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 July 28-August 1, 2003

Previous weeks' news: July 13-17 -- July 7-11 -- June 30-July 3

FRIDAY, August 1 -- WSLC Monthly Reports: "Justice for All" (WSLC Convention preview)
...plus -- Tentative agreement reached at the Red Lion SeaTac
...plus -- Spokane hospital workers organize; NLRB calls for revote for nurses
— In today's Yakima H-R -- Lady Liberty should be ashamed of Aganda deportation -- Yet another story of a productive, responsible, taxpaying family being ripped apart by the cruel bureaucratic injustice of America's immigration system. (Click here if you want to be part of the solution.)
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- Poulsbo Council greenlights new Wal-Mart
— In yesterday's Daily World -- Grays Harbor PUD reinstates pay raises for hourly workers
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Senate Majority Leader West to run again for Spokane mayor
...plus -- State Sen. Sheahan, county sheriff Sterk file for Nethercutt's seat
At AFLCIO.org -- Bush move to strip overtime pay draws more fire
— In today's Washington Post -- Teamsters to endorse Gephardt's presidential bid
...plus -- The right way to trade -- Op-ed: If the latest free-trade agreement, CAFTA, is being modeled on the Chile and Singapore pacts, Central American countries will have no incentive to improve their deficient labor laws. They will enjoy ever-greater tariff benefits, while labor rights abuses persist. And the Bush administration will have lost an opportunity to show how free trade can benefit workers.
— At BusinessWeek Online -- Drugs: Why do Americans pay more? -- Congress' push to undercut high prices by allowing Rx imports may fade under Big Pharma pressure -- but consumer ire won't.
— In the PSBJ -- U.S. House boosts "Buy American" rules from 50% to 65% domestic content

THURSDAY, July 31 -- TechsUnite urges all to take the " Tech Worker Challenge"
— In today's King County Journal -- Bon union (UFCW) files new Unfair Labor Practice complaint
— In today's Seattle P-I -- WestFarm Foods/Darigold, Teamsters locked in contract battle
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- Replacement workers may be used at Darigold's milk plants (AP)
— In the new Seattle Weekly -- Big Sister: Historically progressive YWCA fights organizing drive
— In today's Seattle Times -- California dreaming of 7E7 lift, but obstacles may deter Boeing
...speaking of obstacles, in today's S.F. Chronicle -- Workers' comp reform urged to avert disaster -- Most observers trace the current crisis to the bout of price cutting that followed California's  deregulation of workers' comp in the mid-1990s. (Business groups here in Washington have already announced they will seek similar workers' comp reforms next year in the name of "competitiveness.")
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- "Last day" letters hit Intalco workers
— In today's Olympian -- WEA plans to sue state over raises targeted to new teachers
— In yesterday's Daily News -- Restructuring plan could shut down Amtrak, and soon (editorial)
— In today's Everett Herald -- Boeing shuttle errors, loss of engineering talent to be cited in report
— In today's Salem S-J -- State of Oregon owes workers past-due overtime
At AFLCIO.org -- Bush uses Medicare bill to attack workers' rights -- President seeking to deny civil service protections for yet another group of federal workers in the name of "flexibility."
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Talk of partners, rumblings of battle at Verizon -- The nation's largest telecommunications company is sounding like Detroit's Big Three automakers two decades ago when they sought, and established, a trailblazing partnership with the United Automobile Workers.

WEDNESDAY, July 30 -- At AFLCIO.org -- Act now to save affordable electricity
...also see in today's Seattle P-I -- Dubious energy bill better shelved (editorial)
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- Dairy plant ready for strike (IBT 231) over health care -- WestFarm Foods, which distributes under the name Darigold, says it has received 800 applications from would-be scabs willing to cross strike picket lines at the company's six milk processing plants.
...plus -- Alcoa CFO's comment rattles workers at Ferndale
...plus -- Alcoa should delay Ferndale plant decision (op-ed by Rep. Rick Larsen)
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Kaiser Aluminum considers trimming retiree benefits
...plus -- Hospital workers to vote on unionization (SEIU 1199NW)
— In yesterday's Daily News -- Longview Aluminum's Lynch tries to keep control of smelter
...plus -- Weyerhaeuser will close Longview Fine Paper mill for a week
— In today's News Tribune -- Tentative deal in U.S.-Canada softwood lumber fight
...plus -- Western State needs more than just a leadership change (editorial)
...plus -- Sen. Murray can't get answers on American Lake VA hospital closure
— In today's Seattle Times -- GOP persuades Nethercutt to take on Murray in Senate race
— In today's Seattle P-I -- "Outsourcing" a sweeping attack on national parks (Connelly column)
— In today's Everett Herald -- Port wants to put itself and Boeing in the fast lane
— In today's Yakima H-R -- Losing small post offices worth sacrifice to keep service for all (editorial)
— In today's Salem (Ore.) S-J -- ACLU to challenge Patriot Act, file lawsuits in Portland, Detroit
— In today's Washington Post -- Democrats attack Bush overtime plan
— In today's S.F. Chronicle -- AFL-CIO's Sweeney blasts Bush ...and Wal-Mart
...plus -- More and more tech jobs moving overseas; consultant calls trend permanent, irreversible
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Verizon, union (CWA) meet with mediator
...plus -- Bush administration's Tax-Cut Tour 2003, at a factory near you (if there are any left) 

