WSLC Reports Today -- July 28-30, 2004

UPDATED DAILY -- M-F by 9 a.m. (Pacific)

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.

Reports for July 28-30, 2004

Previous weeks' news: July 19-23 -- July 12-16 -- July 6-9

FRIDAY, July 30 -- Candlelight vigil for grocery workers Monday night in Seattle
— In today's Seattle P-I -- State's uninsured cited for rising health care costs
...more coverage of uninsured report in today's Spokesman-Review and Seattle Times
Other local news: — In today's Seattle Times -- Feds take over Kaiser's pension covering 2,900 (AP)
— In today's Seattle P-I -- SEIU tries informational pickets at UW to pressure on negotiations -- Note: P-I says that only 20 people picketed but the union confirms 400 did, and has sign-in sheets to prove it.
— In today's Oregonian -- Clark Public Utilities, IBEW will talk Monday -- Local 125 threatens to "terminate the contract," which management interprets as a strike declaration.
— In today's King Co. Journal -- Concrete drivers, suppliers (IBT 174) schedule last-chance contract talks
— In today's Yakima H-R -- Unions authorize strike if talks fail -- Yakima Resources and Snokist Growers employees (WCIW) have separately passed strike votes as contract talks drag on.
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- Cherry Point electrical plant is good news for local economy (editorial)
Election news: — In today's Everett Herald -- Cheers for Kerry from Everett union hall
— In today's News Tribune -- Washington state key for both the Kerry and Bush campaigns
— At AFLCIO.org -- AFL-CIO President Sweeney tells DNC: Working people choose John Kerry
Other national news: — In today's L.A. Times -- Retirees' future up in the air -- The Machinists union sues United Airlines' parent over its decision to stop contributions to worker pension funds.
...plus -- Ralph's admits to improper rehiring of some workers during Southern California lockout
— Today from AP -- L.A.-area ports to add 3,000 dockworkers amid cargo jam
— In today's Washington Post -- Contractors' budget work criticized -- As the Bush administration continues contracting out more and more federal government work to private companies, the privatized work includes preparation of federal budgets used to pay some of those same companies.

THURSDAY, July 29 -- "Middle class squeeze" lemonade on Cheney's menu in Yakima
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Cheney decides not to lay low during Democratic convention -- Vice President's four-day tour of the West breaks tradition of silence during opposing party's convention.
...plus -- IRS says Americans' income shrank for two consecutive years -- It's the first time that has happened since the modern tax system was introduced during World War II.
At WashTech.org -- Microsoft's India workforce doubles, internal documents reveal
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Union says Microsoft going offshore
— In today's Seattle Times -- Microsoft outsourcing high-level work, labor group says
— In today's S.F. Chronicle -- Bangladore gaining on Silicon Valley -- India city on the verge of overtaking Silicon Valley as home to the world's largest concentration of technology workers.
Other local news: — In today's Seattle P-I -- Boeing continues ascent, will boost production
— In today's Seattle Times -- Coping with the Airbus subsidy -- Editorial: While the trade negotiators talked (about Airbus' unfair government subsidy), Sen. Patty Murray swung a stick.
— In yesterday's Columbian -- Clark Public Utilities: Standoff continues as strike deadline nears -- With a strike looming as soon as Aug. 4, union employees of Clark Public Utilities (IBEW 125) took their case directly to utility commissioners at their regular board meeting Tuesday. But, with a federal mediator due for one more negotiating session Thursday, neither side appeared willing to budge.
— In today's Tri-City Herald -- Franklin County declares hiring freeze
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Swedish hospital CEO faces no-confidence vote from doctors
— In today's Oregonian -- Freightliner adding 700 jobs in Portland
Other election news: — In today's Spokesman-Review -- Democrats don't have a lock on union vote (AP)
— Today at BusinessWeek.com -- Will Business spurn Bush? -- Felix Rohatyn thinks so. He's betting that execs appalled over the Administration's "financial house of cards" will go for Kerry.

