Also today: ■  Statewide rallies Aug. 31 to support veterans, defense workers

Boeing news:  ■  At IAM751.org -- The latest contract news from IAM
■  In today's Seattle Times -- Pension offer is a sticking point -- Boeing's initial contract offer included an increase of less than 10% in pension payments, to a level "lower than Lockheed."
■  In today's Everett Herald -- Machinists offer contract ideas (brief)
■  In today's Everett Herald -- New 777 turns some heads -- After a world tour, Boeing expects more orders for the Everett-built jet.
■  In today's Seattle P-I -- Boeing unveils nose section of 787 -- In the history of aviation, no one has ever made anything like it before. It's a one-piece composite structure of the new jetliner's nose, cockpit and forward fuselage.

Political news: ■  In today's Spokesman-Review -- Jim West recall drive starts as petitions hit streets
■  In today's Spokesman-Review -- Jim West wants computer data kept private, sues to block release
■  In today's Seattle P-I -- Are public officials flouting law by deliberating via email? Auditor will see
■  In today's Seattle P-I -- Upset over Sea-Tac? Vote in port races (Connelly column) -- The port needs an infusion of accountability, transparency and frugality. Three of five seats on the Seattle Port Commission are up for election this year.

Other local news:  ■  In today’s News Tribune -- St. Clare hospital workers picket amid contract talks
■  In today's Kitsap Sun -- Company fights to keep base contract -- While IAP Worldwide Services challenges the Pentagon bid award for Navy base operations, its employees are stuck waiting.
■  In today's PS Business Journal -- Todd Shipyards gets $13M contract to convert ship 

Northwest news:  ■  In today’s NY Times -- Northwest may replace striking mechanics -- Airline says it's considering giving permanent jobs to the 1,500 scabs it hired to replace striking mechanics. 
■  In the Detroit Free Press -- IAM gets jobs from its rival (AMFA) at Northwest
■  At the Working Life blog -- IAM official to AMFA: "Solidarity is earned and cannot be demanded"

Other national news: ■  In today's LA Times -- Airlines' woes may erode unions' clout -- Risk of putting ailing carriers in bankruptcy makes labor groups wary of going on strike.
■  Today from Gannett -- Sexual harassment complaints surging among young workers
■  In the Chicago Tribune -- Global union leaders swap ideas on organizing workers
■  In today's NY Times -- Summer of our discontent (Krugman column) -- Most Americans have good reason to feel unhappy about the economy, whatever Washington's favorite statistics may say.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25 ■  Suicide, blood, and disrespect aboard the Kittitas ferry
Also today ■  Don't forget today's WFSE protest of proposed Fircrest School layoffs

Boeing news: ■  In today's Seattle P-I -- Boeing contract proposal scorned by IAM; talks continue
■  In today's Everett Herald -- Machinists: Initial offer "an insult" -- The reaction among Everett factory workers was restrained. Veteran workers saw the exchange as just the first round of bargaining.
■  In today’s Seattle Times -- Union rips Boeing's first offer -- Yesterday's comments do not mean the two sides cannot find common ground in the final days of talks. Boeing and IAM representatives held substantive meetings throughout the afternoon, even after the union's fiery remarks.

I-912 news:  ■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- Rossi must have an opinion on I-912 (a brilliant letter, scroll down) -- With I-912, he risks alienating one of his two bases: business or anti-tax conservatives. So what's the point? Your Monday editorial answers that question: "When mobility, traffic congestion and thousands of local jobs are at stake, we'd hope for stronger leadership."
■  Speaking of stronger leadership... in today’s Everett Herald -- "Reality needs to take over" -- Sen. Dave Schmidt (R-Bothell) defends the transportation package and its relevance to Snohomish County.

