
■ Today from AP -- WTO chief: Global trade talks in trouble

THURSDAY, JULY 7 ■ Transportation Communications union affiliates with IAM
■ Today from Bloomberg News -- Machinists to merge with rail workers -- TCIU represents 46,000 rail workers, including clerical and equipment-inspection employees at Union Pacific Corp. and other North American railroads. The Machinists' ranks now grow to about 700,000, the union said.

I-912 news: ■ Today from AP -- Gas-tax foes make progress with petitions -- They've turned in 232,000 signatures and have until tomorrow to turn in the 50,000 more that they say will give them the cushion needed to ensure I-912 is on the ballot. (225,000 valid signatures are required.)
■ In today's Tri-City Herald -- Initiative 912 backers likely lacking signatures -- It's typical for 20% of all signatures submitted to be invalid. At that rate, 282,000 signatures would be needed.
■ In today's Seattle P-I -- Gas-tax repeal exposes fault lines (editorial) -- Says GOP Boss Vance: "It splits our coalition. You have the business community passionately in favor of raising the tax to fix our infrastructure and our conservative base is against taxes at anytime for any reason. This issue personally gives me more heartburn than anything else."

Local news: ■ Today at WFSE.org -- Under virtual gag order, WFSE is seeking quick resolution at L&I
■ In today’s Olympian -- L&I dispute over contract continues -- Contract implementation and pay raises delayed by a ULP complaint filed by supporter of the failed decertification campaign.
■ In today's Spokesman-Review -- Spokane fire stations suffer staffing woes (paid registration req'd) -- Budget cuts, illnesses and on-duty injuries have depleted the force so much that the department finds itself in a day-to-day struggle to fill rosters in all of its 14 stations.
■ In today's Seattle P-I -- Monorail project still trying to run over public (Jamieson column) -- Monorail board member Steve Williamson (of the KCLC) is wise to call for an "X-raying" of assumptions and deserves props for questioning long-term sources of money for monorail operations.
■ In today's Seattle Times -- Estate-tax foes target Sen. Cantwell with radio, TV ad campaign
■ In today's News Tribune -- Nurses, other health workers in high demand in Washington
■ In today’s Salem S-J -- Oregon, state employees union (SEIU 503) move closer to contract

Boeing news: ■ In today's Seattle Times -- Lofty pay package for Boeing CEO -- McNerney will get $1.75 million a year, up to $4 million in annual bonuses, over $25 million in stock, $22 million in retirement benefits (in case he has trouble saving), relocation expenses, life insurance with a $267,937 annual premium, a rental car, club memberships, and a financial services allowance.
■ In today's LA Times -- Boeing, other aerospace firms' janitors strike -- Janitors walk at Boeing and other firms' California offices. They take home about $1,000 a month, get no healthcare, no retirement benefits, no bonuses or stock, and no financial services allowance.

National news: ■ Today at CNSnews.com -- Change to Win Coalition for labor reform elects officers -- SEIU's Anna Burger chosen as chair and UNITE HERE's Edgar Romney named treasurer.
■ In today's NY Times -- U.S. suit, claiming mob control, seeks takeover of dock union (ILA)
■ In today's NY Times -- Do tax cuts for the wealthy stimulate employment? (news analysis) -- Bush's claim that tax cuts to the owners of small businesses will stimulate them to hire more workers flies in the face of bedrock principles outlined in every introductory economics textbook.
■ Today from AP -- Drivers sue FedEx over "independent contractor" employment status

"Last throes" update: ■ Five-part series of editorials in the Seattle Times -- The ticking clock -- The shadowy war -- The true cost of war -- Haunted, post-war Iraq -- Exit without apologies -- Saddam Hussein is toppled from power. The fundamental aim of the Iraq war is accomplished. Now is the time to plan to leave and bring American forces home.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 ■ Safety Training Center grand opening July 30 in South Seattle

Trade news: ■ In today's Wash. Post -- CAFTA reflects Democrats' shift -- The House passed NAFTA with 102 Democratic votes 12 years ago. Now, as Bush pushes CAFTA, he'll be lucky to get more than 10. A long, slow erosion of Democratic support for trade legislation in the House is turning into a rout, as Democrats who have never voted against trade deals vow to turn their backs on CAFTA. Learn more about where Washington's Representatives stand.
■ In today's Washington Post -- A test of values (Meyerson column re: China, trade, SEIU) -- For those who insist that globalization is today's way to realize the greatest good for the greatest number, the advent of global unions could force them to stop their ad hominem attacks on their critics as protectionists and compel them to explain what model of globalization they have in mind.

