Boeing news:  ■  In today’s Seattle Times -- Boeing, SPEEA gear up for contract negotiations -- SPEEA members, like the (Machinists) hourly workers, have endured years of layoffs, outsourcing and cost-cutting. This is the first contract negotiation since the global aviation business began to rebound, creating a shortage of ace technical talent. Contract talks begin in earnest Nov. 1.
■  In the P.S. Business Journal -- Up to 235 Boeing workers in Kansas could lose jobs
■  In today’s Everett Herald -- Air India closer to deal with Boeing -- Airline gets early approval from its government to buy 68 737s,777s and 787s.

Political news:  ■  In the News Tribune -- Port, big business oppose I-912 -- “The benefit (of the gas tax) is moving freight and people, and (creating) jobs -- three things that are critical,” says Tacoma's port commissioner.
■  In today's Kitsap Sun -- Ferry advisory groups comes out against I-912 -- "If anyone thinks they're going to be saving a few cents (by voting to repeal the gas tax), they're going to pay that, and then some, in ferry communities," says one particularly sage member of a ferry advisory committee.
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- No on I-912 is right, and you know it (op-ed) -- The only question is this: When you and I get into the ballot box, and are all alone there, will we do the right thing?
■  In today's Yakima H-R -- Advocates defend I-330, I-336 -- Greedy lawyers, profiteering insurance companies and incompetent doctors are the bad guys in the ongoing argument over malpractice.
■  In today’s Seattle Times -- What medical-malpractice crisis? (editorial) -- If you've been watching television ads for Initiative 330, you might believe there is a crisis of juries awarding lavish sums to injured patients. But here's the rub: the latest study finds no evidence of such a crisis.
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- I-901 smoking ban expected to pass easily -- Nine states have approved bans considered comprehensive by campaign officials. Washington looks to be the tenth.
■  In today’s Spokesman-Review -- West file reveals link to profile at Gay.com -- Spokane Mayor Jim West used his city computer to view Internet information about a young gay man in Fresno, Calif., while he was there on a government-paid trip for a presidential commission, records show.
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- Mike McGavick raises $710,000 for Senate bid -- Insurance company CEO and Republican Senate hopeful says he has nearly a thousand donors. Sen. Cantwell has raised nearly $5 million in 2005 from more than 43,000 individual contributions. More about Mike.

Local news:  ■  In today’s Olympian -- State union has many newcomers to win over -- WFSE meets this weekend to discuss how it will adjust to its rapid growth, and some delegates say the union must do more to show its 10,000 new members what they get out of their membership.
■  In today’s Salem S-J -- Oregon AFL-CIO leader resigns -- Tim Nesbitt says labor's changing landscape at the national level influenced his decision to resign as state federation president.
■  In today's Oregonian -- Oregon labor leader moving on -- "Unlike many union officials, he's been pretty effective," says union-hatin' initiative pest Bill Sizemore. "I don't think the unions would have come together opposing me in the way they did without Tim Nesbitt."
■  In today's Yakima H-R -- Proposed workers' comp rate increase gets hearing -- Only four people attended this year's hearing and only one of them spoke in opposition to the increase.
■  In today’s Spokesman-Review -- Sheepherders lose bid to earn minimum wage -- A slim majority of the state's Supreme Court rejects the case of two foreign shepherds who sought the state's minimum wage, instead of the federally-approved $650 a month.

National news:  ■  In the Christian Science Monitor -- Emerging supporter of Harriet Miers: Businesses -- Her experience in corporate law is needed on the court, says the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. (For more info, see Rick Bender's latest column: CEOs aren't sweating Bush's nominations)
■  In the Detroit News -- Greedy execs line pockets, humiliate employees (op-ed by James Hoffa) -- Once again, this time at Delphi, U.S. workers are losing their livelihoods on an unfair playing field and face the humiliation of executives lining their pockets on their way out the door.
■  At AFLCIO.org -- California workers mobilize to beat back Schwarzenegger's attacks -- His most far-reaching ballot initiative, Proposition 75, seeks to silence public employees’ voice in politics.
■  At the House of Labor blog -- How courts shut down union free speech -- In what is a depressingly normal decision, a federal court has allowed a company to pursue a lawsuit against a union for exercising free speech -- free speech which can be punished because it's done by a union.
■  In today’s LA Times -- Kerry joins fight against Prop. 75 as Dems try to boost turnout
■  In today’s SF Chronicle -- Service workers strike at Calif. Pacific hospital at standoff after 5 weeks

THURSDAY, OCT. 13  ■  Tim Nesbitt resigns as President of the Oregon AFL-CIO
■  Today from AP -- Sweeney pledges to rebuild AFL-CIO -- At the Florida AFL-CIO convention, he says the factions must present a united face to stop attacks on workers, and that the federation was working hard to give breakaway unions a chance to join the AFL-CIO at local levels. 