TUESDAY, July 29 -- Kickoff celebration Aug. 7 for Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride
— In today's Everett Herald -- Congressional panel clears $17.2 billion 767 tanker deal
— In today's Seattle Times -- Everett makes room for 7E7 as Kansas, Japan celebrate parts work
...plus -- Eyman should come clean -- Zemke op-ed: Is Tim Eyman again shuffling tens of thousands of dollars out of the public eye between campaign, business and personal accounts to further his political agenda and for personal gain while appearing to be working for free?
— In today's News Tribune -- Nethercutt plans to run for U.S. Senate
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Ron Sims to run for governor, is third Democrat in race (AP)
...plus -- Times alleges P-I violating JOA; Blethen move called "frivolous"
...plus -- Reform needed for pension guarantee -- Editorial: In the new economy, too few workers are covered by defined benefit plans, so there are fewer workers supporting retirees. (Sound familiar?)
— In today's Peninsula Daily News -- Sequim City Council clears way for Wal-Mart
— In today's S.F. Chronicle -- Sweeney, Dority encourage resistance to Wal-Mart expansion
— In today's Washington Post -- Bush administration's overtime plan draws angry letters
...plus -- Poll finds Democrats lack crucial support to beat Bush
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Centrist Democrats warn party not to present itself as "far left"
...plus -- Gephardt set to gain seventh union endorsement (IATSE)
— In today's Orlando Sentinel -- American dream has been "outsourced" -- Op-ed: If Airbus, the British-French airplane consortium, can give Boeing a run for its money, if Germany's Mercedes-Benz can best Cadillac, and if Finland's Nokia can outsell Motorola -- while all of them manage to operate with Europe's shorter workweek and much higher level of benefits -- only lack of corporate will and government mandate prevents U.S. companies from treating U.S. workers, as well.

MONDAY, July 28 -- Rally Aug. 10 to protect family-wage jobs on Seattle waterfront
— In Friday's Wichita Eagle -- Wichita lands Boeing 7E7 work -- But no decision has been made on where the final assembly of the 7E7 would be done. Wichita was never in contention for that work.
— In Thursday's Seattle P-I -- Bon workers take to streets, denouncing contract proposal
...and today -- State should follow Wal-Mart's lead -- Op-ed by Pride at Work's Sarah Luthens: To ensure meaningful rights for lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered workers, we need to support the labor movement and to work to pass the Cal Anderson Non-Discrimination Bill.
...plus -- School chiefs lack authority for reforms, UW finds -- Report says superintendents' reform efforts are frequently stymied by micromanaging school boards and inflexible teachers' unions.
— In today's News Tribune -- Locke's critics say he would have been vulnerable
...plus on Sunday -- GOP wants to avoid packed governor ballot
...plus -- Tacoma police may vote this week on new contract, after 3 years of talks
— In today's Seattle Times -- Run UW like a successful business (op-ed by professor)
— In today's Oregonian -- Companies abusing H-1B visa system, replacing U.S. workers, critics say
At AFLCIO.org -- AFL-CIO to host Democratic presidential candidates' forum on Aug. 5
— In the S.F. Chronicle -- AFSCME's McIntee: Pre-primary AFL-CIO endorsement will be hard to get
— In today's Washington Post -- Several GOP lawmakers near "Ranger" status for Bush fundraising -- Rep. Jennifer Dunn (R-Wash.), who several Republicans said is interested in a job in the administration, recently became a Pioneer, and intends on attaining Ranger status.
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Red ink in states beginning to hurt economic recovery
...plus -- New rules urged to avert looming pension crisis
— In today's L.A. Times -- 18% of workers in study lost jobs in past three years -- Of those who lost their jobs, only 49% of the ones who earned at least $40,000 annually got unemployment insurance benefits. For those who made less than $40,000, the number who got benefits shrank to 35%.
— Sunday from the AP -- Small Wisconsin town takes a stand against titan Tyson Foods

Previous weeks' news: July 13-17 -- July 7-11 -- June 30-July 3

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1
Tentative agreement reached at the Red Lion SeaTac

The following announcement has been distributed by the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Local 8:

H.E.R.E. Local 8 & the Red Lion Hotel have reached a tentative agreement on a three-year contract that includes substantial wage & benefit increases for all workers.