Political news: ■ In today's Olympian -- Ban on smoking headed for ballot -- Backers of gas-tax repealing I-912 also plan to turn in signatures starting today. A spokesman said they plan to file the minimum 225,014, then file as many more as they can by week's end.
■ In today’s Seattle P-I -- Gas-tax talk: Jabber over journalism (editorial) -- KVI radio hosts are acting as political activists, not journalists. They should have to report this I-912 campaign contribution.
■ In today's Yakima H-R -- Be fair -- once felons do their time, let them vote (editorial)

Local news: ■ In today’s Tri-City Herald -- Fluor delays 500 of 1,000 September layoffs until March
■ In today's Seattle P-I -- Rep. Ed Murray urges regional oversight of monorail; board disagrees
■ In the Seattle Weekly -- A choice ruling -- The Seattle Times wins a battle in court, but not the war.
■ In today’s Kitsap Sun -- Private Bremerton-Seattle ferry reduces service... for now
■ In today's Seattle Times -- Tackling Wal-Mart takes Oregonization (McKay column) -- Alliances with labor are important... Wal-Mart is a fervent foe of unionization. Many small-business owners are also non-union, but their fear of Wal-Mart competition cozies them up to the unions.

Boeing news: ■ In today's Seattle Times -- State Department goes after Boeing -- Civil charges allege 94 violations of the Arms Control Act because Boeing sold jets without obtaining an export license for a tiny gyrochip that has defense applications. The company faces a potential fine of $47 million, and another blow to the company's fragile relations with the federal government.
■ In today's Everett Herald -- McNerney criticized for 3M brain drain -- He instigated layoffs that sent vast numbers of people with nuts-and-bolts knowledge out the door, says Post-It Notes inventor.
■ In today's Seattle P-I -- Lifting off with new boss (editorial) -- Labor leaders, analysts and associates of McNerney gave P-I reporters many solid reasons for liking selection of McNerney.
■ In today's Everett Herald -- Boeing sells six 747 freighters to Guggenheim Aviation
■ Today from Bloomberg -- Boeing deliveries outpace last year by four airplanes

National news: ■ Today at MSNBC.com -- Campaign veterans run anti-Wal-Mart effort -- The UFCW's crusade against America's largest retailer has the potential to not only hurt the company’s balance sheet, but also to change the course of the 2006 and 2008 campaigns.
■ Today at MSNBC.com -- NEA wants $40,000 starting salary for all teachers
■ Today from AP -- Last-minute deal averts BART strike in San Francisco
■ Today from AP -- Anheuser may have to rehire fired workers -- The brewer committed a ULP by not informing union of hidden cameras used to catch workers smoking pot, a court rules.
■ Today from AP -- Northwest mechanics ask for release from talks; CEO warns of bankruptcy

AFL-CIO news: ■ In today's Christian Science Monitor -- Unions look ahead -- and inward, too -- The fight's intensity stems from AFL-CIO reformers' belief that a total change is needed for unions' survival.
■ In today's Christian Science Monitor -- Workers of the world... disunite! (op-ed) -- The establishment of the Change to Win Coalition, which will probably be a rival federation to the AFL-CIO, could be the best thing to happen to the American labor movement in decades... The new competition among unions will create more dynamic unions and will force labor leaders to be accountable.

TUESDAY, JULY 5 ■ Anti-gas tax initiative endangers our future (Tri-City Herald editorial) -- Saving a few cents on gas while jeopardizing the billions of dollars invested in our transportation system is a false economy that will hamstring economic development. Learn more.
■ Saturday from AP -- Gas tax foes lose 2 court rulings -- But I-912 backers say they'll make ballot.