Political news:  ■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- Gas tax delay pricey -- Initiative 912, the ballot measure to repeal the recent gas tax increase, has already cost taxpayers $66 million by delaying road and bridge projects.
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- GOP's Irons: I-912's approval would be "disaster"
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- Many on voter rolls twice? -- Republican politicians claim thousands of King County voters are registered twice and could vote two times. Logan decries Republican "ambush" as staged for political gain.
■  In today’s Spokesman-Review -- Judge taking look at West's computer data -- A Superior Court judge in Ritzville will review an inch-thick packet of "highly offensive" pictures and correspondence from gay Internet sites, captured on Spokane Mayor Jim West's computer.

Local news:  ■  In today’s Everett Herald -- Boeing in dire need of avionics engineers
■  In today’s Everett Herald -- 787's competitiveness touted -- Boeing CFO says a subsidy dispute with Airbus will likely be settled, but that the A350 will have a hard time competing.
■  Today from AP -- Alcoa restarting Wenatchee Works aluminum plant line
■  In today’s Seattle Times -- A supply-side approach to health care (op-ed) -- Employers and others trying to reduce health costs have focused on the demand side of health care, looking for the quick fix. But expediency has come at a cost, leading to more fragmentation and complexity. Here are 10 supply-side approaches that show promise...

National news:  ■  Today at BusinessWeek -- AFL-CIO urges challenge of China's trade policies 
■  In today’s NY Times -- Justices grapple with public employees' free-speech rights on the job
■  Today from AP -- Delphi workers might see wage cuts in 2006 -- The auto supplier could ask a bankruptcy judge to void its contracts with unions if an agreement isn't reached.
■  In today’s LA Times -- Praise the Lord and pass the initiatives -- California GOP hires a Bush campaign veteran to get evangelicals to the polls. Abortion is the draw.
■  In today’s NY Times -- Budget cowardice in the Capitol (editorial) -- Congressional Republicans are trying to invoke the cost of reconstruction from Hurricane Katrina to justify cutting even more into programs that help the poorest Americans.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 12  ■  WSLC Catholic Seaman's Club luncheon Thursday, Nov. 10

Initiative 912 news:  ■  In today’s Oregonian -- Reject gas-tax repeal in Washington state (editorial) -- Initiative 912 is more about petty partisan politics than about safe roads and economic vitality.
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- Gas tax repeal: Nickel nonsense (editorial) -- I-912 proponents are grousing about road signs identifying highway projects, a practice that's been in place for decades. That's nonsense. What they really are worried about is that gas-tax dollars are being put to demonstrable good use and that fact is detrimental to their case.
■  In today's Seattle P-I -- A frank discussion on why you're stuck in traffic 

Other political news:  ■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- I-330, I-336 foes growing -- More organizations and political leaders are urging voters to reject both.
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- Say no to I-330, I-336 (column) -- Our health care system is far too important to have policy decisions determined by unsubstantiated sound bites, name-calling and stereotypes. Voters should vote no on both I-330 and I-336 and follow up by holding their legislators to task.
■  In today's Spokesman-Review -- Jim West raises visibility, eyebrows -- Facing recall, the mayor has become increasingly visible in recent days, using his office to call attention to his work.
■  In today’s Spokesman-Review -- West's data to remain secret -- for now -- The city council's private investigator, hired with taxpayer money, strikes a deal allowing him to secretly examine the contents of the mayor's city-owned computer, but not publicly discuss the findings.

Local news:  ■  At Governor.WA.gov -- Gregoire announces support for AgJobs -- She says the federal legislation strengthens protections for farm workers and cuts through red tape for growers.
■  In today’s Kitsap Sun -- Retiring workforce -- The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard aggressively tries to recruit, retain and mentor younger employees through its trainee and apprentice programs.
■  In today's Everett Herald -- Boeing to Airbus: Bring on the A350 (Corliss column) -- An analyst says Boeing should know fairly quickly whether the new Airbus jet is a contender or a pretender.
■  In today's Seattle P-I -- Two Seattle business groups seek monorail's demise
■  In today’s Spokesman-Review -- Revamped Spokane Transit to start soon -- With new routes and increased frequency, just about everything but the drivers' uniforms is getting an upgrade.
■  In today’s News Tribune -- Work is work, REI says -- In sharp contrast to the move last week by Mervyns, the Kent-based outdoors retailer, announces that all of its employees -- full-time, part-time and seasonal -- will be eligible for health benefits beginning in January.

