NEXT UPDATE  Monday, July 28 by 9 a.m. Pacific
Why so long?

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 July 14-17, 2003

Previous weeks' news: July 7-11 -- June 30-July 3 -- June 23-27

THURSDAY, July 17 -- Resolve to oppose, defeat I-841 attacking workplace safety
...plus -- "Stand With Bon Workers!" rally, march July 23 in Seattle
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Boeing may lay off 5,000 more -- The new job cuts will focus on the Seattle-based commercial aerospace unit, sparing employees at Boeing's Shared Services unit.
— In today's Everett Herald -- Everett ratifies new Boeing pier
— In today's Olympian -- State workers can use some state time, resources for union business
— In today's News Tribune -- Rep. Dunn should protect skilled park workers -- Editorial: U.S. Rep. Jennifer Dunn (R-Bellevue) has a chance today to help put the brakes on a bad idea: privatizing jobs at Mount Rainier and other national parks whether or not it makes sense.
— In yesterday's Longview Daily News -- Rep. Baird calls prescription drug ads a "scare tactic"
— In today's Seattle Times -- GOP turns attention to Herbold as potential governor candidate
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- State Rep. Gombosky to give up seat, take EWU lobbying job
— In yesterday's Columbian -- Library workers (WPEA) unhappy with contract offer
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- Wal-Mart makes final pitch in arguments for new Poulsbo store
At AFLCIO.org -- AFL-CIO urges Congress to reject Chile, Singapore trade agreements
— In today's Detroit News -- Don't look for miracles in auto labor bargaining (column)
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Panel suggests Postal Service should close money-losing offices (AP)
— In today's Washington Post -- Jimmy Hoffa vanished into myth -- Essay: Police in Hampton Township, Mich., were digging for Jimmy Hoffa yesterday. After six hours the diggers came up empty. But suppose they'd found him? Do we really want that?

WEDNESDAY, July 16 -- HERE Local 8: Hilton trying to bust union at SeaTac hotels
...plus -- UW classified staff (SEIU 925) to rally Thursday for raises, respect
— In today's Seattle Times -- U.S. debt to grow by $1.7 trillion over next five years 
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- States losing billions to corporate tax-sheltering loopholes -- New report shows Washington lost $372 million in B&O taxes in 2001 as firms artificially shifted income.
...also see in the N.Y. Times -- Business tax shelters a drain on states' finances, study says
— In yesterday's Walla Walla U-B -- L&I hits IBP with $61,500 fine after worker's arm amputated -- Tyson Fresh Meats, formerly IBP Inc., was fined for "willful" safety violations, where the employer has intentionally violated rules or done so with plain indifference to worker safety. "We take the safety of our people very seriously," said a two-armed Tyson spokesman. The company will appeal the fine.
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Bush cost-cutting contracting-out plan stirs unease on Mt. Rainier
...plus -- GOP loses another possible candidate for governor (John Stanton)
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- Sen. Murray raises nearly $4 million (AP)
— In today's Tri-City Herald -- Politicos watch Nethercutt's spot -- GOP: State Sen. Larry Sheahan and Spokane County Sheriff Mark Sterk say they'd run; Rep. Cathy McMorris is thinking about it.
— In yesterday's Columbian -- Clark County's nursing care system breaking down
— In today's King County Journal -- Oklahoma congressman blocking Sound Transit light-rail funds
At AFLCIO.org -- Bush plan will spur employers to stop offering pensions, Sweeney says
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Bush pension proposals get a cold reception from Congress
...plus -- Negotiations begin on resolving differences in House, Senate drug benefit plans
— In today's Washington Post -- Uninsured pay more for prescription drugs, report says
...plus -- The pension time bomb -- Samuelson column: The pension time bomb is ticking -- and could ultimately explode in a savings-and-loan-like crisis... What's needed is an overhaul of pension rules to ensure adequate contributions and disclosure.
...plus  -- $455 billion and counting -- Editorial: Even scarier than the deficits this year and next, and even more troubling for the country's long-term economic health, is that large deficits appear here to stay -- sapping the economy and piling on debt that will have to be paid by generations to come.
— In today's S.F. Chronicle -- 455 billion reasons boomers should be worried about future (column) 