Local news: ■ In today’s Olympian -- Majority of state workers choosing to join union -- "That's very encouraging. We encourage everyone to be a union member. Really, truly, the federation is run by the membership," says WFSE spokesman.
■ In today’s Olympian -- State employees' switch to performance-based pay worth a closer look
■ In today's Seattle P-I -- Fircrest: A time for broad review (editorial) -- Gov. Gregoire and legislators took a wise break from the push to close the Fircrest School for developmentally disabled.
■ In Sunday's Everett Herald -- Port of Everett is a destination point for more West Coast cargo -- Imports from China have created a huge backup, so longshore union has plenty of work.
■ In Saturday's Tri-City Herald -- Freshly decertified Wallula beef plant workers get a raise
■ Sunday’s Aberdeen Daily World -- Truckers scrap work stoppage plan, at least for now
■ In today's Seattle P-I -- Two top Seattle Monorail executives quit
■ In today’s News Tribune -- NASCAR racetrack in Kitsap County could be hard sell to public

Political news: ■ In today's King Co. Journal -- Bellevue lawyer Gordon readying for run at Reichert
■ In Monday's Seattle P-I -- Hatred of "Top 2" primary unites Republicans, Democrats
■ In today's Spokesman-Review -- A savvy West turns to cameras -- Jim West's fight to save his career morphed last week into a campaign by a veteran politician to try to change public opinion.

National news: ■ At AFLCIO.org -- Battle to stop CAFTA moves to House -- Take action!
■ In today's Washington Post -- Federal workers anxious over pay -- Many are growing increasingly anxious about their pay as the Bush administration prepares to toss out the longevity-based pay schedule, and replace it with a system that ties salary increases to performance evaluations.
■ In today's NY Times -- In Germany, the jobless work to keep their benefits

Previous weeks' news: June 27-July 1 -- June 13-17 -- June 6-10

FRIDAY, JULY 8
Labor law's 70th anniversary is bittersweet

As we celebrated our nation’s independence this month, organized labor also recalled one freedom which tens of thousands of Americans are denied each year -- the freedom to improve their lives by joining a union.

July marks the 70th Anniversary of the National Labor Relations Act -- commonly known as the Wagner Act -- which supposedly guarantees working people the chance to form unions freely. This landmark legislation enshrined in law the fundamental principal that American workers had the freedom to decide for themselves whether they wanted a union without any employer interference or intimidation.

Yet today, abuse of workers’ rights is so rampant in the U.S. that we’ve made it on the radar of Human Rights Watch, an internationally recognized organization that monitors basic human rights. They say it’s so bad for workers in this country that we’re out of compliance with fundamental human rights norms.

Unfortunately, employers routinely violate workers’ freedom to choose a union, and the laws are too weak to stop them.

Nationwide, more than 57 million workers in America say they would form a union tomorrow to improve their lives. However, employers like do just about anything to stop them. For example, ninety-five percent of employers try to stop their workers from forming a union, and a quarter illegally fire workers, according to Cornell University researcher Kate Bronfenbrenner.

In fact, more than 20,000 workers were fired or discriminated against in 2004 alone for exercising their right to freedom of association in the workplace, according to National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) annual reports. That amounts to a worker in this country being fired or discriminated against every 23 minutes for trying to exercise this basic human right.

That is why organized labor is speaking out to urge lawmakers to support the Employee Free Choice Act. This bi-partisan federal legislation would ensure that when a majority of employees in a workplace decides to form a union, they can do so without the grueling obstacles employers now use to block workers’ free choice.

U.S. Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Representatives George Miller (D-CA) and Peter King (R-NY) introduced this legislation into the 109th Congress. We are urging our entire congressional delegation to sign onto this crucial legislation.

When employers violate the right of workers to form a union, everyone suffers. Our basic constitutional freedoms are compromised. Wages fall, race and gender pay gaps widen, and workplace discrimination increases and job safety standards disappear. Unions are the best tool we have for fighting poverty and bringing about social justice.

As we commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Wagner Act, it is time that elected leaders on both sides of the aisle come together to find real solutions that ensure workers actually receive the protection that the authors of this legislation originally intended.