Other political news: ■  In today's Spokesman-Review -- Poll: Spokane voters may go for tax boost (reg. req'd) -- Survey says 69% of voters would be likely to support a property tax hike of up to 55 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation to stop further cuts in city police, fire and library services.
■  In the Walla Walla U-B -- Election fixes should help build public's confidence (editorial)
■  Today from AP -- Supreme Court rules recall petition of Spokane mayor can move forward
■  In today's Spokesman-Review -- Recall petitioner confident she can get the signatures (reg. req'd)
■  In today's Everett Herald -- Rep. McCoy cleared by Ethics Board in Quil Ceda Village matter 

Local news:  ■  In today's News Tribune -- No new jobs for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard? -- Base closure panel's new decision likely means Bremerton will lose out on 1,400 new civilian jobs.
■  In today’s News Tribune -- Peninsula teachers reject offer, recommit to decision to strike
■  In the new Stranger -- Critical mess: Forget the hysterics, Seattle's monorail still needed (editorial)
■  In yesterday's Columbian -- Rail route for jobs (editorial) -- The Port of Vancouver is engaged in a tightrope-walking act as it explores a new idea for getting more rail traffic, and thus more jobs.
■  In today’s Tri-City Herald -- Closing arguments heard in Hanford pipefitters' whistleblower case
■  In today's Seattle P-I -- Saving for a healthy day: New health savings accounts force choices

National news:  ■  Today from Reuters -- SEIU's Stern says union won't rejoin AFL-CIO -- "The AFL-CIO as we know it will never exist again. We need to build something new ... start from zero."
■  In today's NY Times -- A strike, and a battle of perceptions -- Beyond the highly visible labor confrontation between Northwest and its striking mechanics is a battle for consumer trust.
■  In the Minneapolis S-T -- Northwest mechanics face potential for a long strike
■  In today's SF Chronicle -- Farm jobs at risk (editorial) -- Agricultural interests should be working intensively, and collaboratively, to come up with a solution to the problem of illegal immigration. That is why we were taken aback to learn Wednesday that the American Farm Bureau has withdrawn its support for AgJobs, the only piece of bipartisan immigration legislation in Congress.
■  Today at MSNBC.com -- Plan to ease port congestion gets mixed reviews -- L.A.-area officials applaud the port's expanded hours program, dubbed OffPeak, designed to help lessen drivers' wait times and ease traffic congestion on nearby highways -- but the truckers aren't convinced.
■  In today's LA Times -- A CIA cover blown, a White House exposed -- Beyond the whodunit of the CIA operative's outing, the affair raises questions about the credibility of the Bush White House, the tactics it employs against political opponents and the justification it used for going to war.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24 ■  WSLC endorses Rep. Dean Takko, ballot initiatives

Boeing news:  ■  This afternoon at SeattlePI.com -- Machinists call contract offer "an insult"
■  Earlier in today's Seattle P-I --Boeing to make final offer before contract expires -- The company has said it will make its final offer no later than Tuesday morning, Aug. 30. But a source says Boeing's final offer may come sooner, perhaps by Sunday night.
■  In today's Everett Herald -- Boeing "team leaders" rile union (Corliss column) -- It's "one of the most divisive issues in our history," according to the Machinists union. It's something "integral to enhancing Boeing's competitiveness," according to Boeing Co. managers.
■  In today's Seattle P-I -- Leasing giant may be on verge of major 787 order

Other local news:  ■  In today's Olympian -- Pension expert warns against changes -- Despite a push to move from state workers' pensions to private-sector-style retirement plans, a national authority told lawmakers from across the country last week that it is not necessary.
■  In the Olympian -- Gregoire: There wasn't full disclosure of closed shop in state contracts (brief)
■  In today's Everett Herald -- County, deputies agree on contract with 2-year retroactive raises
■  In today's Yakima H-R -- Yakima firefighters face random drug tests -- President of the firefighters' union says he wouldn't oppose random testing as long as the process is conducted fairly.
■  In today's News Tribune -- Peninsula teachers, school district at an impasse
■  In yesterday's Columbian -- Lawsuit alleges Vancouver fired city attorney for trying to start union

Political news: ■  In today's Seattle Times -- One for the roads (editorial) -- A new poll reveals a modest but surprising softening of support for I-912. With the economy improving, voters ought to be thinking long-term. The wise course requires planning ahead and investing in basic infrastructure.
■  In today's Olympian -- Gas tax projects on hold as state waits for I-912 vote
■  In yesterday's Walla Walla U-B -- Moderates must be involved in partisan politics (editorial)
■  Today from AP -- Spokane mom takes Jim West recall bid to Supreme Court

