UPDATED DAILY -- M-F by 9 a.m. (Pacific)

Links to press stories are functional at the date of posting.  In some cases, free registration is required at newspapers' sites.  Links sometimes "expire" when the source would like to begin charging 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 November 8-12, 2004

Previous weeks' news: Nov. 1-5 -- Oct. 25-29 -- Oct. 18-22

FRIDAY, Nov. 12 -- Memorial service for Joe Murphy will be Nov. 20 in Bremerton
Also today -- Group Health talks resume; parties agree to news blackout
...plus -- Bender: Anti-union EFF could use a little of its own disclosure medicine
— In yesterday's Aberdeen Daily World -- IGA strike in Ocean Shores ends -- After nine months, picketing ends. UFCW 367 informs management that workers would like to return to work unconditionally.
— In today's Yakima H-R -- Pandering, politics and the low workers' comp increase -- Editorial: Some employers are skeptical about the low rate increase for 2005. The only way for L&I to address the skepticism, and disprove the charges of political pandering to benefit Gregoire, will come next fall when the rates for 2006 are announced. Then we'll see if this year really was too good to be true.
...plus -- Goldendale aluminum smelter could resume operations in 2005
— In today's Oregonian -- Golden Northwest Aluminum agrees to reorganize -- The plan, subject to court approval, could mean the eventual restart of idled aluminum smelters in Goldendale and The Dalles.
— In today's Seattle Times -- Microsoft to double size of India facility, move heightens outsourcing worries
...plus -- Publisher asks unions to back Times in fight -- Blethen e-mails CWA, Newspaper Guild in battle with Hearst over Times P-I JOA. He says Times is considering unspecified "deep cuts."
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Split emerges at Newspaper Guild over role in Times-P-I JOA battle
— In the Pacific NW Inlander -- Painful decisions -- After 24 years as a licensed practical nurse at Sacred Heart Medical Center, Nancy Figy was one of 88 LPNs laid-off last month. Now, instead of looking forward to her impending retirement, she's grappling with how to find another job at the age of 58.
— In today's Tri-City Herald -- La Clinica board has chance to earn trust (editorial)
— In today's News Tribune -- Airbus beats out Boeing for $2 billion Indian Airlines order
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- Dispatchers guild, Kitsap County at contract standstill
Election news: — In today's News Tribune -- Vote analysis forecasts close win for Rossi -- Newspaper predicts Rossi win by 4,000+ votes. More votes to be counted today. Click here for latest results.
— In today's Seattle P-I -- King Co. faces election lawsuit; Democrats seek names of "rejected" voters
— In yesterday's Seattle Times -- Legislative progress possible if we "risk" civil discourse -- Op-ed by Rep. Jarrett calls for post-election reconciliation, citing GOP gas-tax attack on Dems as dirty politics.
National news: — Today from Reuters -- Business, labor prepare for battle on CAFTA deal
— In today's SF Chronicle -- 4,000 locked-out hotel workers face loss of health benefits on Dec. 1
— In today's NY Times -- Delta pilots vote to accept 32.5% pay cut
...plus -- AARP opposes Bush plan to replace Social Security with private accounts
— In today's Olympian -- Farm trade weigh on Bush (AP) -- Agriculture policy will center around quelling other nations' fears of U.S. beef and defending Congress' massive farm subsidies before the WTO.
— Today from AP -- Disney World union rejects contract, OK strike call if needed