THURSDAY, JULY 7
Transportation Communications union affiliates with IAM

The following news release was posted Wednesday by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers:

Transportation Communications Union Affiliates with IAM

Washington, D.C., July 6, 2005 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today announced an historic agreement that will bring nearly 46,000 members of the Maryland-based Transportation Communications International Union (TCU) into the Machinists Union. Today’s agreement concludes months of discussions between leaders of the two AFL-CIO unions and will boost the IAM’s membership to nearly 700,000 active and retired members.

“This affiliation makes sense on so many levels,” said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. “We’re joined by our common heritage as rail unions founded more than a century ago and by our growth over the years to include workers throughout the transportation industry. This ‘union of unions’ will also give us greater strength to face the economic challenges that confront our members and workers everywhere.”

TCU represents workers at virtually every major rail company in North America, including Amtrak, CSX, Norfolk Southern, BNSF, Union Pacific, Canadian National and most commuter rail lines. The IAM represents more than 11,000 rail workers among its 140,000 airline and railroad members across North America.

TCU was founded in 1899 as the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks and grew over the years to include a diverse roster that includes clerks, carmen and supervisors. Among the unions that joined the TCU since its founding were the Order of Railway Telegraphers, the American Railway Supervisors Association, the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen and the legendary Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.

“The men and women of TCU come from many backgrounds, but we share the dreams of working people everywhere,” said TCU International President Bob Scardelletti. “This affiliation with the IAM gives each one of us a better shot at turning those dreams into reality.”

The Machinists Union was founded by railroad workers in 1888 and today represents workers in dozens of industries under more than 4,000 individual agreements. Both unions are politically active, calling for fair treatment for rail workers governed by the Railway Labor Act. “That law is being undermined by an anti-worker political agenda aimed at rolling back hard-won collective bargaining rights,” said IP Buffenbarger. Earlier this year, the IAM sued the National Mediation Board (NMB), charging the federal agency with obstructing negotiations for rail workers.

The IAM-TCU action comes as AFL-CIO member unions debate voluntary affiliations versus forced mergers. “This voluntary affiliation between two AFL-CIO unions serves as a good example of the kind of consolidation that honors our democratic traditions and avoids the complications of forced mergers,” said Buffenbarger.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6
Safety Training Center grand opening July 30 in South Seattle

A broad-based coalition of labor, business and public entities are establishing a state-of-the-art Safety Training Center housed at South Seattle Community College 's Duwamish Apprenticeship and Education Center. All trade unionists and other workplace training supporters are invited to the Center's grand opening, which will include a barbecue and refreshments, beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 30.

The location -- 6770 E. Marginal Way South -- is ideal for addressing the safety needs of construction, transportation and manufacturing because the primary apprenticeship programs for these trades are located at or near the Duwamish site. There is a high concentration of businesses in the area and a supportive institutional structure for building the center.

All coalition members and partners will benefit by pooling their resources into this centrally located facility. Together, the coalition will have the latest equipment and “real life,” hands-on training, share the best curriculum, and develop a pool of instructors to meet the needs of industry, both long term and short term.

The center's classes will include OSHA series, Haz-Mat, Lock Out-Tag Out, Hearing Conservation, Confined Space, Community 911 Emergency/Disaster Preparedness, and other classes relevant to the industries.

The Safety Training Center's Coalition Partners are:

Boilermakers Apprenticeship; Carpenters Apprenticeship; Center to Protect Workers Rights; Glaziers Apprenticeship; IBEW and IUPAT ; International Masonry Institute; Ironworkers Apprenticeship; N.W. Laborers ; Operating Engineers , Sprinkler Fitters; W.W. Cement Masons; W.W. Sheet Metal; Piledrivers Apprenticeship; Millwright Apprenticeship; Meatcutter Apprenticeship; WA Manufacturing Service; WA State Department of Transportation; Apex Construction Safety ; Argus Pacific; Conco Cement ; Hoffman Construction Co.; Hoffman Structures; Howard S. Wright; Kiewit and Skanska; Lease, Crutcher, Lewis; Safety & Supply Co.; Sellen Construction; Star Rentals; Turner Construction; Build It Smart ; Evergreen Safety Council; Seattle City Light; South Seattle Community College ; Puget Sound Industrial Excellence Center ; Renton Technical College; Seattle Vocational Institute; University of Washington ; Manufacturing Industrial Council; Seattle King County Building Trades; National Building and Construction Trades ; Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce ; Seattle City Council and the Port of Seattle; King County Office of Business Relations and Economic Development; Labor and Industries; WISHA; OSHA; Washington State Fire Fighters JATC; and the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

The Coalition is open to interested parties who would like to participate in developing and using the Safety Training Center . For information, contact Mark Maher at 206-762-9286 or 206-355-1665.

