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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 August 4-8, 2003

Previous weeks' news: July 28-Aug. 1 -- July 13-17 -- July 7-11

FRIDAY, August 8 -- "Justice for All:" Tentative agenda for 2003 WSLC Convention
...plus don't forget the Rally on Sunday to protect family-wage jobs on Seattle's waterfront
— In today's Seattle Times -- Immigrants organizing Freedom Ride to join N.Y. protest
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Freedom Ride will highlight immigrant issues
...plus -- Bush is bringing 2004 campaign to the Left Coast (Connelly column)
...plus -- Employment situation even worse than numbers indicate (Herbert column)
— In yesterday's Longview Daily News -- New political climate favors trade expansion -- Editorial: Teamsters President James Hoffa is mistaken to presume that U.S. workers' interests are served by erecting barriers to trade. He is among a dwindling number of union officials and politicians who continue to deny the obvious -- that protectionist walls eliminate far more jobs than they preserve.
— In today's King County Journal -- Boeing awaits KC-767 go-ahead -- Two recent developments bring the U.S. Air Force's 767 tanker deal back into the spotlight, but still no work in Everett on it.
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Spokane Valley firefighters get raise, will pay share of insurance
— In today's Everett Herald -- Marysville teacher negotiations hit impasse; strike threatened
...plus -- WEA's tactics with state won't impress public (editorial)
— In today's Salem S-J -- Taco Bell settles Oregon overtime pay suit for $1.5 million
— In today's Oregonian -- Former Laborers union leader asks to pay less restitution
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Productivity jumps again as job creation remains slow -- Translation: You are working harder for less money, if you are lucky enough to find a job in this Bush economy.
...plus -- It all depends on what you mean by "have" -- MUST-READ Steve Martin op-ed: When you ask me, "Did Iraq have weapons of mass destruction," I frankly don't know what you're talking about. Do you mean currently? Then why did you say "did?" And how do I know you're not saying "halve?" "Did Iraq halve weapons of mass destruction?" How should I know? What difference does it make? That's a stupid question.

THURSDAY, August 7 -- BIAW cash, lies land I-841 on ballot despite bogus signatures 
— In today's Seattle Times -- Initiative to repeal ergonomic safety rule certified for November ballot 
...plus -- Hop on board for immigrant justice -- Op-ed: We aim to bring the voices of real immigrants to the forefront so they can tell their powerful stories... The Immigrant Worker Freedom Ride is just the beginning of our recommitment to the promise of the American dream. Join us for TODAY's kickoff.
...plus at WashTech.org -- GAO greenlights offshoring study sought by Reps. Inslee, Smith
— In today's Seattle P-I -- As jobs flow overseas, the controversy deepens -- Virgin column: A new survey shows banks, brokerages, insurance companies, mutual funds and other financial service firms plan to move more than 500,000 jobs offshore in the next five years. The jobs will include financial analysis, research, regulatory reporting, accounting, human resources and graphic design.
...plus -- Seattle Education Association seeks ouster of 3 on school board
— In today's Everett Herald -- Jobless checks may go up $14 temporarily -- News advisory: In September, the state will announce a $174 million increase on employers' unemployment taxes, and small businesses will face yet another tax increase the following year. These higher taxes are brought to you by the business lobbying groups and their rewriting of our state UI system. Enjoy!
— In today's Yakima H-R -- State employees help mission avert toilet paper crisis
...plus at AFLCIO.org -- AFL-CIO Executive Council defends jobs, OT pay, right to unionize
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Early endorsement from AFL-CIO eludes Gephardt
...plus -- Despair of the jobless -- Herbert column: The folks who put the voodoo back in economics keep telling us that prosperity is just around the corner. For the unemployed, that would mean more jobs... (but) this alleged economic upturn is not just a jobless recovery, it's a job loss recovery.
...plus -- World's biggest drug company Pfizer moves to stem Canadian drug imports
— In today's S.F. Chronicle -- Strike averted as S.F. janitors vote on union-recommended contract