State of the Unions: ■  In the News Tribune -- Health care, hospitality jobs can't sustain state economy (Burbank column) -- Recent news reports would have us believe that labor is disorganizing and that employment trends are up in our state. But digging beneath the headlines reveals a far more positive story for union workers and a far more complex story for overall employment.
■  Today at Gallup.com -- Shift in public perceptions about union strength, influence -- A majority of Americans continue to approve of unions, but for the first time since Gallup began asking the question in 1999, a majority predicts unions will be weaker in the U.S. in the future.
■  In today's Detroit News -- Union labor under attack -- Detroit, the cradle of the labor movement, is ground zero in a battle for the soul -- and survival -- of organized labor. Unions are losing pay, members, and even the sympathy of supporters to the corporations that employ them.

Northwest strike:  ■  Today from AP -- Corporate world riveted on strike -- Removing a militant union is something most companies can only dream of. Northwest Airlines may be on its way toward doing it -- and other companies and unions are watching.
■  In today's USA Today -- In Day 4 of strike, Northwest flight cancellations up
■  In today's NY Times -- The scab mechanics -- The 1,900 scabs deployed by Northwest Airlines are at the center of the airline industry's most significant labor dispute in more than a decade.

Other national news:  ■  In today's LA Times -- Unions go abroad in fight with Wal-Mart -- As the giant retailer expands to other countries, labor leaders are there to greet it.
■  In today's SF Chronicle -- U.S. toughens stance on illegal immigrants -- Homeland Security boss says that the federal government's border control efforts must be significantly strengthened.
■  In today's SF Chronicle -- California growers lose bumper crop of immigrant farmworkers -- There's not enough workers for the summer harvests because of tougher border enforcement and competition from the booming construction industry and other sectors.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23 ■  Action Thursday to protest DSHS layoffs at Fircrest School

Political news: ■  In today's Bellingham Herald -- Gas tax unpopular, but a fair way to fix roads (editorial)
■  In today's Olympian -- Gas-tax repeal faces counterattack -- Sen. Dan Swecker (R- Rochester) said recent polling shows opposition is less than 60%, which means the measure can be beat.
■  At the HorsesAss.org blog -- Et tu, Dino? -- It's time for Rossi to make that wrenching Sophie’s Choice between his fervently anti-tax base and his pro-infrastructure patrons in the business community. Many who go to the polls to vote for I-912 will do so in his name, and if he privately opposes the initiative, he owes it to his supporters to set the record straight. If, on the other hand, he supports I-912, then his financial backers from business deserve an explanation of why he opposes a transportation improvement package they deem so vital to the economic interests of our state. And more importantly, he owes us all an idea of what he proposes as an alternative. 

Local news:  ■  In today’s Everett Herald -- Boeing, union still in contract talks (brief) -- Boeing is expected to present its final contract offer by Aug. 30, and the union is set to vote on it Sept. 1.
■  In today’s News Tribune -- Gig Harbor utility union (IBEW 483) to vote on contract, strike
■  In today's News Tribune -- Weyerhaeuser to switch log-exporting ports, from Tacoma to Olympia
■  In today’s Bellingham Herald -- State investigates death in May at BP refinery
■  In yesterday's Daily News -- Longview chlorine plant offers high-wage jobs for January start
■  In today's Seattle P-I -- Southwest to buy quiet 737-700s for Boeing Field
■  In today's Spokesman-Review -- Mental health cuts shift costs (editorial) -- One way or another, taxpayers are going to pick up the tab for mental illness in the Spokane area.

Northwest strike news:  ■  Today from AP -- Airline flies despite strike but delays, cancellations up
■  In today's Washington Post -- Northwest employees get little support -- In a world known for solidarity and brotherhood, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association stands almost alone among labor unions, even as 4,400 of its members walk the picket line. "They are a go-it-alone union," says an AFL-CIO official. "They made their living raiding AFL-CIO affiliates with that message. So it's rather surprising to see them now calling for solidarity with their cause."
■  Today from Reuters -- Walkout woes latest blow for unions -- Northwest's success in keeping its planes flying could embolden other companies to play hardball with their unions.
■  Today at Working Life blog -- Northwest strike gives us all something to worry about -- Whatever the specifics of the internal labor dynamic between AMFA and other unions, the public is not going to see anything but: there goes labor getting its ass kicked yet again.