TUESDAY, July 15 -- Another opportunity to block President Bush's cuts in overtime pay
...plus at AFLCIO.org -- U.S. Senate considers bill to protect overtime pay
— In Newsday -- Overtime changes would deprive millions (op-ed by AFL-CIO's John Sweeney)
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Overtime reforms may shock, boost union organizing
— In today's Everett Herald -- Boeing has plans for pier -- Part of 7E7 bid, the pier will be used to ship in "monolithic" 777, 767 and 747 parts that will require less time -- and fewer workers -- to assemble.
— In today's Seattle Times -- End of the line for 757? Orders dwindle as enlarged 737 dominates
...plus -- Laboring to understand the beef with flex time -- Harrop column: No doubt there are laborers who, through need or desire, yearn to make bigger bucks working overtime. But poll after poll shows that harried Americans would joyfully trade in some money for more free time. Labor leaders seem to have little idea of how badly American workers want a life.
— In yesterday's Columbian -- House Democrats will tour state to talk taxes
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Citizens' group joins JOA suit; Times bid to exclude them rejected
— In today's News Tribune -- A badly needed break on drug prices -- Editorial: As Congress begins a difficult struggle to find a compromise on providing a Medicare prescription drug benefit, it's easy to forget that Washington's own lawmakers have taken limited but significant step in this direction.
...plus -- Hey, guv, it's too early to declare your intentions for a third term (Callaghan column)
— In today's Washington Post -- Federal budget deficit may surpass $450 billion
...plus -- Budget woes trickle down to state, local governments
...plus -- OMB to address congressional concerns over Bush outsourcing
— In today's N.Y. Times -- United Airlines may face deeper challenges -- Mechanics have voted to oust the powerful IAM union in favor of being represented by a union that is smaller but more militant.
...plus -- With health costs soaring, automakers are to begin labor talks

MONDAY, July 14 -- Pickets to commence Tuesday at SeaTac DoubleTree Hotel
— In the new P.S. Business Journal -- Battle over ergonomics heats up -- Says one contractor who came into compliance: "It wasn't as difficult as I first anticipated. I had anticipated a major review."
— In Saturday's News Tribune -- Overtime pay changes won't affect Washington workers, L&I says (AP) -- Bush hasn't even adopted his plan to exempt millions from OT pay, but already corporate lobbyists here are saying Washington's OT standards are a "competitiveness" issue. Unbelievable.
...plus  -- Union carpenters endorse new 4-year contract
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Health care issues heat up Group Health, other labor disputes
...plus plus on Saturday -- Most would vote against Locke, poll finds -- Elway poll also found that a majority surveyed opposed the changes in the unemployment insurance system adopted in 2003.
...plus -- 7E7 Dreamliner parts could be built in China to cut costs, Condit says
— In today's Seattle Times -- An honest conversation about migrant workers -- Riley column: One of the great secrets of the Washington economy is the reliance on a large number of undocumented workers from Mexico. These people take the menial and often back-breaking jobs of bringing in our harvest and busing our tables. Public indignation should be leveled squarely at our nation's fatally flawed immigration policies, not at enterprising workers with few options in their native land. (But then the author goes on to endorse a new Bracero program. Well... it started out good.)
— In Sunday's Yakima H-R -- Eyman's track record shows he's a minor league player (editorial)
— In today's Olympian -- Change in plans squeezes out proposed Lacey Wal-Mart
At AFLCIO.org -- Sweeney: Asbestos bill puts corporate liability ahead of disease victims
— In today's L.A. Times -- Asbestos bill could be windfall for business -- A fund will compensate people whose health has been ruined by asbestos, but the first and biggest beneficiaries may be companies like Halliburton, which could save $3.5 billion of its pending liability for asbestos claims.
— In Saturday's Washington Post -- Machinists endorse Richard Gephardt for President
— In today's S.F. Chronicle -- Results of United mechanics' IAM decertification vote expected today

Previous weeks' news: July 7-11 -- June 30-July 3 -- June 23-27

THURSDAY, JULY 17
Resolve to oppose, defeat I-841 attacking workplace safety

Although the Building Industry Association of Washington's Initiative 841 to repeal the workplace ergonomic safety rule has yet to be officially certified for this fall's ballot by the Secretary of State's office, the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO is urging all labor organizations to adopt a resolution formally opposing the initiative.

