WSLC Reports Today -- Oct. 21-25, 2002

WSLC Reports Today logo 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. Disclaimer: WSLC Reports Today links to all stories of interest to organized labor; some positive and some negative. The intention is to inform. The creation of a link does not constitute an endorsement of that story's content.

Reports for October 21-25, 2002

Previous weeks' news: Oct. 14-18 -- Oct. 7-11 -- Sept. 30-Oct. 4

FRIDAY, October 25 -- 2002 Working Families' Voter Guides now available online FOR UNION MEMBERS ONLY
— In today's L.A. Times -- Port talks resume between PMA, ILWU
— In yesterday's Seattle Times -- PMA accuses ILWU of slowdown
...and today -- Boeing warns 1,090 more of impending layoff
— In yesterday's Everett Herald -- Mulally: Boeing here "forever"
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Dueling I-790 op-eds... Pro and Con
...plus -- Builders backing Jim Johnson for high court with big bucks
...and yesterday -- Voters rejecting Eyman's I-776 on car tabs
— In today's Bellingham Herald -- Eyman's 2003 product: Make tax increases nearly impossible by requiring 75% majority
— In the new Seattle Weekly -- Politics of the dole -- Op-ed urging Yes vote on R-53: Fortunately, labor unions have serious political muscle... and they have been using it to look after all workers' interests. In fact, the strength of Washington's unemployment system is one of the many benefits of having a highly unionized state.
— In today's Walla Walla Union-Bulletin -- Referendum 51 benefits all of Washington (endorsement)
— In today's So. County Journal -- Rejection of R-51 would cost state big bucks, Sen. Murray warns
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Retired Kaiser employees worried their pensions will shift
...plus -- Block pension abuse (editorial opposing I-790)
— In yesterday's Yakima H-R -- Farm workers voice frustrations with L&I over workers' comp issues
...plus -- Union city workers, Prosser Council face negotiation deadline
— In yesterday's Oregonian -- Two Oregon unions (SEIU 49 and 503) join prescription drug fight
— In today's Salem (Ore.) S-J -- Clergy entitled to jobless benefits, state Supreme Court rules
Today at AFLCIO.org -- President Sweeney on the death of Sen. Paul Wellstone
Today at Teamster.org -- Teamsters end 3-year Unfair Labor Practice strike at Overnite
— In today's L.A. Times -- Wal-Mart blocked by union lobbying
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Dying for lack of nurses (editorial)
...plus -- Dead parrot society -- Krugman column: Mr. Bush retains a public image as a plain-spoken man, when in fact he is as slippery and evasive as any politician in memory... the administration is playing the war card, inventing facts as necessary, and trying to use the remnants of Mr. Bush's post-Sept. 11 popularity to gain control of all three branches of government.

WEDNESDAY, October 23 -- Labor Neighbor hits home stretch starting this weekend
...plus -- IAM, SPEEA to conduct R-51 leafleting blitz today in Seattle
...plus -- Providence Mother Joseph nurses in Olympia OK new contract
— In today's Olympian -- State workers union plans Capitol rally today over health care costs
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Weyerhaeuser to close King County mills; 350 to lose jobs
...plus -- End of the line for sons who followed dads into Weyerhaeuser mills
...plus -- Poll: Doubts grow but Seattle monorail passing; R-51 trailing due to voter distrust
— In today's News Tribune -- Cargo backlog hinders ports
...plus -- Control of pension (I-790) draws little debate
...plus -- Scab-driven garbage truck rolls into hardware store
— In today's Seattle Times -- Initiative 790: The politics of pensions
...plus -- Plan nixes cost-of-living adjustment for highest-paid Seattle staffers
— In today's Everett Herald -- Tanker deal, Cruisers are Boeing's ace in the hole (column)
— In yesterday's Columbian -- Strike averted as Evergreen teachers approve contract
— In today's P.S. Business Journal -- Seattle-Bellevue-Everett region lost 97,000 jobs last year
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Low nursing levels cited for thousands of avoidable deaths
— In today's N.Y. Times -- With health care costs skyrocketing, where's all the money going?
— From AP -- Labor unions among top donors in U.S. politics -- And yet...
— In today's Washington Post -- Drug industry financing fuels pro-GOP TV spots -- A study of political ads that have run in 100 markets showed pro-Republican groups outspending pro-Democratic groups by nearly three to one, thanks to a strong infusion of cash from the pharmaceutical industry.
...plus -- The little engine that couldn't -- Broder column: This Congress is so mired in partisanship that the list of stymied legislation is far longer than that of its accomplishments... The measure of leaders is their ability to recognize concerns that are truly of fundamental importance and to deal with them, not as matters of short-term partisan advantage but of national interest.