WEDNESDAY, August 6 -- Coalition kicks off immigrant rights campaign on Thursday
— In today's Yakima H-R -- Federal official needs to intervene for Selah family -- Editorial: Discretion is needed in the imminent deportation of the Agandas... They certainly are no threat to national security and, in fact, are productive, taxpaying members of our community, as are so many immigrants in this area... Surely someone, somewhere in the federal government has the authority to inject a little common sense and compassion into the situation and allow the family to stay.
— In today's Seattle Times -- Open bidding for public works -- Editorial: An order by President Bush forbids the use of federal money under project-labor agreements requiring union membership. Sound Transit has such an agreement, and is asking for an exemption. The request should be denied.
— In today's Olympian -- WEA sues state over planning day loss, says move violates I-732
...plus -- Small group of state employees recovers $414 million in health costs for state
— In today's Seattle P-I -- SPU prof announces GOP bid for Senate; party tells him to butt out
...plus -- Politicians use Boeing to beat each other up -- But even Boeing "smart" bombs don't always hit their targets. And that happened last week when Rep. George Nethercutt tried to drop one on incumbent Sen. Patty Murray. It missed. By a mile.
— In yesterday's Daily News -- Trustee takes control of Longview Aluminum smelter
At AFL-CIO.org -- Democratic presidential candidates criticize Bush, vow support for jobs
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Dems seeking labor's backing call for more health benefits, less free trade
...plus -- AFL-CIO joins fight against recall of California Gov. Gray Davis
— In today's Wash. Post -- Verizon, unions agree on framework; CWA says optimism premature

TUESDAY, August 5 -- HIV/AIDS is still at work: CDC offers free Labor Leaders' Kit
...plus don't forget -- AFL-CIO presidential forum TODAY at 5 p.m. (Pacific) on C-SPAN
— In today's Seattle Times -- Pay issue in 7E7 decision: Not as simple as it seems -- Nothing is written in Boeing's 7E7 site criteria about finding cheap labor. But seasoned hands in site selection say wage rates are almost always a major factor in locating a plant. (With IAM 751 comments.)
— In today's Everett Herald -- First Everett-built 767 arrives in Kansas for tanker work (AP)
— In yesterday's Daily News -- Tentative settlement for Darigold workers, other talks continue (AP)
— In today's News Tribune -- Nethercutt will get a GOP challenger -- King Co. GOP boss Reed Davis says he'll run. State GOP boss says Davis will have "absolutely no effect," but urges him not to run.
At AFLCIO.org -- Family Medical Leave Act turns 10
— In today's L.A. Times -- Democrats look for the union label -- With 10 union endorsements already in hand, Gephardt is expected to snare the backing today of the United Steelworkers of America.
— In today's Washington Post -- SEIU's nurse ads seeks to put critical care on 2004 agenda
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Verizon talks are less upbeat as CWA cites unresolved issues
...plus -- Everything is political -- Krugman column: Whether the subject is stem cells or global warming, budget deficits or weapons of mass destruction, federal agencies are under intense pressure to say what the White House wants to hear... And even if you aren't bothered by an administration that systematically misleads the public, you ought to be worried about the decisions of an administration that systematically misleads itself. A leader who is told only what he wants to hear is all too likely to make bad decisions about the economy, the environment and beyond.