THURSDAY, Nov. 11 -- Check out SEIU proposals for AFL-CIO reform at UniteToWin.org
— In today's NY Times -- AFL-CIO vows to consider change, but rebel voices discontent -- Sweeney forms Committee of Change to consider proposed changes and present them for a vote in February. SEIU's Stern said his preference would be to remain part of the federation, revived and more aggressive, but he acknowledges SEIU has created a committee to study quitting the AFL-CIO.
— Today from AP -- Unions (SEIU and Machinists) repeat threats to leave AFL-CIO
— In today's LA Times -- SEIU President Andy Stern calls for changes at AFL-CIO
— In today's Washington Post -- Labor leaders look at restructuring
Local news: — In today's Seattle P-I -- Boeing, unions will walk in a new era -- Virgin: Boeing contract talks figure to be one of this region's major economic events in 2005. Much has changed since 2002: Boeing is hiring again, there's a new CEO who talks conciliation but has a hard-liner history, and a lot of people from the political and labor realms spent political capital to win the 7E7. They are going to feel burned if the payback is that Boeing takes an antagonistic stand in contract talks.
— In today's Yakima H-R -- State's high court to hear L&I case; business groups se repeal of Cockle
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- Spokane firefighters suggest alternatives to mayor's proposed job cuts
— In the Spokane Journal of Commerce -- Work under way in dismantling of Kaiser's Mead smelter
— In yesterday's Daily News -- Work begins on chlor-alkali plant in Longview
— In today's Everett Herald -- Snohomish County ready to start Brightwater dickering with King County
Election news: — In today's Bremerton Sun -- Rossi clings to lead in tight governor's race (AP)
— In today's Seattle Times -- Rossi maintains lead, Gregoire holds out hope
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Jockeying begins for state party posts
— In today's LA Times -- Right to Work Foundation urges FEC probe into SEIU's election spending (AP)
Other national news:
— In today's LA Times -- Injured workers challenge doctor-choice provision of revised workers' comp law
— In today's NY Times -- WTO explains why U.S. can't restrict Internet gambling -- Got sovereignty?
...plus -- For white men, military service does not pay in later life -- Veterans Day is a fitting occasion to recognize the economic sacrifices of veterans. It was once believed that veterans of popular wars benefited from their service when they rejoined the civilian labor market, while veterans of unpopular wars lost out. A growing body of research, however, shows that most veterans -- whether inductees during a draft or enlistees in the voluntary forces -- suffer an earnings penalty in the civilian economy.

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 10 -- Union members: "Give the gift of good jobs" for holidays
...plus -- Rossi takes lead in latest count, but provisional ballots may tip race for Gregoire
— In today's News tribune -- Governor's race likely hinges on provisional ballot results
— In today's Seattle Times -- Rossi ahead, names team for possible transition
...plus -- Stay committed to improving state's business climate -- Op-ed by business leaders: Under Gov. Locke, state agencies have become more efficient and effective, improving our state's business climate. More can be done, but the truth is, we don't suck!  (OK, that's paraphrased, but here's a question: Can you guess why this op-ed was not published until AFTER the election? Discuss.)
— In today's Spokesman-Review -- 1,000 votes behind, Dolan concedes State Senate race to Benson
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- Eyman's next sales pitch: Performance audits
Local news:  RALLY TODAY in Seattle -- Join the fight for fairness and decency for hotel workers by attending a major rally at 4:30 p.m. today at Seattle's Westlake Park, 6th Ave. & Westlake.
— In Monday's Olympian -- State employees look to contracts for relief from surging health-care costs
— In today's Tri-City Herald -- Workers celebrate as La Clinica apparently fires director -- His departure may boost two unionizing efforts under way at the nonprofit clinic, which has 311 employees.
— In today's Seattle Times -- Potential 7E7 order from Qatar may hit 60 -- But to close the deal, Boeing may need to accelerate its timetable for introducing a stretch version of the 7E7.
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Yacht owners enjoying a huge perk -- tax breaks -- Some ultra-rich yacht buyers are able to deduct millions from their income tax next year by depreciating their pleasure craft under the provisions of the Bush administration's tax-relief program passed by Congress in 2003.
National news: -- Today from AP -- Organized labor reassessing its future -- SEIU President Andy Stern writes other labor leaders to assert that Kerry's loss was a reminder that organized labor's clout is shrinking and drastic changes are needed to rebuild. With his letter, Stern fires the opening shot of what is expected to be a caustic campaign for control of the AFL-CIO.
— In today's NY Times -- Nation's largest union SEIU issues call for major changes at AFL-CIO  
— In today's LA Times -- Unions confront post-election reality -- In what probably will be a somber meeting, the AFL-CIO Executive Council gathers today to ponder labor's survival in the next 4 years.
...plus -- Gov. Schwarzenegger names labor leader Pat Henning to run state employment department
— In today's SF Chronicle -- Mayor issues ultimatum to San Francisco hotels to end lockout
— In The Onion -- Nation's poor win election for nation's rich -- "The alliance between the tiny fraction at the top of the pyramid and the teeming masses of mouth-breathers at its enormous base has never been stronger," says a triumphant George W. Bush.