TUESDAY, October 22 -- R-51: VOTE like your job depends on it... because it might
...plus -- Sonics offering discounted tickets for Union Appreciation Nights
...and this ACTION ALERT -- Tell Paul Allen to support good jobs at Seahawks Stadium
— In today's News Tribune -- Will voters pay the price for roads? (re: R-51)
...plus -- Pierce County garbage strike talks to resume next Monday
— In today's Seattle Times -- Machinists lose battle with Boeing over outsourcing
...plus -- Firefighters' union hires lobbyists to douse proposed budget cuts
...plus -- I-776 would hit transit hard; half of those in area oppose
— In today's Eastside Journal -- "No" on I-776; these new cuts go too far (editorial)
— In today's Olympian -- R-53 unemployment measure merits a "Yes" vote (editorial)
— In today's Everett Herald -- Snohomish jail employees' union (IBT 763) files complaint to state
...and last weekend -- Boeing's overseas jobs amount to discrimination (op-ed)
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Part-time college instructors win case on retirement benefits
— In today's Oregonian -- Oregon's hospitals see demand, profits rise
At ILWU.org -- Locked out and Shaft-Hartley'd (written by a longshore worker)
— Today from Reuters -- United Airlines announces 1,250 job cuts
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Increase in federal minimum wage unlikely
— In today's S.F. Chronicle -- Tough talk, soft walk: No teeth to Bush promise on retirement security
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Battered by government cuts, public college tuitions rise 10%
...plus -- Business as usual -- Krugman column: The mood among business lobbyists, according to a jubilant official at the Heritage Foundation, is one of "optimism, bordering on giddiness." They expect the elections on Nov. 5 to put Republicans in control of all three branches of government, and have their wish lists ready. "It's the domestic equivalent of planning for postwar Iraq," says the official.
— And finally, this sign of the times from steel country:
In the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette -- Wal-Mart is now Pennsylvania's largest private employer

MONDAY, October 21 -- WTECB plans workforce leadership conference Nov. 21-22
— In today's Seattle P-I -- "Not my father's Boeing anymore" as SPEEA prepares for contract talks
— In today's Everett Herald -- Ergonomics getting new focus at Boeing
...plus -- Oregon might have "magic bullet" for health care system (column)
— In today's Washington Post -- Oregon ponders universal health care
— In Sunday's Walla Walla U-B -- National health care system may be the solution
— In Sunday's Yakima H-R -- Police, fire fighters seek a say on pensions with I-790
— In today's News-Tribune -- Dueling I-790 op-eds: Pro by IAFF's Kelly Fox and con by some guy
— In today's Olympian -- Ref. 53: Try to follow along (It ain't complicated... vote YES.)
— In today's Eastside Journal -- I-776 makes Sound Transit a statewide issue
...and in a related story -- Budget cuts hit health care; basic services in financial trouble
— In today's Oregonian -- Oregon's personnel chief is point man for labor's ire
Today at AFLCIO.org -- Working families tell candidates: "No more business as usual!"
— Sunday from AP -- Shippers withhold key papers accusing ILWU port workers of slowdown
— In today's N.Y. Times -- Bush backs weaker plan to speed release of generic drugs
...plus in a related story -- Democrats see stealthy drive by drug industry to help Republicans
...plus on Sunday -- For Richer -- MUST READ Krugman article: Income inequality in America has now returned to the levels of the 1920's... It's all too easy to see how we may become a country in which the big rewards are reserved for people with the right connections; in which ordinary people see little hope of advancement; in which political involvement seems pointless, because in the end the interests of the elite always get served.

Previous weeks' news: Oct. 14-18 -- Oct. 7-11 -- Sept. 30-Oct. 4

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23
Labor Neighbor hits home stretch starting this weekend

With just two weekends to go before Election Day, we are now in the home stretch for the massive grassroots political education effort known as Labor Neighbor. Make sure you are part of the action. With the evenly divided State Legislature and the likelihood that some races will be decided by only a handful of votes, YOUR participation could make the difference! Please volunteer some time!