MONDAY, August 4 -- COMING EVENTS: Immigrant rights campaign kickoff; Seattle waterfront rally
At AFLCIO.org -- AFL-CIO presidential forum on Tuesday at 5 p.m. (Pacific) on C-SPAN
— In Saturday's Spokesman-Review -- Housekeepers, dietary staff vote to join union (SEIU 1199NW)
...plus -- NLRB rules hospital interfered with Deaconess nurses' union vote, seeks revote
— In today's News Tribune -- Job fears heighten at Boeing, Microsoft -- Boeing engineers and Microsoft software designers may have something in common with blue-collar textile and steel workers -- increasing fears their jobs could be shifted overseas.
— In today's Everett Herald -- WEA subscribes to odd notion of free speech (EFF op-ed machine)
— In Saturday's Seattle P-I -- Teenagers' jobs more dangerous than they seem
— In today's Oregonian -- Pushed out by PERS -- Overhaul of Oregon's public pension program will save the state money, but the savings come with a price. Communities are losing public workers who -- by what they know and how they do their jobs -- have an effect on nearly everyone in every town.
— In today's Washington Post -- Gephardt goes after AFL-CIO endorsement
...plus -- A direct hit to American workers -- Hoffa op-ed re: "free" trade: There are both Democrats and Republicans who call themselves labor's friends. We maintain that friends must act like friends and not take working families for granted. Democrats especially run the risk of paying a high price for giving lip service to workers' concerns while voting to increase the wealth of corporations.
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Verizon, unions support significant progress
...plus -- Republicans put immigration laws back on agenda
...plus -- Jailing immigrants -- Herbert column: It's hard to imagine a family that is less of a threat to the peace and well-being of the United States... yet everything they've worked toward is unraveling.

Previous weeks' news: July 28-Aug. 1 -- July 13-17 -- July 7-11

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8
"Justice for All:" Tentative agenda for 2003 WSLC Convention 

Following is the tentative agenda for the Washington State Labor Council 2003 Convention Aug. 21-23 at the Coast Wenatchee Hotel and Convention Center. Keep in mind that these times are tentative and flexible, and are subject to change. 

(UPDATE) Note that presidential candidate Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), who had accepted an invitation to speak at the convention, had to cancel his appearance because of a scheduling conflict.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20

10:30 - 3:30 -- Workforce Development Conference – Golden Delicious Room (registration begins at 9:30)

6-8 p.m. -- Convention registration opens – Outside Grand Apple Ballroom & Convention Office (Avoid the lines Thursday morning and register Wednesday night!)

7-9 p.m. -- Statewide COPE Meeting – Grand Apple North Ballroom

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21

7:30 a.m. -- Rules & Order of Business Committee & Sgt-at-Arms Breakfast – Fireside Room

7:30 a.m. -- Registration – Outside Grand Apple Ballroom & Convention Office

8-9 a.m. -- New Delegate Orientation – Fuji 1 & 2

9 a.m. -- CONVENTION CONVENES
Call to Order, Color Guard & Flag Salute, National Anthem, Invocation, Greetings from Wenatchee official, Introduction of Officers, Rules & Order of Business

9:30 a.m. --  WSLC President Rick Bender

10 a.m. -- Keynote Speaker: Rev. James Lawson -- An inspirational speaker who was one of the original Freedom Riders of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, Rev. Lawson will discuss the upcoming Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, the role of the labor movement in fighting for social justice, and the challenges working families face under the anti-labor Bush administration.

10:30 -- Power to the People Award; Credentials Report

10:35 -- Elaine Bernard -- She is the the dynamic Executive Director of the Labor and Worklife Program at Harvard Law School.

10:55 -- WSLC Political Director Diane McDaniel

11:15 -- Gubernatorial candidates Ron Sims and Phil Talmadge

11:50 -- UFCW Wal-Mart Video

12:10 p.m. -- Mother Jones Award

ADJOURN FOR LUNCH (on your own)

1:30-2:45 p.m. -- WORKSHOPS on Political Action, Workers' Compensation/Project Help, and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

2-3 p.m. -- Safety & Health Committee – Harvest Room
2-5 p.m. -- Resolutions Committee – Red Delicious Room
2-5 p.m. -- Legislative Committee – Golden Delicious Room
3-4 p.m. -- Card & Label Committee – Harvest Room

3-4:15 p.m. -- WORKSHOPS on Substance Abuse Prevention, Social Security Issues, and the No on I-841 campaign (I-841 would repeal the state's workplace ergonomic safety rule)

4-5 -- Grievance Committee (if needed) – Harvest Room

5:30- 8 p.m. -- COPE Barbecue – Convention Center Fountain Court

8 p.m. -- Karaoke! (fundraiser for charity) – Convention Center Fountain Court

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22

9 a.m. -- GENERAL SESSION RECONVENES
Flag Salute; Invocation

9:30 a.m. -- Keynote Speaker: U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.)