Thanks to your support, the hotel’s business has dropped significantly and was a key factor in reaching this agreement. Red Lion workers will now vote on the contract, and if they vote to accept the agreement, H.E.R.E. Local 8 will strongly encourage that union members and organizations support the Red Lion SeaTac.

Still not settled:

• Doubletree Seattle Airport

• Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center

For more information, please contact HERE's Cindy Richardson at (206) 728-2326 or 1-800-253-4373, ext. 17.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1
Spokane hospital workers organize; NLRB calls for revote for nurses

The following two news releases have been issued by Service Employees International Union District 1199NW:

DEACONESS, VALLEY HOSPITAL DIETARY AND HOUSEKEEPING EMPLOYEES VOTE TO UNITE
Subcontracted ARAMARK Employees Join Other Empire Employees in SEIU 1199NW

SPOKANE -- About 180 housekeeping and dietary workers who provide services at Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane and Valley Hospital and Medical Center in Spokane Valley voted today to form a union to gain a new voice about their jobs.

The vote at Deaconess was 72 yes in favor of forming a union to 39 no. At Valley the employees voted 34 yes to 10 no.

"Spokane doesn't need more low-wage jobs with no benefits. We want a voice to protect the kind of jobs Spokane needs to hold on to," said Craig Dowdy, a dietary worker at Deaconess.

"This is good news for the patients and families at our hospitals. Now we'll have a voice for workers to have a say about the best way to get good services to the people who come to our hospitals," said Lenka Kirchner, a housekeeping employee at Valley.

In May, Empire Health Services subcontracted the employees to ARAMARK, a major multinational corporation based in Philadelphia.

The employees overcame a major campaign by ARAMARK to pressure them not to form a union:

• Workers were pulled away from job duties and required to attend four one-hour meetings where they were shown anti-union videos and pressured to vote against organizing a union. (Pro-union employees are not permitted to require their co-workers to attend meetings or watch videos.)
• Some pro-union employees were excluded from the ARAMARK meetings after they asked questions or raised concerns.
• In other cases, direct supervisors who control employees' hours, wages, and working conditions met with employees one-on-one to pressure them to oppose forming a union.

By organizing with SEIU 1199NW, dietary and hospital workers at Deaconess and Valley are uniting with hospital technicians at Deaconess and technicians and registered nurses at Valley who organized into the union in April.

Service Employees International Union District 1199NW includes more than 16,000 RNs and health care workers united for quality care and good careers. SEIU 1199NW members work in health care facilities around the state, including RNs, therapists, and clinic staff at Group Health Cooperative clinics in Spokane, RNs at Eastern State Hospital and DSHS facilities for the developmentally disabled in Eastern Washington, technologists at Deaconess Medical Center and Valley Hospital and Medical Center, and RNs at Valley Hospital and Medical Center.

---

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CALLS FOR NEW UNION ELECTION FOR DEACONESS NURSES
Federal Labor Board Finds That Managers Unlawfully Interfered In April
Election

SPOKANE -- Deaconess Medical Center registered nurses are celebrating a finding announced today by the National Labor Relations Board that calls for their union election to be set aside.

The report issued by a NLRB hearing officer clears the way for a new election for Deaconess Medical Center nurses.

"I'm thrilled. We believe that having an independent voice as nurses is the best way to advocate for our patients and I hope we can now have a fair opportunity to make our own decisions about forming a union," said Kelley Leifer, a  RN at Deaconess.

In the election held on April 24, 252 DMC nurses voted in favor of forming a union. 266 voted against. 11 ballots were undetermined because the eligibility of the ballots was disputed.

The NLRB hearing officer agreed with the nurses' charges that hospital management improperly told nurses that if they formed a union they risked losing out on a restoration of a 9 percent pay cut that had been implemented in March.

Under federal law, it is illegal for an employer to threaten to withhold wages to punish employees who form a union.

According to the NLRB hearing officer's report, "the election must be rerun as a result of the Employer's threatening statements. The Employer's campaign literature was distributed to most, if not all, of the employees voting in the election. The record also contains abundant evidence that the subject of the Employer's threats -- the wage restoration -- was a major issue of concern to the employees during the critical pre-election period."

In separate elections held on the same day, technical employees at Deaconess, along with RNs and technical workers at Valley Hospital and Medical Center, voted in favor of forming a union. Those employees have voted to elect co-workers to a negotiating team and are moving ahead to bargain their first union contract.

The report was issued by NLRB Hearing Officer John Fawley after he presided over a two-day hearing at the Spokane federal building on June 9 and 10.

For more information, contact SEIU 1199NW Communications Director Carter Wright at (425) 917-1199 or carterw@seiu1199nw.org.