Please RSVP Grand Opening attendance by phone or email at concretetraining@msn.com. Please include your name, the number of participants , and the organization(s) represented.

TUESDAY, JULY 5
Anti-gas tax initiative 912 endangers our future

The following editorial appeared in Sunday's edition of the Tri-City Herald:

The promise of lower prices at the pump make Initiative 912, the anti-gas tax petition circulating throughout the state, a tempting proposal.

We recommend against signing it, however, despite the sting we're all feeling from rising gas prices.

Saving a few cents on a gallon of gas while jeopardizing the billions of dollars invested in the state's transportation system is a false economy that will hamstring economic development efforts.

That's not some liberal claptrap. Transportation is not a partisan issue, and a diverse array of interest groups, ranging from corporate giants like Bank of America to greenies like the Washington Environmental Council, are opposing the initiative.

Eastern Washington legislators who supported the tax increase included not only Republican Reps. Shirley Hankins and Larry Haler from the 8th Legislative District, but also arch-conservative state Sen. Joyce Mulliken from the 13th District.

The fact is, Washington residents of every political stripe recognize that our state highways and bridges are in trouble and that a gas tax is one of the fairest ways we have to pay for them.

Certainly, record high gas prices are hurting everyone, especially folks in Eastern Washington where distances between destinations tend to be longer. But a closer look at the additional taxes reveals a good bargain.

The 9.5-cent increase approved by the Legislature will be phased-in over four years, starting with a 3-cent jump on Friday. Even if you're commuting from Sunnyside to Kennewick in a nine-passenger Suburban, that initial increase will cost you less than a dollar a week, based on Chevrolet's published rating of 18 miles per gallon on the highway.

The average driver, with a shorter commute and better mileage, will pay far less, of course. Even after the entire increase is in effect four years from now, few drivers will pay more than the cost of a latte per week for a transportation package that includes 270 projects around the state.

The biggest gain for Eastern Washington is the planned improvement to the east slope of Snoqualmie Pass. Whether they're hauling alfalfa to a west-side dairy or taking in a Mariners game, residents on this side of the mountains sorely need a fix for Interstate 90.

Closer to home, the package provides $56 million for Highway 12, improving safety for travelers between Walla Walla and the Tri-Cities, one of the Mid-Columbia's most dangerous stretches.

But it's overly parochial to focus too heavily on nearby improvements. The bulk of the money goes toward improving major arteries in the Puget Sound region, where near-gridlock remains a serious detriment to economic development.

Anyone who thinks Puget Sound can sustain real economic growth without major improvements to the transportation system hasn't tried crossing Lake Washington at rush hour in the last decade.

Regardless of regional differences, when Seattle suffers a downturn, the repercussions are felt throughout the state. The political divide between east and west doesn't equate to an economic division.

Supporters of I-912 like to say the increases will give Washington the highest gas tax in the nation. Opponents dispute the calculations, but even if it's true, the argument falls flat.

In Eastern Washington, we've always paid less than what we got -- with more money spent on our state highway projects than we've contributed to the transportation budget through gas taxes.

But comparing gas taxes alone is a meaningless exercise, because other states rely on other types of taxes to maintain their highways. The better question is how we stack up on overall transportation spending.

The state Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation took a look at total expenditures across the nation, and its 2003 report ranked Washington state 48th in per capita spending on transportation.

The nickel-a-gallon gas tax imposed two years ago has put us more in the middle of the pack, but certainly not the highest state when per capita transportation costs are compared.

More to the point, the nickel tax can't make up for the deterioration our transportation system suffered during our slide into 48th place, when maintenance failed to keep up with need.

No one wants to pay higher gas prices, but the costs are cheap compared with economic benefits of improving the system that gets goods to market and workers to their jobs.

The Herald recommends voters take a pass on Initiative 912.

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.