10 a.m. -- Charles Mercer, AFL-CIO Union Label & Service Trades presentation

10:10 -- U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-1st)

10:20 -- Report on State Organizing Programs/Victories

10:30 -- Dr. Steven Bezruchka on health care reform

10:45 -- Geralyn Lutty, UFCW Region 17, on health care reform

11 a.m. -- Report on a suit by the state Farm Bureau against the state re: workplace safety enforcement

11:20 -- Elsie Schrader Award Presentation; Statewide COPE Action; Lifetime Achievement Award Announcement

11:50 -- FTAA Discussion

ADJOURN FOR LUNCH

12:30-1:30 p.m. -- President’s Club Luncheon (featuring Rep. Inslee) – Orchard Exhibit Hall South

1:30-2:45 p.m. -- WORKSHOPS on Initiative Strategies, Economic Development and Organizing

3-4:15 p.m. -- WORKSHOPS on Union Communications, Health Care Reform, and Worker Safety/Education

6 p.m. -- Women’s Committee Silent Auction begins – Main Convention Center Lobby

6-7 p.m. -- Reception – Main Convention Center Lobby

7-9 p.m. -- Convention Banquet – Grand Ballroom
Guest Speaker: Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Christine Gregoire
Presentation of Bruce Brennan Award

9 p.m. -- Dance – Grand Ballroom

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23

9 a.m. -- GENERAL SESSION RECONVENES
Flag Salute; Invocation

Debate and consideration of PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS -- The convention will adjourn once all resolutions have been considered.  If necessary, a break for lunch will happen at noon.  In recent years, the convention has adjourned between noon and 2 p.m., depending upon the number of proposed resolutions.  IMPORTANT: Technically, proposed resolutions can be submitted by WSLC-affiliated unions until noon on Thursday, Aug. 21, but affiliates are asked to please (PLEASE) submit them as early as possible -- preferably well in advance of the convention -- so they can be copied and distributed efficiently by our heroic, overburdened and underappreciated support staff.

If you have questions about the convention agenda or registration, contact Karen White at (206) 281-8901.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7
BIAW cash, lies land I-841 on ballot despite bogus signatures 

Despite uncovering an extraordinarily high number of invalid and potentially fraudulent signatures, the Secretary of State's office announced Wednesday that the Building Industry Association of Washington's Initiative 841 to repeal our state workplace ergonomic safety rule narrowly qualified for November's ballot.

Of the 258,411 signatures submitted by the builders' lobbying group, state officials inspected about 5% of the petitions and concluded that more than 1 of every 5 signatures were duplicate signatures, people that didn't exist or people who aren't registered voters in this state. They estimated that 206,608 signatures were valid, just 8,874 more than are necessary to qualify.

Observers attribute the unusually high number of bogus signatures to the fact that paid signature gatherers were responsible for almost all of the I-841 petitions. The BIAW spent about $400,000 on paid petitioners, which translates to about $2 per signature. The majority of I-841 signatures were gathered in King County where paid petitioners were also carrying Initiative 18, the jail guards/Tim Eyman initiative to shrink the King County Council. County officials determined that more than 25% of I-18 signatures were invalid and potentially fraudulent.

"The BIAW had to buy their signatures because they were pushing an unpopular ideological initiative to kill an important workplace safety policy," said Rick Bender, President of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. "Everyone knows these mercenary petitioners told outrageous lies to get people to sign it, but now we've confirmed that more than one of every five signatures they turned in were either falsified or bogus.

"The people of this state should be outraged about the tactics these special-interest business lobbyists used to get their initiative on the ballot."