National news:  ■  Today from Reuters -- AFL-CIO hopes to mend fences -- President Sweeney said Monday: "We have put aside our anger and disappointment and we are doing everything in our power to get back together. This not the time to be divided."
■  At AFLCIO.org -- Americans' health care debt grows, even for insured -- Some 37% of adults have medical bill problems or debt, and most were insured when their medical problem occurred.
■  Today at BusinessWeek online -- Profits boom, igniting investment -- Corporate earnings are soaring, fed by the highest margins on record and driving a surge in business spending.
■  In today's NY Times -- GM, union are said to make progress in talks
■  At BusinessWeek online -- A new China for organized labor -- A top official of China's only union discusses duking it out with Wal-Mart, recruiting migrants and gearing up for labor arbitration
■  Today from Bloomberg -- Evangelist Robertson: U.S. should assassinate Venezuela's Chavez

MONDAY, AUGUST 22 ■  Thousands of Machinists urge Boeing to "Do the Right Thing"
■  In today's Everett Herald -- Boeing union talking strike -- About 4,000 Machinists union members rally in SeaTac, demanding better pensions, among other things. The turnout far surpassed that of 2002, when a couple of hundred workers brought their families to the rally.
■  In today's Seattle Times -- Boeing Machinists pledge to stand firm on contract -- Sporting black T-shirts urging Boeing to "Do the Right Thing," rank-and-file members of the International Association of Machinists District 751, said they have been saving money and are ready to walk off the job if they are not happy with an offer Boeing will put on the table next week.

Previous weeks' news: August 15-19 -- August 1-5 -- July 25-29

The following news release was distributed Thursday by the Washington State Labor Council:

Voting rights advocates demand
Secretary of State pull misleading "Photo ID Required" ad

The Washington State Labor Council, Your Vote Counts (a Washington state voting rights organization) and other advocates for voting rights are calling on Secretary of State Sam Reed to pull a misleading television public service announcement produced by his office. The ad, entitled "Photo ID Required," falsely states that photo identification is now "required" at the polls. (The ad is posted at www.secstate.wa.gov.)

UPDATE:  In response to complaints from the WSLC and others, the Secretary of State's office changed the title of the ad from "Photo ID Required" to "Voter ID Required." This change does not alter the WSLC's criticism of the content of the ad, and we continue to call on the Secretary of State's office to pull the ad and stop it from being aired.

The statute approved in the last legislative session very clearly states that photo identification is NOT required at the polls, but is one of several acceptable forms of identification, including a voter registration card, a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document. The law further provides that voters with NO identification may still vote a provisional ballot, which will be counted if the voter's signature on the ballot envelope matches the voter's signature on his or her voter's registration form -- the same procedure routinely used to verify absentee or mail ballots.

The ad shows a voter presenting a driver's license to a poll worker as the narrator says, "Bring photo ID to the polls because voter ID is now required to protect legitimate votes and prevent duplicates and errors."

"It's worse than misleading to tell people they have to bring photo ID to vote. It actively discourages voter participation in certain communities," said Diane McDaniel, Political Director for the Washington State Labor Council. "And it is particularly disturbing that this deceptive ad -- paid for by taxpayers -- comes out at a time when there is a concerted effort in many states to impose the discriminatory photo ID requirement."

"There is considerable evidence that photo ID requirements have a disproportionately negative impact on blacks and other minorities," according to David Becker, a voting rights attorney and election consultant. "The Justice Department found as recently as a decade ago that blacks in Louisiana were four to five times less likely than whites to have photo IDs. The Federal Election Commission reported that photo identification requirements impose an undue and potentially discriminatory burden on citizens."

"This misleading ad will discourage voters without identification from even going to the polls. As a result they will never be offered the opportunity to cast a provisional ballot," said Christine Mrak, chair of Your Vote Counts.