TUESDAY, Nov. 9 -- Sign an online petition supporting dairy workers at Threemile
...plus -- Gregoire, Green, Lantz still cling to leads in latest election tally
— In today's Seattle Times -- King County absentees push Gregoire's lead to 8,700 votes -- But less than a third of the remaining ballots are from King County and the other counties where Gregoire is ahead.
— In today's News Tribune -- Recount unlikely in race for governor; legislature tightened requirements
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Hope for transportation -- Editorial: As Democrats consider who will chair the Senate "Transportation" Committee, there's reason for hope they can help get the state in gear.
...plus -- Facing the state's budget deficit (Op-ed by Phil Talmadge) 
— In today's King Co. Journal -- Covington to consider utilities tax, service cuts, layoffs at budget hearing
Boeing news: — In today's News Tribune -- Airbus tries to "steal" tanker deal
— In today's LA Times -- Airbus pursues tanker contract -- Parent firm EADS has launched a major campaign for Air Force to buy its refueling tankers instead of those built by scandal-plagued Boeing.
— Today from Reuters -- Criminal probe of Boeing widened to include $100 billion Army program 
— In the PS Business Journal -- Report: Boeing losing out to Airbus on multibillion dollar AirAsia order
At AFLCIO.org -- AFL-CIO President Sweeney: An open letter to working families -- We will take the energy and momentum, the technology and the field operation we developed throughout the presidential campaign and use it to turn our country around.
— In today's Denver Post -- UFCW president's intervention indicates gravity of vote -- Exactly what concerns led Joseph Hansen to suspend the strike vote remain unclear, but experts believe the vote here could have far-reaching implications for labor unions everywhere.
— In today's NY Times -- Hispanic voters declared their independence -- Bush won 44% of the Hispanic vote, more than 10 percentage points higher than he received in 2000 and more than any Republican presidential candidate in at least three decades.
— Today from Reuters -- Powell sees better chance for U.S. immigration reform
— In today's Washington Post -- OSHA slow to issue standards, critics charge

MONDAY, Nov. 8 -- BIAW loses again in court; WSLC now has "secret" retro list
...plus -- New numbers in neck-and-neck Governor's race due late this afternoon
— In today's Bremerton Sun -- Rossi's surge: How did he do it? (AP) -- Win or lose, Rossi managed a Reaganesque appeal to lunchbucket Democrats and independents who liked his call for change, his social conservatism, and his vow to heel government regulators and get the economy moving.
...plus -- Tim Sheldon pulls ahead in Mason commissioner race -- Go, Tim, go!  No, seriously. Go.
— In today's Seattle P-I -- Spokane's Sen. Lisa Brown elected Senate Majority Leader
— In the Tri-City Herald -- Eyman's big failure invites speculation -- Editorial: Even with a huge campaign bankroll behind him and a handsome salary for his efforts, Tim Eyman's magic failed him. Big time. It's not tantamount to a political obituary, but it looks like a case for the Intensive Care Unit.
— In today's Yakima H-R -- Union workers (UFCW 1439) at Washington Beef OK 5-year contract
...plus -- Budget deficit could make city jobs in Sunnyside go bye-bye
— In today's NY Times -- Airbus and corporate welfare -- Editorial: European negotiators hoped the issue would disappear once the election was over. But even though President Bush didn't win Washington State, his negotiators say they plan to continue pushing the case -- and a more aggressive Boeing management is backing them up. It's time Airbus learned how to fly on its own wings.
National news: — In today's Rocky Mountain News -- Denver grocery dispute on pause -- UFCW International President Joseph Hansen intervenes and suspends member vote that appeared to be heading for a supermarket strike of 17,500 Safeway, Albertsons and other workers.
— In Saturday's Seattle Times -- Three major airlines announce big job or pay cuts 
— In today's LA Times -- Business groups invested heavily in election, now they await return
— In today's NY Times -- President Bush feels emboldened, no longer accidental, after victory