TONIGHT (Wednesday) and Thursday night there are Labor Neighbor phone banks from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in Seattle at the IAM 751 Hall at 9125 15th Pl. S. (contact Anh Nguyen at 206-979-1281 for more information); in Bellingham from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Labor Temple at 1700 N. State St. (contact Keith Rubin at 360-303-9281 for more info); in Spokane Wednesday only from noon to 2 p.m. at the Labor Temple at 1522 N. Washington, and from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Teamsters Hall, 1912 N. Division (contact Ed Wood at 509-869-4454 for info); and in Everett Thursday only from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Labor Temple at 2812 Lombard Ave. (contact Lee Marchisio at 425-239-7389 for more info).

Here is the weekend schedule to Labor Neighbor household walks:

Date	LD/Activity	Staging Location	Start Time	End Time	RSVP Contact
SATURDAY, 10/26	6^th LD Walk	IUOE Local 370, 510 S. Elm St., Spokane	9:30 a.m.–Reg. 10–Training	4 p.m.	Ed Wood, 509-869-4454
10/26	17^th LD Walk	Firefighters 452 Hall, 2807 N.W. Fruit Valley Road, Vancouver	10 a.m.–Reg. 10:30– Training	4 p.m.	Ilene Ferrell, 360-904-2862
10/26	18^th LD Walk	Firefighters 452 Hall, 2807 N.W. Fruit Valley Road, Vancouver	10 a.m.–Reg. 10:30– Training	4 p.m.	Dan Buell, 360-951-5749
10/26	23^th LD Walk	UFCW, 1191 N.W. Tahoe Lane, Silverdale	10 a.m.–Reg. 10:30– Training	4 p.m.	Rebecca Cooper, 206-979-1314
10/26	25^th LD Walk	SEIU 1199, 104 Main St. #202, Puyallup	9:30 a.m.–Reg. 10:00– Training	4 p.m.	Kimberlie Lelli, 253-370-2861
10/26	30^th LD Walk	UFCW Local 81, 960 E. Main, Auburn	10 a.m.–Reg. 10:30– Training	4 p.m.	Erin Mills, 206-979-1282
10/26	31^st LD Walk	Machinists 751, 202 “B” Street (corner of “A” Street & 2^nd), Auburn	9:30 a.m.–Reg. 10–Training	4 p.m.	Joel Hanson, 206-979-1299
10/26	38th LD Walk	Everett Labor Temple, 2812 Lombard Ave., Everett	10 a.m.–Reg. 10:30– Training	4 p.m.	Lee Marchisio, 425-239-7389
10/26	41st LD Walk	UFCW Local 1001, 12838 S.E. 40th Pl., #201, Bellevue	10 a.m.–Reg. 10:30– Training	4 p.m.	Jamie Ware, 206-604-5872
10/26	42^nd LD Walk	Bellingham Labor Temple, 1700 N. State Street, Bellingham	9:30 a.m.–Reg. 10:30–Training	4 p.m.	Keith Rubin, 360-303-9281
10/26	44^th LD Walk	Everett Labor Temple, 2812 Lombard Ave., Everett	10 a.m.–Reg. 10:30– Training	4 p.m.	Lee Marchisio, 425-239-7389
10/26	47^th LD Walk	IUOE Local 286, 18 “E” St. S.W., Auburn	10 a.m.–Reg. 10:30– Training	4 p.m.	Marc Auerbach, 206-979-1280