Following is a draft resolution that can be used or adapted for this purpose:

RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE INITIATIVE 841

Whereas, 50,000 Washington workers a year suffer from work-related preventable injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, low back strain and tendonitis; and

Whereas, these injuries account for nearly one-third of all workers’ compensation claims in our state, and account for 46% of all state workers’ compensation claims costs; and

Whereas, a cost-benefit analysis of the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries ergonomics rule on work-related musculoskeletal injuries found that the cost savings of implementation will save Washington businesses nearly $340 million a year at a cost for full compliance of nearly $80 million, with a cost-benefit ratio of more than four-to-one; and

Whereas, certain business interests have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars for paid signature gatherers to place Initiative 841 on the fall statewide ballot to repeal this important workplace safety rule, and news reports indicate these mercenary petitioners routinely lied about the rule and its impact in order to convince people to sign; and

Whereas, the ergonomics rule has had the longest phase-in period of any workplace safety rule ever adopted in our state, with special consideration allowed for small business to take up to 6 years to comply; and

Whereas, the National Academy of Science and the National Institute on Occupational Safety and Health have both issued scientific reports concluding that ergonomics programs and interventions in the workplace can significantly reduce musculoskeletal injuries; and

Whereas, the Governor’s Independent Blue Ribbon Panel, which included representatives from the business community, reviewed the rule in 2002, it found that the rule’s requirements are understandable, that enforcement policies are fair and consistent, that effective education materials are widely available and that demonstration projects have been successful; and

Whereas, the new rule is targeted at real hazards where the most injuries occur, and does not require any action by nearly 50% of employers that have no employees in hazardous jobs; and

Whereas, common sense principles of prevention will avoid thousands of painful and debilitating injuries to workers in our state and will make hundreds of workplaces and jobs safer; therefore be it

Resolved that (name of organization) go on record as OPPOSED to Initiative 841 and be it further

Resolved that (name of organization) will assist in the effort to DEFEAT Initiative 841.

For more information about the ergonomic safety rule, contact WSLC Education and Safety Director Randy Loomans at (360) 943-0608. Once your organization had adopted the resolution, please notify WSLC Political Director Diane McDaniel at (206) 281-8901. Thank you.

THURSDAY, JULY 17
"Stand With Bon Workers!" rally, march July 23 in Seattle

Union members, community supporters and Bon Marche shoppers are encouraged to participate in a "Stand With Bon Workers!" rally and march on Wednesday, July 23 beginning at 11 a.m. at Denny Playfield, Denny & Westlake just north of downtown Seattle. Organized by United Food and Commercial Workers Locals 1001, 367 and 44, participants will march to Westlake Center to rally across the street from the downtown Bon.

In negotiations for a union contract covering 1,800 workers across the Puget Sound area, the Bon management has proposed a takeaway package the UFCW says is reminiscent of the Reagan years. The Bon is proposing:

• Wage cuts and wage freezes. Many employees would have their base wages cut by $1.73 an hour. The rest would have their wages frozen for three years.

• Two-tier wage scale. The Bon wants to pay new sales associates $9 an hour, more than $3 les than the current scale.

• Huge increases in medical costs. The Bon wants to reduce what they spend on health benefits while increasing employees' costs and slashing benefits. 

The Bon's union workers voted by 99.5% to reject management's contract offer and authorize a strike. Please make plans to show solidarity with the Bon workers and help them beat back The Bon's attack on community labor standards.

For more information, visit the UFCW 1001 website or call (425) 644-2292.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16
HERE Local 8: Hilton trying to bust union at SeaTac hotels
Support workers by spending two hours on picket lines at DoubleTree, Hilton

The following notice was distributed this morning by Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Local 8:

NOTICE TO ALL UNIONS from H.E.R.E. Local 8
Hilton Corporation moves to bust Union at SeaTac DoubleTree and Hilton hotels

Executive Officer Rick Sawyer reported that the Union believes that management has begun a campaign to force and threaten workers to withdraw from union membership!

Rather than offering workers affordable health care and living wages, the Hilton a rich multi-national corporation, is moving to threaten workers and their organization.

PLEASE WRITE HILTON CORPORATION CEO MR. BOLLENBACH,, 9336 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210

EXPRESS YOUR OUTRAGE AT THIS ATTACK ON WORKERS AND THEIR RIGHTS!

Meanwhile, union members, labor organizations and their community supporters are responding to HERE's request to cancel reservations/events at the two hotels. The Washington Federation of State Employees, for example, has moved its Executive Board and Policy Committee meetings later this month from the DoubleTree to the Olympia's Red Lion. Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler had scheduled his health insurance reform task force meetings at the DoubleTree through the end of the year.  He cancelled the July and August reservations and told management why he was moving it. 

CALL TO ACTION: Community supporters and union activists are being asked to support the SeaTac hotel workers by picketing with them as they struggle for living wages, affordable health care, safe working conditions and respect. Informational picketing is happening every day from 8 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. outside the SeaTac Hilton and DoubleTree hotels. Help is needed to staff these picket lines and to demonstrate to hotel management that the public is aware of this struggle and support the workers.

On Saturday, July 19 at 3:30 p.m., Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio will be joining picketing hotel workers outside the DoubleTree Hotel.