So far, the Secretary of State's office has refused requests to withdraw the ad.

"Out of deference to the strong debate that occurred in the Legislature on this issue, we are encouraging voters who have photo ID to bring it to the polls," wrote Katie Blinn, the Secretary of State's Assistant Director of Elections, in an emailed response to a complaint. "Our office has taken the position that photo ID is preferred."

"The legislature indicated no 'preferred' form of identification, but even if it had, an ad advising voters that only photo identification is permitted is a stark misrepresentation of the law," Mrak responded. "This is particularly troublesome as no history of voter identity fraud at the polls has been established to justify such a requirement."

For more information, contact the WSLC's David Groves at 206-281-8901 or Christine Mrak of Your Vote Counts at 206-932-4288.

The following announcement was distributed today by Washington State Jobs with Justice:

Rally with JwJ, AFGE,
and the King & Pierce County Labor Councils
on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31st

• 4 to 5:30 p.m., Rep. Dave Reichert's Mercer Island Office (2737 78th Ave SE)

• 4:30 to 6 p.m., Sen. Maria Cantwell's Tacoma Office (950 Pacific Avenue)

Don't Use the War to Attack Workers!  President Bush is trying to strip away a voice for truth, real national security, veterans' rights, and troop safety. Right now, Bush is trying to do this to 750,000 federal workers at Madigan Hospital, Fort Lewis, McChord, and all other Department of Defense facilities nationwide.

Rally with us outside Rep. Reichert's and Sen. Cantwell's offices while delegations of faith, community, and labor leaders are meeting inside with them.

BACKGROUND: The Bush administration is now imposing on 750,000 Defense workers a plan called the "National Security Personnel System" (NSPS). A federal court just declared illegal this same plan imposed on 170,000 Homeland Security workers. NSPS would tear up union contracts and eliminate the protections that federal workers have against political pressures. Those who toe the line would get raises, but workers who speak out to defend programs like veterans' health care or troop safety, or expose wacky intelligence, could find themselves transferred halfway around the world, in combat locations, or fired.

The Bush administration has also already announced its plans to impose the NSPS model on all other federal workers -- which means that the government would have a green light for going after state, county and city employees next. We cannot allow these attacks on workers to continue! 

That's why 35 unions have formed the United DoD Workers Coalition, many in Congress are speaking out, local faith and community leaders are taking action, and we're asking your help to get other silent congressional leaders to stop these attacks on federal workers.

For more information, contact your local JwJ office: Seattle - (206) 441-4969 wsjwj@igc.org; Tacoma - 253-459-5107 southsound@wsjwj.org. To download a copy of the Mercer Island rally flyer, please click here.

MONDAY, AUGUST 22
Thousands of Machinists urge Boeing to "Do the Right Thing"

The following news item was posted after Sunday's Truth Rally by Boeing Machinists at the IAM District 751's "Doing the Right Thing" 2005 contract web site:

Thousands of Machinists Union members and their families turned out to send a strong message for Boeing to "Do the Right Thing" in this round of bargaining.

Demonstrating the community has much at stake in the outcome of these negotiations, King County Executive Ron Sims, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, and Washington State Labor Council President Rick Bender addressed the enthusiastic crowd at the Doubletree Hotel.

The roar of hundreds of members on their motorcycles greeted negotiators as they exited the hotel to lead the march to Angle Lake.  Union members and their families filled the streets, stretching the entire length of the half mile route while chanting “Do the Right Thing” and holding up signs outlining the issues.

District 751 President Mark Blondin reported on the progress to date at the bargaining table – explaining language that has been agreed upon and emphasizing that our top issues are still on the table. Blondin noted Boeing planned to begin presenting hard figures and costs for health care and pensions starting first thing Monday morning.

Bolstered from the outstanding support of the members, Union negotiators will return to the table with a clear mandate to keep Boeing moving forward on our issues.  Thanks to all who participated. Your continued support on the shop floor will help deliver a contract fitting of the best aerospace workers in the world.

Previous weeks' news: August 15-19 -- August 1-5 -- July 25-29