SUNDAY, 10/27	6^th LD Walk	IUOE Local 370, 510 S. Elm St., Spokane	11:30–Reg. Noon–Training	4 p.m.	Ed Wood, 509-869-4454
10/27	17^th LD Walk	Firefighters 452 Hall, 2807 N.W. Fruit Valley Road, Vancouver	10 a.m.–Reg. 10:30– Training	4 p.m.	Ilene Ferrell, 360-904-2862
10/27	18^th LD Walk	Firefighters 452 Hall, 2807 N.W. Fruit Valley Road, Vancouver	10 a.m.–Reg. 10:30– Training	4 p.m.	Dan Buell, 360-951-5749
10/27	23^th LD Walk	UFCW, 1191 N.W. Tahoe Lane, Silverdale	11 a.m.–Reg. 11:30– Training	4 p.m.	Rebecca Cooper, 206-979-1314
10/27	25^th LD Walk	SEIU 1199, 104 Main St. #202, Puyallup	9:30 a.m.–Reg. 10:00– Training	4 p.m.	Kimberlie Lelli, 253-370-2861
10/27	30^th LD Walk	UFCW Local 81, 960 E. Main, Auburn	10 a.m.–Reg. 10:30– Training	4 p.m.	Erin Mills, 206-979-1282
10/27	31^st LD Walk	Machinists 751, 202 “B” Street (corner of “A” Street & 2^nd), Auburn	9:30 a.m.–Reg. 10–Training	4 p.m.	Joel Hanson, 206-979-1299
10/27	38th LD Walk	Everett Labor Temple, 2812 Lombard Ave., Everett	11 a.m.–Reg. 11:30– Training	4 p.m.	Lee Marchisio, 425-239-7389
10/27	41st LD Walk	UFCW Local 1001, 12838 S.E. 40th Pl., #201, Bellevue	10 a.m.–Reg. 10:30– Training	4 p.m.	Jamie Ware, 206-604-5872
10/27	42^nd LD Walk	Bellingham Labor Temple, 1700 N. State Street, Bellingham	9:30 a.m.–Reg. 10:30–Training	4 p.m.	Keith Rubin, 360-303-9281
10/27	44^th LD Walk	Everett Labor Temple, 2812 Lombard Ave., Everett	11 a.m.–Reg. 11:30– Training	4 p.m.	Lee Marchisio, 425-239-7389
10/27	47^th LD Walk	IUOE Local 286, 18 “E” St. S.W., Auburn	10 a.m.–Reg. 10:30– Training	4 p.m.	Marc Auerbach, 206-979-1280

NOTE: If you have volunteers available at times other than those listed on the calendar, please contact the coordinator to make arrangements to train and dispatch at an earlier/later time. We will never turn down a volunteer!!

NEXT WEEK: The King County phone bank will continue to run nightly from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the IAM 751 Hall. But starting Tuesday, Oct. 29, there will also be phone banks in Bellingham (at the Labor Temple from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., contact Keith Rubin) and in Tacoma (at the IBEW Hall at 3049 36th St., contact Kimberlie Lelli).

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23
IAM, SPEEA to conduct R-51 leafleting blitz today in Seattle

A large group of staff and volunteers from International Association of Machinists District 751 and the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace will fan out in precincts all over Seattle this afternoon to hand out leaflets in support of Referendum 51, which would finance desperately needed transportation projects across the state by phasing in a 9-cent increase in the gas tax plus imposing some additional vehicle sales taxes and truck weight fees.

The day of action will be kicked off by King County Executive Ron Sims speaking to the volunteers prior to their heading out. Also speaking at the kickoff will be IAM District 751 President Mark Blondin and SPEEA Executive Director Charles Bofferding, both of whom will discuss why passage of R-51 is a top priority for Boeing’s largest unions.

The event kicks off at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the IAM 751 Hall, 9125 15th Place S. in South Seattle.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23
Providence Mother Joseph nurses in Olympia OK new contract

The following press release was issued Tuesday by Service Employees International Union District 1199NW:

Nurses and other caregivers at Providence Mother Joseph Care Center in Olympia have voted to approve a new collective bargaining agreement that employees believe will help improve staffing and patient care at the long-term care facility.

“It was a hard fight. We won a contract that addresses our issues around recruitment and retention,” said Sandy Corman, a licensed practical nurse.

The agreement includes several breakthroughs including:

Stronger employee input on staffing. Quality staffing will continue to be an issue in today’s health care environment, so employees sought to improve opportunities to work with the administration to solve
patient care issues. Existing union-management committees will be strengthened.

Incentives for experienced caregivers. PMJCC had been hiring new staff at higher wage rates than dedicated employees. Under the new agreement, veteran employees’ pay will be adjusted to match pay rates of incoming staff.

Improved incentives for meeting staffing needs. The agreement boosts pay incentives for working double shifts and weekends.

Recruitment and retention solutions. To help reduce high job turnover, the agreement includes across-the-board pay increases that will help PMJCC attract and retain good caregivers. All staff will receive 8 percent pay increases over one year, and RNs and LPNs’ pay will be increased to meet community standards.

About 180 Providence Mother Joseph Care Center employees are included in the agreement. PMJCC staff are members of Service Employees International Union District 1199NW, a union of 10,000 nurses and health care employees working in hospitals and clinics across Washington State.