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Group Health talks resume; parties agree to news blackout

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Memorial service for Joe Murphy on Nov. 20

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Anti-union EFF could use a little of its own disclosure medicine

GADFLY, HEAL THYSELF: Anti-union EFF could use some disclosure of its own
by Rick S. Bender, President of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO

This election season, campaign coffers were again stuffed with huge donations. But the biggest donations in our state came from business and business-backed "citizens committees" that are a thin fiction for purposes of last-minute "hit pieces" of direct mail. That's why the "kitchen sink" complaint filed by the business-backed "charitable" Evergreen Freedom Foundation against labor was so outrageous.

EFF is a secret organization that coordinates its efforts with conservative campaign strategists to advance its own agenda. They claim a 501(c)3 tax exempt charitable organization status, and in form, although not function, claim non-partisanship. The lie is revealed in this fact: the EFF has never complained about any of the many campaign funding transgressions of its big-business friends.

In stark contrast, the largest labor organization in this state, the Washington State Labor Council, is open and honest about its funding and its agenda. The Labor Council's finances are an open book, published and distributed. Our conventions are open to guests and the media. Our political endorsements are made after full debate and a recorded vote that must achieve at least a two-thirds majority. Once our endorsements are made, individual union affiliates are still free to go their own way. (For example, the SEIU supported Republican Senator Joe Zarelli of the 18th District).

The EFF's complaint with the Public Disclosure Commission and the Attorney General made seven allegations against the Washington State Labor Council. Each and every one was rejected after investigation with the recommendation: "Alleged violation has not been substantiated and merits dismissal." One of the key allegations was that the Labor Council was in essence a political committee. The PDC investigation concluded that less than 14% of Labor Council expenditures were spent on support or opposition of candidates and ballot issues. 

The Court of Appeals has already ruled that if a majority of an organizations activity was not devoted to supporting or opposing candidates or ballot measures, the evaluation must be made on whether the organization's mission would be achieved by electoral victory. Obviously, the Labor Council would continue to exist and represent its members even it is won every election or lost every election, or was not engaged in any election. In other words, electoral politics is not the central purpose of the Labor Council's existence.

We wonder if similar findings would be made with other organizations?  I suspect that the outcome of a similar investigation might be different with some of these groups.  Take a look at the Building Industry Association of Washington. It has spent tens of thousands of dollars this year on campaigns, nearly $100,000 just on one Supreme Court race and seem totally consumed with electoral issues. Of course such groups are not open to any public scrutiny. They maintain secret membership lists and secret financial dealings.

For example, The EFF has never publicly revealed its funders. Searches of conservative, right-wing foundation reports have uncovered that organizations such as the Wal-Mart Family Foundation has given EFF a whopping $300,000 to finance its anti-labor, pro-privatization agenda. Wal-Mart is notorious for it's anti-union stance. 

One would ask why a newspaper that should support public disclosure and openness would back an unsubstantiated attack by a secretive organization. The fact that they may share an agenda of lower wages and less benefits, a lower standard of living for workers and a knee-jerk hostility to labor organizations that fight for better wages and working conditions for workers might be the answer to the puzzle.  That's a shame. 

Rick Bender is President of the Washington State Labor Council, the largest labor organization in the state.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Union members: "Give the gift of good jobs" for holidays
New website makes it easy to celebrate Buy Union week, Nov. 26-Dec. 5

WASHINGTON DC -- Instead of organizing worksites, one AFL-CIO department is organizing holiday shoppers to buy union-made  gifts for Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanzaa.

The AFL-CIO' s "Buy Union Week" campaign targets Nov. 26 - Dec. 5, the 10 busiest shopping days of the year, according to Matt Bates, secretary-treasurer of the Union Label and Service Trades Department.

"Shoppers will spend some $1 trillion during the winter holidays. We say, 'Give the Gift of Good Jobs' by spending your dollars in ways that keep people working for good wages and benefits," Bates said.

A new Internet shopping site, www.ShopUnionMade.org, was created to make it easy for consumers to find and purchase union-made items. The web site offers everything from greeting cards and clothing to computers, sporting goods and games.