WEDNESDAY, July 28 -- Support UW workers at Thursday's informational pickets
...plus -- OPEIU home care workers picket in Longview TODAY for fair 1st contract
— In yesterday's Bellingham Herald -- Alcoa won't reopen Wenatchee smelter, blames labor impasse (AP)
— In yesterday's Spokesman-Review -- Hospital jobs cuts affect 150 at Deaconess, Valley
...plus today -- Sacred Heart Medical Center planning layoffs, other cuts; details to come in August
— In yesterday's Seattle P-I -- Boise Cascade whittled away; even name will be unloaded in vast selloff
— In today's Tri-City Herald -- Boise Cascade needs local, state support (editorial)
— In yesterday's Walla Walla U-B -- Boise Cascade to get new owners, but employees expected to stay
...plus -- Government outsourcing is a problem -- Editorial: Government is supposed to support the people who support it through taxes. Given that, it doesn't make sense for government to send money, and jobs, overseas even if it saves a few dollars... That outsources government's source of revenue.
— In today's Olympian -- State's military installations employ 83,000, paying $3.7 billion, report says
Boeing news: — In today's King County Journal -- Deadline TODAY for Boeing job-seekers
— In yesterday's Everett Herald -- Rush for Boeing 7E7 jobs begins; apply online today for Aug. 12 job fair
— In yesterday's Seattle P-I -- All Nippon signs signs contract for 50 7E7s -- a $6 billion deal
— Today from Reuters -- Boeing posts $607 million 2nd-quarter profit, boosts outlook
Election news: At AFLCIO.org -- Sweeney statement on union movement support for Kerry -- "The labor movement has never been more united or working harder for a presidential candidate."
Also today -- SEIU's Stern: "Nothing I want more than a John Kerry victory" -- SEIU chief releases statement clarifying remarks reported in yesterday's Washington Post.
— In yesterday's Washington Post -- SEIU chief says Democrats lack fresh ideas
— Today at BusinessWeek online -- A union chief's bold new tack -- Even as SEIU President Andrew Stern heads a massive effort to put a Democrat in the White House, he admits the party needs fixing.
At AFLCIO.org -- Union DNC delegates speak out on jobs, health care, freedom to join unions
— In Sunday's Washington Post -- Federal unions not concealing aversion toward Bush (column)
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Lost record of '02 Florida vote raises '04 concern about machines' reliability
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Voter fraud a real threat to democracy -- Krugman column: Jeb Bush says he won't allow an independent examination of voting machines because he has "every confidence" in his hand-picked election officials. Yet those officials have a history of slipshod performance on other matters related to voting and somehow their errors always end up favoring Republicans.
Other national news: — In today's L.A. Times -- Profit drops at Safeway after strike -- Quarterly sales inch up, but it spent more to woo shoppers. Some of them may be gone for good.
...plus yesterday -- A stonewalled migrant bill -- Editorial: Fearing a reaction from the extreme wing of the GOP, the White House asked the sponsor of a popular immigration reform bill to kill it. He did.
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Chicago has a nonunion plan for poor schools -- By 2010, the city will replace 60 failing schools with 100 new ones and turn one in 10 of its schools over to private managers.
...plus -- Farm subsidies again take front seat at WTO talks in Geneva

Previous weeks' news: July 19-23 -- July 12-16 -- July 6-9

FRIDAY, JULY 30
Candlelight vigil for grocery workers Monday night in Seattle

Mediated negotiations between the United Food and Commercial workers and the Puget Sound-area supermarket giants -- Safeway, Kroger (Fred Meyer & QFC) and Albertsons -- have reached a critical stage as the union fights to preserve affordable health care for the 25,000 workers affected.

Please show your support for grocery workers in this historic struggle. The Church Council of Greater Seattle and Washington State Jobs with Justice will conduct a "pray-in" and candlelight vigil for grocery workers on Monday, August 2 between the hours of 8 p.m. and midnight at the Seattle Center QFC, 100 Republican St.

Representatives of the Puget Sound UFCW locals met with the employers and the federal mediator on July 22 and 23. Those two days were mostly off-the-record discussions on issues including health benefits. Further negotiations are set for Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 3 and 4. Both parties have agreed to extend the current contract through Aug. 4.

Meanwhile, the UFCW continues its Taking It to the Streets community actions next week, and invites all unionists to join in handbill distribution at targeted stores and surrounding neighborhoods. Actions are planned on Monday in Everett from 4-6 p.m. at the Mill Creek Fred Meyer, 12906 Bothell Everett Hwy; on Wednesday in Kirkland from 4-7 p.m. at the Totem Lake QFC, 11224 N.E. 124th St.; Thursday in Seattle from 4-7 p.m. at the Broadway QFC, 523 Broadway E. Visit UFCW 1105's website for a complete schedule.

THURSDAY, JULY 29
"Middle class squeeze" lemonade on Yakima menu for Cheney

The following news advisory was distributed today by the Washington State Labor Council:

When the Bush-Cheney administration gives you lemons…
Hard Pressed Washington Workers Sponsor “Middle Class Squeeze” Lemonade Stand

When Vice President Dick Cheney comes to Yakima on Friday, July 30, local workers will be offering “fresh squeezed lemonade from our hard pressed working families.” The lemonade stand, on the public sidewalk intersection of S. 40th Ave. and Tieton Drive will feature workers from many different local workplaces, along with cups of cold lemonade.

Nurses and health care workers, members of SEIU 1199NW, and members of several other unions including Teamsters Local 760, Laborers Local 614 and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1439 are also participating in the event to highlight the squeeze being endured by working families in the Bush-Cheney economy.

Under the Bush-Cheney watch, working families have been squeezed hard:

The cost of health care has increased 40% and 4 million more Americans have lost their health insurance.

At the same time, wages for new jobs being created in the “Wal Mart Economy” pay 25% less than the jobs they replace.