For more information, contact SEIU 1199NW Communications Director Carter Wright at (425) 917-1199.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22
R-51: VOTE like your job depends on it... because it might

The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO continues to spread the word about why its affiliated union organizations voted unanimously to endorse passage of Referendum 51, which would finance desperately needed transportation projects across the state by phasing in a 9-cent increase in the gas tax plus imposing some additional vehicle sales taxes and truck weight fees.

Last Saturday, hundreds of union activists and other R-51 supporters participated in a successful leafleting blitz in Seattle to stress the importance of turning out King County voters in support the measure. Don't forget a second Seattle blitz is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 2. (Learn more.)

Download the latest R-51 informational flier -- a 349 KB Adobe Acrobat or PDF file. Please print, post and distribute it to your union's members. (There are also previously distributed fliers available for download focusing on safety and on the urgency of our transportation problem.) The latest flier reads as follows:

VOTE like your job depends on it.
Because it might.

Washington state has lost 50,000 jobs in the past 18 months. We have to stop the economic bleeding by doing everything we can to retain and create jobs. You can help by voting YES on Referendum 51.

The state’s biggest employers are unanimous in supporting R-51. Why? Because traffic congestion and poor freight mobility in this state are costing them millions every year. Our employers say they can’t afford to do business in a state that refuses to invest in road maintenance and construction.

R-51 is an economic stimulus our state desperately needs. Not only will R-51 help retain good jobs, it will create new ones: an estimated 10,000 new road maintenance and construction jobs. Investing in our infrastructure with R-51 makes sense now more than ever.

No, R-51 won’t eliminate traffic and solve all our economic problems, but it will help relieve some of the most dangerous traffic chokepoints, and fix crumbling roads and bridges. And R-51 will create and help retain good jobs.

The WSLC can provide custom versions of each of these fliers featuring your union's logo or other alterations you request. For more information, contact the WSLC's David Groves at (206) 281-8901.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22
Sonics offer discounted tickets for Union Appreciation Nights

The Seattle SuperSonics are offering discounted tickets for union members on two Union Appreciation Nights this season at the Key Arena: Tuesday, Nov. 19 vs. the Orlando Magic and Sunday, Dec. 1 vs. the New Jersey Nets.

Upper level tickets at $10 each (regular price is $17) and lower level seats are $40 (regularly $46.) Ticket orders -- filled on a first-come, first-served basis for a limited number of seats -- must be received 14 days prior to the date of the game. Download the order form (in MS Word format). If you need an order form faxed or mailed to you, call (206) 281-8901.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21
WTECB plans workforce leadership conference Nov. 21-22

The following is a press release announcing an upcoming workforce leadership conference distributed by the state Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, which "works in partnership with business, labor, local workforce development councils, and other state agencies to address the workforce development challenges facing the state's employers and workers:"

The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board is hosting the state’s second workforce leadership conference, "Workforce Strategies 2002," at the Hilton Seattle Airport and Conference Center on Nov. 21-22. The conference will focus on four main themes: Employer Benefits, Linkages with Economic Development, National Workforce Development Policy, and Partnerships.

Employer Benefits will feature employers and business associations who improved their bottom line through partnerships with educators, workforce development councils, and state government.

Linkages with Economic Development will focus on efforts to improve the connection between workforce education and the skill needs of employers. This track will feature experts in cluster-based economic development, local industry-specific skill panels, and state and local leaders.

For those interested in National Workforce Development Policy, a group of nationally known experts will shed light on the key workforce development issues for Congressional focus in 2003, the views of various stakeholder organizations, and opportunities to influence policy.

Partnerships will highlight strong public/private partnerships, effective alliances between K-12 and postsecondary education and training, labor/management cooperation, and creative multi-partner solutions to community challenges.

Governor Gary Locke will present Best Practice Awards and Sen. Maria Cantwell will share her plans for workforce development policy. Other featured speakers include Phyllis Eisen, Vice President and Executive Director, Center for Workforce Success, National Association of Manufacturers; Dave Klick, Executive Vice President, Northwest Food Processors Association; Tom Martinez, Director of Human Resources, J.R. Simplot; and Linda Santos Clark, Senior Vice President, Talent Recruitment and Organizational Capability, Washington Mutual.

Conference registration information can be found at www.wtb.wa.gov/CONF-1.HTM or by contacting Barbara Mix at (360) 586-3322.

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.