"People have seen millions of good jobs disappear and they are looking for ways to take a stand and make a difference. Buy Union Week is a simple, effective way to support good jobs," Bates added.

The Buy Union Week campaign is reaching out to religious groups, socially conscious consumers and an array of organizations involved in the anti-sweatshop, anti-child labor and fair trade movements.

For more information, contact Matt Bates at (202) 628-2131.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Rossi takes lead, but provisional ballots may help Gregoire

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Sign an online petition supporting dairy workers at Threemile

The following request for signatures on an online petition is being circulated by United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO. Please take a moment to read about this important issue and sign the petition. For more information, contact UFW's Rosa Cabrera at (253) 274-0416.

Join Dolores Huerta: Tell Sorrento to Stand Against Sexual Discrimination
Sign The Petition TODAY!  Petition to be turned in on Nov. 19.

Dear Friends:

I've spent my life fighting for farm worker and women's rights and you've always been there to support me. I ask you to take a stand now to help the dairy workers at Threemile Canyon Farms who have been struggling to get a contract for the last 20 months, by signing their online petition today.  Workers have been the victims of harassment, retaliation, discrimination and ongoing workplace abuse.

Of the 150 employees at this dairy, there are two women. It's hard to believe that's a coincidence. Last month, three women filed suit in Oregon against the  dairies over sexual discrimination. They had all applied to work but were  never been called for a job while men were hired. A fourth woman has joined the suit. These allegations of sexual discrimination are just the latest in a long list of abuses at Threemile Canyon Farms.

Sorrento Lactalis, maker of Precious and Sorrento brand cheeses, currently receives milk produced by Threemile Canyon Farms. Sorrento has refused to use it's influence to help resolve this dispute despite requests from  Threemile Canyon Farms customers such as Safeway who has called on Sorrento to sit down and negotiate in good faith with the workers' union, the United  Farm Workers.

Please make a difference for these workers. Sign the on-line petition calling on Sorrento to use its influence to resolve this situation. Also please pass this petition on to friends and family. A community delegation will join the workers as they hand the petition to the company on November 19.  By signing this petition you will also send an email to Sorrento Lactalis. 

Thank you for always being there for “la causa”.

 

Dolores Huerta
Dolores Huerta Foundation
Co-founder, United Farm Workers

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Gregoire, Green, Lantz still cling to leads in latest tally

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8
BIAW loses again in court; WSLC now has "secret" retro list

The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) lost its last-ditch attempt to keep secret the list of participants in its workers' compensation "retro" rebate program on Friday as the state Court of Appeals rejected BIAW's claim that the information is a trade secret. The Washington State Labor Council is now in possession of the list of participants in the BIAW program, which the conservative right-wing homebuilders' group uses to fund its aggressive political and lobbying activities.

The WSLC sought the list because it believes that the state Department of Labor and Industries has allowed the BIAW to violate the requirement that participants belong to the same general business or industry, and because some of the participants are municipalities or other public corporations and the BIAW is skimming from taxpayers' rebates to fund its partisan political activities. Reports indicate the BIAW takes a 20% fee from each participant’s refund, generating millions of dollars every year which it can then pump into its political program.

Thurston County judge Richard Hicks had previously ruled that the BIAW had failed to meet the burden of proof necessary to keep the names of the participants in their retro program secret. However, the judge had granted a 15-day stay for the BIAW to appeal his ruling to the Court of Appeals. The BIAW requested to extend the stay and the Court of Appeals rejected that request on Friday. 

The case began when the WSLC filed a public disclosure request with the state Department of Labor and Industries for the names of the BIAW’s retro group participants, after a BIAW newsletter had welcomed the City of Mount Vernon into its program last month. A recent news report also indicated another “secret” BIAW retro participant, the City of Kennewick, received a $100,000 refund this year.  That means an estimated $20,000 of Kennewick citizens’ tax dollars were withheld without their knowledge or permission and some of it spent to finance political campaigns throughout the state.

“It’s just plain wrong for public monies to be used in partisan politics,” said WSLC President Rick Bender.

For more information, contact the WSLC's David Groves at 1-800-542-0904 or (206) 281-8901.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8
New numbers in neck-and-neck Governor's race due today