National news:  ■  In today's Wash. Post -- The vanishing middle (Meyerson column) -- With the combined onslaught of globalization, de-unionization and deregulation, the bottom may not be falling out of the U.S. economy, but the middle certainly is. Delphi's bankruptcy filing is the latest sign that the very notion of a decently paid working-class job has become a defining oxymoron of our time.
■  In today's Washington Post -- Labor gears up for pivotal Delphi battle -- The auto-parts company's transformation could mark a turning point in the relationship between the auto industry and labor.
■  At BusinessWeek online -- Delphi's CEO: At a "flash point" -- He sees his company's bankruptcy filing makes clear how global "economic and social forces... are on a collision course."
■  In today's LA Times -- Unions spending lavishly to defeat Schwarzenegger's Prop. 75
■  In today's LA Times -- "Paycheck protection" or partisan ploy? (op-ed) -- Its real purpose is to weaken unions, not to get special-interest money out of politics or to give members more control.

Absolute Power news:  ■  Today from AP -- Bully boy Tom DeLay issues subpoena to his prosecutor 
■  In today's NY Times -- DeLay a king without a crown in the House -- He's officially out as majority leader because of his criminal indictment, but he remains the go-to guy for House Republicans.
■  Today from AP -- Ethics problems mount for Senate Majority Leader -- Frist accumulated stock and cash in a health care firm, outside his blind trusts, while he controlled industry legislation.
■  Today in The Onion -- Bush to appoint someone to be in charge of the country -- Sources revealed that Bush may be leaning toward a stalwart loyalist to fill the new Cabinet-level position, to be known as Secretary of the Nation. The list reportedly includes fellow Yale graduates, Midland, TX business associates, and various GOP fundraisers with connections to the Bush family.

TUESDAY, OCT. 11  ■   What projects do 2005 gas taxes finance in your county? -- As part of its ongoing efforts to ensure taxpayers understand what they get for their money, the state Department of Transportation has a web page listing these projects by county. This link is provided in direct response to the I-912 campaign's inexplicable effort to deny such information from the public, while at the same time, clamoring for greater DOT accountability.
■  In today's Seattle P-I -- Gas-tax foes challenge signs -- I-912 and GOP consultant Brett Bader challenges signs identifying projects funded by 2003's nickel gas tax and the DOT's web site.

More I-912 news:  ■  In the Olympian -- From Mariners to Microsoft, money flows into saving gas tax
■  In today's Seattle Times -- Both sides in I-912 fight change names -- It's now "Yes" versus "No."
■  In today's King Co. Journal -- In book, Rossi assails county elections department -- Still mired in denial about his failed gubernatorial bid and his dismissed-with-prejudice legal challenge, Dodgin' Dino suggests the election results were "manufactured." Of course, he doesn't describe his positions on important issues facing the state, like the effort to repeal gas taxes. (Today is Day 28 of the "Where's Rossi?" vigil.)

Local news:  ■  In Sunday's Yakima H-R -- Thai farm workers seek equity in strange land -- Worker-importing labor contractor Global Horizons blames its illegal exploitation of Thai workers in Washington on "computer glitches." What kind of computer glitch results in guest workers illegally crammed into a motel room with no drinking water or washing facilities?
■  In today’s Everett Herald -- County gets $70 million, agrees to let Brightwater plant move ahead 
■  In the P.S. Business Journal -- Horizon Air reaches deal with 2 unions -- Alaska Air's regional carrier says it has a tentative deal with it mechanics (AMFA) and its dispatchers (TWU).
■  In today’s News Tribune -- Mervyn's to drop worker benefits -- Don't just get mad, GET A UNION!
■  Today from AP -- B.C. teachers' union held in contempt of court over strike 

Other political news:  ■  In the Olympian -- Caps won't solve insurance crisis (editorial) -- Vote against I-330 and a vote in support of I-336. (Remember: "I-330 is Dirty... I-336 is the Real Fix.")
■  In yesterday's Columbian -- Yes on I-901 (editorial) -- More than 225,000 workers in this state are subjected to secondhand smoke... Protect public health by authorizing a long-overdue ban on public indoor smoking. Vote "Yes" on I-901.
■  Today at Working Life blog -- Grim outlook for Prop. 75 -- Gov. Schwarzenegger's attack on public employee unions is something the AFL-CIO and CTW should fight together.
■  In today's Salem S-J -- Oregon's cap on spending in state employee, teachers unions' crosshairs
■  Yesterday at the Daily Kos -- Company employed by Democratic National Committee busts union

National news:  ■  In the Wash. Post -- Farm subsidy cuts offered in WTO talks -- "The U.S. is willing to take some pain," says unelected U.S. Trade Representative. "Ch-yeah, right," says Congress.
■  At the House of Labor blog -- Wal-Mart responsible for its subcontractors -- One part of the modern corporate shell game is for companies like Wal-Mart to hire subcontractors, then turn a blind eye as workers are illegally exploited. Companies like to argue they are not legally responsible for actions of those subcontractors. Well, on Friday, a federal judge certified a class action against Wal-Mart by undocumented workers across the country who had faced a range of abuses while working for janitorial companies hired by Wal-Mart to clean its stores.