The Voter Education Project, a bipartisan non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the integrity of the initiative system, helped uncover evidence that I-841's paid petitioners were lying about the initiative and about the state ergonomic safety rule in order to convince people to sign.

A (Spokane) Spokesman-Review report revealed that the signature-gathering contractors' "talking points" given to hired petitioners said that under the ergonomic safety rule, carpet layers and drywallers are not allowed to work more than two hours a day. Some reportedly told people that Seattle Mariners catchers will not be allowed to play nine-inning games. None of this is true. (See the Department of Labor and Industries website for the truth about the rule.)

The Bellingham Herald editorialized that the BIAW bears responsibility for paid petitioners' lies: "There is a price for misleading voters. A campaign without credibility has little chance of succeeding at the ballot box."

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6
Coalition kicks off immigrant rights campaign on Thursday

On September 23, 2003, buses filled with immigrant workers and allies will begin an historic journey from 10 cities around the country, including Seattle, to Washington, D.C. to demand respect for all people, regardless of immigration status. Just as the Freedom Rides of the early 1960s exposed the brutality of legal segregation in the South, today's Freedom Rides will expose the injustice of current policies toward immigrants and create a powerful coalition of voices for change.

The Immigrant Worker Freedom Ride (IWFR) is a national mobilization to focus public attention on the immigrant rights issue and the Seattle-area coalition will kick off its campaign on Thursday with a 10 a.m. news conference and a 7 p.m. community event, both at the New Holly Community Center, 7050 32nd Ave. South in Seattle (take Metro buses 106, 32 or 36).

Scheduled to speak at the 10 a.m. news conference are Seattle IWFR Co-Chairs Pramila Jayapal, Executive Director of the Hate Free Zone Campaign of Washington, and Steve Williamson, Executive Secretary of the King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO. Also on the agenda are several immigrant workers who will tell their individual stories of struggle, and elected officials who have endorsed the IWFR. Likewise, the 7 p.m. community event will feature speakers representing the diversity of our community, entertainment and food. Families are welcome.

"This Freedom Ride is about building a powerful new coalition speaking out for justice for all regardless of immigrant status and demanding attention to the plight of immigrants who have been under assault even more since September 11, 2001," Jayapal said. "One of the most exciting pieces of this effort is that we will hear directly from immigrants telling their own stories of courageously seeking the promise of America," Williamson added.

The diverse Seattle IWFR Steering Committee includes more than 22 different groups representing immigrant and civil rights groups, labor, ethnic and faith-based organizations. The Seattle Freedom Ride has also been endorsed by U.S. Reps. Jim McDermott and Adam Smith, State Sen. Adam Kline, State Reps. Eric Pettigrew and Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, and Seattle City Council President Peter Steinbrueck, among others.

IWFR buses will leave nine cities -- including Seattle and Portland -- on September 23 and make frequent stops throughout the nation on their way to Washington, D.C. to press the need for immigration reform. The primary themes of the Freedom Ride are the path to citizenship, reunification of families, justice on the job regardless of immigration status, and civil rights for all.

Prior to their departure, on Saturday, Sept. 20, there will be a send-off event ending in a massive rally at the Seattle Center Fisher Lawn.

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. 

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5
HIV/AIDS is still at work: CDC offers free Labor Leaders' Kit

Nearly one million people in the United States live and work with HIV/AIDS, robbing the workplace, the union, the family and the entire country of people with much left to give. Union brothers and sisters diagnosed with HIV faces serious challenges, including discrimination, privacy, job protection, low morale and more. 

That's why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed Business Responds to AIDS and Labor Responds to AIDS programs (BRTA/LRTA) to help large and small businesses and labor unions meet the challenges of HIV/AIDS in the workplace and the community.

Labor leaders and union activists are encouraged to visit www.hivatwork.org/tools/labor.htm or call 1-800-458-5231 to receive a free Labor Leader’s Kit, which includes all the resources labor leaders need to build comprehensive HIV/AIDS workplace programs to educate workers and their families.