THURSDAY, JULY 31
TechsUnite urges all to take the "Tech Worker Challenge"

TechsUnite, an online community dedicated to exploring issues facing information technology workers, is a project of the Communications Workers of America in collaboration with WashTech and other partners.  In addition to industry news, informational resources and a forum for tech workers to discuss their concerns, TechUnite's website -- www.TechsUnite.org -- has posted the Tech Worker Challenge:

TAKE THE TECH WORKER CHALLENGE!

Avoid speeding IT employers who don't care if they run you over and crush you, your career and your future.

See if you can help nine tech workers get to the other side of the street -- and organize for improved conditions and benefits at work, a say in state and federal policies affecting tech workers, and the freedom to choose union representation.

Try to avoid getting laid off with no notice, having your job shipped overseas, being illegally blacklisted, having your pension robbed, and more...

Take the challenge!

TUESDAY, JULY 29
Kickoff celebration Aug. 7 for Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride

The Road to Citizenship needs a new map. Immigrant workers, living and paying taxes in the United States, want to have a voice on the job. They want the right to apply for citizenship and reunite with their families. Immigrant workers, like all workers, want respect and to live without fear of government crackdowns. The Immigrant Worker Freedom Ride (IWFR) is a national mobilization to focus public attention on immigrant rights and the injustices of current labor and immigration policies. 

And you can be a part of it. Join us at the IWFR kickoff celebration from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7 at the New Holly Community Center, 7050 32nd Ave. South in Seattle (take Metro buses 106, 32 or 36). There will be speakers representing the diversity of our community, entertainment and food. Families are welcome.

This September, IWFR buses will leave nine cities -- including Seattle and Portland -- and make frequent stops throughout the nation on their way to Washington, D.C. to press the need for immigration reform. Inspired by the Freedom Riders of the Civil Rights Movement, thousands of immigrant workers and their advocates will board these buses, spearheading the struggle for a path to citizenship, family reunification and rights on the job regardless of citizenship status.

In addition to attending the kickoff celebration, you can demonstrate your support for the IWFR by making a tax-deductible contribution to the effort. Planners must raise $2,500 per seat to ensure that each immigrant worker can ride the bus. This covers the cost of travel for 10 days, including food, lodging, lost wages and a plane ticket from New York back to Seattle. Checks can be made out to "IWFR—Seattle/WAC" and sent to Bob Gorman, AFL-CIO, 2800 1st Ave, Suite 220, Seattle, WA, 98121.

For more information about local IWFR efforts, check out www.seattle-iwfr.org. 

MONDAY, JULY 28
Rally Aug. 10 to protect family-wage jobs on Seattle waterfront

The following rally announcement and Call to Action has been distributed by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union:

RALLY FOR FAMILY WAGE JOBS AUG. 10th ON THE WATERFRONT

One out of every four Seattle jobs is port-related.  Those jobs have set a standard that has helped keep Seattle wages and benefits among the best in the country-but new developments threaten to undermine that standard.

The strongest force maintaining family wage jobs on the waterfront is the ILWU, the International Longshore & Warehouse Union.  The ILWU has not only helped to protect our community standard of living, but has also stepped forward again and again to support other workers and community struggles.

Food service workers on the Washington State Ferry (WSF) belong to the Inlandboatmen's Union (IBU), the ILWU's marine division. Thanks to their IBU contract, they've had secure, family-wage jobs.  Now WSF is looking for a new food service provider.  In the past, WSF has insisted that any new contractor recognize the workers' union.  This year, for the first time, WSF intends to let any company come in, even one that won't promise to keep the current workers or maintain their wages and benefits.

At the same time, America West Steamship is starting a fancy paddle boat cruise to Alaska.  The cost for the cruise to Juneau starts at about $7,200.  But unlike all the regular cruise lines, America West plans to crew the ships and the docks with workers paid far below Seattle standards, with no union-protected job security.  This represents a real threat to the standard of living that the ILWU has fought to establish for waterfront workers.

JOIN US TO PROTECT SEATTLE'S STANDARD OF LIVING

Sunday, August 10th
11:00 am - Rally
Pier 52 - 801 Alaskan Way at Columbia

Please contact Doug MacDonald, Secretary, Washington State Department of Transportation, at 360-705-7054 or macdond@wsdot.wa.gov.  Tell him that Washington demands that any Request for Proposal for ferry galley workers include Union protection, and that reducing the commission WSF receives from food sales would prevent potential job loss.

For more information, contact Jeff Engels, IBU, at 206-284-5040 x17, or Kurt Harriage, ILWU Local 19, at 206-623-7461.

Sponsored by: ILWU Local 19, IBU, King County Labor Council, Seattle Organizing Committee of Washington State Jobs with Justice