Wages have stagnated over the last three years while corporate profits have skyrocketed. Real hourly wages have increased just 0.3% since 2001, compared with real after-tax corporate profit increases of 28.4%.

On Friday, July 30, workers who are feeling the squeeze of higher costs and lower wages and benefits will offer their voices and stories.

What:    The “Middle Class Squeeze” Lemonade Stand

When:   Noon on Friday, July 30th

Where: Corner of S. 40th Ave. and Tieton Dr, next to Eisenhower High School

Who:     Nurses, health care workers, building trades and white collar workers who will tell their stories.

For more information, please contact Washington State Labor Council Communications Director Karen Keiser at 1-800-542-0904 or (206) 281-8901.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28
Support UW workers at Thursday's informational pickets

The following announcement was distributed earlier this week by Service Employees International Union Local 925:

UW Management Proposals Threaten Quality Education & Good Patient Care
University of Washington staff are fighting a package of "McJob" proposals that could undermine good, family-wage jobs and threaten quality education and good patient care:

Let management lay off current UW employees and subcontract work to private companies.

Eliminate step increases and cost-of-living raises, and link future increases to supervisory performance evaluations.

Let departments lay off senior employees before junior employees, based on supervisory performance evaluations.

Eliminate overtime after full-time daily shifts and only pay overtime after 40 hours in a week.

Allow for temporary layoffs with little notice when workload is down, and call workers back when they need us.

According to James Crowe, a Bargaining Team member from the Psychology Department: "Management's proposals move us further away from a contract settlement, not closer to one. Their proposals will never be accepted by UW staff, and could result in potential conflict. This is a serious step backward in our bargaining."
Picketing Times and Locations for Thursday, July 29:
UW Medical Center, 6:30 to 8:00 a.m.
Pacific & Montlake (across from Husky Stadium parking)
Harborview Medical Center, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
325 9th Avenue (Main Hospital Entrance)

Northgate, Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Northgate Executive Center II
9725 Third Avenue NE

Tacoma Campus, Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 5th
Commerce Street Entrance

SEIU Local 925 represents more than 6,500 staff in the University's academic, research and business operations, and at the University of Washington Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center.

More information is available on the SEIU Local 925 web site.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28
OPEIU home care workers picket today for fair 1st contract

The following press release was distributed Tuesday by Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 8:

Home Care Workers at Lower Columbia Community Action Council (CAP) Set to Picket

LONGVIEW -- On Wednesday, July 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. CAP Caregivers (homecare workers) will conduct information picketing around the CAP main office at 1526 Commerce.

Workers vote in February 2003 to join Office and Professional Employees Union Local 8 and have been trying to win a first contract ever since. Currently workers make only $8.10 to $8.40 an hour with few benefits. CAP Caregivers are among the lowest paid home care workers in the state, falling well below the standards for other CAP home care workers in Clallam, Jefferson and Grays Harbor counties.

On July 7, 2004, workers overwhelmingly rejected the employer's last contract offer that included a substandard wage increase (starting in October when the state has appropriated new money), cuts to mileage reimbursement, and a reduction of paid sick and vacation leave for nearly half of the workers.

"We just want a contract that gives us the same standards as other agency home care workers, nothing more. CAP needs to understand that they have to pay us fairly to retain quality workers. Our clients deserve that," said Ruth Admire, an 18-year employee.

Unfair Labor Practice charges have been filed with the National Labor Relations Board by the union, alleging CAP violated the law by threatening workers with closure of the program, not bargaining in good faith and several other violations.

For more information, contact Cindy Schu, OPEIU Local 8 Organizing Director, at (206) 441-8276.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28
SEIU's Stern: "Nothing I want more than a John Kerry victory"

The following is a statement issued Wednesday by Andy Stern, President of the Service Employees International Union, clarifying his comments about the importance of electing Sen. John Kerry:

Let me be clear: there’s nothing I want more than a John Kerry victory. He’s spent a lifetime fighting for good jobs and strong families, and a Kerry victory is the biggest goal of our union right now. We will spend $65 million and are sending over 2,004 workers to work full time in battleground states. We will continue to do whatever we can to make sure John Kerry is the next president of the United States. This is the largest non-party effort of any single organization in a national election ever. John Kerry is right on our issues and he’s fought with us when we have needed him.

What I was saying yesterday is that when you accomplish a big goal like beating George Bush there can be a tendency to lose energy and unity and we cannot let that happen. We’re at a time of extraordinary energy and unity and we have to make sure we hold on to that even after Senator Kerry beats Bush.

John Kerry’s commitment to our union’s signature issue – fixing healthcare in his first hundred days – makes it especially important that we keep up this fight even after November. Fixing the healthcare system in America is going to take the blood, sweat, and tears of all of us and we’ll need the energy and unity we have now to do it.

George Bush has dug this country into such a terrible hole it is going to take the strongest labor movement and party possible to help John Kerry turn it around. When it comes to fixing America, we have to make sure we hold up our end of the deal even after Senator Kerry wins.

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.