MONDAY, OCT. 10  ■  Join Tuesday picket outside Seattle VA to support veterans' care
■  Meanwhile, in the Walla Walla U-B -- Options that keep VA Medical Center in WW make sense (editorial) -- A panel wants to keep the VA Medical Center in Walla Walla, a prudent course given that personnel are already in place and the location has proven to be beneficial to veterans.

I-912 news:  ■  From AP -- Gas prices rise a dime (brief) -- That's right. Gas goes up a dime in two weeks, but a gas tax hike of less than that spread over four years -- which will save lives and create thousands of jobs -- may be repealed by the pound-foolish do-nothing crowd.
■  In Sunday's Seattle Times -- Gas initiative message blurry -- Among those who support I-912 in a new poll, 44% cite pump prices as the biggest reason why. Just 12% cite a key talking point of the I-912 campaign, mistrust of the state DOT.
■  In Sunday's Columbian -- No on Initiative 912 (editorial) -- Reflexively shouting down viable solutions brought by people we elected will not fix transportation infrastructure problems in our state.
■  In the Columbia Basin Herald -- It's time to invest in Washington (editorial) -- This isn't about pinching pennies, this is about paving the way for a safe future. Vote against Initiative 912.
■  In Sunday's Seattle Times -- A region on the move should vote No on I-912 (editorial) -- Our state is livable because preceding generations invested in infrastructure. Voters ought to consider and reconsider I-912, then vote "no" on an irresponsible, backward measure.
■  In Sunday's Columbian -- State Democrats officially oppose Initiative 912 
■  In Sunday's Seattle P-I -- Time to speak up on I-912 (editorial) -- The man peddling the book "Dino Rossi: Lessons in Leadership, Business, Politics and Life" ought to show some leadership. Rossi, who voted for the previous 5-cent gas tax increase, continues to duck the I-912 issue. Where's Rossi? And for that matter, where's David Irons? And where's Mike McGavick?
■  In today's Seattle Times -- Fix or replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct? -- I-912 backers say fix it to save money. But engineers who've studied the structure for the state have concluded it is simply too old and fragile to be worth fixing.

Other election news:  ■  In today's Seattle Times -- Doctors, lawyers toss mud -- I-330 opponents say the relentless attack against lawyers is proof that initiative supporters can't win on the merits.
■  Today from AP -- Doctors, lawyers invite voters to slugfest over malpractice
■  In Sunday's News Tribune -- I-330 and I-336: None of the above (editorial)
■  In Sunday's Spokesman-Review -- I-901 indoor smoking ban is a logical step (editorial)

National news:  ■  In today's NY Times -- The hear-no-evil Congress (editorial) -- The House Ethics Committee is a stunning still-life study in Capitol casuistry and partisan standoff... Chairman "Doc" Hastings, a Republican from Washington, made that clear last week when he stoutly defended the innocence of Tom DeLay, his political mentor, while insisting his committee would continue to shy from its own inquiry. "We don't have the resources," Hastings told The Yakima Herald-Republic, even though the committee received a 40 percent budget increase this year.
■  In today's Yakima H-R -- DeLay should face Hastings' Ethics Committee (editorial)
■  In Sunday's Chicago Tribune -- Pipeline to peril -- American tax dollars and the wartime needs of the U.S. military are fueling an illicit pipeline of cheap foreign labor, mainly impoverished Asians who often are deceived, exploited and put in harm's way in Iraq with little protection.
■  In today's NY Times -- Occupational hazard (op-ed) -- Should the First Amendment protect a public employee's job-related speech? The Supreme Court's ruling will affect the rights of us all.
■  In Sunday's NY Times -- For chairwoman of breakaway labor coalition, deep roots in the movement
■  Today from AP -- Poll finds men more likely than women to call in "sick" -- Poll finds 14% of women reported calling in sick when they weren't, while 29% of men admitted to doing so.

Katrina Kronyism news:  ■  In today's LA Times -- Lobbyists advise Katrina relief -- Lobbyists representing transportation, energy and other special interests dominated panels that advised Louisiana's U.S. senators crafting legislation to rebuild the storm-damaged Gulf Coast.
■  In today's NY Times -- Tax cuts not the priority (editorial) -- Health care, housing and unemployment compensation should come before any discussion of tax breaks in restoring the Gulf Coast.
■  In today's LA Times -- Immigrants rush to New Orleans as contractors fight for workers -- As many evacuees stay away, Latin American workers move in, lured by soaring pay.