If you can participate, meet in front of the DoubleTree at 188th and International Blvd. and you will be met by a picket coordinator, and will get a T-shirt, signs and a quick briefing. Community members who have joined with hotel workers already as community observers in the negotiations, and at the picketing events, have found this to be a rewarding experience that makes a difference.  

Please contact Sarah Jaynes at (206) 441-0499 x23 if you are able to participate or if you have questions.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16
UW classified staff to rally Thursday for raises and respect

Following is a press release distributed Wednesday afternoon by Service Employees International Union Local 925:

SEATTLE -- On Thursday, July 17, members of SEIU Local 925 will stage a noon rally in front of Gerberding Hall on the UW campus to demand that the UW Board of Regents include them in a 2% raise, scheduled for all other University employees on August 1st.

"It is appalling that the University would consider giving raises to the entire UW workforce, but leave out the classified staff," says Lisa Rankin, President of the UW Chapter of Service Employees International Union, Local 925.

"This is not just about the money, it's about respect," she said. "This tells classified staff that we are not seen as valued members of the University community."

Public university classified staff wages lag 21% behind the market, according to a 2002 Washington State salary survey. At the same time, state employee health care costs jumped 75% in January, 2003 and will rise again in 2004.

Rally speakers to include:

• Lisa Rankin, SEIU Local 925 UW Chapter President

• Sharon Crowely, GSEAC/UAW (Graduate Student Employee Action Coalition)

• Christian Gunter, Vice President, GPSS (Graduate and Professional Student Senate)

• Brittany Goodnight, President, ASUW (Associated Students of the University of Washington)

• Lynn Carrigan, Faculty, School of Social Work

TUESDAY, JULY 15
Another opportunity to block Bush's cuts in overtime pay

Following is another Call to Action from the AFL-CIO regarding President Bush's proposed cuts in overtime pay urging support for a last-ditch effort to block it in the U.S. Senate.

Although the state Department of Labor and Industries has indicated Bush's changes expanding exemptions for overtime pay will not affect workers here because of state protections, this is a change that will cut pay for some 8 million Americans at a time when our economy desperately needs working families to be earning more money.

Meanwhile in Washington state, business lobbyists have already signaled they will seek changes so state laws conform with the new federal standards. Calling this yet another state "business competitiveness" issue is not only laughably premature, it acknowledges that corporate interests understand exactly what the true impact of Bush's plan will be -- to allow employers to increase work hours and pay employees less. Bush's spinmeisters continue to tout his plan as mere "modernization" of the rules that helps more workers than it hurts. If that's true, why would our state standards mirroring current federal rules be considered less "competitive" (read: higher, better)?

Act now to repeal the Bush overtime cuts

You may have heard the news. An opportunity to block President Bush's drive to take away overtime pay from millions of Americans has just come up. Before the end of July we need to tell Congress to block the Bush overtime cuts. We lost the vote in the U.S. House on this last Thursday but we have another chance when the Senate considers an effort to block Bush's overtime cuts. More than 8 million people are slated to LOSE THEIR OVERTIME PAY in the coming months.

Here is what is needed in the next couple of weeks:

First, please click on the link below to SEND A FAX to your senators and representative with a copy to President Bush. Tell them to act to repeal the Bush overtime take away.
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/senateOTrider/ 

Second, please E-MAIL YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS and
ask them to get involved and help stop these pay cuts. Click on this link to send them a message.
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/senateOTrider/forward/

We know these overtime cuts will impact millions of people. Here are some of the problems with the Bush overtime changes:

• People with training or education that helps them do their jobs, including military training, skills training, medical training, law enforcement training, fire rescue
  training and more, could be automatically excluded from getting overtime.
• The Bush administration will change the rules that determine who is and isn't an overtime -- ineligible supervisor and cut overtime for millions. People who make $22,100 could more easily be classified by the Department of Labor as executives and lose all of their overtime pay. An executive who makes $22,100?
• Not a single public hearing on this issue has been held or even scheduled by the Bush administration. The public has been able to comment only through our outreach and your activism.

MONDAY, JULY 14
Pickets to commence Tuesday at SeaTac DoubleTree Hotel

The following notice was distributed Friday by Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Local 8:

IMPORTANT -- PICKETS TO COMMENCE

On Tuesday, July 15, 2003
At the SeaTac DoubleTree Hotel
18740 International Blvd. South
Seattle, WA  98188

Company offers minimum wage to housekeeping staff.

For more information, contact Cindy Richardson, HERE Local 8 office, (206) 728-2326 x17.